News & views from the Lincoln Local Group - RSPB Lincoln
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News & views
from the Lincoln Local Group
Autumn 2020
Field meeting report
Attenborough Nature Reserve,
Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust - 15 March
The nature reserve is part of a wider network of
Photo: Peter Skelson
former gravel workings to the south-west of the
city of Nottingham. The workings are extensive
and include the Trent Valley Way alongside the
River Trent. The area is very popular with
walkers, cyclists and bird watchers. It has an
excellent visitor centre comprising a shop, café
and educational rooms.
Our party of 32 visited the centre first and Tower hide at Attenborough
partook of some refreshments until the early this time and that another coach party from
morning rain started to ease off. It was possible Stevenage also visited at the same time. Seats
to see a great many wildfowl from there including were at a premium. Views from the hide
one whooper swan amongst the mute swans. produced good numbers of goldeneyes as well
Several of us also had a glimpse of a low-flying as several redwings in the lakeside bushes.
merlin hurtling over the lake as well as reed
buntings in the reeds alongside the centre. We moved off once the rain eased to allow the
Stevenage group some quality room. Making our
Once the rain eased off a little, we headed off way back along the track and along the Trent
over the bridge next to the car park where we Valley Way footpath we had good views of
were able to see a pair of goosanders as well as several small birds including robin, dunnock,
numerous great crested grebes. Beyond this reed bunting, great tit, blue tit and long-tailed tit
point one or two people had good views of a lone which were being enticed from bushes by small
kingfisher. strategically-placed amounts of bird seed. Our
We headed next to the Tower Hide which final sight/sound of the morning was the
overlooks two lakes. En route we saw some unmistakable song of the chiffchaff (two seen/
beautiful drake shovelers and teals in full heard). These may have been newly arrived
breeding plumage. Delightful! There was also a migrants although many now over-winter here
grey heron skulking in the reedbed. because of our mild winters.
The Tower Hide proved to be very popular owing After lunch our party headed out along the
to the facts that it was raining quite heavily by riverside walk and back past the local church.
Four mistle thrushes picked energetically at the
village cricket pitch whilst several redwings were
John Bridges (rspb-images.com)
in a farmyard bush. We were viewing a beautiful
mistle thrush within the trees in the churchyard
when the call went out: “Goldcrest!”. Everyone
rushed over to see this splendid little bird which
was not at all fazed by our presence and
continued to feed vigorously within its tree giving
everyone excellent views of a bird which can be
very difficult to see once trees are in full leaf. Our
last notable bird on this section of the walk was a
nuthatch but unfortunately only Mike Willey
Goldcrest
heard it!
The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) is a registered charity: England and Wales no. 207076, Scotland no. SC037654
It was then back to the café for a well-earned
cup of tea and slice of cake. Afterwards, a few of
us ventured back along the track from the car
park towards the Tower Hide. We were rewarded
with the sight of a buzzard being mobbed by
crows and our first hirundines of 2020, several
sand martins.
Despite the greyness of the day we were able to
see many birds (nearly 60). These included:
wren, coot, Egyptian goose, Canada goose,
greylag goose, mute swan, whooper swan,
black-headed gull, common gull, mallard, great
crested grebe, robin, carrion crow, tufted duck,
gadwall, cormorant, goosander, grey heron, blue
tit, great tit, long-tailed tit, blackbird, redwing,
mistle thrush, reed bunting, merlin,
sparrowhawk, buzzard, magpie, goldeneye,
pheasant, teal, shoveler, wigeon, moorhen,
woodpigeon, stock dove, dunnock, pochard,
chaffinch, goldfinch, greenfinch, jay, kingfisher,
little egret, barnacle goose, chiffchaff, Cetti’s
warbler, bullfinch, starling, great spotted
woodpecker, house sparrow, goldcrest, herring
gull, sand martin, nuthatch.
Pete Dryburgh
RSPB Lincoln Local Group
Ed: Although we didn’t know it at the time, this
was to be the last field meeting of the year due 27 March: We were surprised to have a reed
to the covid - 19 lockdown. Since then, bunting pair in the garden for two days earlier
members of the group have been recording the this week and I saw bats for the first time
wildlife they have seen in their gardens and yesterday evening.
local area. Their sightings make interesting
reading and some of the highlights are included Jeanette Seaman
below:
28 March: I have been enjoying the lovely
weather by catching up with gardening and
Garden Wildlife Sightings allotment work. The spring flowers have been
lovely and I have noticed birds looking for
March nesting materials. I have seen my first brimstone
and peacock butterflies, some bumble bees and
27 March: We are very lucky to have lots of
hover flies. All welcome pollinators as my
space and had some new lambs and ewes
blueberries are coming into blossom.
delivered yesterday. Colin saw a peacock
butterfly hatch out in the shed and we are Mary Glen
recording our sightings on the ‘Big Butterfly
Count’ - about 5 or 6 to date! We are also
keeping a lookout for the first swallows coming; 30 March: At home the birds are busy nesting.
