This extension to Northern Costa Rica visits three locales renowned for their scenic values, as well as a their unique communities of birds and wildlife.  Our first area, Volcan Arenal, requires a boat crossing of Costa Rica's largest lake.  Formed by volcanic flows, Lake Arenal encompasses some 85 square miles.  The symmetrical cone of Arenal dominates the horizon.  Erupting almost weekly, until 2010 Arenal was Costa Rica's most active volcano, but for over a year this 5,400' high mountain has been sleeping.  Scientists assure us Arenal will awaken again.  Meanwhile the birding is superb in the cloud forests that engirdle the peak.  Possibilities include Ornate Hawk-Eagle, Bare-necked Umbrellabird, White-fronted Nunbird, Bare-crowned Antbird, and Song Wren--amid a myriad of others.  Our next stop is Cano Negro for Nicaraguan Grackle, Nicaraguan Seed-finch, Spot-breasted Wren, Mangrove Cuckoo, Great Potoo, and Gray-headed Dove.  These are terrestrial species;  most of Cano Negro is a vast wetlands, and our daily excursions here are via boat.  Imagine drifting down channels and crossing lagoons populated by all six species of North American kingfishers, innumerable herons and egrets, great flocks of ibis, Roseate Spoonbills, and Wood Storks, and the ever present opportunity for the majestic Jabiru.  Our final venue is a visit to Tenorio National Park.  Highlights here include the Heliconias Hanging Bridge Trail, a two-mile-long stroll through the rain forest canopy, and our accommodations at Celeste Mountain Lodge, one of the world's most original hostelries.  Every room has a scenic vista of the twin volcanoes that define the skyline, as well as an overlook of gardens that feature hummingbirds such as Black-crested Coquette, and tanagers such as Yellow-winged.  Inner forest trails offer us the chance for Rufous-vented Ground-Cuckoo, Spotted Antbird, and Black-headed Antthrush at the ant swarms that help create some of Costa Rica's finest tropical birding.  Other species include two of the most elusive members of the Motmot family, the diminutive Tody and the near-mythical Keel-billed, as well as Lattice-tailed Trogon, and Crested Owl.  Here, too, the ethereal song of a bob-tailed Nightingale Wren may linger in memory far longer than its small, matte-brown author. While this tour is designed primarily as an extension, the quality and the variety of birds along the route will make it an exciting stand-alone trip for both first-timers and long-time aficionados of Costa Rica's overflowing cornucopia of wildlife.

Leaders: Carlos Gómez & Chris Sharpe

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