“Ecology and distribution of endemic birds of the Osa Peninsula”

Final Report for Friends of the Osa and Evergreen Foundation September 2009

Elizabeth Jones Abraham Gallo 1 Dan Lebbin Contents FOO Contract Terms ...... 4 Surveys and Maps ...... 5 Habitats...... 8 Threats and Conservation Recommendations...... 8 Evergreen Grant Contract Terms ...... 8 Detailed account of activities ...... 9 Evaluation of accomplishments and successes ...... 9 Significant obstacles encountered, ...... 10 Recommendations for future projects ...... 10 Detailed financial report ...... 11 “Ecology and distribution of endemic birds of the Osa Peninsula”. Detailed Report for Friends of the Osa...... 13 Introduction and Past Work ...... 13 Surveys ...... 13 Accomplishments ...... 16 Black-cheeked Ant-Tanager ...... 17 Surveys ...... 17 Habitat ...... 17 Local distribution, territories and seasonal patterns in the Rio Sierpe area: ...... 19 Nesting ...... 20 Aging and Sexing Black-cheeked Ant-Tanager ...... 22 Conclusions, observations, and suggestions for future work ...... 22 Conservation recommendations ...... 23 Mangrove Hummingbird ...... 23 Surveys and Distribution ...... 23 Habitat ...... 25 Behavior ...... 25 Yellow-billed Cotinga ...... 28 Introduction ...... 28 Habitat ...... 29 Distribution and Populations ...... 30 Nesting and Courtship...... 34 Foraging behavior ...... 36 Photo work ...... 37 2

Difficulties encountered...... 37 Recommendations for future work ...... 37 Conservation ...... 37 Education ...... 38 Past work ...... 38 2008-2009 Season ...... 38 Field trips including trainees ...... 38 Educational Successes ...... 39 Earlier education frustrations ...... 40 Obstacles ...... 40 Solutions...... 40 Acknowledgements...... 42 Appendices ...... 42 Appendix 1. Habitat Codes…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….41 Appendix 2. Black-cheeked Ant-Tanager Surveys with habitat codes.…………………………………………………………………………… 42 Appendix 3. Areas surveyed for Black-cheeked Ant-Tanager………………………………………………………………………………………..45

Figures

Figure 1. Map of survey locations during Dec 2008-2009 field season ...... 5 Figure 2 Map of Yellow-billed Cotinga detections during surveys (2007-2009)...... 6 Figure 3. Map of Yellow-billed Cotinga detections during surveys (2007-2009) in the Osa Region,...... 6 Figure 3. Map of Mangrove Hummingbird detections during surveys (2007-2009)...... 7 Figure 5 Map of Black-cheeked Ant-Tanager detections during surveys (2007-2009)...... 7 Figure 6 . Map of all surveys from Sept 2008-July 2009 ...... 15 Figure 7. All surveys from December 2007-July 2009 in the Black-cheeked Ant-Tanager range...... 17 Figure 8. Comparison of dates and years in Rio Sierpe ...... 19 Figure 9. Nest #1 at BDRT...... 21 Figure 10. Nest #2 at BDRT with incubating Black-cheeked Ant-Tanager...... 21 Figure 11. Nest #2 with 2 eggs. Figure 12. Nest #2 top view...... 21 Figure 13. Photos 1010 and 1015 taken as part of our project to learn to id the sexes in the field. This is the same bird photographed in different light. It is a potential adult male...... 22 Figure 14. Photos 1005 1006 Two photos of another bird at different angles. A potential adult female...... 22 Figure 15. Surveys and presence of Mangrove Hummingbird...... 24 Figure 16. Unidentified hummingbird species vs. positive identifications of Mangrove Hummingbird March 2009, Guerra/Pilon trail, Rio Sierpe...... 24 Figure 17. Clustered and high density of Mangrove Hummingbirds in July 2009 along the Guerra/Pilon trail...... 25 Figure 18. Some nector resources of the Mangrove Hummingbird: Mangle Pinuela or Pacific Mangrove (Pelliciera rizophorae) on left; and Hamelia sp., Rubiaceae on right...... 26 Figure 19. In November 2008, a nest he had found on a Mangle Pinuela from the Rio Tarcoles ...... 26 Figure 20. Feb 2008, A female Mangrove Hummingbird sitting on a nest in Sandalo ...... 27 3

Figure 21. July 22 and 23, 2009, there was a rare opportunity to photograph Mangrove Hummingbird ...... 27 Figure 22. Historic locations of Yellow-billed Cotinga in Panama. Map by George Angehr...... 28 Figure 23.. Historical locations of Yellow-billed Cotinga...... 28 Figure 24. Presence of Yellow-billed Cotinga (red dots) documented in surveys throughout its current range...... 30 Figure 25. The larger map shows the number of Cotinga seen during a count comparing the two years as well...... 31 Figure 26. Habitat and the Yellow-billed Cotinga in Rincon. Notice surveys a short distance away with no cotingas...... 32 Figure 27. All the surveys around the Golfo Dulce and the Peninsula de Osa ...... 32 Figure 28. Cotingas in Rio Esquinas. Notice the mangrove/forest ecotone...... 33 Figure 29. In the Carara-Rio Tarcoles area, the area between the mangroves and park is totally deforested...... 33 Figure 30. A well camouflaged female possibly attempting to approach unknown nest site. 3/23/2009 ...... 35 Figure 31. The male “stretching” in the same tree taken the same day and around the same time...... 35 Figure 32. A male in a Cedro Macho, notice the bill is open. 3/23/2009 ...... 35 Figure 33. Female in Guatteria lucens, family Anonaceae. July 2009...... 36 Figure 34. Sub-adult male in Cedro Macho, 23 March 2009. Note black in wing, gray plumage on wing coverts...... 37 Figure 35.. Field trips with trainees, Rio Agujas, Rio Sierpe and OBC...... 41

Tables Table 1. Survey dates and locations of surveys…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………9 Table 2. The definition of forest types and the codes that were used in our data………………………………………………………….17 Table 3. Percentage of Black-cheeked Ant-Tanager records in different forest habitat types………………………………………..17 Table 4. Percentage of Black-cheeked Ant-Tanager records in different forest types compared to edges and to percentage of habitat types surveyed. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..18 Table 5. Nest data of Black-cheeked ant-Tanager for BDRT 2009…………………………………………………….……………………………..19 Table 6. Nesting records of Yellow-billed Cotinga from 2008-2009……………………………………………………………………………… 33 Table 7. Surveys with trainees or educational angle……………………………………………………………………………………………………….38 Table 8. Efforts and opportunities to teach and/or include others in the project…………………………………………………………..38 Table 9. Data sent from Golfito Rangers……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….39

FOO Contract Terms 1. BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION: Three globally endangered bird species, the Mangrove Hummingbird, the Yellow-Billed Cotinga, and the Black-Cheeked Ant-Tanager, are endemic to the Osa Peninsula region of Costa Rica. Despite their conservation status, virtually nothing is known about the ecology and distribution of these species, making it difficult to develop an appropriate conservation strategy.

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2. OBJECTIVE OF THIS GRANT: To identify and record map range distributions of two of the three species (Yellow-billed Cotinga and Black-cheeked Ant-Tanager) with their densities for overlay on GIS map. 3. ACTIVITIES TO BE PERFORMED BY GRANTEE: a. Map range distribution and density for study species across the Osa Peninsula, and overlay data onto GIS-linked maps; b. Interview local bird experts, and then conduct survey transects at appropriate sites; c. Identify habitat preferences for each species; and d. Identify threats to their persistence and establish conservation recommendations. 4. SPECIFICATIONS Grantee will utilize bird survey methods as specified in the training provided by Dan Lebbin, including those methods for storage of data using eBird protocols and using Google technology for mapping of all study sites. 5. EXPECTED PRODUCTS: a. Progress Report: April 28, 2009 b. Final Report: 30 days after termination of the grant (August 1, 2009)

Surveys and Maps 3a&b

Figure 1. Map of survey locations during Dec 2008-2009 field season

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Figure 2 Map of Yellow-billed Cotinga detections during surveys (2007-2009).

Most of the Panamanian range has been deforested. Yellow-billed Cotinga have only been seen in Panama near David (eastern most red point) over a period of more than fifteen years. The only historic area remaining to be searched is the Burica Peninsula on the Costa Rica – Panama border, which represents inland forest where this species may not regularly occur.

Figure 3. Map of Yellow-billed Cotinga detections during surveys (2007-2009) in the Osa Region, Costa Rica. Regions circled in red are highlighted as important areas for Yellow-billed Cotinga falling outside or between protected areas. 6

Figure 3. Map of Mangrove Hummingbird detections during surveys (2007-2009). Surveys span most of this species’ historic range, which is entirely restricted to Costa Rica.

Figure 5 Map of Black-cheeked Ant-Tanager detections during surveys (2007-2009).Survey locations span the entire historic range of this species (except within National Parks where birds are presumed secure). 7

3c. Identify Habitats. Yellow-billed Cotinga occurs in both mangroves and forest. It appears to use the mangroves mainly for courtship and breeding, and the forests for foraging. The ecotone, where mangroves and forest meet, appears to be the most important habitat for this species, where it can find all the resources it needs in close proximity. The highest numbers of Yellow-billed Cotingas were recorded at sites with mangroves and adjacent forested areas (ecotones), and positive detections were most consistent at these sites across seasons. In contrast, Yellow-billed Cotingas were not detected at most surveys in forests away from coastal mangroves. At such inland forest sites where Yellow-billed Cotinga were detected, such as Bosque del Rio Tigre or Lapa Rios Lodge, they were detected in small numbers, and irregularly. Mangrove Hummingbird occurs mainly in mangroves. Observations include nesting and foraging in mangroves, however, it has also been observed regularly foraging in forests near mangroves, suggesting that the ecotone may provide important food resources to some birds during times of scarcity within the mangroves. Black-cheeked Ant-Tanager occurs in forests. Within forests, it may prefer closed canopy and areas close to streams, at least during the dry season.

3d. Identify Threats and Conservation Recommendations. All three species are primarily threatened by habitat loss. The vast majority of the populations of each of these three species likely occur in the Osa Peninsula and Golfo Dulce region (including the Terraba-Sierpe mangroves). Fortunately, protected areas cover a large percentage of this region. Although the forest and mangroves are individually well represented in this protected area system, the ecotone where these habitats meet is under-represented. Many of the most important areas for Yellow-billed Cotinga are mangrove-forest ecotones that fall at the edges of these protected areas or in the gaps between these protected area systems. These unprotected gaps are often fairly small (1-3 km) and may still be forested requiring little restoration. We therefore recommend targeting these areas (Figure 3) for enhanced habitat protection or forest restoration, especially the gaps between the forests of the Golfo Dulce Forest Reserve (RFGD) and the protected mangroves of the Sierpe River, as well as between RFGD and the Piedras Blancas National Park. This can perhaps be accomplished either through extending reserve boundaries, purchasing lands, or directing incentive programs towards private landowners to retain or restore forests through payments for ecosystem services (watershed, carbon sequestration, biodiversity protection). The deforested area (2.5 km gap) between coastal mangroves and Carara National Park may also require additional protection or restoration for the Yellow-billed Cotinga population remaining at this site.

