A unique nature retreat in the hills of the wild Nicoya Peninsula of Costa Rica

View from the front yard of Raptor Ridge

       Raptor Ridge is owned and operated by Larry Landstrom, Ruth Rodriquez, and their daughter Elizabeth.  They are passionate naturalists, bird watchers and contributors to the Tambor community.  Larry, Ruth, and Elizbeth created both their business “Rainforest Publications” and the popular “Costa Rican Natural History Field Guides”.  Their latest endeavor is to welcome birders and naturalists to their guest house on Raptor Ridge.

Guest house accomodations at Raptor Ridge

Their home offers spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean.  From their viewing areas, one can spend hours gazing over the lush vegetation and the blue Pacific Ocean, watching for a variety of birds of prey as well as the many colorful birds that feed in the forest canopy.

A white hawk soars in the skies above Raptor Ridge

A “specialty” at Raptor Ridge is the rare White Hawk.   A pair of White Hawks has recently made the mountain their permanent home and nearly every day they can be seen hunting for rodents and reptiles. Also a regular on the mountain is the King Vulture, a bird that is rarely seen in Costa Rica and a treat for the visiting bird watcher.  Other raptors commonly sighted include the Short-tailed Hawk, Zone-tailed Hawk, Plumbeous Kite, Broad-winged Hawk, Gray Hawk, Bat Falcon, Common Black Hawk, Collared Forest Falcon and the Peregrine Falcon.  On the drive up the mountain you’re likely to see the Roadside Hawk and Laughing Falcon.  Check out this recent blog post about hawk watching at Raptor Ridge.

Lush tropical gardens planted with native species

The gardens at Raptor Ridge have been specially planted with native trees, shrubs and flowers to attract a variety of birdlife.  Some of the best birding is done right on the property.  Several species of hummingbirds visit the gardens each day and the Yellow-throated Euphonia, Red-legged Honeycreeper, Painted Bunting, Collared Aracari, and Long-tailed Manakin are just a few of the colorful birds that feed in the fruiting trees.

You can walk the mountain road or hike a well maintained trail system that winds through primary tropical forest for those harder to find species:  Great Currosows, Crested Guans, Plain Chachalaca, Elegant Trogon and a variety of woodpeckers and woodcreepers.

With the vast habitat diversity in the Tambor area  270 species of birds have been sighted.  If you are working on your “life list” this is a great place to bird watch.  We will provide you with our list on request or go to www.birdingtamborcostarica.com

Enjoying the lush tropical forest on the maintained trails at Raptor Ridge