Neotropical bird migration

[(Dr Richard Nowotny)]

John Leonard asked about the timing of migration in Central America.

"A Guide to the Birds of Costa Rica" (Stiles and Skutch), pp 40,41 states:

"Appearing first along the Carribean coast in August, migrants arrive in
larger numbers in September and October.  Many continue onward to winter in
South America, but countless more remain in Costa Rica, spreading over the
whole country....."      and
"The northward exodus begins in March and continues with greater intensity
through April;  by late May only a few laggards, or perhaps belated birds of
passage from South America, remain in the country."

Costa Rica is of course worth a visit any time of the year because of the
very large number of resident species (600+) in such a small country,
swollen during the northern winter by the northern migrants (200+).

Richard Nowotny.