it’s usually around 6th April. It’s lovely to open We have robin, blackbird and dunnock already
the door in the morning and hear all the birds nesting in the garden. We also have regular
twittering away. There is a woodpecker visits from blue, great and long-tailed tits,
somewhere close by. One of our friends had a goldfinch, chaffinch, collared doves (13 on one
hedge full of sparrows but they have all occasion!), woodpigeon, magpie, wren and
disappeared - how very odd? occasionally a great spotted woodpecker,
goldcrest, siskin, coal tit, yellowhammer and
Jill and Colin Jackson blackcap. We also have a regular fly past of the
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sparrowhawk. We are fortunate to be able to
have an interesting daily birdwatch.
GREENSPACES NATURE
We also have daily visits from grey squirrels and
at least two hedgehogs out of hibernation and
feeding every evening, caught on a trail camera. FULLY GUIDED BIRD and WILDLIFE WATCHING HOLIDAYS and
TOURS at a variety of UK locations.
John and Brenda Edlington
Our small groups allow us to give a personal service, it is about the watching
not the listing !
March: Sightings from my North Hykeham
DATES FOR 2021.
garden nature reserve.
NORTH NORFOLK in Winter - 4 nights - 24th to 28th January
Birds: Regular visitors are dunnock, blackbird DUMFRIES and the SOLWAY - 4 Nights - 6th to 11th February
(nesting nearby), starling, collared dove, wren, SOMERSET - The LEVELS and beyond - 4 nights - 14th to 19th May
robin (nesting nearby), chaffinch, goldfinch, The FARNE ISLANDS and the NORTHUMBRIAN COASTLINE
greenfinch, great tit, blue tit (nesting in my own - 1st to 6th June
nest box for third year), wood pigeon. AUTUMN in SPEYSIDE, the CAIRNGORMS and MORAY
Occasionally overhead buzzard and - 7 nights - 16th to 23rd October.
-
sparrowhawk. ALL OF OUR TOURS GIVE GREAT PHOTOGRAPHIC OPPORTUNITIES
Mammals: Common pipistrelle bat (first seen on A VARIETY of OTHER EVENTS are AVAILABLE FROM TALKS to DAY TRIPS and
18th March so early to be out of hibernation but ONE DAY WORKSHOPS.
for further information see :- www.stevelovellgreenspaces.co.uk
a warm evening).
email - stephenlovell58@btinternet.com
Insects: Brimstone, small
or call Steve on 07957618 684 or 01522 689456
tortoiseshell (first sighting
of both on 22nd), comma
(first sighting on 24th),
peacock (first sighting
25th), dark edged bee-fly
(first sighting 24th), female 5 April: I spotted this fly
hairy-footed flower bee (see photo) sunning
(see photo, a first sighting itself on my outhouse
26th and a new insect ID wall today, I looked it up
for me), green shield-bug (26th). and I think it is a large
bee-fly.
Sue Robey
Neil Roberts
April
2 April: We are so lucky that we have a 12 April: The following have been seen in our
connection to the natural world and can find garden or on boundary features since lockdown:
beauty anywhere. We have a beautiful old pear blue tit, great tit, coal tit, long-tailed tit, goldfinch,
tree just outside the village (see photo) and have chaffinch, greenfinch, blackbird, starling, robin,
been making a pilgrimage every day to look at it dunnock, pied wagtail, wren, two great spotted
as it flowers; should be woodpeckers, green woodpecker, sparrowhawk,
fully out this weekend. kestrel, jackdaw, rook, crow, pair of mallards, jay
Amazing how many of our and a stoat. We have also seen several bee flies
fellow villagers don't notice featured by Neil which we have never seen here
it! Until a couple of days before.
ago we have also been Michael and Wendy Hinks
enjoying a group of around
500 fieldfares in the same
area. Numbers have 12 April: Saw first swallow a couple of days ago
radically dropped as I think and heard blackcap singing last night. Still doing
they are leaving us. Now waiting for old friends quite well for birds in the garden.
to arrive...amazed we haven't heard a chiffchaff
yet. 23 April: Butterflies seen in garden this week:
holly blue, orange tip, brimstone. Also, regular
Frank and Clare Brufton flocks of goldfinches, chaffinches, greenfinches,
3
a pair of pied wagtails. All being flushed by 7 April: Willow warbler seen and chiffchaff heard.
regular sorties from a sparrowhawk 3 house martins over house in afternoon.
25 April: Had willow warbler, blackcaps and 8 April: (Clare’s birthday!) Chiffchaff seen;
chiffchaff this evening blackcap heard.
Colin Goulding 12 April: First swallows spotted over village.
