DAY 2 SUNDAY
After
a buffet breakfast of fresh fruit (pineapple, papaya, cantaloupe, and
watermelon), potatoes, eggs, and beans at 
Right after we arrived, Chris heard a Collared Forest Falcon. We tried playing the bird’s call without response. While doing this, one of the group (Jim?) noted a white fronted bird on the far slope, some distance away. With scopes, we were all able to get good looks at the falcon. Shortly after, we heard and saw White-bellied Wren. Later, Chris heard a Rosy Thrush-Tanager. By playing back its song, we were able to get fleeting, but good, views. This is a beautiful bird, rosy indeed.
Chris played
the song of a Red-breasted Chat at several points. Initially, we had one respond vocally, but it
never came into view. At another spot a
little later, He was able to tease one out.
As with the Thrush-Tanager, views were fleeting but good. This is also a beautiful red bird, with the
red being much brighter and more pink.
Near the end of our hike, we found Orange-breasted Buntings. These are spectacular, and the males are some
of the prettiest birds I have seen.
We
ate a picnic lunch along the road, and then returned to the hotel to take a
break during the heat of the day. On the
way into the hotel, some cooperative Greater Kiskadees were perched. I was exhausted from the time change and travel,
and very much enjoyed a nap.
We met up again at 4:15 pm, to walk down the road just east of the hotel that leads south towards the island. This was quite birdy. The road is a short walk, passing buildings with some open lots in between, and ending in mangroves. We hoped to see Black-vented and Spot-breasted Orioles, and Mangrove Warbler. Some of the group that lagged behind saw Black-vented, but we struck out otherwise. We ended the day with dinner, again at 7:30 pm at El Pueblito.