steve bird's wildlife - costa rica dragonflies bird’s wildlife birding & wildlife tours 5...

8
Steve Bird’s Wildlife BIRDING & WILDLIFE TOURS 5 Quarry Cottages Plymouth Devon UK 07780 965129 + 44 7780 965129 [email protected] Costa Rica! Saturday 16th June Monday 25th June 2018 With Dennis Paulson A Dragonfly & Nature Tour! Everyone knows that Costa Rica is a naturalist's heaven and birdwatchers from all over the world have often used Costa Rica as their introduction to Neotropical birds. But how many people know just how fantastic Costa Rica is for dragonflies? With 274 species presently described and at least 15 undescribed we will aim to see a good selection of these winged gems. There are 14 different families of Odonata in Costa Rica compared to 9 in the UK and 11 in the US, making this tropical paradise the perfect place to search the rocky mountain streams, rivers, marshes and ponds for wide variety of species. Please note that this tour while having dragonflies as the main focus, will also take time to look at the wide variety of other fantastic wildlife this beautiful country has to offer. If the weather is particularly cloudy or overcast we will take time to look at some of the magnificent birds, plus reptiles, frogs, other insects and indeed butterflies which are active even on dull days. This will be an all round nature experience with dragonflies being an important part of our tour. Due to the fantastic success of our 2017 tours we have a big demand to repeat one particular area around Laguna del Lagarto where we discovered several new species for Costa Rica and also found a handful of undescribed species. This exciting area is home to the much sought after Common Blue-wing and certainly deserves a more thorough search which is why we have organized this new and exciting itinerary. We will spend time in just two areas allowing us good opportunities to find even more new species for the country. Other wildlife we hope to see could include Great Green Macaws, Snowy Cotinga, Honeycreepers, Toucans, Trogons, Hummingbirds, Mantled Howler Monkey, Strawberry Poison Dart and Red-eyed Tree Frog.

Upload: hoangdung

Post on 17-Apr-2018

225 views

Category:

Documents


3 download

TRANSCRIPT

Page 1: Steve Bird's Wildlife - Costa Rica Dragonflies Bird’s Wildlife BIRDING & WILDLIFE TOURS 5 Quarry Cottages Plymouth Devon – UK 07780 965129 + 44 7780 965129 info@stevebirdswildlife.com

Steve Bird’s Wildlife BIRDING & WILDLIFE TOURS

5 Quarry Cottages Plymouth

Devon – UK

07780 965129

+ 44 7780 965129 [email protected]

Costa Rica!

Saturday 16th June – Monday 25th June 2018

With

Dennis Paulson

A Dragonfly & Nature Tour! Everyone knows that Costa Rica is a naturalist's heaven and birdwatchers from all over the world have often used Costa Rica as their introduction to Neotropical birds. But how many people know just how fantastic Costa Rica is for dragonflies? With 274 species presently described and at least 15 undescribed we will aim to see a good selection of these winged gems. There are 14 different families of Odonata in Costa Rica compared to 9 in the UK and 11 in the US, making this tropical paradise the perfect place to search the rocky mountain streams, rivers, marshes and ponds for wide variety of species. Please note that this tour while having dragonflies as the main focus, will also take time to look at the wide variety of other fantastic wildlife this beautiful country has to offer. If the weather is particularly cloudy or overcast we will take time to look at some of the magnificent birds, plus reptiles, frogs, other insects and indeed butterflies which are active even on dull days. This will be an all round nature experience with dragonflies being an important part of our tour. Due to the fantastic success of our 2017 tours we have a big demand to repeat one particular area around Laguna del Lagarto where we discovered several new species for Costa Rica and also found a handful of undescribed species. This exciting area is home to the much sought after Common Blue-wing and certainly deserves a more thorough search which is why we have organized this new and exciting itinerary. We will spend time in just two areas allowing us good opportunities to find even more new species for the country. Other wildlife we hope to see could include Great Green Macaws, Snowy Cotinga, Honeycreepers, Toucans, Trogons, Hummingbirds, Mantled Howler Monkey, Strawberry Poison Dart and Red-eyed Tree Frog.

