Great Prizes on offer: Make a difference with GVI
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Monday, March 15, 2010
Be the difference!
The leatherback turtle season is just getting underway - the largest marine turtle in the world and, evolutionary speaking, over 100 million years old!
These huge sea turtles nest just meters from base between March and June - fitting perfectly with our upcoming phase! And guess what...there are still a few spots left!
We've already recorded three species of marine turtle on the beach this year, those early arrivals a sign of things to come. Happy news for staff and volunteers - and also our local population of jaguars!
Three separate jag sightings by staff and volunteers this phase - one flash, one eating a leatherback on the beach, and just the other day a mother and her two cubs walking down the trail less than a mile from base!
The spectacular migratory birds are still here for another month or two in huge numbers and the new sightings of all things wild and wonderful are still being racked up by the day!
Sounds too good to be true? Check these out...(click the photos for a better view, then click the link at the bottom to get involved! 152 fans on facebook can't be wrong!)
Why not join us in Costa Rica and see for yourself why so many people never want to leave! Click this link!
These huge sea turtles nest just meters from base between March and June - fitting perfectly with our upcoming phase! And guess what...there are still a few spots left!
We've already recorded three species of marine turtle on the beach this year, those early arrivals a sign of things to come. Happy news for staff and volunteers - and also our local population of jaguars!
Three separate jag sightings by staff and volunteers this phase - one flash, one eating a leatherback on the beach, and just the other day a mother and her two cubs walking down the trail less than a mile from base!
The spectacular migratory birds are still here for another month or two in huge numbers and the new sightings of all things wild and wonderful are still being racked up by the day!
Sounds too good to be true? Check these out...(click the photos for a better view, then click the link at the bottom to get involved! 152 fans on facebook can't be wrong!)
Why not join us in Costa Rica and see for yourself why so many people never want to leave! Click this link!
New Community Programs in Costa Rica!
With the new Community Projects beginning in Costa Rica next month, the Country Directors and GVI folks were keen to get down there and check out why exactly we think it's such a special place to be, and last month during the GVI Annual Meeting they had just that chance!
Chris and Karina "fighting" over who gets to stay in the fancy new cabins - and you can see why!
New Cabins
The ocean view from the accomodation
The trail into the village
The new recycling centre made by volunteers and the school kids
The school itself!
Not your average town!
And, of course - whenever you get GVI staff and kids together - ITS PLAYTIME!
A great day had by all!
GVI have been working in this community since 2005, but when we moved base this year we didn't want to break our ties and support of the school. Now you can live & work in this spectacular area to help continue our work and help the teachers and kids to get the most out of their schooling.
If you want to find out more about how you can get involved in GVI projects in Costa Rica click this link
Chris and Karina "fighting" over who gets to stay in the fancy new cabins - and you can see why!
New Cabins
The ocean view from the accomodation
The trail into the village
The new recycling centre made by volunteers and the school kids
The school itself!
Not your average town!And, of course - whenever you get GVI staff and kids together - ITS PLAYTIME!
A great day had by all!
GVI have been working in this community since 2005, but when we moved base this year we didn't want to break our ties and support of the school. Now you can live & work in this spectacular area to help continue our work and help the teachers and kids to get the most out of their schooling.