Securing a protected area system with connectivity of natural vegetation linking the Terraba-Sierpe National Wetland to Piedras Blancas National Park and Corcovado National Park via the Golfo Dulce Forest Reserve, would not only benefit the cotinga, but would also protect habitat for the Black-cheeked Ant-Tanager (especially within the Sierpe-RFGD gap), as well as the ecotone resources used by the Mangrove Hummingbird. In this manner, the Yellow-billed Cotinga might serve as an umbrella species for the endangered birds in this region as it uses both forest and mangrove habitats, overlapping the needs of the other species. Ensuring the RFGD remains forested against development pressures remains a challenge to securing such landscape-scale connectivity.

The Mangrove Hummingbird was found persisting within mangrove patches (such as at Parrita, Sandalo, Puerto Jimenez) where the Yellow-billed Cotinga appears to have been extirpated. To the extent possible, protection and or restoration of these mangroves where hummingbirds are present should be enhanced.

Evergreen Grant Contract Terms Grantee shall be required to submit: i. A final narrative report within 60 days following the expiration of the Grant Terms or termination of this Grant Agreement. The final narrative report shall include * a detailed account of activities undertaken during the Grant Term, * an evaluation of accomplishments and successes under this Grant Agreement, * any significant obstacles encountered, * and any recommendations for future projects. * The final financial report shall detail, in the same format as the Proposal, the expenses incurred during the Grant Term in comparison with the budget as submitted with the Proposal. * b. The Grantee agrees to provide FOO with a copy of any article, report, media 8

Detailed account of activities

Activities included surveys involving travel, stationary and casual observations. Notes were taken on behavior, habitat and conditions. Many trips to mangrove areas were conducted by boat. Photos and video records were made when possible. Data has been entered on Cornell’s eBird website and maps and tables have been made with the data from the last two years of monitoring. Whenever possible local people were taken on monitoring trips and taught to do surveys.

Date Location 9/29/2008-9/30/2008 Rio Sierpe 11/13/2008 Carara Sierpe 12/15/2008-12/17/2008 Sierpe 1/11/2009 OBC and Cerro Osa 1/21/2009 Rio Agujas 2/3/2009 Rio Esquinas 2/6/2009 Cerro Batipa 2/21/2009-2/22/2009 Cerro Osa 2/23/2009 Drakes Bay/Rincon road 2/23/2009-2/24/2009 Drakes Bay 2/24/2009 Los Planos 3/3/2009 Rincon/Chacarita Road 3/3/2009 Esquinas RF Lodge 3/3/2009 Golfito 3/4/2009 Rio Coto 3/4/2009 North Gulf of Golfito 3/4/2009 Esquinas -Golfito Road 3/6/2009-3/7/2009 Cerro Osa 3/20/2009 Rio Terraba 3/20/2009-3/22/2009 Rio Sierpe 4/21/2009 North Gulf of Golfito 4/27/2009 Parrita 4/27/2009-4/29/2009 Carara 7/22/2009-7/23/2009 Rio Sierpe

Table 1. Survey dates and locations of surveys. Additionally, 19 trips were made to Rincon from 10/27/2009-4/26/2009 and there were 100 days of records from BDRT and areas around BDRT

Evaluation of accomplishments and successes Two years of monitoring data has now been collected, which gives us a better understanding of the distribution of the 3 species of endangered endemic species. Maps and some data analysis have been done but there is more that can be done. Work is still being done on identification of some of the plants used by the species for feeding or nesting.

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Our eBird workshop conducted in August 2009 at OBC and sponsored by FOO, may prove to be the greatest success of the season. There was a lot of enthusiasm from the local guides and hopefully they will follow through and enter their data on eBird, adding to the data base for the Osa Peninsula, which has been started by this project.

Yellow-billed Cotinga populations were found at Cerro Batipa in Panama, where there has been heavy deforestation. The possibility of continued monitoring on the property was discussed and the land owner, Luis Rios was enthusiastic. George Angehr has been contacted and would be interested in helping. Attempts to find another nest failed, but there were numerous records of females carrying nesting material and one record of a female behaving as if ready to visit a nest. Video and photo documentation were made of the display flight of the male and of individual birds in various plumage stages, as well as the female who was attempting to approach a nest. All sites that were targeted for surveys were visited with the exception of Tiverus, at the northern end of the mangroves of Carara/Rio Tarcoles.

Mangrove Hummingbird distribution was mapped and photographed. The most exciting success was the chance, in July, to film many individuals on the Guerra/Pilon trail in the Rio Sierpe area. We gathered more information on floral food resources for this species.

Black-cheeked Ant-Tanager surveys were extensive and its distribution was mapped. With the implementation of habitat codes into the survey data, refined documentation of their habitat is now possible. Three nests were found, photographed and recorded. Photos were taken of several individuals at our feeders to help determine how to sex the Black-cheeked Ant-Tanager in the field.

Significant obstacles encountered,

Some sites, particularly Carara and Cerro Batipa, should be monitored more regularly but finding enough days to travel to these locations and budget issues, make it impossible.

A complete the check of historic sites for Yellow-billed Cotinga has not been possible. A trip to the Burica Peninsula needs to be made. This will require 3 days minimum. Hospitality there is limited and expensive according to some geology researchers that visit regularly.

Due to the combination of the Yellow-billed Cotinga feeding on trees not easily viewed and the road construction in Rincon, generally, the Yellow-billed Cotinga was much less visible this last season than it was in the prior season so the amount of photographic recording of fledglings and juveniles was smaller than hoped for.

The normal communication issues and the tourism seasons schedule for guides have limited our ability to involve and train others as much as we would like.

The involvement of others in collecting data at less visited or remote sites, such as Luis Campos in Carara and the park rangers in Golfito, will need a lot more time and effort than was available last season. • The attempt to get the guards at the Golfito Biological Reserve to send us data on the Black-cheeked Ant- Tanager did not produce reliable results. Data was sent to us for one day but one of the records was high enough to cause concern about correct identification of the Black-cheeked Ant-Tanager. • In November a special trip was made to Carara to further train Luis Campos to keep data on the cotinga. He was paid a small fee towards the time to record data during his tours in the coming season. As it turns out, he hired a boat captain for the season and neither kept records. The fee was returned and he promises to do better next season.

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Recommendations for future projects

More workshops on identification and data collection would help encourage local people to enter their data on eBird. The eBird workshop that was held in July was very successful and a similar type event a couple times a year could enhance the data base of bird life on the Peninsula and birding culture in general, which often leads to developing conservation awareness

Yellow-billed Cotinga • Continued monitoring of all the known sites. Rincon and Sierpe offer the best places for gathering addition natural history observations. • Spend at least 3 days to survey sites on the Burica Peninsula. • Thoroughly survey Tiverus at the far north of their possible range. • Re-survey of the Parrita area. • Radio or satellite track movements.

Mangrove Hummingbird • Surveys should be done further south of Golfito, on the Burica Peninsula and at other un-surveyed sites within its expected range. • Surveys should be done at sites where there is no forest next to the mangroves to determine if they need forest habitat as well as mangrove habitat

Black-cheeked Ant-Tanager • There will be a master bander at BDRT next season. This provides an excellent opportunity to start a small banding project to begin studying survival, dispersal, territory size, group size, reproductive success, and other behaviors. • More surveys of forests on less steep terrain, forests in the interior of the Osa peninsula, and forests north of the Golfo Dulce should be done. Golfito needs to be re-surveyed and a trip to Sirena would be beneficial since this area of the peninsula is not documented yet. • Notes on the grade of the terrain and water features should be consistently recorded in addition to GPS locations and habitat description where birds are observed

Detailed financial report

A few surveys were under budget, several trips were combined to save money and increase efficiency, and some other important sites were added. For example, Black-cheeked Ant-Tanager surveys over the top of the Golfo Dulce were combined with Esquinas Lodge, Golfito with the Rio Coto trip. Additional sites included Panama and Cerro Batipa, an extra Carara trip in November, and an extra trip to Rio Sierpe in July. The budgeted Tiverus survey was never done due to complications with our vehicle and scheduling conflicts with the boat owner. A little more was spent on equipment than anticipated mostly for extra video DVD’s and at the end of the season we purchased an extra GPS unit in anticipation of the eBird workshop. The project was not charged fully for the occasional overly high meal costs at better restaurants and the $100 hotel we were forced to use in Panama due to a bad storm.

It is difficult to breakdown expenses in the way they were originally budgeted since several projects were combined to save money and increase efficiency.

Field work expenses Sierpe Sept. 150.00 Carara Nov. 185.75 return of payment from Luis in Carara for not completing contract -100.00

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Rincon Nov.-April 64.87 Sierpe Dec. 433.10 OBC/Cerro Osa Jan. 19.44 Agujas Jan. 5.00 Rio Esquinas Feb. 150.00 Panama Boca Chica and Batipa 271.00 OBC/Cerro Osa Feb. 20.00 Drakes Bay Feb. 134.20 Top of Golfo Dulce, Esquinas lodge, Golfito, Rio Coto March. 289.36 Terraba/Sierpe March 578.47 Golfito resurvey Apr. 69.21 Parrita April 216.13 Carara April 260.50 Sierpe July 200.00 Total 2,947.03 Other Expenses video camera 350.97 2 GPS 189.00 extra DVDs for video recording 97.64 mailing videos & flash drives to Dan 17.00 1 more GPS purchased for eBird workshop and to share with guides 94.50 total equipment and misc. expenses 749.11 Total of equipment and field expenses 3,696.14 Blue designates expenses that were not in the original budget.

Funding Donation from BDRT guest 100.00 Donation from BDRT guest 100.00 Total income to project except FOO funding 200.00 FOO deposits April 9 2,500.00 March 4 1,000.00 Dec 2,984.00 Total FOO deposits 6,484.00 Original FOO Budget (committed) Proposal was actually $7500 6,954.00 Budget less deposits to BDRT to be paid on completion of Report -470.00

Total income to project Aug 8 2009 6,684.00 total after equipment and monitoring expenses applied to honorarium 2,987.86 labor/honorarium allotted for Abraham and Liz 3,500.00 labor/honorarium shortfall -512.14

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“Ecology and distribution of endemic birds of the Osa Peninsula”. Detailed Report for Friends of the Osa

September 2009

Introduction and Past Work In December 2007, a program to monitor the endemic and range restricted bird species present on the Osa Peninsula in Costa Rica was started. The project was initiated by FOO (Friends of the Osa) and supported by FOO in partnership with the American Bird Conservancy (ABC). Daniel Lebbin (ABC staff), spent 10 days with us at Bosque del Rio Tigre Lodge (BDRT), in early December 2007 and showed both Abraham Gallo and myself field skills needed to collect data and the computer skills to enter the data and map results. Throughout the 2007-2008 season, data were collected on all bird species with an emphasis on the Mangrove Hummingbird, Yellow-billed Cotinga, and Black-cheeked Ant-Tanager. A program to include other birders and naturalists in the surveys was started, with the goal of having a strong network of observers on the Osa Peninsula adding to the database.

