"I found a new country record from the Golfito area on 07 April 2004 while leading the Birdquest tour. Along the road to La Gamba, I observed a bird perched on a power line. Looking up at the bird with a gray sky background I thought it looked different than a Social Flycatcher (Myiozetetes similis) but was not sure. When the bird flew down to the pastureland it gave the drawn-out call typical of Rusty-margined Flycatcher (Myiozetetes cayanensis). I began playing tape of this species and the bird responded several times with the typical call of Rusty-margined Flycatcher. Two Social Flycatchers began chasing the Rusty-margined Flycatcher from tree to tree but eventually lost interest. The Rusty-margined Flycatcher stopped calling but continued to respond by flying to different nearby perches."

Matt was also able to take this photo of the bird.

On 14 April 1923, at a time when more birds were sighted down the barrels of shotguns than through binoculars, Austin Paul Smith collected a female, buff-necked Striated Heron (Butorides striatus) near Cañas, Guanacaste. Since then, the species had not been reported again in Costa Rica, prompting Paul Slud, writing in The Birds of Costa Rica: Distribution and Ecology (1964), to proclaim, "The anomalous occurrence of the species in northwestern Costa Rica is unquestionably that of a wandering individual."

Nearly 81 years later, a second individual has been found not far from the site of the original occurrence. News of the sighting reached me via Jim Zook, who spoke with a visiting birder/tour guide named Dan (I've not been able to get his surname), who had been birding in Palo Verde NP and had seen the bird. Dan was birding from the observation tower in front of the OTS station, in the company of Carlos Jiménez, when they spotted the heron in the reeds below them. Dan was able to get a good digital photo of the bird, which he later showed to Jim.

Incidentally, while on the subject of rare herons, no further news of American Bittern (Botaurus lentiginosus) sightings has reached me, nor has there been any sign of the supposed photos taken late last year.

On 06 February 2004, Paco Madrigal sent out an e-mail message telling of a surprise that had just greeted him upon returning to his home in San José de la Montaña following a tour. His father had been walking in the garden that morning and had found a dead bird, which he put in the freezer. Upon seeing the specimen, Paco's first thought was that it was perhaps a juvenile Large-billed Tern (Phaetusa simplex), since the deceased bird was obviously a seabird of some sort with a yellowish bill and this species had been reported a year ago at Tortuguero. However, after consulting several field guides, he came to the conclusion that what had dropped dead within a few meters of his house was, in fact, a juvenile Red-billed Tropicbird (Phaethon aethereus)!

"The people I was with are good birders and quite familiar with Common Yellowthroat (Geothlypis trichas). I've seen commons numerous times, principally in the US, and have seen Masked Yellowthroat several times in the south. Therefore, without any doubt we dared to call it a Masked Yellowthroat in Carara, contradicting what it says in Stiles and Skutch."

On 18 January 2004, we were staying at Mirador de Quetzal (Eddie Serrano's Farm) at Km 70 on the Pan-American Highway, south of San Jose. I was looking for birds in a pasture below the campground on the property. I heard a sharp "pink!" note that I recognized as the call of a Pheuctitus grosbeak. As I was hoping to see a Black-thighed Grosbeak (Pheuctitus tibialis), I searched for the source of the call. The bird was in the top of an oak at the edge of the pasture, and it appeared to be a Pheuctitus grosbeak, from its size, stocky build, and thick bill. Initially the bird was silhouetted against the sky, so I moved to get a better look. When I saw it better, against a background of vegetation, I recognized the bird as an adult male Black-headed Grosbeak (Pheuctitus melanocephalus). Below is a transcription of my field notes, which were written immediately after the sighting (within five minutes).

