A lot of news after my visit to the project this month: All of the red-lored Amazon and mealy parrots that were with us in 2009 and 2010 have been successfully released. The permanently injured (amputated wing) spectacled owl that has been here since 2008 has been sent to an owl rehabilitation and breeding center here in Costa Rica, where he will play a role in a captive breeding project. The timing of all of these departures was fortunate, because we recently received 20 birds from a single confiscation Included in the group are a keel-billed toucan (above), white-crowned parrots, orange-chinned parakeets and a speckle-breasted oriole. The scarlet macaw is spending most of its time away flying free, dropping in only to feed on occasion. We expect that it will very shortly join a wild flock and depart for good. The two raccoons that came in a few months ago have been released at a nearby river and have been observed behaving like normal, wild raccoons. The older of our pair of white-faced monkeys left the area during feeding and moved into the forest and has not been seen again. Because of the presence of an existing troupe of white-faced monkeys here at the project, it probably moved far into the forest of the adjoining property to find its own territory. The other monkey remains with us at this time. The wild almond (almendro) trees in the plantation are now producing seeds, less than four years since planting. The plantation looks like a young forest now, with some trees exceeding eight meters in height. Work continues on the guest cabin; the walls and roof are up and what remains are wiring, plumbing, windows and other finishing touches. We recently received some positive comments about the project from the nearby Organization for Tropical Studies-La Selva field station folks--great encouragement coming from a very respected source! Among the things I brought with me to the project this time were medical supplies generously donated by Terri and Tom Winters of Texas. Last year they shipped me a large box of sutures, syringes, bandages and other supplies needed for the injured animals that come to us. We had a small supply already on hand, so I waited to bring their contribution with me rather than ship it, along with 80 m of electrical wire, light bulbs and other supplies (and probably making for some interesting luggage inspections). Below are some images of the macaw visiting to feed and enjoying the habitat on the property. Also shown is a smoky jungle frog and Norops lizard found near the creek on a recent night hike. Alex and our caretaker recently planted passion fruit vines near the cabins, and they are blooming prolifically and producing large fruits, which we are making into fresh juice and also sharing with the birds here. The vista is an early morning view from the cabin porch. More news to come!
Pura vida,
Kevin
