The Swiss Embassy will sponsor the 2011 OTS Naturalist Guide Training Program at Las Cruces Biological Station. On February 1, the Swiss ambassador in Costa Rica, Hans-Rudolf Hodel and the Director of OTS in Costa Rica, Liana Babba, signed the contract that will allow this training to proceed. Thanks to this collaboration from the Swiss Embassy, OTS will be able to train young residents of Coto Brus and the surrounding rural communities. The participants will receive training on environmental issues, local flora and fauna, and technical knowledge which will assist them in securing employment within ecotourism-related occupations. 

Luis E. Vargas, a Costa Rican participant of the Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program, sponsored by the CRUSA Foundation, recently published the results of his study in the Journal of Tropical Ecology.  This project was developed during his participation in the REU program at La Selva. With funding from the CRUSA Foundation, this program provides a unique, intensive opportunity for field research to Costa Rican undergraduate students. The study was conducted at La Selva Biological Station under the guidance of his mentor, Dr. Gerardo Avalos.

Abstract: The neotropical terrestrial insectivore Henicorhina leucosticta (Troglodytidae)maintains long-term territories through vocalizations and forages among leaf litter trapped in the understorey vegetation and ground litter. The relationship between forest structure and H. leucosticta territory size was studied in La Selva Biological Station, Costa Rica, during the non-breeding season in 2009. Forest structure was measured by assessing canopy openness and leaf area index (LAI) using hemispherical photography, while territory size was estimated with the playback technique using local conspecific vocalizations. Mean territory area was 3.8 ± 2.8 ha (mean ± SD, n = 10). Territory radius length was similar in old-growth forest and abandoned agro-forest plantations. We found that H. leucosticta territory size decreased as median LAI increased. We propose that LAI is related to territory size through the amount of leaf fall and subsequent leaf litter accumulation over the understorey plants, which constitutes an important reservoir of arthropod prey and nest materials for H. leucosticta. The long-term supply of food resources is likely to affect territory size in this species, as well as other insectivorous birds with similar foraging behaviour. These results are congruent with the structural cues hypothesis.

Results of the 26th Annual Christmas Bird Count

Thanks to good weather and the participation of many highly qualified observers, the 2010 Christmas Bird Count identified the third highest number of species totaling 369 species and 12,104 individuals. The cumulative species list now stands at 517. There were six new species added to the list this year: Ictinia mississippiensis (Mississippi Kite), Xenops rutilans (Streaked Xenops), Grallaria guatimalensis (Scaled Antpitta), Empidonax minimus (Least Flycatcher), Calocitta formosa (White-throated Magpie-Jay), and Piranga olivácea (Scarlet Tanager).

The count circle has a diameter of 12 kilometers (7.5 miles) and covers an area of 452 square kilometers (177 square miles). The center of the count circle is located 2.7 kilometers (1.7 miles) south of the old Magsasay ranger station on the Peje River just outside the southwest corner of the La Selva property. The first Christmas Bird Count at La Selva took place in 1985 and was organized by Gary Stiles. That first edition reported 290 species and 5,792 individuals.   

This year we hosted 108 volunteer counters and most were Costa Ricans. Participants included representatives of various organizations (OTS, MINAE-ACCVC, UNA, UCR, Costa Rican Ornithological Society, and Naturalist Guides of Sarapiquí) as well as independent guides and amateur birders. Participants were organized into twenty-five parties. Fifteen parties walked trails at La Selva, and one went in boat along the Sarapiquí and Puerto Viejo rivers. The other parties surveyed the Braulio Carrillo Corridor between the El Ceibo Ranger Station at 500 m and the transect trail shelter at 1070 m, Rara Avis Lodge, Selva Tica Biological Station, Bijagual Ecological Reserve, Tirimbina Rainforest Center, and along country roads. A total effort of 262 hours of observation and 451 kilometers (282 miles) of travel resulted in 372 species and 12,104 individuals recorded.

COORDINATORS: Rodolfo Alvarado, Orlando Vargas, Enrique Castro
COMPILERS: Joel Alvarado, Jim Zook

Many thanks to all who helped make the 2010 bird count a success. Mark your calendars for the next CBC La Selva on December 17, 2011.  

The United Nations General Assembly declared 2011 as the International Year of Forests to raise awareness on sustainable management, conservation and sustainable development of all types of forests.

Did you know ... 

-OTS helps Costa Rica's national park service protect over 66,000 hectares of forest in the parks in which our research stations are associated

-We research and teach on various types of forests: tropical rainforest, premontane moist forest, dry forest, evergreen forests and mangroves. 

In honor of this declaration, our 2011 Outreach and Environmental Education activities will be focused on the importance of forests.

Spend your hard-earned sabbatical in the rainforest at La Selva Biological Station in our special house. Located in the lab clearing, surrounded by old growth forest, this site provides the perfect combination of escape and convenience. The house has three large rooms suitable as bedrooms or studies, high-speed internet access, a fully-equipped kitchen, a newly renovated bathroom, and a second-floor balcony overlooking the forest. Two of the bedrooms have air-conditioning and one has a ceiling fan. Other amenities include: cafeteria service, state-of-the-art GIS lab, library, laboratory space, workshop, and 1500 hectares of gorgeous lowland rainforest. La Selva is 5 minutes from the nearest town and 1.5 hours from San José. Child-care providers can be hired in the local community. Special monthly and semester rates are available.  

For more information on pricing and availability, please contact Ana Carter at ana.carter@ots.ac.cr.  

World  Wetlands Day at Palo Verde  

On February 2, Palo Verde Biological Station celebrated World Wetlands Day, commemorating the International Year of Forests, under the theme "Forests for Water and Wetlands". The event included a talk by the OTS and SINAC staff (National System of Conservation Areas) about the importance of Palo Verde National Park as a Ramsar site, waterfowl observation in the park wetlands, a walk along the Tempisque River, hands-on crafts and snacks. See more pictures on the OTS Flickr Album.