Double-striped Thick-knee, Tango Mar Hotel, Costa Rica

Return to the Southern Nicoya Penninsula

by Chris Fischer March 10, 2019

written by Chris Fischer March 10, 2019

Since I was already in the area for the pelagic trip, I accepted an invitation in support of my Big Year from Tango Mar Beachfront Hotel to stay for several nights. A member of Costa Rica Birding Hotspots, Tango Mar is an upscale beachfront hotel located along the southern coast of the Nicoya Penninsula.

Just walking around the hotel grounds, I recorded more than 60 species, including Steely-vented Hummingbird, Plain Chachalaca, Bat Falcon, White-necked Puffbird, Nutting’s Flycatcher, and Long-tailed Manakin. I was especially excited to photograph a resident family of Double-striped Thick-knee that has become a bit more comfortable being around people.

eBird Hotspot
http://ebird.org/hotspot/L4563303

eBird Checklists
http://ebird.org/view/checklist/S53624289
http://ebird.org/view/checklist/S53637074
http://ebird.org/view/checklist/S53639889
http://ebird.org/view/checklist/S53650145
http://ebird.org/view/checklist/S53667290

Scarlet Macaw, Tango Mar Hotel, Costa Rica

Streaked Flycatcher, Tango Mar Hotel, Costa Rica

White-fronted Parrot, Tango Mar Hotel, Costa Rica

White-necked Puffbird, Tango Mar Hotel, Costa Rica

Black-headed Trogon, Tango Mar Hotel, Costa Rica

Collared Aracari, Tango Mar Hotel, Costa Rica

Common Ground-Dove, Tango Mar Hotel, Costa Rica

Tango Mar is well-positioned for visiting local birding hotspots such as Curu National Wildlife Refuge (which I already visited earlier in the year), Pochote mangroves, Río Panica, and more. I went to visit some of these sites with Tango Mar’s very knowledgeable resident bird guide, Jessy Lopez Herra.

Amongst other species, a morning visit to Río Panica yielded Double-striped Thick-knee, Steely-vented Hummingbird, Northern Scrub-Flycatcher, Panama Flycatcher, Nutting’s Flycatcher, Long-tailed Manakin, Mangrove Vireo, Rufous-and-white Wren, and Olive Sparrow.

eBird Hotspot
http://ebird.org/hotspot/L5188494

eBird Checklist
http://ebird.org/view/checklist/S53630893
http://ebird.org/view/checklist/S53630779

Northern Scrub-Flycatcher, Río Panica, Costa Rica

Black-headed Trogon, Río Panica, Costa Rica

Rufous-naped Wren, Río Panica, Costa Rica

Some highlights at the Pochote mangroves included Mangrove Hummingbird, Rufous-necked Wood-Rail, Banded Wren, and Streak-backed Oriole.

eBird Checklist
https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S53624303