According to BirdLife International, habitat preferences and bird populations for the focal species were as follows. 2,500- 9,999 Mangrove Hummingbirds inhabit mangrove habitat along the Pacific coast of Costa Rica, across a range of 1,000 km2. 250-999 Yellow-billed Cotingas inhabit mangrove and forest habitats along the southern Pacific coast of Costa Rica and adjacent westernmost Panama, across a range of 1,700 km2. 10,000-19,999 Black-cheeked Ant-Tanagers inhabit forest, with a 1,000 km2 range restricted to the Osa Peninsula and Golfo Dulce in Costa Rica. The major threat facing all three species is loss of habitat, and therefore, learning where these birds live and how they use habitat is important to identify critical sites and maintain or strengthen the protection of these places. Despite prior knowledge of habitat associations and historical range, little modern information had been collected on these species current distribution, habitat use, breeding behavior, or movements

The first year was successful. Early in the season, we focused on the Yellow-billed Cotinga as its habitat requirements overlapped with the other focal species. Many of the Yellow-billed Cotinga’s historic locations were surveyed, the first nest was discovered in a mangrove, and we identified the importance of the mangrove-forest ecotone. This ecotone occurs where mangrove and mature forest meet, and where we encountered the highest numbers of cotingas and encountered the birds most regularly across visits. We started documenting the displays and plumage of fledglings, juveniles, sub-adults, males and females with photography. During the surveys for Yellow-billed Cotinga, data was also collected on the Mangrove Hummingbird and Black-cheeked Ant-Tanager, recording observations of nests, habitat use, and other behaviors. At the end of this season we realized important areas for the Yellow-billed Cotinga habitat remain near but outside protected areas. We communicated these findings with MINAET to help them insure protection for Yellow-billed Cotinga habitat in the future.

For the 2008-2009 season, the goals were to continue monitoring Yellow-billed Cotinga, expend more effort to determine the distribution and habitat preferences of the BCAT, collect more foraging and habitat information for Mangrove Hummingbird, as well as train additional local naturalists and guides to help with monitoring.

Surveys From September 2008-July 2009, approximately 24 different areas were surveyed extending from Carara National Park on the Central Pacific coast of Costa Rica to an area on the Pacific coast just south-east of David, Panama. Most of the surveys were conducted by Abraham Gallo and Elizabeth Jones, often with trainees. A few of these surveys were done alone by recent trainees or volunteers and guides that visit BDRT. The majority of the surveys were conducted between November 2008 and April 2009. All counts followed eBird protocols. Addition descriptions of habitat were recorded and GPS locations were recorded when focal species were observed. Photographic and video records were taken when possible. 13

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Figure 6 . Map of all surveys from Sept 2008-July 2009

New areas surveyed in late 2008-July 2009: • The mangroves north of Quepos and south of Parrita, April • Cerro Batipa in Panama, just south-east of David, Late January • Rio Terraba, north of the Humedal Terraba Sierpe, March • Many spots on the Osa Peninsula including Drake’s Bay, Cerro Osa, OBC property, Rio Agujas, road from Rincon to Drake’s Bay, road from Rincon to Chacarita, Quebrado Piedras Blancas, 8 km into the interior from BDRT, trail from BDRT to village of Piedras Blancas in the center of the peninsula, property of Bolita’s on the Rio Tigre 2 km upriver from Dos Brazos and the Los Planos Ranger station; a plateau inland from Drakes Bay on the western side of the Peninsula. • Esquinas Rainforest Lodge, road from Esquinas Rainforest Lodge to Golfito, mangroves and forest on the north end of Golfito,

Areas re-surveyed were: • Rio Esquinas • Rio Coto • Rincon • Dos Brazos Area: BDRT, Rio Pizote, and ridge • Lapa Rios • Sierpe Area: Rio Sierpe, Guerra- Pilon Trail, Isla Violin, Rio Sabalo 15

• Carara , Rio Tarcoles mangrove • Gulf of Golfito (not thoroughly) • Boca Chica in Panama (cut short by a rough wind storm)

The atypical weather during the 2008-2009 season could have influenced bird behaviors. The rainy season ended with excessive amounts of rain and we rapidly went into an extreme dry season. We noticed that many tree species did not fruit at the beginning of the dry season and there was a noticeable lack of insects throughout the year. During this second season, we collected 507 survey checklists. These include 155 travel counts, and 162 stationary counts. The remaining checklists were casual (protocol) highlighting observations of target species and migrant U.S. WatchList species. For the two seasons and duration of this project to date (December 2007- July 2009), we have now collected data from over 741 hrs of recorded observation time, including roughly 67 hrs of stationary counts and 655 hrs of traveling counts.

Accomplishments • All Data has been uploaded to the eBird data base • Distribution maps have been made for the three focal species • Several hours of video and many photos were taken. Video footage included displays of Yellow-billed Cotinga, various Mangrove Hummingbirds and excellent footage of Black-cheeked Ant-Tanager and other birds near an army ant swarm. • Several new people have been brought into the network of naturalists and guides who work on this project and will possibly monitor on their own in the future. • An eBird workshop was organized and held in August 2009, to encourage the local guides to gather and enter data . • We led a workshop on mangrove bird species with Guido Saboria and Pilar Bernal for the students of UNET in the beginning of April 2009. • In September 2009, the Wilson Journal of Ornithology published a paper by Luis Sandoval and Abraham Gallo on the first Black-cheeked Ant-Tanager nests found in early 2007, prior to starting this current project. • Dan Lebbin presented findings on the Yellow-billed Cotinga at the American Ornithologists’ Union conference in Philadelphia on 14 August 2009. Liz Jones helped put this presentation together by providing data and maps. This talk will form the basis for a future scientific paper.

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Black-cheeked Ant-Tanager

Surveys

The goal for the 2008-2009, was to determine the distribution of the Black-cheeked Ant-Tanager and determine the preferred habitat as well as the continued gathering of behavioral information. Many new areas were surveyed on the Peninsula de Osa and the eastern side of the Golfo Dulce and a complete list may be found in the appendix 3. Surveys were started at the end of December 2008. Presence is most easily determined by morning song which only lasts for about 1/2 -1 hour after first light and was first heard on 12/23/2008 at BDRT. Morning song starts to taper off sometime around April, depending on the year and varying by a month or so. The latest record we have of morning song is in the 3rd week of June 2009.

Figure 7. All surveys from December 2007-July 2009 in the Black-cheeked Ant-Tanager range are shown above as black triangles. Red dots indicate locations where Black-cheeked Ant-Tanagers were detected. Details of the locations can be found in the appendix. Some black markers represent the start of “travel” counts so the total area covered is not represented on the map, but locations where birds were detected are marked.

Habitat

This past season, habitat codes were entered for all the surveys. This was implemented to determine the preferred habitat of the Black-cheeked Ant-Tanager. When a Black-cheeked Ant-Tanager was encountered, the coordinates were taken and entered on a separate data sheet along with a habitat code for the survey.

We were most concerned with degree of shade and make-up of understory flora where the Black-cheeked Ant-Tanager travels and lives so the below definitions are not necessarily traditional. The traditional primary/mature forest and fairly 17 mature secondary forest have been joined together because the light and understory are virtually the same. The traditional young secondary forest was divided into two categories. Additionally, there are codes for mangrove, swamp/wetlands, and various types of open areas. If we were in a mature forest, and there was a large light gap present changing the understory makeup of flora, it was noted as if it were an edge habitat, i.e., “F,pr,se” or “F,pr,so” Our codes did not reflect some of the other categories of forest such as, forested slopes with good drainage, forested slopes with poor drainage, flatland forest, ridge forest etc.

General Code Classification Description forest F Dense short trees and shrubs, pipers, heliconia, Marantaceae, Melastomataceae, a few taller trees not yet creating an enclosed upper story, Trees mostly cecropia, balsa, tiliaceae and young fabaceae. se secondary new Sometimes an overgrown orchard of Cocoa, banana An almost complete upper canopy and thinning of understory with stratification, still occasionally dense understory consisting of flora associated with light gaps. Some mature forest plants in understory and secondary ~10-25 some young "mature" forest trees but predominately older, short lived so years trees, associated with the early stages of regeneration. Well stratified forest with predominately old and/or long living species. Canopy complete. Darker understory, Lots of palms, bromeliads, and pr old growth/mature predominantly trees associated with primary forest Table 2. The definition of forest types and the codes that were used in our data.

The description of the forest was more important than the age since regeneration time varies depending on location, soil type, degree of fragmentation etc. See appendix 1 for a complete list. Most of our surveys with Black-cheeked Ant- Tanager included several habitat types. This could be due to limited access into the interior of the forest or the habitat preference of the species. Trails and roads often run along property lines creating edges due to the land use practices of different owners. To attain more conclusive results, more surveys into the interior of the peninsula and off of trails and roads, should be attempted. Our records do not usually show which type of habitat the bird was actually located in, but whenever it appeared in an unusual habitat it was noted in the “notes” section of our data. Black-cheeked Ant-Tanager has never been encountered in the mangroves, pasture, house lots, active plantations, or rice fields although these habitats may have been visible during our surveys and noted in the habitat codes.

For analysis of the 166 records of Black-cheeked Ant-Tanager, from December 2007-July 2009, we have excluded records from the immediate area (500m) of BDRT. There are feeders present at the lodge, possibly changing the behavior of the Black-cheeked Ant-Tanager in the immediate area. • We are left with 110 records of Black-cheeked Ant-Tanager • 66 of our records for Black-cheeked Ant-Tanager have habitat information. This data can be found in the appendix 2.

% of the 66 Surveys with Black-cheeked Ant-Tanager oldest present habitat comments 69.70% mature forest present In mature forest or mature forest visible 16.66% Older secondary forest present no mature forest visible 7.58% newer secondary forest present no mature or older secondary forest visible 4.54% Forest on rivers edge forest un-described 1.52% open area short scrubby habitat forest edge nearby, forest un-described 100.00% Total Table 3. Percentage of Black-cheeked Ant-Tanager records in different forest habitat types 18

% of Habitat type recorded surveys * % of BCAT records Mature forest only 12.91 22.73 Old secondary only 3.60 3.03 New secondary only 1.20 1.52 Edge of different forest types, edge of open areas and forest, and river edges 78.08 72.73 Other, including mangrove adjoining pasture 0.60 0.00 Open areas 3.60 0.00 % total 100.00 100.00 *Only surveys with habitat information (2008-2009) were included and surveys of only mangrove and open water were excluded Table 4. Percentage of Black-cheeked Ant-Tanager records in different forest types compared to edges and to percentage of habitat types surveyed.