The distinctive breast color, of course, marked the bird as an adult male Black-headed Grosbeak. I have been an active birder for over 45 years. I grew up in northeastern USA near Boston, Massachusetts, where I saw many Rose-breasted Grosbeaks -- it is a moderately common breeder there. I lived for several years in California, where I became familiar with the Black-headed Grosbeak. I have seen many of both species in most years since then, and have also seen Yellow Grosbeak (Pheuctitus chrysopeplus) and Black-backed Grosbeak (Pheuctitus aureoventris) in Mexico and Peru respectively, so I know the genus well. In my own mind, there is no question as to the identity of the bird. I had reviewed Stiles and Skutch's Birds of Costa Rica before my visit, and I knew that the sighting was unusual and worth setting down in detail. Unfortunately, my wife was unable to see the bird, so it must remain uncorroborated; nevertheless, I thought the sighting worth reporting.

Congratulations, Dennis, on seeing a bird that I'm still looking for in Costa Rica! You can always use the Black-thighed Grosbeak as an excuse to come back to CR again some day. By the way, on 02 February 2004, while birding with Roy Poucher and his group of folks from CA, we saw three Black-thighed Grosbeaks feeding in fruiting trees between the dining hall and the suspension bridge at La Selva. At just 60 meters above sea level, this is a far lower elevation than given in the field guide, but the species is on the La Selva list as an "Occasional Visitant." Three days later, while up on Cerro de la Muerte, we didn't see or hear any.

During February, I observed Pectoral Sandpipers (Calidris melanotos) at two different sites. On both 03 and 04 February 2004, an individual was present at the "El Tigre field" (the Pinnated Bittern site a few kilometers east of the turnoff into La Selva). The bird was seen foraging in a small, fairly open area of shallow water out in the field. Two Least Sandpipers (Calidris minutilla) were also present and made for a nice comparison. Later in the month, on the afternoon of the 23rd, while birding from the "crocodile" bridge over the Tarcoles River, I spotted another Pectoral Sandpiper. This one was standing near the edge of the water on a mudflat and there were some 30 Leasts in the general vicinity. The field guide states, "no winter record" for Pectoral Sandpiper in Costa Rica, and Julio Sánchez commented that he had never seen the species wintering here, either. Apparently, there was also an observation of this species in mid-December during the Aerial Tram CBC.

I also came close to seeing Cape May Warbler (Dendroica tigrina) twice in the past two months. While at Hacienda Guachipelín, on 18 February 2004 with Bob Quinn and his group, Bob found a male Cape May Warbler in some deciduous woods along the road. Unfortunately for me, I was about 50 meters away at the time, looking at Keel-billed Toucans (Ramphastos sulfuratus), Turquoise-browed Motmots (Eumomota superciliosa), or some other similarly mundane species. Two weeks later, while birding in the oak forest at Savegre Mountain Lodge on 02 March 2004, Ric Zarwell and Carol Sykes spotted a female Cape May in a mixed flock. I was able to just focus my bins on the tail end of the bird, when it flew. Both Ric and Carol know Cape May Warblers from their years of birding in North America and were sure that's what it was. From the brief view I got, there was nothing I saw that wouldn't make it a female Cape May (for whatever that's worth). Keen to see the bird, especially after having completely missed that male two weeks earlier, I began pishing. Lucklessly, all that responded were about three dozen Wilson's Warblers (Wilsonia pusilla). In my nearly 23 years in Costa Rica, I've seen a Cape May Warbler just once -- a breeding plumaged male in a roadside tree south of Upala, in March 1989. Although, another bird was reported in the vicinity of the Instituto Tecnológico during the past Cartago CBC, and Daniel Martínez saw one in La Selva in early April.

In mid-February, Bruce Young sent out an email to let interested local birders know that for the past month there had been a MacGillivray's Warbler (Oporornis tolmiei) in a brushy field about 500 meters east of the Hotel Belmar in Monteverde, on the road up to the towers. This is quite an uncommon migrant species and I greatly appreciate that Bruce put out the word to everyone. Ironically, I was in Monteverde on the day that the message was sent, but didn't have a chance to check my email until several days later upon returning home!

