On September 5th and 6th, 2026, the Central Caribbean of Costa Rica became the epicenter of conservation and citizen science. With great enthusiasm, we celebrated a new edition of the Annual Cerulean Warbler Count, an event organized by the Asociación Ambiental Cerúlea to join forces in monitoring and protecting this threatened migratory bird.
Throughout the weekend, nearly 40 people from different regions of the country stepped away from their weekend routines to immerse themselves in the natural wealth of the Siquirres and Guácimo cantons in Limón and join us in this important cause. The main goal was to gather valuable data regarding the presence of cerulean warblers (CERW) within the Corredor Azul (Blue Corridor), a key initiative working to restore and protect critical habitats for both resident and migratory birds, with special enphasis on this tiny warbler.
A Weekend Dedicated to Science and Community
The event not only achieved its scientific goals but also strengthened community ties and collective learning through an action-packed agenda:
🗓️ Saturday, September 5th: Welcome and Education
The journey began at 2:00 PM (14:00 h) with a warm welcome and a family birding session at the beautiful Las Brisas Nature Reserve, one of the key supporters of the event.
As evening fell, participants moved to the La Esmeralda Community Hall. There, they attended an educational talk on the ecology and natural history of the Cerulean Warbler, followed by the assignment of monitoring routes and a shared dinner.
🗓️ Sunday, September 6th: The Big Count
The main event started early. From 5:30 AM to 12:00 PM, volunteer teams took to the field across 8 monitoring routes. Binoculars in hand and notebooks ready, they recorded every sighting. The grand finale took place at 1:00 PM (13:00 h) at the Community Hall at San Bosco, where everyone enjoyed a closing lunch and shared their experiences from the weekend.
Results that Support Conservation
Every single observation recorded during these days provides crucial scientific data to better understand the stopover, feeding, and resting sites of the Cerulean Warbler in Costa Rica. This data enables the Asociación Ambiental Cerúlea and the international scientific community to make informed decisions to ensure the species' survival along its migratory route.
Beyond the ecological impact, the count generated a positive economic ripple effect in the region. Thanks to the attendees, local economies were boosted through the use of community lodging and micro-businesses, including Casa Valle Verde, Cabañas Río Vueltas, Siquirres Mountain Lodge, Maquengue Falls, Casa Pedernal, Villa Esmeralda House, and Finca Río Perla.
Thank You for Making It Happen!
This achievement is the result of outstanding teamwork. From Asociación Ambiental Cerúlea, we extend our deepest gratitude to every participant who volunteered their time and knowledge, to the route coordinators, and especially to our allied organizations and sponsors who backed this event:
Sam Shine Foundation
Las Brisas Nature Reserve
Birding Experiences
Flyway Birding Tours
Café Cristina
Every person matters, every observation counts, and every effort brings us closer to safeguarding the future of our migratory birds. See you at the next count!