Page 2: Steve Bird's Wildlife - Costa Rica Dragonflies Bird’s Wildlife BIRDING & WILDLIFE TOURS 5 Quarry Cottages Plymouth Devon – UK 07780 965129 + 44 7780 965129 info@stevebirdswildlife.com

Some of the species possible on this tour: Common Bluewing – Blue-winged Helicopter – Amazon Pennant – Red-and-black Flatwing – Yellow-eyed Spreadwing – Guatemala Spinyneck – Caribbean Yellowface – Brilliant Redskimmer – Mexican Scarlet-tail – Golden Amberwing – Little Swamp Dasher – Andagoya Dragonlet – Morton's Skimmer – Tuxtla Leaftail – Lowland Knobtail – Gold-tipped Darner – Marsh Firetail – Bromeliad Helicopter – Red-tipped Swampdamsel – Tiny Forktail – Costa Rican Wedgetail – White-faced Flatwing – Peralta Cora – Tikal Spreadwing – Hercules Skimmer – Jade-striped Sylph – Arch-tipped Glider – and many more!

ITINERARY: Start of Tour:

Day 1: Saturday 16th June – arrival San Jose – welcome dinner If travelling from the UK or US you need to plan for a flight that arrives in San Jose International Airport on June 16th. Note this is just an arrival day and a free shuttle bus will transfer you to our hotel. The tour begins with dinner at 7.00pm. (D)

Day 2: Sunday 17th June – Braulio Carrillio NP – Copa – Selva Verde After breakfast today we will meet our trusted coach driver Ramon and head out of the city towards the Sarapiqui. Our first stop will be at the Braulio Carrillio National Park where we hope the sun will shine and allow us to spend the rest of the morning searching this rich tropical forest. On our last tour we discovered the rare Yellow-eyed Spreadwing (Archilestes latialatus) so we will make an effort to try and find this interesting species. There will hopefully be other species to keep us busy such as White-faced Flatwing (Heteragrion albifrons), Blue-winged Helicopter (Megaloprepus caerulatus), Lowland Knobtail (Epigomphus tumefactus) and Hercules Skimmer (Libellula herculea). Moving

on we may have a little time to check a disused butterfly garden to see if any of the forest hummingbirds are coming to the flowers to feed. On a good day its possible to see the beautiful Snowcap alongside Black-crested Coquette and the dainty Green Thorntail. Moving on we will have a delicious lunch at a local restaurant followed by a short drive to a private reserve where we can visit their pond as well as observe some very interesting birds which include Thicket Antpitta which comes to food put out by the owner. He may also be able to show us day roosting owls or a Potoo! An exciting way to spend the afternoon especially as the pond may hold some surprise dragonfly species. Continuing on we will head for Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui and our home for the next 3 nights Selva Verde Lodge. If time

permits we get our first look at the pond near our bungalows for Sooty Saddlebags (Tramea binotata), Flame-tailed Pondhawk (Erythemis peruviana), Golden Amberwing (Perithemis electra) and who knows what else. Tonight we will have an optional search for Red-eyed Tree Frog and maybe Strawberry and Green-and-black Poison-Dart Frogs. Night Selva Verde Lodge. (B,L,D)

Page 3: Steve Bird's Wildlife - Costa Rica Dragonflies Bird’s Wildlife BIRDING & WILDLIFE TOURS 5 Quarry Cottages Plymouth Devon – UK 07780 965129 + 44 7780 965129 info@stevebirdswildlife.com

Day 3: Monday 18th June – La Selva Biological Station Today we will visit the world famous La Selva Biological Station. This is one of the best and best-studied sites for dragonflies in Central America, and at this time some 130 species have been recorded in the swamps and streams of this extensive patch of rainforest. We hope to see a good sample of these including Tikal Spreadwing (Lestes tikalus), Redstripe Rubyspot (Hetaerina miniata), Costa Rican Wedgetail (Acanthagrion speculum), Red-and-black Flatwing (Heteragrion erythrogastrum), Wispy Threadtail (Psaironeura angeloi), Gold-tipped Darner (Gynacantha tibiata), Common Blue-eye (Anatya guttata), Armed Knobtail (Epigomphus armatus), Black Dasher (Micrathyria atra), Fork-tipped Dashers (Micrathyria mengeri), Swamp Skimmer (Orthemis cultriformis) and Large Woodskimmer (Uracis fastigiata). Previous visits have tallied all three of the huge

helicopter damsels here, as well as several as yet undescribed species. Peccaries and guans can be seen around the restaurant area, while basilisks and iguanas hang around the river, and many species of birds visit the fruiting shrubs. We will spend the day here and just out the entrance in order to find a good selection of species. The small streams and patchy reeds can hold species like Jade-striped Sylph (Macrothemis inequiunguis), Tuxtla Leaftail (Phyllogomphoides pugnifer) and Broad-striped Forceptail (Aphylla angustifolia). Back at the lodge we can again check the

pond and in the evening go in search of nocturnal creatures if you so wish. Night Selva Verde Lodge. (B,L,D)