15 April: Blackcap finally spotted, nine late
13 April: I do not have very much bird activity in fieldfares in sheep field.
my garden at all. I did have a few goldfinches
last year that lived in a large cherry tree three 16 April: Three yellow wagtails in sheep field.
doors down from me, but unfortunately the new 17 April: Hobby over garden, spotted by Clare
owners had it severely pollarded earlier in the and missed by Frank (not happy!).
year, so no more goldfinches. I have a resident
blackbird who sits on top of my neighbour’s TV 22 April: Whitethroat seen and heard just outside
aerial singing away, a very underrated songbird the village. Seem thin on the ground this year.
in my opinion. I sit in my garden listening to him
in what is quite a complex song made up of 30 April: Lesser whitethroat head and a brief flit
whistles, cheeps, churs and chirps. He starts seen, again just out of the village. Not heard
early in the morning, and is still going at sunset. since.
Not sure what my neighbour threw in her garden Generally, we are also seeing the best numbers
yesterday, but it attracted a flock of about a of yellowhammers and tree sparrows we have
dozen black-headed gulls that wheeled and seen for years.
squawked over her garden for about 20 minutes.
Frank Brufton
17 April: The sunny weather earlier in the week
brought out several hoverflies in my garden that
have hovered over my lawn for long periods, 19 April: Our first swallow overhead on 4th April
although to my extreme frustration, not long and the following Saturday (11th) as I queued to
enough for me to get a decent photo. The go into our village farm shop there were at least
interesting thing is that at times they seem to be eight dashing about and checking out all the old
in pairs with one being considerably larger than outbuildings where they nest.
the other. Does anyone have an idea what these
might be? We have two different male pheasants (one very
silvery backed and one more coppery) coming
A quantity of wet feathers on my patio this into the garden to clear up under feeders and
morning seems to point to the demise of a bringing their harems with them.
female blackbird, possibly victim to a
sparrowhawk, as it is sometime now since I have A house sparrow seems to have taken over the
seen any cats in my area. Mind you, I have not gap under a pantile where "our" swifts go, so I
seen the sparrowhawk either, mores the pity. am hoping the swifts can find somewhere when
they arrive.
23 April: I went out for a walk this morning into
Swanholme Lakes. Less than 200m in I came Jeanette Seaman
across an adder sat on the path taking in the sun
- my very first adder-ever! I was that excited that 22 April: My neighbour takes a walk along a
my first six or seven shots were all blurred! footpath in Brant Broughton around 9 am. Sky
Graham Mumby-Croft larks sing and a muntjac deer often crosses her
path. This morning she spotted bright blue,
Photo: Graham Mumby-Croft
broken shells (from dunnocks eggs?) near the
hedge.
25 April: Colin spotted the first two swallows this
evening on the electric wires in the field (at last!).
Bird seed sales going surprisingly well. People
ring in an order and collect from our doorstep,
popping the money through the letterbox.
Adder Jill and Colin Jackson
4
April: Sightings from our garden at
Washingborough (we back onto Pitts Wood):
Birds: blue tit, great tit, coal tit, long-tailed tit,
goldfinch, greenfinch, robin, dunnock, starling,
blackbird, chiffchaff, goldcrest, great spotted
woodpecker, jay, black-headed gull, canada
goose, mallard, wren, chaffinch, carrion crow,
jackdaw, magpie, stock dove, wood pigeon,
buzzard, sparrowhawk, swallow, blackcap and
treecreeper. Heard but not seen: tawny owl and
green woodpecker.
Butterflies: red admiral, peacock, brimstone,
tortoiseshell, orange tip and holly blue.
Mammals: muntjac, hedgehog, grey squirrel and
common shrew.
Amphibians: frog
Alan Smith
April: Observations from my North Hykeham
garden nature reserve:
To begin with some firsts of the year for me this
month. Heard my first chiffchaff in the trees
behind my garden on 1st April but have yet to
actually see one. Finally seen my first swallows
on 23rd along the River Witham near where I
live. As for insects in my garden they include first morning recently while looking out of my
holly blue on 5th, dock bug on 8th, male orange bedroom window I was thrilled to see it at close
tip on 10th (all those seen so far have been quarters sat on the fence preening (see photo).
males, no females as yet although I understand The blue tits in the nest box have been taking
they are now on the wing), small purple and gold their time building the nest but appear to have
(mint) moth on 23rd and speckled wood on 24th. reached completion. In the meantime, I now
Also, several whites on the wing this month. have two blackbird fledglings running eagerly
Although usually flying too fast to ID with round the garden after their dad who is being a
certainty, those I have managed to ID seem to very conscientious provider of food. I see them
be mainly green-veined whites with a few small several times a day, sometimes coming across
whites. them unexpectedly, once even inside the
A most welcome new greenhouse where the youngsters appeared to
regular visitor to the be enjoying the extra warmth while dad
garden since the continued to do all the hard work foraging on
beginning of the month is their behalf in there!
a song thrush who is With regard to Graham's hoverfly, although there
doing a grand job of are many different species it may well be the
controlling the snails and same as those I have been getting in my own
slugs which abound - my garden if the behaviour is similar. Like Graham I
Hosta leaves have never have been unable to get a photo as they move
looked so good! Early one too fast and rarely settle for long. However, I
have been able to observe them with my close
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5
focus binoculars and from their markings they
would appear to be drone flies, so named
because of their resemblance to male
honeybees. There are two very similar species
Eristalis pertinax and E. tenax if he would like to
look them up. The behaviour of those that I see
is to hover over an area of the garden,
occasionally turning and darting towards
anything that invades "their" space. I believe
they may be males defending their territory.