Local distribution, territories and seasonal patterns in the Rio Sierpe area: Due to the accessible, ~7 km, transect of typical Black-cheeked Ant-Tanager habitat in the survey area of Rio Sierpe, Surveys have been mapped by date to see if there was patterns in distribution or territory and to see if there was any noticeable difference between the months of December, March and July.

Figure 8. Comparison of dates and years in Rio Sierpe. Although the tan areas are private land, they are mostly

19 forested with small patches of agriculture or homesteads, but land use could be altered easily. The unprotected wetland/mangrove areas have apparently changed since the map was made since the trail is never in wetlands for more than a few meters.

Although there are 3 spots where Black-cheeked Ant-Tanager was encountered more than once, there are many more spots it was encountered only once. We have yet to analyze our presence data with an estimate of detectability. • For example, on July 2008 surveys Black-cheeked Ant-Tanager were encountered in 10 locations but on the July 2009 surveys they were only encountered in one spot. This could be due to the small sample or the shifts in breeding, fruiting and insect cycles from year to year. • There is a little consistency in the number of encounters for each survey. December 2007, December 2008, and March 2009 show 5 locations each. March 2008 there were only 2 locations. More surveys are needed for statistical analysis.

Nesting On January 28 2007, the first nest of Black-cheeked Ant-Tanager ever recorded was found by Abraham Gallo. Throughout that season we observed, with Luis Sandoval, this and 2 additional nests until March 13th, when the final nest was predated. The data from these nests is now published in The Wilson Journal of Ornithology, September 2009 “Description of the Nest and Eggs of the Black-cheeked Ant Tanager (Habia atrimaxillaris)” Luis Sandoval and Abraham Gallo. The following season, no nests were found but one bird was seen with nesting material on 29 March 2008. Abraham actively looked for nests all season. A fledgling was seen on the banana feeder on 3 March 2008. Huber et al. (2008) observed a Black-cheeked Ant-Tanager nest approximately 100 m from the edge of the forest, with 2 chicks on 8 February 2008 at Tropenstation La Gamba (Esquinas Rainforest Lodge area) and published their findings on the internet. Their findings included that the nesting period lasted at least 10-12 days and young were fed by 3 adults (implying a cooperative breeding system).

During the most recent breeding season (2008-2009), the following breeding observations were recorded: • 12/23/2008 First morning song was heard at 5:40 am at BDRT. • 1/10/2009 Copulation was observed 2 times next to the lodge (BDRT). • 1/16/2009 - 2/12/2009.Three nests were found on the BDRT property • 2/21/2009 In Cerro Osa, 3 Black-cheeked Ant-Tanager were found on a steep slope about 30m from a stream, behaving as if there may be a nest in the area. • 3/7/2009, 2 adults and 1 fledgling were encountered in the same area of Cerro Osa. • 3/9/2009 3 adults and 1 fledgling were observed at the feeder in BDRT. The first two nests were observed almost daily. Photos, important dates, and measurements were taken when possible. The third nest was left un-observed to reduce the chance of predation. All the nests were predated before incubation was complete. Video was taken of the Black-cheeked Ant-Tanager entering nest#2 to incubate. During the video session, while waiting out of sight ~ 40-50m from the nest, a Tayra (predatory mammal) came up to us from behind a log. Nest #2 was the nest that was probably predated by a mammal.

first date seen height Date i constructin first date from Dimensions predate d g notes seen sitting ground slope /diameter depth plant d Notes of predation Palma,Biscolar. ~18 cm Pretoeade First found outside currens, family Nest not disturbed. Possibly 1 sitting on nest 1/16 192 cm ~30d diameter Arecaceae 1/21 a reptile or small bird. Tabacon, Clavija costaricana, Outsid family nest tilted and pulled apart 7cm inside e 6- Theophrastacea indicating probable mammal 2 1/22 2/2 140 cm ~30d diameter 7cm e 2/9 predation Did not observe to carrying last reduce Found predated with interior fine material possibility of Melastomatacea lining ripped apart, Possibly 3 2/12 for nest predation. e sp. ~3/2 a bird of prey. Table 5. Nest data for BDRT 2009 20

Figure 9. Nest #1 at BDRT.

Figure 10. Nest #2 at BDRT with incubating Black-cheeked Ant-Tanager.

Figure 11. Nest #2 with 2 eggs. Figure 12. Nest #2 top view. 21

Aging and Sexing Black-cheeked Ant-Tanager Immature Black-cheeked Ant-Tanagers can be distinguished from adults in the field by eye-color (brown vs. red) and duller plumage. We are still working on how to determine gender of adult birds in the field. Earlier works suggest subtle differences in plumage, but these are often difficult to determine under varying light conditions. We still have not been able to determine sex in the field unless the distinctive crown patch of the male is showing, which is a rare occurrence. We have started to photograph individuals to help determine plumage variation and potential field marks to sex adult birds. We have not yet carefully reviewed these photos and this work is ongoing.

Figure 13. Photos 1010 and 1015 taken as part of our project to learn to id the sexes in the field. This is the same bird photographed in different light. It is a potential adult male.

Figure 14. Photos 1005 1006 Two photos of another bird at different angles. A potential adult female.

Conclusions, observations, and suggestions for future work • Forest with closed canopy and forest edges are the preferred habitat for Black-cheeked Ant-Tanager. Due to the extreme variation and proximity of various habitats in most of our survey areas, and lack of surveys deep inside extensive forest, it is difficult to say if the species can adapt to poor quality forest or prefers edges over mature forest. Although there are records of the Black-cheeked Ant-Tanager in early secondary growth (our definition) with no visible, mature forests nearby, there may have been mature forest out of sight. Next season notes should be taken on the actual position and habitat of the bird and possibly distance from edge or transitional zones. Future work should investigate this species sensitivity to different kinds of forest disturbance. • Nests have only been found in forest with complete canopy coverage. • Terrain: The possible preference for habitat on steep slopes should be verified with more surveys and may be a sampling artifact, or simply due to availability of more steep terrain compared to flat terrain (especially as flat terrain is preferentially cleared by farmers and ranchers). Black-cheeked Ant-Tanager was found in the flat 22

terrain on the plateau in the interior of the peninsula at Los Planos Ranger Station. Steep terrain, although not documented consistently, seems to be favored by this species. More surveys should be done in forest on flat terrain, if it can be found. Sirena Ranger Station would be a flat area and has extensive areas of both old secondary and mature forest accessible. • Our data does not consistently reflect the presence of riparian habitat such as small streams or rivers, but we suspect that this may be an important part of the habitat for this species at least in the dryer months of the year. Few surveys have been done in the wetter seasons. • The negative data for the northern edge of the Golfo Dulce is puzzling. Not recording a Black-cheeked Ant-Tanager in 12 counts, where most of the surveys were in typical habitat, is unusual. Of 327 terrestrial counts in non-mangrove areas, 94 of them show presence of Black-cheeked Ant- Tanager. That is approximately 29%. o One explanation would be the lack of streams. Few were found. Only one count was conducted near a steep- sided stream, but it was not noted, if this was the only stream along the transect. There was a noticeable lack of water features, in general o Another explanation is that the sample is just too small. o This area should be re-surveyed. If no Black-cheeked Ant-Tanagers are found, this could denote an isolated population in the Esquinas/Golfito area. • Some surveys should also be done between the known Rio Sierpe population and the north end of the Golfo Dulce which has experienced heavy logging and fragmentation of the forest in the last 20 years. • Black-cheeked Ant-Tanager appears widely distributed on the Osa Peninsula, where the favored habitat exists. • Additionally, more work should be done to investigate the diet, population density, social behavior, survival, and reproductive success of the Black-cheeked Ant-Tanager.

Conservation recommendations Population trends are unknown but presumed stable where habitat remains. Population declines may have occurred around Golfito where forest understory is heavily degraded. Maintaining forest connectivity between protected areas on the Osa Peninsula and Golfo Dulce region should be a high priority.

Mangrove Hummingbird Surveys and Distribution Throughout both seasons, exact locations of the Mangrove Hummingbird were measured using GPS. They have been found in all of the mangrove survey sites from the Carara/Tarcoles area south to Rio Coto on the Eastern side of the Golfo Dulce, with the exception of the Rio Terraba. The mangroves of the Parrita area, Puerto Jimenez, Sandalo and the north end of the Gulf of Golfito have Mangrove Hummingbird but no Yellow-billed Cotinga. The highest counts of Mangrove Hummingbird inside the mangroves was in the Parrita area, with 12 counted on a 12 km, 2.5 hour survey during late April. When a hummingbird passed by rapidly and could not be identified visually or by voice, these individuals were recorded as ”hummingbird sp.,” starting in Dec. 2008. Perhaps these should be taken into consideration when analyzing the data. When working around the mangroves, these unidentified hummingbirds could usually be Rufous-tailed Hummingbird, Charming Hummingbird, or Mangrove Hummingbird. The other species in the area are usually easy to identify in flight. On a 2 day walking survey during March 2009, only 3 Mangrove Hummingbird were recorded on the Guerra/Pilon trail, although 24 “hummingbird sp” were recorded. In the same survey area, in December 2008, only 5 Mangrove Hummingbird were found and there were 5 “Hummingbird sp.” But at the same location in July 2009, a different individual was encountered every 50-350m in some sections of the trail, totaling 24 for the 2 days. During this July trip, the Mangrove Hummingbirds were perched for long periods of time and feeding repeatedly on the same flowers nearby.

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Figure 15. Surveys and presence of Mangrove Hummingbird.

Figure 16. Unidentified hummingbird species vs. positive identifications of Mangrove Hummingbird March 2009, Guerra/Pilon trail, Rio Sierpe. 24

Figure 17. Clustered and high density of Mangrove Hummingbirds in July 2009 along the Guerra/Pilon trail in Rio Sierpe. Most of these individuals were remaining in the same locations guarding flowers. Several “ fights” were observed between Mangrove Hummingbird and other species.

Habitat A boat trip through the mangroves almost always produces one or more Mangrove Hummingbirds. During walking surveys, Mangrove Hummingbird have been encountered up to, approximately, 150 m from the actual mangroves but have never been found far from mangroves. Their presence in the forest surrounding the mangroves seems to be irregular, probably related to the flowering cycle of the mangrove trees and the breeding season. We have found nests in mangroves only, not in adjacent forest.

