LA
SELVA
Located
in the old growth and disturbed tropical wet forest of the Caribbean foothills
of the Talamanca mountains, La Selva boasts of more than 1,850 species of
plants, 350 species of trees and 448 species of birds. Owned and operated by the
Organization for Tropical Studies, a university consortium, the Biological
Station is one of the world's most important sites for tropical ecosystem
research.
We
will start from San Jose in early morning and bird in Braulio Carrillo National
Park, the montane rain forest that borders La Selva. We'll probably choose
the trails near the Quebrada Ranger Station and seek some of the specialties of
this huge park: Tiny Hawk, Purplish-backed Quail-Dove, Black-crested
Coquette, Snowcap, Bare-necked Umbrellabird, to name a few.
Arriving at La Selva Biological Station in the afternoon, we'll settle in to our cabins and dormitories, have the first of our six meals at La Selva and try some owling in the evening. A guided tour the next morning will orient us to the 35 miles of well-maintained trails of the tropical rain forest and we'll be able to explore more during that afternoon, evening and the next day. We may also choose to visit nearby Selva Verde or arrange a boat tour on the Sarapiqui River.
Common birds of La Selva
| Little Tinamou | Black-headed Tody-Flycatcher |
| White-throated Crake | Yellow-margined Flycatcher |
| Crimson-fronted Parakeet | Golden-crowned Spadebill |
| Violet-crowned Woodnymph | Ruddy-tailed Flycatcher |
| Rufous Motmot | Long-tailed Tyrant |
| Broad-billed Motmot | Rufous Piha |
| Chestnut-mandibled Toucan | Purple-throated Fruitcrow |
| Slaty Spinetail | Southern Rough-winged Swallow |
| Buff-throated Foliage-gleaner | Plain-colored Tanager |
| Buff-throated Woodcreeper | Olive Tanager |
| Checker-throated Antwren | Tawny-crested Tanager |
| White-flanked Antwren | White-lined Tanager |
| Chestnut-backed Antbird | Dusky-faced Tanager |
| Yellow Tyrannulet | Lesser Seed-Finch |
| Black-capped Pygmy-Tyrant | Yellow-crowned Euphonia |
Accommodations We will be staying at La Selva Biological Station. Here's how they describe their accommodations:
"10 dormitory
style rooms, with 3 bunk beds and sharing bathrooms. Every 2 rooms share a
bathroom.
8 cabins, with 2 twins beds, private bathroom and a balcony"
We've reserved the 8 cabins and a few of the dormitory style rooms.
birding at Braulio Carrillo National Park.
guided half-day walk at La Selva Biological Station.
access to trails for additional birding at La Selva.
2 nights accommodation at La Selva.
6 meals at La Selva.
services of caravan birding guide and social director.
$176 per person (double occupancy), $189 (single occupancy).