If you want to find out more about how you can get involved in GVI projects in Costa Rica click this link
Sunday, March 14, 2010
GVI Costa Rica Facebook - You are the difference
In a post on the GVI Costa Rica facebook page on Thursday I asked if we could try to get from our highest even number of fans (127) up to 150 before April...and that if we did I would give you all a special treat. Well, in just three days we hit that target! Amazing! So here we go, THANK YOU!!! to:
Alex Tivenan, Jack Roper, Julie Jackson, Tara O'Sullivan, Hannah Dudley, Felisa Macaspac-Lami, Diogo Verissimo, Heather Colterman, Andres Brenes Vargas, Anna Deasey, Lizzie McCready, Tucker Smith, Pedro Correa de Sampaio, Louisa Yates, Louise Bloxham, Cody Glasbrenner, Tom Parsons, Mario Garcia Quesada, Joe Keating, Jacqueline Rodgers, Dez Dino, Gareth Jones, Megan Lieb, Rita de Castro, Amelia Batho, Rhiannon Milne, Kirstie Puskas, Emily Lancaster-Vine, Sam Hopes, Lara Dixon, Nava Fedaeff, Kelsey B, William Prideaux-Brune, Catherine Baker, Alice Estrela, Rhiannon Harrington, Katie May, Molly Clifford, Emma Baker, Katie Mascovich, Sarah Shotwell, Tiffanie K Rainville, Kate Tucker, Tony Deacon, Jessica Greenland, Aysha Hamisi, Megan Cronkite, Vicky Copeland, Marjolein Groot Nibbelink, Richard Christopher Bull, Lisa Stasio, Lauren Alyssa Hallett, Kyle Carl Prevatt, Chris Styranka, Laura Prideaux-Brune, Wing Tsui, Susanne Brunner, Linn Holm, Holly Hansen, Haley Neddermann, Emily Credit, Andi Johnson Lippincott, Rachel Miller, Alvaro Opazo, Claudia Baxter, Morgan Lisa, Jen Archer, Marc G Rainville, Sara Calcada, Molly Swailes, Kevin Jones, Allison Antonson, Kim Morgan, Ollos del Burnellio, Amanda Meehan, Brian Lami, Lowri Elen Davies, Karen Black, Theresa Visser, Allie Coad, Noelle D, Devendri Pilla, Cassandra Sheona Abboy, Charlie Cage, Wendy Erikson, Princess Swashbuckler Jacobs, Rita Lucia, Val Merrick, John Erikson, Suzy Carter Erikson, Judy Erikson, Levi Cagel, Gabrielle Busch, Madeline Busch, Stuart Mott, Andrea Erikson, Reena Nobeen, Bill Valaika, Sam Devine-Turner, Haley Forbes, Richard Phillips, Natalie Dening, Adam P Hejnowicz, Adrienne Pierre, Melissa Errington, Olivia Couchman, Darcy McNicholl, Alex Page, Maria Victoria Sarmiento, Johannah Reed, Ines Cebola, Lydia Meyer, Zahra Mohamedhbai, Brooke McIntyre, Ashley Haskins, Fran Vargas, Deanna Ferguson, Yeo Ur Lee, Megan Houghton, Tim Houghton, Erika Zivic, Victoria Houghton, Caitlin Houghton, Bethany Houghton, Maria Paula Blanca Vega, Natasha Lopez, Neil Finnie, Adam Schifter, Steph Grodeska, Ashley Carrera, Arianna Schambach, Dan Sylvester, Natalie Alvarez, Matt Gannon, Rolly Calbo, Dan MF Jarvis, Heather Bohn, Erica Muller, Michael Larson, Caroline Holderfield, Elvida Garcia, Dee Barca, Ryan Fantasia, Shaylynn Devin, Christoffel Stok, Lucia Galean Gordon, Gooseberry Pimplebottom, Grace Ann Shotwell, Blair Rogers, Debbie Cobb
(and that's not copy/pasted, that's hand typed! Apologies for any typos.)
150 facebook fans! You can become a fan of GVI Costa Rica at the bottom of this blog. We are now heading into the final week of our first phase at our new base in Tortuguero National Park. Here's some highlights:
Jalova
Stay tuned for the best photos from the phase and more news from the field this week.
Lets set a new goal - 250 fans before April 5th. If we can hit that I will do a special post with news, photos and videos!