While birding at Mirador Vista del Valle (Km 119 on the Pan-American Highway south) with Bob Hawkins on 14 March 2004, I noticed a male Western Tanager (Piranga ludoviciana) coming to the banana trays. I'll admit that not expecting this species at such an elevation (about 1600m), nor so far south, my first reaction was to call it out as an immature male Flame-colored Tanager (Piranga bidentata), until something about it "seemed wrong" and a more careful look revealed it for what it was. Apparently, the bird was around for some time because Kevin Easley mentioned having seen it there, too. [Additionally, a number of people have been fortunate enough to see Scaled Antpitta (Grallaria guatimalensis) from the balcony there recently!]

Jesse Ellis, who is studying White-throated Magpie-Jay (Calocitta formosa) vocal repertoires in Santa Rosa NP (he's currently recorded some 100 variations!), emailed to say that in late February, he saw a Bullock's Oriole (Icterus bullockii). " I didn't think much of it at the time, then checked the book later and realized it was a good sighting. I know the locals well - at least the streak-backs, and saw Baltimores nearby at the same time, and I've seen Bullock's numerous times in Oregon. This bird was of similar size to Baltimore, but had a big blaze of white on the greater wing coverts, as well as the requisite orange head with a little bit of black streak at the eye."

Crested Eagle (Morphnus guianensis): an individual was sighted while calling from high in a forest tree behind the Quebrada González ranger station at Braulio Carrillo NP, on 05 February 2004, by Soo Whiting, Leo Chaves, and the group they were leading.

Uniform Crake (Amaurolimnas concolor): Liz Jones, of Bosque del Río Tigre, reports consistent sightings from late March through mid-April near the Boat-billed Heron pond, not far from the lodge.

Paint-billed Crake (Neocrex erythrops): Matt Denton found one in a ditch along the Chacarita Road on 06 April 2004. This is the first record for this species on the Pacific side of the country that I'm aware of. And on 15 April 2004, Jim Zook kicked up three individuals in thirty minutes while birding in a fallow rice field near Zapote, about 20 km east of Puerto Viejo de Sarapiquí.

Southern Lapwing (Vanellus chilensis): Though this species is now obviously resident in CR (when will someone find evidence of them breeding here?), several people reported seeing a pair during the last few months at a pond in front of the Montaña de Fuego Hotel at the base of Arenal Volcano. Jonathan Newman wrote, "They were acting in a typically belligerent fashion to the local egrets and seemed quite settled."

White-rumped Sandpiper (Calidris fuscicollis): On 19 April 2004, Jim Zook flushed two birds while birding at a large banana waste dump near the plantation known as Las Marias, east of Puerto Viejo de Sarapiquí. He followed them around for a while, getting good looks and hearing them, as well. This was a country tick for Jim.

Maroon-chested Ground-Dove (Claravis mondetoura): Kevin Easley told me that according to a local guide at Bosque de Paz, this rare and perhaps nomadic species has been seen at least three times in the past few months coming to eat the cooked rice that they sprinkle on the ground to attract granivores.

Pacific Screech-Owl (Otus cooperi): While staying at Arenal Vista Lodge during a recent Field Guides trip, Jay VanderGaast was "very surprised to hear and tape record" a Pacific Screech-Owl. And rightly so, as neither of us are aware of any other records for this species on the Caribbean side of Costa Rica. However, perhaps its presence at this specific location should not come as too much of a surprise given the number of dry forest species that have been moving into the Arenal area of late (e.g., see the answer below to the previous edition's geography quiz).

Great Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus): I was unable to substantiate rumors of two sightings of this rare owl near the piggery operated by the cheese factory in Monteverde. However, on 08 April 2004, one was found being mobbed by Brown Jays (Cyanocorax morio) while on a day roost along the Sendero Tranquilo in Monteverde. Additionally, Kevin Easley and Julio Sánchez both mentioned possible reports of Great Horned Owl at Kiri Lodge, near Tapantí NP.