Behavior Some individuals appear to be territorial, staying in the same area for extended periods of time. • A female in Sandalo, has been observed for several years, nesting in the same area from 2006-2008. We did not visit Sandalo during 2009. • A male in Rincon fed on the same flowers on the edge of the road and used the same tree for perching from sometime before March 2008 until July 2009. 2 • A female is at the Pilon landing on the Sierpe River, on every trip. She perches in the same area, of about 20m in Deleted: , both the mangroves and the shorter trees outside the mangrove.

We observed Mangrove Hummingbird feeding on flower species in the forest or on the edge of the mangroves, including: Heliconia sp., Hamelia sp.(Rubiaceae) , Inga sp., Roble de Sabana (Tabebuia rosea), Maripa nicaraquensis , a vine with purple flowers, and beach hibiscus. In the mangroves we have only observed feeding on the flowers of Pacific Mangrove (Pelliciera rizophorae), known locally as Mangle Pinuela.

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We have only found nests in the mangroves, on both Pelliciera rizophorae and Acrosticum aureum. The latter is a large fern commonly found in the mangroves (pers. observation of Luis Campos). The three nests that have been observed were located between 1-4 m above the high water line • 3 m high from waterline, found inactive on 9/22/2008 and collected in October, in Estero Guacalio, Tarcoles. • 1 m from high tide found 1/24/2008 in Sandalo. • 3.5-4m from high tide in Sandalo in 2007.

Figure 18. Some nector resources of the Mangrove Hummingbird: Mangle Pinuela or Pacific Mangrove (Pelliciera rizophorae) on left; and Hamelia sp., Rubiaceae on right.

Figure 19. In November 2008, Luis Campos, showed us a nest he had found on a Mangle Pinuela from the Rio Tarcoles area.

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Figure 20. Feb 2008, A female Mangrove Hummingbird sitting on a nest in Sandalo

Figure 21. July 22 and 23, 2009, there was a rare opportunity to photograph and video several individuals on the Guerra- Pilon trail along the Rio Sierpe. The top row shows females. The bottom row shows males.

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Yellow-billed Cotinga Introduction The Yellow-billed Cotinga (Carpodectes antoniae) is an endangered and range-restricted, species, with a population estimated to be between 250-999 and decreasing (BirdLife International 2008, Stattersfield et al. 1998). It occurs in mangroves and forests along the Pacific coast of Costa Rica and adjacent western Panama. During the last fifty years, this species has been observed at the following sites from north to south: Río Tárcoles and nearby Reserva Biológica Carara, Parrita (Río Pirrís) and the nearby Río Palo Seco estuary, Río Sierpe estuary, Rincón, Parque Nacional Corcovado, Puerto Jimenez, Golfito, and Río Coto estuary in Costa Rica; on the Burica Peninsula (at Río Corotú, El Chorogo, and Mellicita), Cerro Batipa and nearby estuaries south of David (e.g., Chorcha Abajo, Pedregal), and near Punaga on the eastern side of the Gulf of Montijo in Panama (Wege & Long 1995, Angehr 2000, Snow 2004, Angehr et al. 2008). It may occur at the Playa de la Barquete Agrícola Wildlife Refuge in Panama, and a 1920s specimen was collected near Aguadulce, Panama, 200 km east of the current range. Much appropriate habitat has been cleared in Panama and Costa Rica, and the species’ stronghold is now suspected to be centered on the mangrove estuaries of the Río Sierpe and Golfo Dulce in Costa Rica (Angher 2000, BirdLife International 2008). Do to the limited range, endangered status and extremely low population of the Yellow-billed Cotinga; continued monitoring of known populations is extremely important, as is collection of data on habitat, nesting and food sources.

Surveys There are 9 historical locations in Costa Rica and 7 of those have been surveyed. Yellow-billed Cotinga was only found in quantities at 4 locations plus one additional non-historic location, Rio Esquinas. This location was checked due to its habitat matching the ecotone favored by the Yellow-billed Cotinga. There are 8 historic locations in Panama. Of these, we surveyed Cerro Batipa and detected Yellow-billed Cotinga. Another one, Pedregal, was visited to determine the current habitat but not surveyed. There was no forest visible in the area. The Burica Peninsula sites appear to be inland and we are told there is no mangrove in the area so these records could represent the non-breeding wandering birds, but this area should be checked next season.

Figure 22. Historic locations of Yellow-billed Cotinga in Panama. Map by George Angehr.

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Yellow-billed Cotinga (YBCO) Distribution Historic Localities (roughly 8 in Panama, 9 in Costa Rica)

Figure 23.. Historical locations of Yellow-billed Cotinga.

Surveys from September 2008-July 2009 • Carara NP, Mouth of the Rio Sierpe, Rio Esquinas, Rio Coto and Rincon. All the above locations were visited both seasons and at least 4 Yellow-billed Cotingas were found at each location. • 3 additional historic locations were surveyed in 2009 including the mangroves in the Parrita area, the mangroves at the mouth of the Rio Terraba, and Cerro Batipa in Panama. We detected Yellow-billed Cotinga only at Cerro Batipa and not around Parrita nor the Rio Terraba. • One attempt was made to re-survey the mangroves from the water at Boca Bravo/Boca Chica in Panama, not far from Cerro Batipa. The trip was cut short by dangerous high winds. A boat captain reported seeing the cotinga semi-regularly but a survey by George Angehr in 1997 and I in 2008 came up negative. • Two trips were made to the mangroves on the north end of the Gulf of Golfito in 2009, an historic location within its current range and an area that matches the ecotone where the Yellow-billed Cotinga is usually found. We did not find any Yellow-billed Cotinga, and we are concerned it may be extirpated from this location. • Yellow-billed Cotinga were seen on and off throughout the year in small numbers at both BDRT and Lapa Rios, which are two non-mangrove forest locations. • Numerous inland sites were surveyed for Black-cheeked Ant-Tanager providing negative data for Yellow-billed Cotinga at additional inland forest sites.

Habitat The quantity of new records from inland sites surveyed in the past season, and the number of inland surveys showing absence for Yellow-billed Cotinga, reinforces the apparent need of the Yellow-billed Cotinga for the mangrove-forest ecotone. The only inland locations it was found were BDRT and Lapa Rios, where there is daily observation and the sightings were irregular and of small numbers, usually one and no more than 4 birds at a time, whereas visit to any site with the mangrove-forest ecotone intact during the breeding season, will produce 4 or more birds with regular counts of 4-8 in one count of 10 minutes. No Yellow-billed Cotingas were found at the sites of Rio Terraba and the Parrita

29 estuaries which are both, heavily deforested with 3 or more km between the mangrove and forest. The mangrove boat guides in the Parrita area were very familiar with the birds in their area but had never seen a Yellow-billed Cotinga. The cotinga is usually found in the tall Red Mangrove (Rhizophora mangle). The lack of birds found in the Golfito area suggests the possibility that the Cotinga may prefer larger patches of tall mangrove. On the north end of the Gulf of Golfito, the red mangrove is tall but is less than 2km long by ~50-75m deep. The forest is good and appears to be at least as large as the forest at Rincon with trees that we know Yellow-billed Cotinga feed upon. Some of these fruits were present during one of the surveys. Around the southern and western ends of the gulf, the mangrove is mostly short and patches of tall mangrove are quite small. There is one area where there is good forest joining the mangrove.

Distribution and Populations

The northern and southern most sites where the Yellow-billed Cotinga have been located are both heavily deforested. In the Carara area, there is a ~2.5 km deforested gap between the mangroves of the Rio Tarcoles and. Here, Yellow-billed Cotinga counts are generally low, 1-5 birds in 2 days of surveys.

In Cerro Batipa the populations appear to be better, with 8 counted in a 4.25 hour survey. A large stand of primary forest adjoining the mangroves was recently cut for a teak plantation. This forest appeared to be the last large stand of quality forest adjoining the mangrove in that area, but this requires further confirmation. There still remains a forest on a steep slope about 1 km from the mangrove where we found Yellow-billed Cotinga displaying and corridors of secondary forest leading from the mangrove to this forest.

Figure 24. Presence of Yellow-billed Cotinga (red dots) documented in surveys throughout its current range from September 2007-July 2009.

Rincon, Rio Esquinas, and Rio Coto, produced approximately the same numbers of sightings this season as the prior season. In Rio Sierpe the birds were much less visible than the prior year and counts were a little lower. The lack of 30 visibility could have been due to forest regeneration at some of the better viewing spots or the lack of fruiting trees visible. In Carara and Rio Tarcoles there were fewer Yellow-billed Cotinga counted this last season, but there are so few in the area, that it would be hard to find even one if a known feeding tree was not fruiting or a traditional perch no longer existed. The highest counts for Rincon in 2008-2009 season were 10 males and 5 females on 2/18/2009, and 9 males and 6 females seen on 2/19/2009, in 2.5 hour travel counts of less than a km.

Figure 25. The larger map shows the number of Cotinga seen during a count comparing the two years as well. Inset: In the small map of Rio Sierpe Area the Triangles represent surveys and red dots represent Yellow-billed Cotinga.

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Figure 26. Habitat and the Yellow-billed Cotinga in Rincon. Notice surveys a short distance away with no cotingas.

Figure 27. All the surveys around the Golfo Dulce and the Peninsula de Osa

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RFGD

PN Piedras Blanca

Figure 28. Cotingas in Rio Esquinas. Notice the mangrove/forest ecotone.

Figure 29. In the Carara-Rio Tarcoles area, the area between the mangroves and park is totally deforested. 33

Nesting and Courtship No nests were located last season, but 5 times females were seen with nesting material between 1/10/2009 and 3/21/2009 in Rincon or Rio Sabalo (a tributary of Rio Sierpe).

date time location notes Check later for nest, female looking at fork in tree as if looking 12/16/2008 15:12 Sierpe/Rio Sabalo for nesting spot 1/10/2009 7:30 Rincon/Bridge 1 female with nesting material at 7:30 1 female with nesting material, stiff thin grass about 7 cm perched on Espevel behind restaurant and then flew towards 1/31/2009 9:00 Rincon/Restaurant mangroves 1 F Yellow-billed Cotinga with nesting material ~7.5 cm long perched on Espevel 9:34 , 9:37 another F Yellow-billed 1/31/2009 9:34 Rincon/Restaurant Cotinga w/o material on same perch. 1 female Yellow-billed Cotinga with nesting material at 7:13, flew from upstream at bridge to mangroves behind restaurant. 2/9/2009 6:15 Rincon/restaurant From 7:15 to 7:40 no activity. 1 female Yellow-billed Cotinga, flew 15m and returned, appeared as if had nest in area. Checked the next morning but not there. This is a spot we have seen Yellow-billed 3/21/2009 3:47 Rio Sierpe Cotinga before. 1 Yellow-billed Cotinga female, with a thin piece of round 3/21/2009 4:07 Sierpe/Rio Sabalo twig? in bill. 2 Yellow-billed Cotingas, one male on the display perch, 1 female Yellow-billed Cotinga staying in one area and disturbed due to Aracari in the area. Hopping around, extremely active 3/23/2009 7:21 Rincon/mirador 1 as if guarding nest area. 1 Yellow-billed Cotinga female was inside mangrove about half way down from canopy acting like she was going to a nest going slowly from perch to perch. Lost track of her 3/23/2009 7:28 Rincon/mirador 3 movements after about 10 minutes.