Alex Tivenan, Jack Roper, Julie Jackson, Tara O'Sullivan, Hannah Dudley, Felisa Macaspac-Lami, Diogo Verissimo, Heather Colterman, Andres Brenes Vargas, Anna Deasey, Lizzie McCready, Tucker Smith, Pedro Correa de Sampaio, Louisa Yates, Louise Bloxham, Cody Glasbrenner, Tom Parsons, Mario Garcia Quesada, Joe Keating, Jacqueline Rodgers, Dez Dino, Gareth Jones, Megan Lieb, Rita de Castro, Amelia Batho, Rhiannon Milne, Kirstie Puskas, Emily Lancaster-Vine, Sam Hopes, Lara Dixon, Nava Fedaeff, Kelsey B, William Prideaux-Brune, Catherine Baker, Alice Estrela, Rhiannon Harrington, Katie May, Molly Clifford, Emma Baker, Katie Mascovich, Sarah Shotwell, Tiffanie K Rainville, Kate Tucker, Tony Deacon, Jessica Greenland, Aysha Hamisi, Megan Cronkite, Vicky Copeland, Marjolein Groot Nibbelink, Richard Christopher Bull, Lisa Stasio, Lauren Alyssa Hallett, Kyle Carl Prevatt, Chris Styranka, Laura Prideaux-Brune, Wing Tsui, Susanne Brunner, Linn Holm, Holly Hansen, Haley Neddermann, Emily Credit, Andi Johnson Lippincott, Rachel Miller, Alvaro Opazo, Claudia Baxter, Morgan Lisa, Jen Archer, Marc G Rainville, Sara Calcada, Molly Swailes, Kevin Jones, Allison Antonson, Kim Morgan, Ollos del Burnellio, Amanda Meehan, Brian Lami, Lowri Elen Davies, Karen Black, Theresa Visser, Allie Coad, Noelle D, Devendri Pilla, Cassandra Sheona Abboy, Charlie Cage, Wendy Erikson, Princess Swashbuckler Jacobs, Rita Lucia, Val Merrick, John Erikson, Suzy Carter Erikson, Judy Erikson, Levi Cagel, Gabrielle Busch, Madeline Busch, Stuart Mott, Andrea Erikson, Reena Nobeen, Bill Valaika, Sam Devine-Turner, Haley Forbes, Richard Phillips, Natalie Dening, Adam P Hejnowicz, Adrienne Pierre, Melissa Errington, Olivia Couchman, Darcy McNicholl, Alex Page, Maria Victoria Sarmiento, Johannah Reed, Ines Cebola, Lydia Meyer, Zahra Mohamedhbai, Brooke McIntyre, Ashley Haskins, Fran Vargas, Deanna Ferguson, Yeo Ur Lee, Megan Houghton, Tim Houghton, Erika Zivic, Victoria Houghton, Caitlin Houghton, Bethany Houghton, Maria Paula Blanca Vega, Natasha Lopez, Neil Finnie, Adam Schifter, Steph Grodeska, Ashley Carrera, Arianna Schambach, Dan Sylvester, Natalie Alvarez, Matt Gannon, Rolly Calbo, Dan MF Jarvis, Heather Bohn, Erica Muller, Michael Larson, Caroline Holderfield, Elvida Garcia, Dee Barca, Ryan Fantasia, Shaylynn Devin, Christoffel Stok, Lucia Galean Gordon, Gooseberry Pimplebottom, Grace Ann Shotwell, Blair Rogers, Debbie Cobb
(and that's not copy/pasted, that's hand typed! Apologies for any typos.)
150 facebook fans! You can become a fan of GVI Costa Rica at the bottom of this blog. We are now heading into the final week of our first phase at our new base in Tortuguero National Park. Here's some highlights:
Jalova
Stay tuned for the best photos from the phase and more news from the field this week.
Lets set a new goal - 250 fans before April 5th. If we can hit that I will do a special post with news, photos and videos!
Saturday, March 13, 2010
LIFE!
That’s why they call it the jungle. This week has been probably the best of phase for mammalian records on and around base.
It started on Monday when expedition members not out on survey were visited by a wandering armadillo making its way through base.
“It scurried through base and then headed out past our lovely compost towards the plantation. It was very small, but everyone on base rushed out to take a look,” said intern Charlotte. “It didn’t seem bothered by us at all, and was preoccupied with smelling something along the ground.”
Tuesday’s mammal transect team were resigning themselves to an incident-free survey when they came across a mysterious furball in a tree on the transect. The furball, being mildly perturbed, left its roost and ascended a metre or so of tree, thus revealing itself to be a juvenile Mexican Hairy Porcupine.
In the spirit of scientific data collection the team duly declared this nocturnal critter the cutest thing ever recorded on survey (see photo and disagree - if you dare). Later that day, the afternoon incidentals survey team were headed for the estuary when they clocked up another first for live sightings this phase: a Northern Tamandua high in a tree on the trail.
Almost simultaneously, another survey team on the beach found themselves encountering pair of Coatis. Large mammal monitoring? - who needs to leave base?!
We’re all fairly used to the yellow eyelash viper and the boa constrictor who both have regular hang-outs just outside base, but our furry friends are usually a little less obliging. So all in all, quite a satisfactory week, and another reminder of why this little spot we call home is so extraordinary.
It started on Monday when expedition members not out on survey were visited by a wandering armadillo making its way through base.