Black-banded Woodcreeper (Dendrocolaptes picumnus): Kevin Easley had a bird at Bosque de Paz in mid-February, and I picked up my life record (suddenly, my CR list is now up to 755!) while descending from Cerro Silencio, above Platanillo, on 15 April 2004. I was birding with Ray Belding, Dave Tripp, Jerry Marcellino, Tim Steurer, and Tim's son Tom, who was celebrating his 16th birthday!

Mouse-colored Tyrannulet (Phaeomyias murina): Gary Rosenberg came across this recently-arrived flycatcher while driving to Tiskita Lodge with a WINGS tour in March.

Black-chested Jay (Cyanocorax affinis): This species was NOT seen by Julio Sánchez in Monteverde. That may seem a strange statement to make, but I include this note because the rumor was being circulated that this southern Caribbean lowland species had been spotted at the bird feeders by Stella's Bakery, and that Julio was among the birders to have seen it. When I spoke with Julio during preparation of this newsletter, he was adamant that he in fact did not see the bird. He was in Monteverde with a group of birders watching a variety of species partaking of the fruiting figs by CASEM when he was approached by a local person who told him that a visiting birder had supposedly just seen a Black-chested Jay at Stella's. He went across the street to check, but found nothing there (other than some really yummy pastry).

Tropical Mockingbird (Mimus gilvus): Here's another species that Julio did not see, even though it came to the fruit trays in his own back yard in Cartago! Fortunately, his son César was home at the time (early March) and witnessed this first record of the species for the Central Valley. On 19 April 2004, Jim Zook found a mockingbird at the banana dump where the above-mentioned White-rumped Sandpipers were. And I also received a report of a pair that were apparently building a nest in a tree beside the Hatillo River (between Quepos and Dominical) in early March.

Red-breasted Blackbird (Sturnella militaris): Kevin mentioned finding an individual in some wet pastures near Platanillo, a few kilometers up the road from Tuis de Turrialba. At an elevation of about 900m, this is the highest record yet for the species on the Caribbean slope of CR.

The presence of Melodious Blackbirds per se is no longer a newsworthy event here in Costa Rica. Since the first record of the species in March 1987 (a bird photographed by Steve Howell near Sarmiento on the road to Monteverde), these inky icterids have spread far and wide and have become quite common. However, they are typically encountered in pairs or small groups of no more than half a dozen. To have nearly two dozen traveling together was something I'd never seen nor heard of!

Thanks to Tom Sykes, who is Director of Media Services at Lawrence University in Appleton, WI and a good friend and birder, for emailing to advise that The University of New Mexico General Library, working in concert with the Wilson Society, has digitized and is distributing the backfiles of The Wilson Bulletin, subject to some very reasonable terms and conditions (which you'll see when following this link).

Tom also reports that the more recent volumes of The Wilson Bulletin are included in BioOne, which requires a modest subscription fee ("modest" being relative to what a library or other institution would be paying).

Although the quiz image in the previous newsletter didn't quite break the record for correct responses, it still proved to be a real confidence builder (after two successive difficult quizzes). Congratulations to Carson Wade, Lori Conrad, Michael Biro, Ric Zarwell, Pieter Westra, Dave Tripp, Tim Fitzpatrick, William Granados, Eduardo Amengual, Alfredo Scott, Roger Clark, David Garrigues, and Daniel Garrigues for having correctly identified a King Vulture (Sarcoramphus papa) from a vent view.

In March, I did a mangrove boat tour at the mouth of the Tarcoles River and took this photo. How many and what species are in the image?