Day 4: Tuesday 19th June – La Selva Area Today we have a chance to revisit some of the nearby ponds and wetlands in search of additional species. Of course the weather plays an important part in our search so we have allowed this additional day just in case yesterday was overcast. This whole area is a haven for birds and other wildlife and we have opportunities to look for Snowy Cotinga, Rufous Motmot, the skulky Agami Heron, Red-capped Manakin and maybe Honduran White Bat or Mantled Howler Monkey. Nights Selva Verde Lodge. (B,L,D)

Days 5 – 9: Wed 20th – Sun 24th June – Laguna del Lagarto Lodge After breakfast we will set off towards our next destination. We visited Laguna del Lagarto on our 2017 tour and it turned out to be an amazing area, rich in wildlife and in particular the dragonflies. The well positioned lodge offers great opportunities to search rivers, streams, marshes and some very interesting forest ponds. Set within 500 hectares of rainforest this area has been little studied and as our 2017 tour proved, there is much to be discovered. We found several species new to Costa Rica and several undescribed species which included species only ever seen in La Selva previously.

Page 4: Steve Bird's Wildlife - Costa Rica Dragonflies Bird’s Wildlife BIRDING & WILDLIFE TOURS 5 Quarry Cottages Plymouth Devon – UK 07780 965129 + 44 7780 965129 info@stevebirdswildlife.com

Some of the interesting species we found include Amazon Pennant (Idiataphe amazonica ), Mexican Scarlet-tail (Planiplax sanguiniventris ), Brilliant Redskimmer (Rhodopygia hinei ), Morton’s Skimmer

(Cannaphila mortoni), Marsh Firetail (Telebasis digiticollis), Guatemala Spinyneck (Metaleptobasis bovilla) and undescribed species of Amberwing (Perithemis) and Firetail (Telebasis). The next four days will allow us a much more thorough search than our previous visit and we have high hopes of uncovering more interesting and possibly new species. We do know that Common Blue-wings, one of the most spectacular dragonflies, occur here, as well as several other species with restricted ranges in Costa Rica.

This is also the land of parrots, and even the rare Great Green Macaws and gaudy Scarlet Macaws can be seen here. Bird feeders at eye level to the lodge deck offer unprecedented views and photo opportunities of many birds including Keel-billed and Yellow-throated Toucans, Collared Aracaris, 3 species of Honeycreeper, Brown-hooded Parrots and a variety of colorful tanagers. In the evening we can relax and watch the sunset, and then for those that wish when it gets dark we can look for frogs and other night-time creatures. Nights at Laguna del Lagarto Lodge (B,L,D) Day 10: Mon 25th – Return to San Jose for international departures - END of Tour Please try to arrange your departing flight no earlier than 14.00pm as we need to travel during the morning and allow time for traffic around the city.(B)

Leaders: Dennis Paulson and Tom Bird with driver Ramon

Costa Rica, Dragonflies & Nature! June 16th – June 25th - 2018

Main Tour Ground Price: £1995.00 –

San Jose / San Jose Single supplement: £315.00

Deposit: £500.00 per person

Page 5: Steve Bird's Wildlife - Costa Rica Dragonflies Bird’s Wildlife BIRDING & WILDLIFE TOURS 5 Quarry Cottages Plymouth Devon – UK 07780 965129 + 44 7780 965129 info@stevebirdswildlife.com

The tour includes:

All lodging as per itinerary based on sharing a room with en-

suite facilities

All meals from dinner day 1 to breakfast day 10

Ground transportation by air-conditioned coach

All Reserve and parks entrance fees

Hotel Taxes

Bottled water

Services of guides and leaders

Included in cost: all accommodation in twin rooms en-suite, all meals from dinner on 16th June to breakfast on 25th June, or as described in itinerary (B,L,D), all entrance fees to National Parks, transport throughout, all taxes, services of leaders. Not included: International airfare, insurance, drinks, tips, and items of a personal nature. Once the tour is confirmed to go ahead, we will send you information about booking your flights. Please do not book flights until you receive this information from us and are notified that the trip has sufficient numbers to run. Final payment is due March 16, 2018. This tour is being run through - Steve’s Birds Wildlife – Birding & Wildlife tours, 5 Quarry Cottages, Plymouth, Devon, UK Contact Steve Bird [email protected] for more information.

Please note payments can be made through Steve Bird’s Wildlife.

