Results from the 2009 Maquenque Christmas Bird Count

On January 9th, 2010, the Rainforest Biodiversity Group coordinated the 2nd annual Maquenque Christmas Bird Count. This year a total of 16 people counted at 8 sites within the Maquenque Bird Count Circle. All participants noted that the weather the day of the count was not the best for counting. However, between bouts of rain and gusts of wind the participants found a total of 3,662 individual birds of 241 species. Interestingly, 100 plus more individual birds were observed this year than last year however, 63 less species were observed this year. The top two sites were Bosque Tropical del Toro and Maquenque Eco-lodge, who both had 107 species. Mi Pedacito de Cielo was right behind these two sites with 105 species found.

The species with the single most individuals observed was the Montezuma Oropendola with a total of 212 individuals. Some of the most interesting species observed during this year’s count included;

Buff-throated foliage gleaner
Dot-winged Antwren
Bi-colored Antbird
Great and Fasciated Antshrike
Pied and White-necked Puffbird
Ruddy-tailed Flycatcher
Common Potoo
Collared Forest Falcon
Song Wren
Great Green Macaw
3 species of Tinamou

Click here to view the entire bird list for the Christmas Bird Count.

As the count takes place in the winter, species known as neo-tropical migrants are of course taking advantage of the available food sources in the tropics at this time of year. During this year’s count 10 species of migratory warblers were observed including bay-breasted, Wilson’s, magnolia and mourning warbler. Other interesting migrants included catbird, Swainson’s thrush, wood thrush and common yellowthroat.

The Maquenque Christmas Bird Count is a newer count and as such Rainforest Biodiversity Group has limited resources to encourage people to participate. All of the sites that participated were very generous and offered discounted or free lodging for participants. RBG is sincerely thankful for their generosity. Equally, not only did the participating counters donate their time to the event, but many of them also paid for their own food and transport to be able to participate in the event. RBG would like to personally thank all of the participants for making the 2009 Maquenque Bird Count possible: Angie Sanchez, Guido Quesada, Gustavo Flores, Paul Pickering, Darrell and Lorna Smith, Fred Ball, David and Alberto Segura, Dorothy MacKinnon, Peter Negaard, Gerardo Vega, his wife and daughter, and Mathais Kummerlen.

We look forward to the 3rd Annual Maquenque Bird Count later this year and hope to have an even great participation!