Thanks to everyone who contributed news of rare sightings and good finds. I hope that you've enjoyed this newsletter and welcome any comments at gonebirdingcr@gmail.com or if you're in Costa Rica, feel free to give me a ring at 293-2710.

https://www.angelfire.com/bc/gonebirding/index.html

January 2004

Christmas Bird Count results, American Bittern, Gray Kingbird, White-eyed Vireo, Brewster's Warbler, Great Swallow-tailed Swift, Unspotted Saw-whet Owl, Maroon-chested Ground-Dove, Worldwide Ornithological Literature website

October 2003

Cory's Shearwater, Swallow-tailed Gull, Black Tern, Gray-breasted Crake, Gray Kingbird, Orange-crowned Warbler, Blue-headed Vireo, Bobolink, Lincoln's Sparrow, Peg-billed Finch, Buffy-crowned Wood-Partridge, rare raptors

July 2003

Greater Ani, Green Heron, Bat Falcon, Orange-breasted Falcon, Swallow-tailed Kite, Keel-billed Motmot, Spot-tailed Nightjar, Black-whiskered Vireo, Lincoln's Sparrow, Yellow-breasted Chat, Mouse-colored Tyrannulet, Strong-billed Woodcreeper

April 2003

Large-billed Tern, Green Heron, Golden-cheeked Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Keel-billed Motmot, Red-throated Caracara, Pheasant Cuckoo, Wattled Jacana, Tropical Mockingbird

January 2003

Christmas Bird Count results, Southern Lapwing , Short-tailed Nighthawk, Lanceolated Monklet , Sunbittern, Magnolia Warbler, Prevost's Ground-Sparrow, Tricolored Munia

October 2002

Golden-cheeked Warbler, Migrant monitoring, Southern Lapwing, Harpy Eagle, Violaceous Quail-Dove,Wedge-tailed Grass-Finch, Rusty Sparrow

July 2002

Dr. Skutch update, Veraguan Mango, Pearl Kite, Red-breasted Blackbird, Tody Motmot, Mourning Dove, Red Knot, Pinnated Bittern, Black-and-white Owl

April 2002

Harpy Eagle, American Avocet, Pacific Golden Plover, Ruff, Cave Swallow, Southern Lapwing, South Polar Skua, Maroon-chested Ground-Dove

January 2002

Southern Lapwing, White Tern, Chipping Sparrow, Black-headed Grosbeak, Ash-throated Flycatcher, Migrant warblers, hummers and more hummers

October 2001

South Polar Skua, Pomarine Jaeger, Sharpbill, Long-billed Curlew, Lovely Cotinga, Black-banded Woodcreeper, Blue-and-yellow Macaw, White-tipped Sicklebill, Bicolored Hawk, Lanceolated Monklet

July 2001

South Polar Skua, Silvery-fronted Tapaculo, Scaled Antpitta, Pearl Kite, Scarlet Macaw, Mystery hummers, White-eyed Vireo, Nashville Warbler, Masked Duck

April 2001

Crested Oropendola, Rosy Thrush-Tanager, Wattled Jacana, Brown-throated Parakeet, Lanceolated Monklet, Black-banded Woodcreeper, Lovely Cotinga, Cinnamon Teal, Silvery-throated Jay, Migrant wood-warblers, Violaceous Quail-Dove

January 2001

Crested Oropendola, Lark Sparrow, Oilbird, Double-striped Thick-knee, Pheasant Cuckoo, Y2K CBCs, Ochre-breasted Antpitta, Crested Eagle, Rufous-necked Wood-Rail

October 2000

first migrants and rare warblers, disappearing migrant shorebird habitat, Mallard (sic), Rufous-necked Wood-Rail, Scaled Antpitta, Black-and-white Owl

July 2000

Blue-tailed Hummingbird, Prairie Warbler, Tiny Hawk, Red-throated Caracara, Western Slaty-Antshrike, Red-breasted Blackbird, Clapper Rail, Swallow-tailed Gull

April 2000

Green-winged Teal, Painted Bunting, Green Ibis, Western Slaty-Antshrike, Pearl Kite, Southern Lapwing, Lanceolated Monklet