The Mirador trail in the Aquiares coffee fields proves to be a veritable treasure trove of birdies! Though no absolute rarity has yet turned up, the birding is highly enjoyable because of the forested environment and the surprising species that show up. A hawk that John Beer found on the trail, the Bicolored Hawk (Accipiter bicolor), is indeed rated a rare species in most locations. However, I have found it on several occasions in our area throughout the years: in my garden devouring a Great Kiskadee and at Quebrada La Loca in San Antonio, where it was feasting on a Clay-colored Thrush.

This Bi-colored Hawk at Aquiares proved to be a cooperative subject

Also unexpected, though actually a reasonably common species in many other locations, including San Diego de San Antonio closer to home, was this Purple-crowned Fairy (Heliothryx barroti):

Another beautiful hummer is the Purple-crowned Fairy

The contrast between the dark-green back and the bright-white underparts make the Purple-crowned Fairy reasonably easy to identify. I have found it to be not as common in our area as the bird guides lead you to believe.

If we don’t see this next species, we still usually hear it. Here’s a common and widespread species, a Squirrel Cuckoo (Piaya cayana) chowing down on a cicada:

The Squirrel Cuckoo, a common but very attractive species

And just to show how wonderful it really is to walk in the forest in Costa Rica, here are some interesting photos taken seemingly at random on the Aquiares Mirador trail by John Beer:

This beautiful butterfly is actually quite common

But this one perhaps not:

Anyone know what species this is?

Finally, here’s what landed on my arm when I wasn’t looking:

Better than the stick insects we had at Infant School back in Rotherham!