“It scurried through base and then headed out past our lovely compost towards the plantation. It was very small, but everyone on base rushed out to take a look,” said intern Charlotte. “It didn’t seem bothered by us at all, and was preoccupied with smelling something along the ground.”
Tuesday’s mammal transect team were resigning themselves to an incident-free survey when they came across a mysterious furball in a tree on the transect. The furball, being mildly perturbed, left its roost and ascended a metre or so of tree, thus revealing itself to be a juvenile Mexican Hairy Porcupine.
In the spirit of scientific data collection the team duly declared this nocturnal critter the cutest thing ever recorded on survey (see photo and disagree - if you dare). Later that day, the afternoon incidentals survey team were headed for the estuary when they clocked up another first for live sightings this phase: a Northern Tamandua high in a tree on the trail.
Almost simultaneously, another survey team on the beach found themselves encountering pair of Coatis. Large mammal monitoring? - who needs to leave base?!
We’re all fairly used to the yellow eyelash viper and the boa constrictor who both have regular hang-outs just outside base, but our furry friends are usually a little less obliging. So all in all, quite a satisfactory week, and another reminder of why this little spot we call home is so extraordinary.
Friday, March 12, 2010
Is climate change changing us?
No survey team out on the beach lately can fail to notice the increasing erosion of sand by wave action, and for those of us who were here last phase, the difference in beach width is startling.
The mini-cliffs being carved out may be dramatic, but how accurate is our perception of the change - and what effect might this have on the coming turtle nesting season? On Monday the expedition began a new survey to measure beach profile and give us some concrete answers.
Field Co-ordinator Sara instigated the project with a presentation based on her attendance last phase at a WWF workshop addressing climate change issues in relation to turtle populations.
After the talk she took everyone out on the beach to test out a technique for charting the gradient of the sand from vegetation to surf. With three measurement points on the beach near base we can now start to collect daily data on the state of our sand. A shrinking beach obviously presents potential problems for nesting turtles, particularly leatherbacks, which do not favour the higher parts of the beach.
We hope to establish whether the changes are temporary, seasonal, or serious in their consequences - and whether more intense beach cleans might help the sand to even out through naturally and unobstructed recycling.
The mini-cliffs being carved out may be dramatic, but how accurate is our perception of the change - and what effect might this have on the coming turtle nesting season? On Monday the expedition began a new survey to measure beach profile and give us some concrete answers.
Field Co-ordinator Sara instigated the project with a presentation based on her attendance last phase at a WWF workshop addressing climate change issues in relation to turtle populations.
After the talk she took everyone out on the beach to test out a technique for charting the gradient of the sand from vegetation to surf. With three measurement points on the beach near base we can now start to collect daily data on the state of our sand. A shrinking beach obviously presents potential problems for nesting turtles, particularly leatherbacks, which do not favour the higher parts of the beach.
We hope to establish whether the changes are temporary, seasonal, or serious in their consequences - and whether more intense beach cleans might help the sand to even out through naturally and unobstructed recycling.
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Ocelots, puffbirds and Molly Ringwold...
Incidentals surveys are getting a little competitive lately, with Miss Ringwold (aka intern Molly) now declaring 19 sightings from one position. Glory in terms of number of species, quantity of a single species (brown pelicans, usually) and rarity is now being vigorously pursued. This week Sam’s team collected 29 species, thus setting a new record and putting some (good natured) pressure on subsequent teams to beat them.
Of note this week is the presence on more than one occasion of ocelot tracks on the estuary beach, and two white-necked puffbirds (Notharchus macrorhynchos) sighting in the plantation.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Pinocchio and the Old Snake
Wednesday’s bird survey followed a classic structure: just as intern Russell was organising his team and declaring the start time, the first drops of rain began to fall. They were the first of many...
As the heavens opened on Caño California the team realised they were in for a serious soaking. However, what could have been a miserable survey was kept alive by the constant flow of records. No glamorous or exotic sightings perhaps
- a lot of green herons, little blues and snowy egrets - but the numbers added up until all bird survey records were broken for the new sites. The final tally, as a very cold and wet team returned,was 146 individual birds.
It’s been a good week altogether for Rich’s birds project. On Saturday, Jo’s survey team on Sierpe Viejo were treated to a privileged encounter after being forced to turn back prematurely due to fallen trees and low water. A few minutes after their turnaround, something on the bank caught the team’s collective eye.