Sue Robey
May
butterflies. Along with robins, blackbirds, heard
6 May: The swifts are back today - first there was
chiffchaff, great tit, goldfinch too.
just two flying around and then I heard
screaming up high and there were about 15 over 30 May: Both my dad and myself have been
the village. We are usually lucky enough that one hearing the cuckoo daily either here at home,
pair nest under a roof tile so fingers crossed. near Skellingthorpe woods and occasionally in
There are swallows nesting in the farm shop and Saxilby.
house martins on at least one of the older Yvonne Allen
houses so we have three hirundines in the
village. Can't imagine we'd get sand martins
anywhere nearby. 11 May: The wildlife is doing well in the garden,
Jeanette Seaman despite regular attacks from crows, magpies and
the sparrowhawk. Blackbirds and robins have
successfully raised young and we now have a
5 May: single swift over village in morning. By pair of great tits squeezing into the blue tit box to
evening around a dozen were above the village a raise a brood. They kept attacking the wood
screaming. inside the metal plate designed for blue tits. We
Frank Brufton are still getting regular visits from the great
spotted woodpecker and it is good to see the
return of swallows and swifts.
10 May: Saw and heard the cuckoo this morning
on the cycle track to the Pyewipe. I heard it first On our walks on the field paths surrounding
then it flew across in front of me. Nettleham we have seen skylarks, meadow
Alan Kirman pipits, yellowhammers, jay, whitethroat,
blackcap, buzzard and the usual more common
species. Sue let us know that she had seen
15 May: I’ve heard the Cuckoo, calling twice
water voles in Nettleham beck and we have
recently, on the 9th and 12th of this month.
been fortunate enough to see one.
Somewhere in the trees at the back of the
John and Brenda Edlington
house. Both my parents and myself have heard
it on both occasions, but sadly not seen it. It's the
first time we've heard it so clearly and so near to May: In the garden this month I had an early
us for many years. We used to hear it daily when birthday present in the form of my first swift
we first moved here in 2001, then nothing for sighting overhead on 5th May. The two blackbird
years until recently. fledglings who were already beginning to grow
their first full tail feathers at the end of April have
24 May: I met a friend at Hartsholme Country
gone from my garden, no doubt fending entirely
Park for a socially distanced walk, with sightings
for themselves now. Taking their place have
of the odd juvenile heron still sat in the nest,
been a large family of starlings who have
mallard ducklings, greylag goslings, one great
suddenly invaded the neighbourhood, their
crested grebe, and your other regular water birds
raucous calls to one another quite often
and small birds.
drowning out the sound of other songbirds. On
25 May: Bank holiday Monday I walked some of one occasion I counted at least two dozen on the
the south common, and saw, magpies and bird table after I had just put out some
carrion crows, also half a dozen speckled wood mealworms. In the meantime, my blue tits have
been tirelessly back and forth to the nest box all
6
month with a seemingly COSTA RICA RE-VISITED
endless supply of
caterpillars for their young. January 2020
Sadly, for all their efforts
they were rewarded with After browsing the Naturetrek brochure and
just the one (see photo) numerous discussions we decided on Costa
which fledged on the 25th, Rica in January to escape the winter blues.
a day earlier than the two which fledged last Angela had already been there twice before and
year, and again I managed some photos. highly recommended the country; this would be
a new country for Mike. The trip itinerary only
Across the meadows, my local patch has been repeated one reserve from the previous visits
awash with an abundance of white cow parsley and that was some time ago, anyway. The other
and hawthorn blossom as if to reflect the new centres were new and hopefully plenty of
purity in the air and remind us that there have different birds and other wildlife.
been positive outcomes of the lockdown with the
reduction in pollution levels and the opportunity The taxi picked us up at 1.30 am on the 18th of
for nature to thrive. On 3rd May I saw my first January for our trip to Gatwick to catch the BA
common whitethroat over there and they are still flight direct to San Jose departing at 8.05 am
singing away scratchily from almost every and arriving at 1.40 pm Costa Rican time. WHAT
hawthorn bush. Along the drain there is much chaos at the small airport with more than three
evidence of active water vole burrows but sadly, flights coming in at the same time. (We write this
unlike others in the group, the nearest I have article in the times of Covid-19. Social distancing
come to actually seeing one is to hear the plop of - no chance!). Eventually we met up with the rest
one dropping into the water. of our party plus our local leader Yehudi and our
transport to the Bougainvillea Hotel on the
At this time of the year I always look forward to outskirts of the capital for dinner and a welcome
seeing one of my favourite insects, banded good night’s sleep.