Table 6. Nesting records of Yellow-billed Cotinga from 2008-2009. The note from 12/16/2008, about a female looking into the fork of a tree, as if checking for a nest spot, happened at almost the same location on the Rio Sabalo, where a female was seen with nesting material on 3/21/2009. The coordinates were 8.80038 -83.54020 and 8.79726 -83.53860, respectively.

Displays are observed at all the mangrove sites where Yellow-billed Cotinga are present except for Carara. A male cotinga was displaying on the same tree in the mangroves of Rincon all through the both seasons. At BDRT, there was an adult male displaying almost all the 2009 season in a Gallinazo, (Schizolobium parahyba, Fabaceae/Caes.). Displays were recorded on video at Rincon and BDRT. Attempts at video were made on some boat trips but failed. Males have been seen displaying on Gallinazo (Schizolobium parahyba, Fabaceae/Caes.), Cedro Macho (Carapa guianensis, Meliaceae), Espavel (Anacardium excelsum, Anacardiaceae), and Mangle Rojo (Rhizophora mangle, Rhizophoraceae). There is a lot more information that can be taken from our notes on displays.

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Figure 30. A well camouflaged female possibly attempting to approach unknown nest site. This was the same day the Aracari were in the neighborhood causing her to react nervously with a somewhat defensive position and attitude. 3/23/2009

Figure 31. The male “stretching” in the same tree taken the same day and around the same time.

Figure 32. A male in a Cedro Macho, notice the bill is open. 3/23/2009 35

Foraging behavior The two years of surveys include approximately 122 counts, totaling 138 observation hours, which include the Yellow- billed Cotinga. . Of course, some of these records are 10 minute stationary counts or longer travel counts and the Yellow-billed Cotinga may have only been seen for a fraction of the time noted. An additional 41 counts or 30% of the cotinga records, which were noted as casual observations, were spent observing only the Yellow-billed Cotinga and do not include length of time of observation.

Although there is a series of photos of a female passing something like a leaf Katydid or a leaf to a fledgling, in the two years of observation of this species there have been no other clear observations of Yellow-billed Cotinga feeding on insects. There is one record of a male inspecting the fork of a tree, like we have seen females doing on occasion in the mangroves. In the case of females, we have assumed that she was looking for a nesting site. The male may have been looking for insects. On one other occasion in the prior season there was a female observed looking down and under branches. Maybe 3 or 4 years ago, Abraham saw 2 female cotingas, searching for something in the roots of a bromeliad ~7-10m from the ground on a mangrove (Rhizophora racemosa). These two females were accompanied by a male.

The list of forest species that provide fruit for the Yellow-billed Cotinga has been expanded and now includes Ocotea rivularis (Lauraceae), and possibly O. insularis, Zapotera (Hyeronima alchorneoides, Euphorbiaceae), figs (Ficus sp., Moraceae), Guatteria lucens (Anonaceae), Cecropia sp., Shefflera morototoni (Araliaceae), and Virola sp.(Myristicaceae). In the Rio Sierpe site, they were found foraging in Trichospermum grewifolium (Tiliaceae) when there were no other fruits in the area, but it was not clear if they were taking fruit or foraging for insects. They were also found up river from BDRT in a Vaca (Brosimum utile, Moraceae) but again it was not clear if they were foraging or only perching. Several others claim to have seen it feeding on Nanci but there are several species with that name but possibly they were referring to either Nanci Macho (Clethra Mexicana, Clethraceae) and Nanci de montana (Byrsonima crispa,Malpighiaceae)

Figure 33. Female in Guatteria lucens, family Anonaceae. July 2009. 36

Photo work At all locations, attempts were made to video the Yellow-billed Cotinga flight displays and females carrying nesting material. Some photos were taken in hopes of identifying the plumage differences throughout their development stages.

Figure 34. Sub-adult male in Cedro Macho, 23 March 2009. Note black in wing, gray plumage on wing coverts.

Difficulties encountered Rincon, since it is the site closest and easiest to access, in theory, would have been an ideal area to do photo and video work, as well as behavior observations. Unfortunately due to the massive road construction project creating noise, excessive dust and inaccessibility of observation points we did not get as much data or film as we would have liked. The Yellow-billed Cotinga was consistently less visible than usual. Whether this was due to shortage of fruit on the traditional feeding trees due to the extremes of seasonal weather or due to the dust, and noise of the road building, we do not know. The delayed fruiting of trees also made it difficult to observe the Yellow-billed Cotinga at our other traditional locations, with the birds feeding in spots we could not access. In July of 2008, there was a great opportunity to film fledglings and juveniles at the Rio Sierpe site, but due to a malfunction of optical equipment all the photos are poor. In July 2009, a trip was made to the same area in hopes of having the same situation but the birds were much further away and generally foraging out of view.

Recommendations for future work Monitoring and gathering of behavior data should be continued at all locations and the Burica Peninsula should be checked. Finding a way to determine the range of an individual and the age they start breeding would be helpful. More work is required to figure out how to age males by plumage maturation.

Two areas, Cerro Batipa and Carara could give us good data on the response of the Yellow-billed Cotinga to deforestation. Since it is not known for sure if the birds in the Carara/Tarcoles region are breeding with no known observations of display or nesting behaviors, someone is needed to survey the area regularly. In Cerro Batipa, due to the recent cutting of a large stand of forest, the populations definitely should be monitored and information shared with the land owner to replant with tree species fed upon by cotingas.

Conservation Attempts should be made to protect the unprotected ecotone areas of Rio Sierpe, Rincon, Rio Esquinas and Rio Coto. Reforestation of the areas adjoining the mangroves in Carara and the mangrove just south of David, Panama could help the populations of Yellow-billed Cotinga at the extremes of their range. 37

Education

Past work During the 2007-2008 field season work started on developing a network of local naturalists and birders that could help with bird monitoring throughout the region. First, decisions had to be made concerning what methods worked best in our area, what data was useful, where it was best to put our efforts and how to train someone with little education or science skills. Skills such as GPS usage, data entry, eBird and monitoring techniques for the tropics were also new to us in late 2007, when we started the project.

Modest results were seen by the end of the season. Of the 5 or 6 people that worked with us in the 2007-2008 season, one individual starting to do surveys on their own at the end of the season and semi-consistently taking notes of all endangered or U.S. WatchList migratory species encountered to enter in our database. He seems to be seriously dedicated to volunteerism and the monitoring project. A few others are still interested and join us occasionally on field trips.

2008-2009 Season The goal for this recent field season was to find and involve more trainees and continue training of the individuals who worked with the project in the prior season, getting them up to a level that they could work by themselves and collect more exacting and useful data. Plans were made to work with the various ranger stations that are in the National Park and Forest Reserve system. Throughout the field season we talked to people, about the endangered birds, their habits and habitat and accumulated contact information for interested individuals in hopes of including them in future surveys. Prior to every trip several people were asked to join us. 24 sites were surveyed, requiring travel from our immediate area. On 14 of these surveys, either training (12), or initial contact with future trainees (2) was accomplished. Each field assistant was introduced to counting techniques, gps usage, note taking skills and the concept of detailed observation of behavior. They were alerted to the status of our endangered species as well as the migrant species on the U.S. WatchList. The field assistants and trainees that had worked with us before were taught more skills and were given jobs during surveys such as note-taking, timing and GPS reading.

In early February, a trip was made to Panama, to one of the historic locations of the Yellow-billed Cotinga. The owner of the 2000 ha property, Luis A. Rios E. [[email protected]], an educated man, and birder, joined us on our survey and discussed his property and how to improve it for the Yellow-billed Cotinga. He had not been previously aware of the Yellow-billed Cotinga’s habitat requirements.

In early April we taught a mangrove birding workshop at the Rio Rincon with Guido Saboria, Pilar Bernal and students from the guide training program of UNET. We were able to show them all the endangered mangrove species and were pleasantly surprised at the interest in our mangrove species and the mangrove ecology.

In August 2009, an eBird workshop was planned at the Osa Biodiversity Center to introduce some of our trainees and other Osa birders to eBird, a free web program operated by Cornell to gather bird data from around the world.

Field trips including trainees

Surveys with trainees who Status Carara 11/13/08 Luis Campos CR tour operator Sierpe Michael Wickens volunteer USA 12/15/2009-12/17/2009 Rio Pizote 12/22/08 Jendry Rojas Dos Brazos resident and future guide Michael Wickens Volunteer USA

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OBC 1/11/2009 Jordan and Keith Rutter volunteer US Jendry Rojas Dos Brazos resident and future guide Agujas 1/21/09 Oscar Cordero Guide from Luna Lodge Jendry Rojas Dos Brazos resident and future guide OBC 2/21/2009 Ulises Quintero Lapa Rios Guide Drakes Bay Michael Wickens volunteer USA 2/23/2009-2/24/2009 Rio Terraba Fernando Barrantes Guide at Esquinas Rainforest Lodge 3/20/2009 Pam Moran volunteer USA/part time resident CR Rio Sierpe 3/21/2009- Fernando Barrantes Guide at Esquinas Rainforest Lodge 3/22/2009 Pam Moran volunteer USA/part time resident CR Rincon Mangrove Workshop 17 participants students in UNET guiding course 4/5/09 Parrita 4/27/09 Ulises Quintero Lapa Rios guide Yorleny Marin Student and birder Guides in Parrita. Guides for Monkey Tours/Mangrove trip Carara 4/28/09 Peter Negaard CR resident Dorothy MacKinnon CR resident Ulisis Quintero Lapa Rios guide Yorleny Marin Student and birder Name unknown Guide and new captain for Luis’ tour company Luis Campos Owner and captain of Mangrove tour company Table 7. Surveys with trainees or educational angle.

Trips where new who Status Comments contacts were made Rincon Nov Owners of Chontal Son is a new guide and open to learning. Very bright. lodge and son in Rincon. Esquinas Lodge Fernando Guide at Esquinas Accompanied us on the Terraba-Sierpe trip the following Barrantes Lodge. month. Very good and enthusiastic. Has computer skills and decent education. Likes volunteer conservation work

Golfito Manager and park We left them a flyer with photo and description of Black- guards in Golfito cheeked Ant-Tanager as well as a data sheet. We showed them how to fill it in Mangrove 17 Students in guiding One was an enthusiastic birder and several others seemed Workshop participants course. ready to learn 4/5/09 Parrita 4/27/09 Guide and Boat captain Taught them about the Yellow-billed Cotinga so they could for Monkey Tours in watch for it. Showed them counting technique and suggested Quepos. that they could do Mangrove Hummingbird monitoring next season. Carara 4/27/09- New boat guide and captain for Explained to him what notes were necessary to enter data he 4/28/09 captain Luis collected on Yellow-billed Cotinga Table 8. Efforts and opportunities to teach and/or include others in the project.