Initially identified as a tri-coloured heron, when the bird reappeared it became apparent that its beak was just a little longer than one might expect...the colouring just a little different. Conclusion? A juvenile agami heron, fishing right in front of them. As they watched, the agami continued to fish on the canal edge, spearing a second fish and leaving a boatful of very excitable birders to head for home.
Are limpkins common in Tortuguero National Park? Having only seen 2 in the whole of 2009, our records have now gone through the roof (well, ok: 3 so far this year). Let’s face it, who hasn’t seen one this phase? Well, Sam, as it goes. “Elusive scallywags, aren’t they?” was all he could say when we asked for his feeling on the matter. Keep looking, Sam...
As the heavens opened on Caño California the team realised they were in for a serious soaking. However, what could have been a miserable survey was kept alive by the constant flow of records. No glamorous or exotic sightings perhaps
- a lot of green herons, little blues and snowy egrets - but the numbers added up until all bird survey records were broken for the new sites. The final tally, as a very cold and wet team returned,was 146 individual birds.
It’s been a good week altogether for Rich’s birds project. On Saturday, Jo’s survey team on Sierpe Viejo were treated to a privileged encounter after being forced to turn back prematurely due to fallen trees and low water. A few minutes after their turnaround, something on the bank caught the team’s collective eye.
Initially identified as a tri-coloured heron, when the bird reappeared it became apparent that its beak was just a little longer than one might expect...the colouring just a little different. Conclusion? A juvenile agami heron, fishing right in front of them. As they watched, the agami continued to fish on the canal edge, spearing a second fish and leaving a boatful of very excitable birders to head for home.
Are limpkins common in Tortuguero National Park? Having only seen 2 in the whole of 2009, our records have now gone through the roof (well, ok: 3 so far this year). Let’s face it, who hasn’t seen one this phase? Well, Sam, as it goes. “Elusive scallywags, aren’t they?” was all he could say when we asked for his feeling on the matter. Keep looking, Sam...
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Jag vs Leatherback!
...Breaking news...photos just in from the field...breaking news...photos just in from the field...
A highly unusual site of a predated leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea) turtle a few miles from base yesterday prompted staff and volunteers to investigate. These huge marine turtles have few predators once they reach maturity. Other than humans, there is only one animal in the National Park to take down the reptile that can grow to around 2m (7ft) and weight more than 900kg (2,000lbs).
click photo to enlarge
Walking down the beach to get their first sightings of the awesome leatherback (unfortunately, not alive, but extremely freshly predated) staff and volunteers caught sight of a very large cat too boot!
...Breaking news...photos just in from the field...breaking news...photos just in from the field...
Click photo to enlarge
...Breaking news...photos just in from the field...breaking news...photos just in from the field...
A highly unusual site of a predated leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea) turtle a few miles from base yesterday prompted staff and volunteers to investigate. These huge marine turtles have few predators once they reach maturity. Other than humans, there is only one animal in the National Park to take down the reptile that can grow to around 2m (7ft) and weight more than 900kg (2,000lbs).
click photo to enlargeWalking down the beach to get their first sightings of the awesome leatherback (unfortunately, not alive, but extremely freshly predated) staff and volunteers caught sight of a very large cat too boot!
...Breaking news...photos just in from the field...breaking news...photos just in from the field...
Click photo to enlarge
...Breaking news...photos just in from the field...breaking news...photos just in from the field...
If you are considering GVI Costa Rica...
Want to see more videos from the field? Check them out here
And don't forget about the GVI "Are you the difference?" competition
Friday, March 5, 2010
Cow Cam!
Unusual developments right on our doorstep presented an intriguing camera trapping opportunity this week. Coconut plantation workers came to base to tell us that there was a dead calf killed by a jaguar in the forest just behind base.
Rich, Jo and Lydia followed them through the mud and standing water to investigate the remains, which were spread over two sites and didn’t look too pretty.
The kill was probably two days old but jag cam guru Sarah still considered it worth putting a
couple of cameras up in hopes that the jaguar might return.
The following morning when the cameras were checked, Sarah was excited
to see that 12 shots had been taken by the one nearest to the carcase, and
three by the other.
However, being film cameras and not digital we face
another agonising wait for the results...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