demoiselles. Nevertheless, on a stroll alongside
the River Witham over the meadows late After breakfast we warmed up literally, its already
afternoon on 8th May I was most surprised to 20 deg C, with a walk around the beautifully
come across two females resting in the reeds. planted 11-acre hotel grounds seeing rufous-
This seemed particularly early in the season as I naped wrens, blue-crowned motmots, and flocks
would not normally expect to see them until of crimson-fronted parakeets with glimpses of
much later in the month but they did appear to many others. We left San Jose travelling through
be freshly emerged and I didn't see any others the suburbs northwards into mountains and
that day. Now there is a dazzling display of both heavy rain with brief stops at the roadside where
males and females over there. safe to do so, watching birds at these
opportunities. After 90 minutes or so stopped for
As spring merges into summer, the hawthorn coffee and a comfort stop.
blossom has given way to dog rose and as the
cow parsley fades, hogweed emerges to take its The family run cafe had a balcony looking out
place. The insect season is truly here and I look over a deep forested valley to a distant waterfall.
forward to new discoveries. Mike didn’t know which way to point his camera
Sue Robey
Photo: Mike Catchpole
May: Sightings from the garden:
Birds: jay, great spotted woodpecker, wood
pigeon, blackbird, robin, long-tailed tit, great tit,
blue tit, coal tit, chaffinch, carrion crow, magpie,
starling, dunnock, stock dove, greenfinch, house
sparrow, buzzard, black-headed gull, swift,
kestrel, collared dove, herring gull and tawny owl
(heard but not seen).
Mammals: muntjac with fawn, grey squirrel and
hedgehog.
Butterflies: holly blue, orange tip, peacock and
brimstone.
Alan Smith Red-headed barbet
7
as there were hummingbirds to the left of him,
toucans, toucanets and barbets to the right and
tanagers flying all around us and a rare quail
dove on the ground giving fleeting glimpses in
Photo: Mike Catchpole
the undergrowth. It took all of our guide’s
persuasion to get us back into the minibus to
continue our journey to the Caribbean lowlands
arriving at Selva Verde Lodge, a place
recognised from Angela’s previous visits, in spite
of the continuing heavy rain.
After settling into our rooms and lunch we Yellow-throated toucan
walked through the covered walkways looking at
collared aracari, short-billed pigeons and more branches as well as a kinkajou; we will let you
hummingbirds - the one which turned out to be look that up on the Web. Ours was sleeping in
the most common that we saw daily was the the top of the tree at 40 feet, straight up, a pain
rufous-tailed. The next day the rain didn’t look in the neck - literally! So, our mammal list had
like abating (after all we were in the rain forest), also started.
although our guide had informed us that climate The next day we are expected at La Selva
change was affecting this country as well with Biological Station, run by the Organisation for
apparent changes in daily and seasonal weather Tropical Studies. Exploring the riverside grounds
patterns. There had been huge amounts of rain in heavy rain with a station guide we saw brown
prior to our arrival (demonstrated by the high & gray hawks, a pair of large turkey like
levels of the adjacent river). Interestingly this had curassow, numerous flycatchers and various
forced some heron species to the high canopy. tanagers hiding in the ‘large’ wet leaves.
We were taken to the village of Guapiles, to see Above, squawking parrots, parakeets, white-
a garden owned by a friend of our guide. Here collared swifts and vultures passed over. We
the garden with stream and pond had been were amused by the tame but free peccary, a
planted to attract birds and wildlife with an type of native forest pig rooting around for food
incredibly special hummingbird here, particularly in the earth and undergrowth.
as it was out of its normal range.
We retreated to our accommodation for another
This treat was a white-tipped sickle-bill whose bill excellent lunch and free time that afternoon to
really did look like a sickle, posing for watch birds from the veranda or bar. Restful and
photographs too. Angela recalls being in the productive with around 30 new species including
south of the country on her first visit with a small various honeycreepers, woodpeckers and a
group of five and that the American guide was gray-necked wood rail at close quarters. Around
desperate to see one as she had been informed the walkways through the gardens we came
where a pair were breeding, so of course the across lizards and two species of tiny poisonous
group had to track it down on that occasion. It frogs. And in case you were wondering, it was
was like going on a ‘twitch‘. Happy memories of still raining!
trips passed and a bonus bird this time around.