Educational Successes The greatest success with individual trainees, this past season, was with Fernando Barrantes from Esquinas Rainforest Lodge. He joined us on a Rio Sierpe trip and is enthusiastic about more trips. He was the first trainee capable of learning and performing all the tasks on the first trip. In July he purchased a GPS unit to continue monitoring on his own. Jendry 39

Rojas is now able to do all the note taking and has greatly improved her birding skills with mangrove species. Ulisis Quintero consistently keeps data although only of individual species. He has successfully learned to use a GPS, as well. Oscar Cordero is still enthusiastic and actually had a chance to really understand counting technique on the Agujas trip, but his remote location and difficulty with communication makes it hard for him to join us regularly.

The eBird workshop in August, funded by FOO and organized by Abraham, Liz and Guido Saboria, was the greatest success of all. The response to the invitations sent out to the past trainees and other birders on the Osa Peninsula was so great that some people had to be excluded. The ~15 participants were enthusiastic and many showed enough interest that they will probably follow through and add data to the eBird database. Until this workshop, we were admittedly a bit discouraged by our failures in the education part of the project. But it is now apparent that planned group activities in the low tourism season may be the most effective way to develop the needed network of birders and naturalist collecting data.

Earlier education frustrations • We had not found as many responsive people as we would like. • We have not included as many as we would like on field trips. • We have been unable to arrange a workshop with the park people. • We have failed at all attempts to get the birders to do regular complete lists/counts or to understand the concept of negative data. • Of all the people trained in data entry on a sheet and who have agreed to keep data, only 3 have actually tried o Luna Lodge , (Gary, Lana and Oscar), for one month, o Ulisis Quintero, who always keeps data although a bit inconsistently, o Golfito park rangers, one day

Fecha Hora AM o PM Localización de coordenadas planas Cantidad de Aves Cuanto observadores 16/03/2009 8:45 AM 290924 554308 10 2 16/03/2009 9:28 AM 291813 555074 8 2 16/03/2009 9:54 AM 292360 555049 3 2 16/03/2009 10:15 AM 292986 555649 2 2 16/03/2009 10:46 AM 293487 555683 2 2 Table 9. Data sent from Golfito Rangers.

Obstacles • The interested birders on the peninsula are all employed in tourism and scheduling time off to participate is difficult. Field season months correspond with high tourism season • Some guides are not interested in volunteer work and only guide for the wages. This is changing. • There are large problems with communication due to lack of phones and internet access making planning and coordination difficult. Many local people either do not have email access or check only sporadically. Most locations where people work have no cell or landline phone access. • Transportation issues make it difficult for someone to reach a field destination early enough in the morning. • Most of these trainees have high levels of birding skills but no science skills. Note taking, consistency and the necessity for accuracy are probably the most difficult concepts to teach. In many cases these skilled birders have had only an elementary school education, in some cases they cannot write well, if at all. The tendency to make assumption into fact is one of the greatest hurdles in training.

Solutions Our attempt to include the Park Rangers in our monitoring project may work with a lot more persistence and time. Due to the rotation of rangers from one site to another and the forever changing of the personnel in charge of the station, talking with them and setting up a system to keep data is wasted. The personnel at the Refugio in Golfito, after a short 40 training session did send us data for a day but the data is highly suspect with a count of 10 Black-cheeked Ant-Tanagers in one location. This is possible and has happened before but is very uncommon. This was possibly a mis-identification issue or repeat counts of the same birds. I suspect that they did not use GPS when making entries, unless the gps units are calibrated to use Lambert Sur, as are their own maps for the area. There has been no followed up with them yet although we are grateful for the effort and will follow-up in the future.

Presenting a seminar in a central location with park rangers has been discussed with the Park office in Puerto Jimenez but there is a lack of birding skills amongst the rangers. Possibly identifying the rangers who do have these skills and targeting them would be the solution.

There are quite a few people in the area who would like to participate but it will require a much more concentrated effort in communication and planning. Much of this training work would probably be more effective in the low tourism season. The eBird workshop helped some of these people to actually understand the whole picture in respect to bird monitoring. Once they begin to actually enter data in a database, they may develop an understanding of the reasons for complete lists, negative data as well as the positive, consistency and accuracy. It will give them a chance to use the skills they have been taught, from beginning to end. The eBird site will also motivate them to keep data and enter it, since they will then have a “Life List” on line for their personal use. More workshops of this nature should be planned. We feel that this gathering of birders for the workshop may be a basis for starting a local bird club or simply promoting the “birding culture” as something to do for both fun and science. With more enthusiasm and a tighter network of people, it will be easier to work out some of the other failings and obstacles.

Figure 35.. Field trips with trainees, Rio Agujas, Rio Sierpe and OBC.

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Acknowledgements Field work & logistics: Susan England, Adrian Forsyth, Ulisis Quintero Hernandez, Edwin Villarreal Orocu, Andrew Robertson, Stephan Lorenz and Jendry Rojas, Mike Stiles, Yorleny Marin Vega, Fernando Barrantes, Eduardo Chacon, Oscar Cordero, Pam Moran, Michael Wickens, Guido Saboria, Luis Rios

Personal observations: Tony Beck, Luis Campos, Kevin Easley, Raúl Fournier, Richard Garrigues, Alfredo Scott, Max Vindas, David Wilcove, Bruce E. Young, Jim Zook, Ernesto Carman, Jason Horn.

Photos & other assistance: George Angehr, Bart Brown, Jason Horn, Viviana Ruiz-Guitierrez, Clay Taylor (all photos in this document however were taken by Liz Jones and Abraham Gallo)

Funding for 2008-2009: FOO and Evergreen Foundation

Appendices Appendix 1. Habitat Codes General Code Cassification Description forest F Dense short trees and shrubs, pipers, heliconia, Marantaceae, Melastomataceae, a few taller trees not yet creating an enclosed upper story, Trees mostly cecropia, balsa, tiliaceae and young fabaceae. se secondary new Sometimes an overgrown orchard of Cocoa, banana An almost complete upper canopy and thinning of understory with stratification, still occasionally dense understory consisting of flora associated with light gaps. Some mature forest plants in understory and secondary ~10-25 some young "mature" forest trees but predominately older, short lived so years trees, associated with the early stages of regeneration. Well stratified forest with predominately old and/or long living species. Canopy complete. Darker understory, Lots of palms, bromeliads, and pr old growth/mature predominantly trees associated with primary forest m mangrove b Bamboo u understory cleared Any forest someone has chopped out the understory and left the trees r Riverside Small or large streams and rivers edges (code not used consistently) fw swamp/wetland Forest wetlands (code not used consistently) e Edge (code not used consistently) open O pa Pasture short, grasses sometimes occasional trees, usually bordered by a tree line short (~1-3 m or less)over grown pastures or fresh growth in a large light sc scrubby/thickets gap, very dense, with few or no trees, fi field ie rice, beans, homesteads, h gardens, etc ow swamp/wetland Open wetlands orchard/domestic or fruits plantations teak, pl melina, palma navigabl any of the codes e waters W above 42

Appendix 2. Black-cheeked Ant-Tanager Surveys with habitat codes, excluding records ~500 meters from BDRT Lodge.

Number habitat Place Date time comments 2 f,pr BDRT/bolita 3/2/2009 9:15 3 f,pr BDRT/bolita 3/2/2009 9:30 1 f,pr BDRT/bolita 3/2/2009 7:55 1 F,pr Cerro Osa 2/21/2009 6:51 1 Black-cheeked Ant-Tanager seen during survey 1 f,pr cerro Osa 2/22/2009 6:58 2 f,pr Cerro Osa 3/7/2009 7:38 1 Black-cheeked Ant-Tanager in quebrado 35m,288d flew 1 F,pr Drakes Bay 2/24/2009 7:04 south 1 Black-cheeked Ant-Tanager soft chatter, elev42m, 250 m 1 F,pr Drakes Bay 2/24/2009 6:21 from last point 2 F,pr Drakes Bay Road 2/23/2009 9:34 Black-cheeked Ant-Tanager2, 50m 302d elev.109m 3 Black-cheeked Ant-Tanager, poss. 2 M 1 F100 mt from 3 F,pr lapa Rios 12/30/2008 9:30 entrance of Lodge Lapa Rios/rio 2 F,pr Carbonero 1/1/2009 10:40 2 Black-cheeked Ant-Tanager walked whole trail Lapa 3 F,pr Rios/sendero Osa 12/15/2008 10:30 3 Black-cheeked Ant-Tanagerposs.2M, 1 F, Ulisis 1 F,pr Obc 1/11/2009 11:14 356d 25m in direction of stream 2 Black-cheeked Ant-Tanager1 km above bolita entrance, 2 f,pr Rio Tigre 3/10/2009 7:30 coordinates approximate 1 F,pr Sierpe/Pilon 12/17/2008 9:36 230d at 50m 2 Black-cheeked Ant-Tanager at 9:03 .No Black-cheeked 2 F,pr,O,pa BDRT/horse trail 3/31/2009 9:03 Ant-Tanager detected on earlier walk up. Esquinas 2 Black-cheeked Ant-Tanager10:54, 8.69743 -83.20650, 2 F,pr,r lodge/ocelot trail 3/3/2009 10:54 stream,steep terrain, 2 F,pr,r BDRT/river 1/22/2009 12:40 at point 1 F,pr,r BDRT/river 1/22/2009 12:45 different group/bird 1 f,pr,r BDRT/Salto 2/16/2009 17:00 near swimming hole 1 Black-cheeked Ant-Tanager, 4 hr walk upriver about 1 km 1 f,pr,r BDRT/upriver 3/30/2009 8:20 above park border on Rio Piedras blancas, 3 km one way 1 Black-cheeked Ant-Tanager, 4 hr walk upriver about 1 km 1 f,pr,r BDRT/upriver 3/30/2009 9:04 above park border on Rio Piedras blancas, 3 km one way 3 Black-cheeked Ant-Tanager steep terrain by stream, 3 F,pr,r cerro Osa 2/21/2009 7:13 behaving as if there was a nest, seen during survey 1 Black-cheeked Ant-Tanager walking down hill towards stream, may be one of the ones seen on next spot, same 1 F,pr,r Cerro Osa 3/7/2009 5:35 spot as seen on feb 21 survey 2 adults and one fledgling. Same spot as we thought there 3 F,pr,r Cerro Osa 3/7/2009 6:27 was a nest in feb. Esquinas 1 F,pr,r lodge/bird trail 3/3/2009 12:08 steep quebrada Esquinas-Golfito 2 F,pr,r road 3/4/2009 12:58 , walking upstream form road Sierpe/guerra 1 F,pr,se trail 3/21/2009 7:06 1 Black-cheeked Ant-Tanager20m from trail Drakes Bay/ Los 3 F,pr,se,r planos road 2/24/2009 7:08 with army ant swarm, pasture nearby 1 Black-cheeked Ant-Tanager in F,so,pr near creek 6:17 , 1 F,pr,so Agujas 1/21/2009 6:17 8.55211 -83.39266, regular day song Lapa 5 Black-cheeked Ant-Tanagerposs.2 M 3 F, ulisis, sendero 5 F,pr,so Rios/sendera Osa 12/13/2008 10:30 Osa 43

