| Birding
in Costa Rica
Are
you planning on birding in Costa Rica? Do you want to maximize
the number of birds seen or concentrate on endemics during your
visit? Whether you are an experienced birder looking to add to
your list, or a new explorer interested in expanding your knowledge,
Costa Rica is an ideal spot for your birding interests.
Some
say, "Birds are where you find them." Certainly there's
an element of truth in that statement. Otherwise rare bird alert
hotlines would not exist. Nontheless, most birds have specific
habitats that they prefer, and if you want to see them, you'd
better know where to look.
Written
accounts of where to find birds in particular localities are an
aid to newcomers to a region. Several such books are now available
for Costa Rica, which is additionally blessed by having an excellent
field guide, A Guide to the Birds of Costa Rica, by F. Gary Stiles
and Alexander F. Skutch (Cornell University Press, 1989), which
covers more than 850 species. But even the best book is no substitute
for an experienced local guide. If you were on your first visit
to the neotropics and you saw a woodcreeper foraging in the midst
of a mixed species flock, would you be certain of the species
when you finally had the chance to check the field guide?
Basically,
there are two ends to the birding tour spectrum: you go it on
your own or you travel with an organized group. Each has its advantages
and disadvantages. But we offer an alternative that combines the
best of both worlds: privately guided birding tours. Combining
the flexibility and freedom of individual travel with the enriched
experience that can be had only in the company of an expert tour
leader, a individually designed and guided tour optimizes your
chances of seeing what you want to see, and of using your time
to the best advantage.
Richard
Garrigues, who has been guiding birding tours for the last 15
years, can help you do this. For example, tell us the birds you're
interested in, and he will create an itinerary that gives you
the best chances of seeing what you want to see. Whether you have
one day or ten, we can make this birding experience one that you’ll
remember.
About
Richard Garrigues
Richard Garrigues has resided in Costa Rica for the last 19 years,
and speaks fluent Spanish. He has guided birding tours in the
country for the last 15 years, including having been local co-guide
for Birdquest. His Costa Rica life list is currently at 731, making
him one of perhaps no more than a dozen people in the Costa Rica
“700 Club.” Garrigues spoke at the 1997 ABA/AFO conference
held in Costa Rica, the only CR resident birding guide invited
to do so.
From
Previous Clients
"The following is a systematic list for 327 species seen
or heard in 6 1/2 days of birding by myself and Alan Ziegler,
and our guide Richard Garrigues. I would like to thank Richard
not only for his expert knowledge of the Costa Rican avifauna
and seamless handling of the logistics of the trip, but for his
good company as well. I would not hesitate to recommend him as
a guide for anyone travelling to this country."
Jonathan Meyer
"Thanks
for yoeman service on an excellent trip. I'm looking forward to
spending some time tonight reviewing all the great things we saw.
It’s hard to imagine that we did all that in 2 weeks!"
Ann and Doug Brodie
"I
wanted to pass along my thanks for another great trip."
Joe Crichton, Wild Bird Tours
***
Would you like to be kept up to date on the latest rare bird sightings
and other birding news pertinent to Costa Rica? If so, simply
send an email to Garrigues at gonebirding@lycos.com
and tell him that you would like to subscribe to the Gone Birding
Newsletter. If you don't feel like saying anything more, just
put "subscribe" in the subject line.
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