highlights November and December 2025

 Hello all, 2025 is almost over. I wanted to share my highlights of the past two months with you. In November, birders discovered a white-crowned Sparrow on the Caribbean coast. It was a vagrant and this bird had last been seen in Panama in 1982, making it the second record. I thought it was quite special to find this bird, which I did with Patricia and yes, we found it. Not a new bird for me, having seen it once in the USA, but a new bird for Panama.

We were lucky because the next day it was not there anymore.

Another highlight... a Potoo on the farm. They've been living on our farm for quite some time, and I've seen them in the dark, seen them fly by a few times and of course, heard them a lot. But this time I saw the Potoo sitting on a branch above my head while I was birdwatching. I showed the bird to Hans, as you see in the video. 

 And that day I was waiting for it to open its eyes and fly.

 Fun to do that. I took a picture... after that, it wasn't possible anymore, too dark.

During these two months, I often went birdwatching, including a few days with Hans. Now I had the time and besides all the work at home, took advantage of it. I also decided to participate in the Christmas Bird Count (CBC). That was quite a while ago. Here in Boquete on December 14th and in Volcan on December 21st. In Boquete, we went out with quite a few people and we did quite well. It's not an official circle yet but I think that will happen, judging by the results. 

Lots of new faces and very enthusiastic people. The group I was in was fun...all people from healthcare, like me in the Netherlands. It was mentioned that there were two people there who were beginners, well, truly superb birders...they're passionate about it!

 What I found a real highlight was when one birder explained to the two "beginners" that it's absolutely unwise to use recording to attract birds. My birding heart leaped... finally, someone who sees and understands... because now that many more young people want to be... or become... bird guides, I'm increasingly seeing recordings being used. Unfortunately, even by experienced guides/birders. I understand that they often feel pressured by their clients or employers, but also because they don't want to "fail." I'm not going to explain why you shouldn't use it. Anyone can Google that and if you think wise  about it, you don't even need Google. 

Below is a video of the sound of a Costa Rican Pygmy-Owl. I was birdwatching in the forest and heard it. It was supposed to be a new bird in that forest, so I quickly went there to confirm it. (Then I'll pass it on to the owner of the forest, because it's private property and the owner always likes to hear when a new bird has been spotted on their properties.)

Long story short... it was a tape, an experienced guide was playing for clients who were with him. I was a bit shaken up afterward.

Well on a happier note.... this was our Christmas Boquete group...I really enjoyed it and we counted a lot of birds:

December 21st was fun in Volcan and the surrounding area. I was with Patricia and we visited two private farms. We counted quite a few birds. We had more or less the same weather conditions on both count days. In Boquete Circle, we saw and counted a total of 258 different species, and in Volcan Circle, 213. You can find the trip lists on E-bird.

Here's one good photo from the Christmas count... I didn't take many because I was too busy counting :)

It is the red faced Barbet..I think it is really a Christmas bird.

Just a few more days and then a new year with new stories and adventures!

Happy New Year!!

Greetings from Terry