5 Quarry Cottages, Honicknowle, Plymouth, Devon PL5 3PF [email protected]

Page 6: Steve Bird's Wildlife - Costa Rica Dragonflies Bird’s Wildlife BIRDING & WILDLIFE TOURS 5 Quarry Cottages Plymouth Devon – UK 07780 965129 + 44 7780 965129 info@stevebirdswildlife.com

RESERVATIONS: Contact either [email protected] to reserve your space! We will then send you a Registration Form (or see below) which you can fill in and mail it with your deposit of £500.00 per person to secure your place. Instructions are on the form. Reservations are held with a deposit on a first-come, first-served basis. Please note: Tour prices are based on quoted costs from ground operators (in their local currency), estimated fuel costs, and the rate of exchange at the time of itinerary publication. The erratic nature to global financial markets makes it difficult to predict changes in costs and foreign currency exchange rates over the long term. Since tours are priced well in advance of the actual operation of the tour, tour costs, fuel costs and exchange rates can change, sometimes drastically. Depending on the extent of such changes, it may be necessary to implement a surcharge on this tour. If a surcharge is necessary, every effort will be made to minimize the amount. Cancellations and Refunds: All cancellations must be made in writing. In the event that you must cancel your booking at any stage, all payments you have made will be retained by us, except at our discretion. Please ensure that you take out adequate insurance to cover this and any other eventuality as early as possible. You may have the opportunity to transfer your booking to another tour or another person, provided you are unavoidably prevented from coming on the tour. In this case, you will bear any extra costs that such changes may incur. There are no refunds once the trip is confirmed to go ahead and no refunds will be made for unused meals, accommodations, or other trip features. Insurance: The purchase of trip cancellation insurance to cover any eventuality is strongly recommended. We cannot accept liability for airline cancellations or delays or penalties incurred by the purchase of non- refundable airline tickets or other expenses incurred by tour participants in preparing for this tour.

This tour has been arranged and is run by: Steve Bird’s Wildlife – Birding & Wildlife Tours, 5 Quarry Cottages, Plymouth, Devon, UK Tel: 07780 965129 or (outside UK) +44 7780 965129 [email protected]

Please see below for Booking Form……………….

Page 7: Steve Bird's Wildlife - Costa Rica Dragonflies Bird’s Wildlife BIRDING & WILDLIFE TOURS 5 Quarry Cottages Plymouth Devon – UK 07780 965129 + 44 7780 965129 info@stevebirdswildlife.com

BOOKING FORM

Tour Name……………………………………………………………….. Dates..…………………………………….

Surname Initials Mr/Mrs/Miss First Name (That by which you

wish to be known on trip) Date of Birth

Address for Correspondence:

Postcode: Telephone: (Home) (Work) E-­­mail Address:

Contact Number: (in case of accident or emergency)

Doctors Number:

Passport Details: (Please fill in forenames as they appear on your passport) Surname Forename(s) Passport No. Place of Issue Date of issue Expiry date

Please make the above reservations I/We enclose £……………………….……. Deposit (Please see tour description for amount)

SIGNATURE …………………………………………………… DATE ……………...……………

Please make your cheque payable to ‘Steve Bird’ and return, together with completed booking form to the address overleaf.

Steve Bird’s Wildlife Birdwatching & Nature Tours

Page 8: Steve Bird's Wildlife - Costa Rica Dragonflies Bird’s Wildlife BIRDING & WILDLIFE TOURS 5 Quarry Cottages Plymouth Devon – UK 07780 965129 + 44 7780 965129 info@stevebirdswildlife.com

[email protected] Steve Bird’s Wildlife 07780 965129 / +44 7780 965129

Accommodation Preferences:

Accommodation required (please tick) single ☐ twin ☐ double ☐

If you are a single traveller would you be willing to share in twin-­­bedded accommodation with a fellow

tour participant? Yes ☐ No ☐

For single travellers, if you are willing to share but no acceptable roommate can be found will you cancel

your booking? Yes ☐ No ☐

If you answered no to the previous question, you will be charged the single room supplement as stated on our website. If you have already arranged to share a room with someone, please give their name in the space provided: ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

OTHER INFORMATION:

What type of passport do you hold? This must have at least six months to run after the return date of

your holiday. British Citizen ☐ Other (please state) ..………………………………………

Do you have any special dietary requirements (vegetarian, diabetic, other?) Yes ☐ No ☐

If yes give details: ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Do you have any medical conditions we should know about? Or is there anything else that may prohibit

full participation of the tour? Yes ☐ No ☐

If yes give details: ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Other countries you would like to visit: ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… Other interests: Butterflies, Dragonflies, Mammals, Flowers, Cetaceans, Photography etc …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Please return this form with enclosed cheque to Registered address:

Steve Bird’s Wildlife, 5 Quarry Cottages, Plymouth, Devon. PL5 3PF Tel: 07780 965129 or +44 7780 965129

E-­­mail: [email protected]

If you would like to pay by Bank transfer then please contact Steve for details.

If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact me.