October 2025

 Hello! 

It was a wet October, but still good moments for good birding. The highlights I will mentioning in this story. Of course 11th of October was global big day and of course I did go out the whole day. Did start around 6 am and ended the day at 6pm.  The last years I did go to same places in Boquete, but there were birdwatchers who did go to those places. And important is to spread out and so I did. Of course I did start on our farm and then I did go up to higher elevations..there was one place in Boquete where it looked like the most "light" place...in the sence of the weather. A lot of places in Boquete were rainy and cloudy. I kept it dry and was birding  mostly in the clouds, but bird wise it was a great morning. Of course I know the place there very well, that helps. Then you know where the birds are. I was there 2 times before  in that week. A lot of  berries! The black faced Solitairs were singing and very active (in the fog)...

Also that day a HUGE amount of Swainsons Thrushes!

 After this morning ..I went home and Hans cooked already...so I ate , checked some lists from other birders and yes best was to go to the place what I already was planning to go...  even had a short time sun. Did see clouds coming in and out. Did use for 5 minutes my umbrella. Fortunately I could add the wedge-tailed grass-Finch to the Panama list! I was not expecting this bird...she flew in front of me up and landed down in long grass and then that rain did start. What a moment!

It was a great afternoon! 145 different birds I did mostly see and hear this day. Here the link... https://ebird.org/lifelist?r=world&yr=BIGDAY_2025b&sortKey=obs_dt&o=asc  you can see the list.

In May big day, Panama did really good, now a little bit less because it was bad weather in most areas. Many more people went birdwatching on the big day. I think it's also because the Minister of the Environment is trying to get people excited. A great stimulance.

I also see that many more young Panamanians are starting to enjoy birdwatching. Great !

A few times I did go to the coast area. In the Netherlands I was a coast/ river birder...but since I live in Panama, I love the highlands and not a big fan of going to the hot coast. So that is why mostly lately I do see new birds (lifers) when I go to the coast/rice fields.  We did go to find the Cattle Tyrant. Ann my friend she did see him/her first. Thank you Ann!!!   (mmmm why is this an other letter type ..😓)

So the goal was reached! Another goal was to eat a nice fish on the beach!

mission completed :)

Hans and I always celebrate our anniversary on October 31th. This year we've been together for 49 years and we always celebrate  with an outing. Hans and I wanted to eat that fish again and ...of course, I brought my binoculars. We walked a bit on the beach and also explored the wetlands on the other side of the beach. I saw a Tern hunting for fish in a small lake in the distance and managed to take a picture of the bird. Later it turned out that it was a Caspian Tern.

A new bird for me in Panama. Then it was absolutely bizarre when I did see a northern Shoveler among three blue-winged Teals. I did not realize that that was also a new Panama bird for me. I've seen those ducks a lot in the Netherlands of course. Maybe I should brave the heat more often and go to the coast!I am by the way amazed that I do see more and more Eurasian collared Doves along the coast. Love their songs , reminds me of ..yes..the Netherlands.

Well we are going into the November month, the weather is changing into dry season. A lot of migration birds did arrive or are still migrating. Crazy busy on the farm here, a lot of fun!

While gardening, painting and doing jobs around and in the house..my ears and eyes are wide open!

Until de next story!!

greetings from Terry