The next day we wake early and excited, a
As it continued to rain, we spent most of the volcano is on the schedule, although our spirits
morning under the garden shelter watching the were dampened, yes, it’s still raining. For the un-
birds coming down to the pool and the feeders initiated in this country a volcano could be both a
and we were given real coffee and biscuits by geological feature (they have lots but not active)
our hosts. Hummingbirds included white-necked or a type of hummingbird. A three-hour journey
jacobins, violet-crowned wood nymphs together with coffee break in the town of Fortuna on our
with crimson-collared tanagers, green Ibis, and a approach to Arenal volcano. Sadly, the
flock of olive-throated parakeets. The list went on continuing rain and mist hid what should have
and on. The camera shutters never stopped! For been on the approach, a spectacular mountain
non-photographers reading this, getting an from view.
interesting pose and a catchlight in the eye are
important. Not so some of the new birds in the changing
habitat and higher elevation. As we travelled
Our luck was not about to change as we were along the forest road on the banks of Arenal lake
leaving, we were directed to nearby tree where a the cloud lifted and the sun made a brief
three-toed sloth was enjoying a rest in open
8
appearance. Time for a walk, the bird call was
amazing, with more new birds. Relief all-round.
Our accommodation is the lodges at the famous
Arenal Observatory set in gardens to attract
birds, other wildlife, and direct access to the
surrounding pristine forest. We did get to see
from our balcony the top of the volcano, briefly
popping out of the cloud.
The bird table was well stocked with fruit
including bananas and papaya (we wonder what
we would get on our bird tables if we put them
out for the birds at home!) but here we had
different tanagers, oropendolas and various
hummingbirds, a pair of curassows balanced
precariously on the tables, with howler and
spider monkeys crashing through the branches
of the surrounding forest.
After breakfast the next day we walked through
the grounds seeing more hummingbirds,
woodpeckers, howler monkeys and a very shy
tamandua, a mammal, similar to an anteater.
It was luxury here as we had a swimming pool
and jacuzzi in the grounds so after lunch we
availed ourselves of a dip and a wallow in the
jacuzzi as the afternoon heat and humidity were
tiring. Birds and butterflies flitted all around whilst
we relaxed. Then another walk through the forest restaurant. This had a covered area looking out
area of the grounds the highlight being to a place over the lake and back to the volcano with the
where there was a tiny eyelash viper snake outline of others beyond.
resting lowdown in the bough of a tree.
Continuing our journey to the coast we stop at
A ‘wild’ forest walk to a waterfall extended the Canas Hydro-dam following reports of a flock of
range of birds; all difficult to photograph. migratory blue-winged teal - WOW!! Over 10,000
birds. A bonus was a sighting of a black iguana
Leaving Arenal the next day on the forest roads sunning itself on the concrete road.
beside the lake we find numerous warblers,
mannikins, vultures, osprey, kingfishers, Late afternoon we arrive on the Pacific coast at
motmots and trogons. A highlight was the La Ensenada Ranch and Wildlife Reserve in
common potoo, a nocturnal owl-like bird roosting time for spectacular views of the sunset over
deep in the upper canopy of a very tall tree. We Golfo de Nicoya. Our cabin accommodation here
also came across leaf-cutter ants devouring a was more basic but with excellent food and
bush and carrying leaf material to the nearby plenty of wildlife in the grounds. The following
underground nest. Fascinating. morning, we had to be up at 5.30 am, ready to
leave on the boat for a trip to the mangroves. A
Back on the highway we go by the north bank of wonderful sunrise, flat calm waters and clear
Arenal lake and a lunch stop where we had blue skies. It was going to be a brilliant day.
howler
monkeys Entering the mangroves, we had herons
in the including boat-billed, little blue and tri-color,
Photo: Mike Catchpole
trees in numerous egrets, roseate spoonbills, osprey and
the more waders than you could count. We were
carpark amused to watch violin crabs with their over-
before sized large claw to one-side. In the trees brown
going pelicans and magnificent frigate-birds roosted,
into the various warblers called, kingfishers changed
Emerald basilisk perches and woodpeckers kept us busy.
9
On our return across the gulf we came across a American
Photo: Mike Catchpole
flotilla of small one-man fishing boats. As the crocodile and a
catch was brought in the fish were gutted and common
waste thrown back. Our skipper positioned us in basilisk lizard.
the middle of the action with squadrons of brown Being in a small
pelicans, royal terns, gulls and Neotropic boat low to the
cormorants coming in all directions, a magical water allowed
experience. We returned for breakfast three and some close and
a half hours later to discover that the tide had special views.
Black-faced solitaire
gone out and we were unable to get back on the Meanwhile above
jetty. we had parrots, macaws and various kingfishers
overhead to entertain us.
