Costa Rica | 2025 - 2027
Alexander Skutch Audio Ornithology Initiative.
Los Cusingos 2025 Species Count
We look forward to your participation in the 2025 Los Cusingos Bird Count.
Last year, we enjoyed a unique day dedicated to learning about and observing our local species. This 2025, we invite you to join this scientific and conservation experience, contributing to the understanding and protection of our biodiversity. 🙌🏽
Day One
I met with the team to install the first overnight recorder at the Los Cusingos - Alexander Skutch Bird Refuge. The deployment location was chosen by Jose Araya and Abi Villianueva. See the picture below of my DIY Sonic-Tree Fannie Pack.
Second Deployment Location
Our second deployment location was at Finca La Trocha during the evening. Night installations are always interesting. Night installations require a deeper level of analysis and sensory abilities.
Day Two: Alexander Skutch Audio Ornithology Initiative Species Count Recordings
La Escondida Species Count
We gathered at Finca La Trocha at 5:00 a.m. and enjoyed a traditional Costa Rican casado meal wrapped in a banana leaf. From the meeting point, we drove to the entry of the route, where we began surveying the terrain on foot. I used my Telinga Parabolic microphone to capture the early morning bird songs and calls during our species count hike. Some areas along the hike were affected by high levels of anthropogenic noise from human activity, tractors, and domesticated animals, such as dogs. It was challenging for me to record video of the excursion with the handheld Telinga and the rugged terrain. However, I was able to assist the birdwatchers by triangulating the birds' positions with the parabolic microphone. I was mesmerized by a tree that resembled a Ficus, with bamboo growing from its branches and two Fulgora lanternaria insects.
Day Three:
Post-Project Review
Meeting with the Los Cusingos Team. Facilitating a bioacoustics demonstration using Kaleidoscope by Wild Life Acoustics.
Configuring my parabolic microphone at Los Cusingos - Alexander Skutch Bird Refuge.
Demonstrating how parabolic technology can aid in species identification and archiving.
Showing Abi how to use a Telinga to locate sounds.
