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Lomas
Barbudal Biological Reserve
Costa Rica's extensive system of national parks and biological reserves
contains areas which have been set aside to specifically protect nesting
beaches for sea turtles, marshlands for wintering migrant waterfowl, nesting
sites for seabirds, volcanoes, coral reefs, archeological sites, limestone
caves, and on and on. But if Lomas Barbudal was declared a biological reserve
to specifically protect anything, then it is insects.
The 2,279 ha. of dry forest habitat and patches of evergreen forests along the
streams in the reserve are estimated to hold 240 species of bees; it's
anybody's guess how many different kinds of beetles, flies, and butterflies
inhabit this relatively small reserve.
However, if insects aren't your thing, Lomas Barbudal has excellent
birdwatching potential for the species that occur in tropical dry forest
(e.g., Long-tailed Manakin, Turquoise-browed Motmot, Stub-tailed Spadebill,
Olive Sparrow, and Black-headed Trogon). In the dry season, mammals can
usually be found enjoying the cool shade of the evergreen forest along the
Cabuyo River. Mantled Howler Monkeys, White-throated Capuchin Monkeys,
Variegated Squirrels, Banded Anteaters, and Tayras (an all black member of the
weasel family) are among the possible species that can be seen here.
When the hillside forests turn brown and leafless in the dry season, some
visual relief is given by the colorful blossoms of flowering trees that dot
the landscape -- and provide pollen and nectar to all those bees!
Getting there: From Bagaces, continue north on the PanAmerican Highway for
about 12 km. and look for a sign indicating the left turn onto a gravel road
that takes you the remaining 4 km. to the reserve entrance.
Climate: Hot year-round with a pronounced dry season from December through
April.
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