We were given the choice of sitting it out on the
boat for a few hours for the tide to come in or After breakfast back at the hotel we then
paddling to the shore. The need for coffee and ventured to one of the entrances to Carara
food (and the loo) won the day and we all Forest National Park. The heat and humidity was
removed footwear to climb out of the boat and already building by 10.30 am as we walked on
into the shallow warm water mindful of the signs prepared level paths finding white-whisked
nearby warning of crocodiles, for a short climb puffbird, rufous-tailed jacamar, pauraque (a type
up the low cliff and through the gardens towards of nightjar), a multi-toned brown feather ground
our cabins and the restaurant. A brilliant morning roosting bird sitting on leaf-litter beneath an
so far and it is still only 9.30 am. After a break evergreen bush (yes it was a challenge to see it
some made use of the pool or searched for being so well camouflaged) and lineated
butterflies. woodpeckers. All challenging to photograph in
the low light and dense vegetation.
Later in the day we found that royal terns and
laughing gulls used the jetty as a low tide roost; Back in the car park several colourful butterflies,
this explained the white line markings we saw on day-flying moths and beetles entertained us. Just
the way to the boat that morning. We had a walk for a change we became tourists calling at a
in the farmland later in the day when it was roadside ice cream parlour for a well-earned
cooler seeing both crested and yellow-headed treat, it was getting warm, before a short journey
caracara at close quarters. A ferruginous pygmy back for lunch and a ‘siesta’, to escape the worst
owl, a small bird with loud screech made itself of the midday heat.
known high in the canopy. Another great sunset
from the cliff lookout finished the day Around 3.30 pm we returned to Carara National
Park, this time to an area of dry lowland forest. A
The next day we had a long hot drive, family group of white-faced capuchin monkeys
southwards on the coastal highway to Carara travelling slowly through the canopy choosing
National Park and our accommodation in time for most of the time to hide their faces in the leaf
lunch. Here we are based in ‘coastal rainforest’, cover. We were not sure who was looking at
beside a fast-flowing river and a mix of gardened who. We also encountered on the ground in the
and native vegetation. leaf litter an agouti and ruddy quail dove.
From here it is only a We returned to the vehicle and ventured down
short drive to the mouth through the village to the coastal sand dunes
of the River Tarcoles checking the road-side forest and pools picking
where we have another up wood stork, juvenile black hawk and black
‘early morning’ boat trip and white owl. A lagoon on the beach dunes
arranged for the next day. produced our only ruddy egret using its wings to
form an umbrella to shade the light reflection, to
Photo: Mike Catchpole
As the early mist cleared, enable it to see and catch its supper and in the
we discovered a new distance our first sighting of southern lapwing.
range of waders including
black-necked stilt, We then retraced our steps back towards the
southern lapwing with hotel passing the entrance and carrying on up
double-striped thick-knee the hill to a small restaurant with a west facing
in addition to a good terrace for a spectacular sunset with a glass of
range of heron species on white wine and views over the Tarcoles Valley
the bank. We also had and the ocean. To add to our delight, we had a
Brown pelican
close encounters with flock of white-fronted parrots flying around us
10and a new woodpecker for our list, this time, great things
golden-naped. As the last of the sunrays the next day.
disappeared, we made our way back to the hotel
Photo: Mike Catchpole
for dinner later than expected after another The following
successful day of birds and mammals. morning, we
had a walk in
The following morning we returned to the coastal the gardens
highway continuing our journey southwards for before
about two hours before turning east, inland to breakfast as
climb into the Talamanca Mountains stopping the birds
briefly at a garden known to our guide where begin to wake Keel-billed toucan
feeders produced speckled and bay-headed up, an amazing
tanagers, and both green and red-legged start to the day as the various hummingbirds hit
honeycreepers, Tennessee, blackburnian and the nectar. Slaty flower-piercers with their oddly
chestnut-sided warblers. A green-headed racer shaped bills ‘robbed’ large canna lily flowers by
snake moved quickly over a shed roof and pushing their adapted bills into the sides of the
disappeared in the vegetation, never to be seen petals and sipping without pollinating the flowers.
again. The hillside location provided spectacular
views over the town of San Isidro de El General. This morning we have a jeep ride up a rough
In town we had a brief stop at the water steep forest track (a climb of 600 metres/2000
treatment works with black-bellied whistling feet) to an elevation of around 2,600 metres
ducks, least grebe and oddly a house sparrow which was good that we had the ride up
within the compound. otherwise we would have been out of breath
before for our level forest walk and descent. This
We then went on a twitch around the university was a really challenging birding session, small
grounds in search of the blue cotinga followed by birds, large leaves and lots of them! The song
a fuel stop for both the vehicle and ourselves. was brilliant but seeing them was very difficult,
The restaurant had open sides and views of the especially the different flycatchers,
forest and valley below. While waiting for our woodcreepers, tree runners (think big up-side
food to be cooked we found a double-toothed down treecreeper) woodpeckers, warblers and
hawk, white-masked tytira and a bright blue best of all a family group of collared redstarts
dacnis with various tanagers all easily seen in and to top the lot our first glimpse of the bird of
the upper canopy. the trip a resplendent quetzal.
