Team Bushmaster

Ficus Finish (Josh Cronmiller)

Only three full days are left of our stay here at the Tirimbina Rainforest Centre. My group and I have completed our contribution to the Ficus Phenology project which was a little different than expected. Data collected for this project included percentages of immature and mature fruit, estimated between our three group members and our guide. We then stayed at the particular tree for about 45 minutes, recording bird species which utilize the tree for nesting, habitat and food.  A total of 25 different species (approx.) were recorded over three days by our team. This data is then used by Tirimbina in future and ongoing forest restoration projects in instances where bird diversity is compromised. It is a useful tool in protecting and maintaining biodiversity in the forest as a whole.

My team and I begin morning reptile and amphibian surveys tomorrow with our instructor Josh. The nighttime surveys were a success and hopefully the mornings will be too. Just want to say hello to everyone back home who’s reading, and Dani too!

"Oh ficus!" (Carolyn Knapper)

Today marked our final outing for the Ficus survey. Bird watching in a tropical paradise is truly an experience! Oddly enough, however, there were many species similar to what we have back home; Clay colored Robin, Great crested flycatcher, Swainson’s thrush, Black cheeked woodpeckers and several different tanagers. The most visually appealing was the Golden hooded tanager, a bright blue bodied bird with a golden cap. The most interesting sound was produced by the Montezuma oropendula (oro=gold and pendula=swinging), a large bird that makes its call as it swings around a branch. The fruits of the Ficus colobrinae were much smaller than expected, approximately the size of a blueberry, and tasted quite bitter. Fortunately we later wiped our palettes of the taste with freshly roasted cacao beans that grow in the research centre garden. We have been spending our days leisurely walking through the rainforest, as to avoid “Wesley Vipes,” the somewhat elusive Hog-nosed viper that the Masters of the Bush can’t seem to spot. We hike about an hour to work in the morning, crossing waterfalls, rivers and two large hanging bridges. Yesterday we spotted a sloth and several iguanas in the trees before retreating from the heat in the cool, rushing waters of the large river near the centre. Yup, it’s a tough life out here. Slowly we are attempting to pick up Spanish phrases; our guide/coworker Emmanuel shared a familiar tune with us (which Katie keeps singing half in French), “La cucaracha (the cockroach)! La cucaracha! Yono puede cominar!” Im confident that I will be fluent by the time Im back in Ontario- NOT! But for now, Pura Vida! To all my friends, family, Charlie and Scotty, mi amos! Tirimbina esta buenissimo!

Morning Move (Katie Bigras)

Yesterday we finished up our Ficus bird surveys, and we’re on to our morning surveys. This morning was really cool. It rained REALLY hard last night so many species were out and about! We saw plenty of reptiles and amphibians, but the coolest thing we saw was when we gazed up at the trees and saw 2 Crested Guan’s mating. They stalked us for about 100 meters afterwards. They looked so awkward because they are such large birds balancing on fragile branches in the canopy. When we were on our way back to our cabins Josh spotted a vine snake from about 20 meters away. I have no idea how he saw it because it has probably got the best camouflage for any snake I have seen yet!  So other than all the cool little critters, life at Tirimbina is great. Yesterday I took the majority of the day to myself to enjoy watching the hummingbirds feed from the heleconia’s, listen to the chatter of the Montezuma’s oropendula’s, and listen to the Howler Monkeys claiming their territory. Days have been plentiful here at Tirimbina but it seems that everyday there is time that you can take to enjoy and appreciate all the amazing gifts mother nature has to offer.