Herradura

Today, I woke up early to meet the other "birders" at 5am to go out birding for the day, however the light drizzle was apparently sufficient to put them off! So I decided to go and explore the Herradura valley by myself. Two Smoky-brown Woodpeckers at the base of the valley got me off to a good start, swiftly followed by two calling Yellow-billed Caciques. The next excitement was provided by an Olive-sided Flycatcher; a common migrant, but a rare wintering species.

Near the top, I met a local coffee farmer who insisted on showing me around his farm where he said there were "muchos aves" on the organically grown crops. To my surprise, I quickly realised I was staring at a flock of 10+ Indigo Buntings; an uncommon winterer in Costa Rica.

Olive-sided Flycatcher

The local Cattle Egret roost.

Long-tailed Silky-flycatcher - after exploring Herradura, I met up with some friends at the Secret Garden restaurant where this bird gave close views on the feeder.

On my private tour.

Looking down the valley.

The Rio Blanco.

A bat species that was trapped inside someones house.