3 F,pr,so pizote trail 12/22/2008 6:27 during point count 3 F,pr,so Sierpe/guerra 12/16/2008 10:05 with mixed flock 1 F,pr,so Sierpe/Pilon 12/17/2008 9:23 2 F,pr,so Sierpe/Pilon 12/17/2008 10:51 3 F,pr,so Sierpe/Pilon 3/22/2009 7:11 3 Black-cheeked Ant-Tanager on trail 2 F,pr,so, Sierpe/Guerra 7/22/2009 7:17 2 Black-cheeked Ant-Tanager on mangrove side of trail 4 F,pr,so cerro Osa 1/11/2009 10:18 end of transect of Jordan 30d 20m from point 1 F,pr,so,m Sierpe/guerra 12/16/2008 8:47 6 m at 280 degrees 1 F,pr,so,O,p Drakes Bay Road 2/23/2009 5:32 1 Black-cheeked Ant-Tanager~200m 270d morning song 1 Black-cheeked Ant-Tanager moving towards uphill from river side. 210d and 30m from point, chatter but no 1 F,pr,so,se Agujas 1/21/2009 5:43 morning song, F,pr,so,se,p 1Black-cheeked Ant-Tanagerchatter,75m,57d,edge of pr 1 l Los Planes 2/24/2009 8:22 forest and plantation possible one at least as the same birds we counted before. 2 Fpr,se,O,h Agujas 1/21/2009 6:33 Moving from se into primary and direction of stream Sierpe/guerra 1 F,pr,se,O,sc trail 3/21/2009 7:14 Black-cheeked Ant-Tanager on point Sierpe/guerra 1 F,pr,se,O,sc trail 3/21/2009 7:40 1 Black-cheeked Ant-Tanager30 m, 20d from point 2 F,so Sierpe/Pilon 3/22/2009 8:30 2 Black-cheeked Ant-Tanager, steep slope 2 F,so, cerro Osa 2/22/2009 5:52 just inside forest 1 F,so,e OBC 2/21/2009 13:12 just inside forest from edge, chatter 2 Black-cheeked Ant-Tanager, elev. ~230steep edge of 2 F,so,r pizote trail 12/22/2008 9:02 quebrada, with mixed flock 1 F,so,se cerro Osa 2/22/2009 5:54 1 Black-cheeked Ant-Tanager~100m up hill from trail,220d, 1 F,so,se Drakes Bay 2/24/2009 5:55 morning song 2 Black-cheeked Ant-Tanager edge of river mouth flew up 2 F,so,se Drakes Bay 2/24/2009 7:16 hill 1 F,so,se,pl Cerro Osa 3/6/2009 5:42 heard 1 Black-cheeked Ant-Tanager 2 F,so,se,r BDRT/rio pizote 2/9/2009 15:30 2Black-cheeked Ant-Tanager at landslide area 1 f,so,se,O sc BDRT/Salto 2/16/2009 Black-cheeked Ant-Tanager on river right 1 F,so,se,r BDRT/salto 1/18/2009 7:15 ~15m below Fasciated Tiger-heron spot, (river left) 1 F,r BDRT/river 1/22/2009 7:54 40m 350d 1 F,r BDRT/river 1/22/2009 1:44 maybe same bird as morning 1 F,r BDRT/river 1/22/2009 7:00 10m S 1 F,se bdrt/salto 1/13/2009 7:00 1 F,se,O,h cerro Osa 2/21/2009 8:00 1 Black-cheeked Ant-Tanager at this point, another on 1 F,se,O,h Cerro Osa 2/21/2009 6:00 previous list at opposite ends of yard 1 Black-cheeked Ant-Tanager at this point, another on next 1 F,se,O,h Cerro Osa 2/21/2009 6:00 list at opposite ends of yard 1 F,se,pl cerro Osa 2/22/2009 6:00 other side of road just behind plantation growth 1 O,sc,E Bdrt 1/12/2009 8:15 no call or song, in scrub Lapa 5 Rios/sendera Osa 12/18/2008 10:30 5 Black-cheeked Ant-Tanagerposs.2 M 3 F, ulisis 2 BDRT 12/22/2007 8:00 waterfall 2 BDRT 12/25/2007 waterfall 25m 3 Bdrt 2/11/2008 6:00 km not exact all seen on ridge. Two were together 4 BDRT 2/28/2008 15:00 rio Pizote and village 6 Bdrt 3/2/2008 6:00 1 juv 5 adults, village Pizote ridge and river 2 guerra #5-7 3/10/2008 7:23

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3 guerra trail 3/10/2008 6:10 1 juv. Practicing song 6 guerra trail 3/10/2008 5:58 seen in two groups of three guerra trail YBC 2 male YBC flying in from land side,7:11 1M flew out, 2 point 3/10/2008 7:10 another in 7:15 one new one came in. YBC 1male 2 ?Black-cheeked Ant-Tanager I juvenile 3 guerra#2 3/10/2008 6:10 practicing song Guerra#5- 2 Guerra#7 3/10/2008 7:23 3 Guerra/pilon 07/16/08 ~6:58 2 Guerra/pilon 07/16/08 7:42 2 Guerra/pilon 07/16/08 ~6:10 2 Guerra/pilon 07/16/08 ~6:15 1 Guerra/pilon 07/16/08 ~9:23 2 Guerra/pilon 07/16/08 ~9:32 2 Guerra/pilon 07/17/08 ~7:45 2 Guerra/pilon 07/17/08 ~8:20 1 Guerra/pilon 07/17/08 8:30 1 Guerra/pilon 07/17/08 8:32 4 Luna Lodge 7/6/2008 7:30 Black-cheeked Ant-Tanager Luna Lodge/platform# 1 2 6/29/2008 8:35 Black-cheeked Ant-Tanager heard after count 4 Luna lodge/rest 7/13/2008 8:00 Black-cheeked Ant-Tanager(Gary and Javier) 1 luna lodge/rest. 7/10/2008 8:30 Black-cheeked Ant-Tanager behind rest. (gary) 2 Ridge 12/25/2007 8:15 2 Ridge 12/31/2007 8:15 1 Rio Pizote 12/7/2007 11:46 1 female? approx GPS, GE Map 1 Rio Sierpe, Pilon 12/9/2007 8:49 heard at least 1 (575: N08 47'10.5 W083 34'05.0") 3 sendero Osa 12/24/2007 8:15 1male 2 female exactly 9:40 3 sendero Osa 1/17/2008 8:15 observed 10:00 3 sendero Osa 1/19/2008 8:15 2 males 1 female 11:00 obs. 1 sendero Osa 1/21/2008 8:15 11:30 obs 2 sierpe/guerra 12/09/07 6:30 2 heard 1 sierpe/guerra 12/09/07 1 heard 1 sierpe/guerra 12/09/07 seen in forest edge/opening 1 sierpe/guerra 12/09/07 forest edge 1 sierpe/guerra 12/09/07 heard 1 Sierpe/Guerra 12/17/2008 6:00 regular song 2 Sierpe/Guerra 12/17/2008 6:12 2 waterfall 1/5/2008 14:00 2 waterfall 1/7/2008 9:00 in the rio carbonero at 10:00 3 waterfall 2/15/2008 9:00 2male 1 female????

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Appendix 3. Areas surveyed for Black-cheeked Ant-Tanager • Northern peninsula: On the road from Rincon to Drake’s Bay across the northern part of the peninsula . In 18 counts, t he BCAT was found at 2 locations • Northwestern peninsula: In Drake’s Bay, of 11 counts BCAT was recorded in 4 of those counts. • Northwestern interior /road to Los Planos Ranger station A travel count was conducted for the first ½ of the road and found Black-cheeked Ant-Tanager at one spot. Black-cheeked Ant-Tanager was present on 1 of the 3 stationary counts at the Los Planos Ranger station. • Central Western Peninsula: Although we do not have written data, the Black-cheeked Ant-Tanager has been seen in Sirena in the past, about ½ way down the west coast of the peninsula. This is a difficult, time consuming and expensive area to access and visiting this site was not a priority. No surveys were made. • Southwest and the point of the peninsula: Historically, there are few reports from the southern point of the peninsula, making this an important area to survey. Surveys were at the Cerro Osa property on 5 days and 4-7 birds were found and OBC properties, 2 days and 2 birds were found. Ulisis continued to submit observations from Lapa Rios. Bosque de Cabo, was not surveyed as planned and guides working there still say they have never seen one. • Southeast peninsula: Access to the forest is difficult on the lower eastern side of the peninsula so this area was not surveyed. but due to results from Rio Agujas and BDRT, we see no reason the Black-cheeked Ant-Tanager is not present in the correct habitat in this area. At some point this area should be checked • Central Eastern Peninsula Interior Surveys were done at BDRT, along the Pizote ridge and up both rivers from Dos Brazos , and at Rio Agujas • Northern Golfo Dulce: The road from Rincon to Chacarita was surveyed with 12 counts, 6 of them were done walking down lumber/horse roads towards the coast. No Black-cheeked Ant-Tanager were encountered. Because of the negative results, this area should be re-surveyed next season. We have not yet surveyed off the coastal road near Rincon. • Esquinas Rainforest Lodge/ Eastern Golfo Dulce: There are recent published reports of Black-cheeked Ant-Tanager at this location on the northeastern side of the Golfo Dulce. We encountered Black-cheeked Ant-Tanager at two locations in 2 travel and 1 stationary count. • The road from Esquinas Rainforest Lodge, south to Golfito was surveyed and of the 4 surveys we encountered Black-cheeked Ant-Tanager in two locations along forested streams less than 500m from the road. One record was the closest record we have to Golfito and was ~2.1 km NE of the Golfito Airport. • Surveys were also done at the north end of the gulf of Golfito, where the habitat appeared to be perfect for Black-cheeked Ant-Tanager. Over 2 trips this season and 22 counts there was not a single Black-cheeked Ant- Tanager recorded. During the 2007-2008 season we surveyed two different forested Golfito sites, the Tower road and the wildlife reserve and did not record any Black-cheeked Ant-Tanager. More surveys should be done in this area to firmly establish the presence or lack of presence and determine why it is not present . • Rio Sierpe/ Guerra/Pilon: We surveyed this area for YBCO, 3 times last season, and Black-cheeked Ant-Tanager has always been recorded.

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