Our journey continued with numerous short Later from the view point a jeep collected those
stops to our hotel in the Savegre Valley through that didn’t want to walk down, this might have
the different habitats of High Paramo and been safer to do that as it was quite a hairy ride
rainforest arriving in time for dinner. Our final coming back with a huge sigh of relief when
approach was down a steep-sided forest valley those in the vehicle reached the bottom. Mike as
following a torrent river as the light disappeared. you might expect took a slow, quiet walk down
After a wonderful dinner, we retired hoping for on his own (as lunch was not for another two
hours) with his camera, finding birds, a stunning
damselfly and butterflies on various flowers. Just
‘listening’ to the forest was magical.
After lunch and a siesta, we drove in our
transport back up the Savegre Valley stopping as
birds and the habitat changed eventually arriving
at Miriam’s coffee house. Here the garden and
balcony looked out over the forested valley. The
Photo: Mike Catchpole
feeders here attracted acorn woodpecker,
mountain robin, mountain elenia, a different
selection of hummingbirds and lots of different
tanagers. We were also entertained by a trio of
bangs mountain squirrels jumping from branch to
branch chasing each other to get at the best bits
of food. It was difficult to resist buying packets of
real coffee sourced from the valley cooperative.
Long-tailed silky-headed flycatcher
11Later, we took a slow drive back down the valley with lots of deleting (there is a lot of this in
to the hotel in time for dinner. wildlife photography) and editing around 1,500
made the final cut and have been included in our
The following morning, we had the now Photobook of the trip.
traditional walk before breakfast. Part way
through the meal Mike suddenly jumped up Ed: You can see some more photos from Mike
grabbed his camera and disappeared out the and Angela’s visit to Costa Rica on the following
door. What had he seen? A SILKY-HEADED webpage: Photographs
FLYCATCHER which was not concerned about
people passing by, was taking berries off the
garden bushes immediately outside the window. Long service award
He eventually came back with a smile, (and a full
Mel Thorn has received a 10-year Long Service
memory card) to finish his now cold pancakes.
Award for volunteering for the RSPB. Mel had
We then loaded up our vehicle for what was to been volunteering on RSPB nature reserves for
be our last day out in the field. Again, driving up several years before he joined the Lincoln Local
the valley forest road we came across a small Group committee as Membership Secretary in
group of other birders with telescopes trained on 2019. Well done Mel and thank you so much for
what turned out to be much better views of our all you do to help nature.
bird of the trip the resplendent quetzal.
Sometime later we returned to the main highway, Dates for your diary
turning left we headed west towards San Jose
and after about twenty minutes we turned onto,
what seemed initially, an uninspiring forest track. MOST 2020 EVENTS HAVE BEEN CANCELLED DUE TO
THE CORONAVIRUS (COVID - 19). THE SITUATION IS
After a few minutes we off-loaded to walk slowly, UNDER CONSTANT REVIEW SO PLEASE KEEP
finding timberland wren flitting between various CHECKING THE GROUP’S WEBSITE
low bushes, with other birds including hairy
woodpecker. A group of noisy barred parakeets OCTOBER
flew overhead bringing our attention to an ornate
hawk eagle circling buzzard-like in the blue sky 10 AGM To keep everyone safe from Covid19,
above, over the small forest clearing. this year, the 129th Annual General Meeting of
the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds will
Our lunch stop today was at Los Colibries be a virtual event held online on Saturday 10
restaurant within Paraiso Quetzal Lodge where October 2020. It's FREE for members to attend
the gardens attracted a wide range of birds but you will still need to register your interest to
associated with the high mountain forest. Various take part. Find out more Here.
hummingbirds included some old friends as well
as new species, including scintillant, striped-
tailed and lesser violet-ear entertained us at the Further details of all of our
feeders. Amazing setting and stunning bird events can be found on our
activity. It was difficult to tear ourselves away for website: lincolnrspb.org.uk
an excellent lunch followed by cake as it turned
out to be our driver Rodrigo’s birthday. We then
continued to San Jose and the Hotel
Bougainvillea for our last night in Costa Rica. The RSPB is the UK’s largest nature
conservation charity, inspiring everyone to give
Our travels had taken us full circle. We had seen nature a home. Together with our partners, we
some brilliant birds, wildlife, flowers and protect threatened birds and wildlife so our
landscapes; a taste of a wonderful country. towns, coast and countryside will teem with life
once again. We also play a leading role in a
Angela & Mike Catchpole worldwide partnership of nature conservation
RSPB Lincoln Local Group organisations.
Website: rspb.org.uk
PS: The photographic homework back home on
the computer started with around 13,000 images The RSPB Lincoln Local Group holds regular
events to which RSPB members and members of
the public are welcome.
Any advertisements enclosed with this newsletter are
not specifically endorsed by the RSPB or the Lincoln
Website: lincolnrspb.org.uk
Local Group.
RSPB Eastern England Regional Office, Stalham House, 65 Thorpe Road, Norwich NR1 1UD Artwork copyright RSPB
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