September and October 2026

Hello All, here an update ...time flies😊😊

Wet season birding in Panama: Lifers and the Ultimate Relaxation

September and October are always some of the most thrilling months of the year for a birder. Migration is in full swing, the skies are moving. Lately, I’ve been spending every spare moment with my binoculars...

A Surprise Lifer in the Rice Fields

One of the absolute highlights happened during a trip to the rice fields around David City. Rice fields are always interesting around this time of year, but this day ended with a core memory. I was actually getting ready to head home and was just stepping into my car when three birds landed in a wet pool right in front of the vehicle.

I didn't recognize them immediately. Once home, I hit the books, studied my pictures and asked around for some expert opinions. The verdict? A Baird’s Sandpiper! A brand-new bird for me. 

Coastal Gems and Caribbean Magic

The beach trips during this period were equally wonderful. I managed to spot again a beautiful Kelp Gull, which is always a special and powerful sight to behold. Sorry I cannot find my picture of him. But here a nice picture of the beach...

Another highlight was a full-day trip to the Caribbean side with Patricia. We were blessed with gorgeous weather, saving just a little bit of rain for the very end of the day. For me, no trip to that side is complete without seeing the Long-tailed Tyrant. They never fail to make me happy, but this time was extra special: we found a pair actively working on their nest!

Singing Grassfinches and Global Big Day Success

Closer to home, I had another win. I managed to spot the Wedge-tailed Grassfinch near my house again. Even better? I caught it on video—and this time, it was singing!

During the dry season, that specific patch of land is often at risk of being burned. Fortunately, thanks to stricter supervision, it was left untouched this year. Seeing this bird thrive is living proof of how vital habitat protection is.

Then came October 10th: Global Big Day.

I spent the day out in the field, though I chose to stick to the lower elevations this year because the clouds rolled into the high mountains quite early. After a bit of afternoon rain—which gave me the perfect excuse to catch up on photo editing and logging my lists on eBird—I headed back out at 3:30 PM and stayed until dark. The highlight of the evening was spotting my first female Chestnut-sided Warbler of the season:)

Canyon Comforts: The Best Seat in the House

Between all these birding trips, life on the farm has been busy. This is the prime season for mowing and pruning, so I’ve been doing a lot of heavy lifting. But hard work deserves a reward.

This week, I set up a cozy little spot with two chairs right next to our canyon. Sitting there is pure bliss. You look straight into the canyon with its trickling streams, surrounded by activity. Just the other day, I watched an Ochre-bellied Flycatcher taking a peaceful bath right in front of me, while a Long-billed Starthroat hovered just above, patiently waiting its turn. Of course, I didn't have my camera with me—isn't that always how it goes?

The Ultimate Escape

Moments like those remind me why we do this. In a world that often feels turbulent, fast-paced, and heavy, birding offers the ultimate relaxation. It forces you to slow down, look closer, and connect with the quiet rhythms of nature. I couldn't be more grateful for these past two months.

Greetings from Terry