Tag Archives: bird tower trail

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Day 6: Sunset Spires and Pitfall Surprises

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Morning cave expedition!! This morning, I got the chance to finally do a bit of laundry while the first round of TFBs went into the Las Cuevas cave system. Afterwards, we quickly set off to collect our pitfall traps, wanting to waste no time. Around 11:30am we returned with the traps and began the presentations for the day.

The first presentation focused on bees, and I learned a few things that made me less afraid! So many of the bees here are actually stingless, or not aggressive. There are a few species that have been Africanized and are actually quite aggressive with stingers, but for the most part it sounds like they are not out to get me.

We also learned about arachnids, one fun fact was that the red rump tarantula can be crushed and combined with alcohol and herbs to treat muscular dystrophy!

(Lizard caught by the cave)

So, going over the results from our pitfall trap experiment was honestly quite gross. It smelled awful by the sink and I felt so bad for Sam, who had to go through all of the samples and identify the (pee-covered) ants, which was unsurprisingly the most common taxon caught in the traps. I made the drawing for our poster methods which was quite fun!

This evening, we hiked to the bird tower for sunset! It was absolutely unreal seeing the rainforest from that vantage point. I just couldnt believe how lucky I was to be up there taking it all in with th other TFBs.

Once the sun had gone down on our hike back, I think I saw a few cockroaches come out! I definitely saw a few of the brown-banded cockroach, or supella longipalpa, hiding around some bark and leaves on the way back to Las Cuevas, and I think I may have also spotted a peppered roach, too!

-Emily

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Exploring Las Cuevas Cave and the Bird Tower Trail

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Today, our group had the chance to explore Las Cuevas Cave, a fascinating natural site full of surprises. Walking near the edges was a bit nerve-wracking because the ground was slippery, but it was exciting to see the cave’s unique formations. Although the cave itself didn’t have many birds, the surrounding forest was alive with bird songs. It reminded me how important birds are in these ecosystems, even when they aren’t always visible.

During our visit, we collected nitrogen and water samples from both the canopy and the trees below. Birds play a major role in this environment by spreading seeds and nutrients through their droppings. This helps plants grow and supports many other species in the forest. Even if we don’t see them all the time, birds are key players in keeping the ecosystem healthy and balanced.

At about 5pm we faced the Bird Tower Trail, which was by far the toughest hike I’ve ever done. The trail was steep and challenging, pushing me to my limits. But reaching the top was totally worth it because we were rewarded with an incredible sunset and a stunning view of the landscape below. Watching birds fly across the colorful sky as the sun set was a beautiful reminder of their freedom and grace.

One of the most memorable moments of the day was spotting the great potoo perched quietly in the trees. This amazing bird blends perfectly into its surroundings by staying very still, almost like a living branch. It waits patiently at night for insects or small animals to come close so it can catch them. Learning about the potoo’s unique hunting style made me realize just how fascinating and diverse birds really are in this area.