Southern Lapwing (Vanellus chilensis cayennensis); Chorlitazo Sureño; Bronzekiebitz; Vanneau téro

This is yet another species in rapid expansion in Costa Rica. First reported in 1997. the Southern Lapwing is now a fairly common resident in both the Caribbean and Pacific lowlands. It can be found fairly easily in the Turrialba area at Angostura and general vicinity, e.g. Casa Turire. It was until quite recently rarely found above 800 m elevation. An individual, most probably of this species, had been previously reported in heavy rain on the village football field a few years ago. San Antonio is at a much higher elevation (1250 m) than the town of Turrialba and the photos below constitute the first verified sighting at our location:

The habitat is one of the many cow pastures (potreros) in the lower village and came as a great surprise to me. It was much less surprising to visiting birders Christian and Katarina, who were in Costa Rica for the first time and didn’t always know what to expect. Two birds were present and caused us to check that location – unsuccessfully – each time we passed by in subsequent days.

The following are Christian’s final photos of our surprise find:

Here’s an excellent shot of a Southern Lapwing in its usual habitat at Angostura, All field characteristics, including red eye, are in full view, though identification of this species is relatively simple:

Osprey (Pandion haliaetus); Aguila Pescadora; Fischadler; Balbuzard pêcheur

On inspecting the ‘lapwing rock’ in the same pasture a few days later, we noted that someone had placed on it a wooden bird cage of the type still used (illegally) in rural areas in which to hold captive sweet-singing songbirds such as jilgueros (Black-faced Solitaires) and seedeaters. Jumping about frantically in the cage was a bird the size perhaps of a small saltator. On this occasion no one was carrying binoculars, but we got out of the car and, again to my amazement, two Ospreys appeared directly overhead although flying fairly high. Thus, within days of each other we recorded two species that I had never before seen in San Antonio, where I had lived for 15 years. Unfortunately, all cameras and binoculars were back at the house! In compensation, here we see a bird in flight not too far away at Angostura, where it is sure to find plenty of fish for its next meal – this might even be one of the two individuals we spotted in San Antonio: