Birding in Northern Costa Rica 3-14-26

As always, the 6:00 a.m. walk arrived quickly, and I was filled with excitement about what I might see. I was immediately treated to a diverse flock of toucans devouring fruit from a tree that had dropped all its leaves. Much of the morning walk was spent looking high into the treetops, leaving the birds looking quite small in my viewfinder. After breakfast, we took another walk on the grounds, choosing a different trail that eventually led to a suspension bridge. I tried to keep my distance from the group, as the swaying of the bridge can be annoying when trying to take photos. The walk produced a great variety of species, and I hoped the shots would turn out well despite the dark interior of the jungle. Late in the morning, we boarded the bus and were told we were heading to a private sanctuary owned and managed by local naturalist and artist José “Cope” Pérez. He has transformed his land into one of the country’s most beloved small-scale wildlife refuges. Tucked away in La Unión de Guápiles on Costa Rica’s lush Caribbean slope, Donde Cope is a must-visit destination for birders and wildlife photographers. José had set up a feeding area that allowed us to get great pictures of hummingbirds, and we enjoyed small talk about his artwork over lunch. After lunch, he took us on a trail that showcased even more local birds and mammals. Later, while walking along the streets just outside his property, we were treated to the sight of another sloth casually munching on leaves high up in the canopy. After dinner, excitement buzzed around a specific area known for tree frogs. We were thrilled to finally spot them, with their brilliant green skin and bright, beady red eyes.