Bosque de Rio Tigre

March 28-31, 2023

Bird List 

Seen  -  127

Heard  -  22

Total Species  -  149

The bird life here never disappoints. The handcrafted wood lodge is just steps from the Rio Tigre, and backed by a hillside of primary forest, just steps from bird-friendly habitat in a mix of secondary forest, ponds, and pasture. The lodge is also just a 10-minute walk from a new entrance to Corcovado National Park.

From a hammock on the terrace, we could observe an Orange-collared Manakin tending to youngsters in a nest. Just a few steps along a trail, we observed a boa constrictor advancing along a branch in search of prey. 

A short jungle trail leads to a nearby pond, dug out by gold-diggers and now home to Boat-billed Herons. 

Crossing the river involved walking along a log footbridge, steadied by a handrail of branches.

Every morning, a sprinkling of rice from the open-air kitchen attracted a mix of pigeons, doves, and agoutis.

The water level in the river at this time of year is quite low, but just deep enough for a cooling bath, which the ladies took full advantage of every afternoon. 

Mornings start at 5:30, with excellent coffee and just-baked banana bread. Our first hike on Wednesday was the most strenuous, up a winding trail through primary forest, accompanied by a chorus of Chestnut-backed Antbirds.

At the top we had views across the river to Corcovado National Park, with Scarlet Macaws flying overhead, along with Mealy, Red-lored, White-crowned parrots and Crimson-fronted Parakeets. An Orange-collared Manikin lek is easily accessed from the mud road, which at this drier time of year posed no slipping problems.

After a cooling afternoon thunderstorm, we walked along the river, spotting egrets, sandpipers, and herons.

After lunch, we took a stroll through the village, toward the Corcovado Park entrance, catching sight of twenty or more species, and spent some time watching a pair of toucans raiding a bird's nest and emerging with tiny legs -- hatchlings, sadly -- spilling out of their bills.

As usual, the food service, from breakfasts through lunches and dinners was healthy, varied and always delicious, featuring local fruits and vegetables, fresh fish, chicken and home-baked bread, with fresh-squeezed orange juice at breakfast and wine, beer and fruit refrescos at dinner, and after-dinner herbal teas. A mango crisp was the standout dessert.

Thursday morning we set off in cars, birding along a dirt road, with good looks at Gray-lined Hawk, a Roadside Hawk nest and Red-breasted Meadowlarks, among dozens of other species. 

We drove on to Playa Sándalo, edged by mangrove trees, and spotted the endemic Mangrove Warbler, although we missed the Mangrove Hummingbird. Scores of titi monkeys were active in the trees and one managed to aim a hard almond fruit directly onto my head.

Friday, before breakfast, we hiked through the village to the wider branch of the Rio Tigre and bird-watched from the high trestle bridge.

Participants: Dorothy, Jorge & Marguerite, Lyn & Fred, Howard

Guide: Abraham from Bosque de Rio Tigre Lodge

Trip Report: Dorothy

It was a truly wonderful trip and a great way to get back into birding. We thank Liz and Abraham for being such great hosts and allowing us to enjoy the beauty that they spend so much time in.

Our new member, Howard, has a very steady hand and here is a sampling, limited due to size and space.

Other images he shared that are not here are Black-faced Antthrush, Cattle Egret, Cherrie's Tanager M, Gray-headed Tanager, Gray-lined Hawk, Green Kingfisher, Lineated Woodpecker, Little Blue Heron, Palm Tanager, Spotted Sandpiper, Swallow-tailed Kite, Thick-billed Seed Finch, and a few unknowns.

Enjoy his pictures below, including Baird's Trogon, Black-mandibled Toucan, Blue Ground-Dove M&F, Buff-throated Saltator, Cherrie's Tanager F, Common Tody Flycatcher, Flycatcher- Myiobius, Gray-chested Dove, Martin, Roadside Hawk, Ruddy-breasted Seedeater, Thick-billed Euphonia

Click on an image to enlarge it.