The Holbrook Explorer
Birding
The 2021 Great Backyard Bird Count
This weekend, volunteers around the world are looking to their backyards and beyond in the name of science during the Great Backyard Bird Count. The observations recorded during this citizen science event will help researchers better understand population trends and migrations patterns—and you can...
An Interview with Holbrook Birding Guide Mario Córdoba
Mario Córdoba Hidalgo is a familiar face to many Holbrook travelers. Born in 1973 in Quesada, San Carlos, he has been a birding and nature guide in Costa Rica for more than 25 years and has introduced many visitors to his country's beauty and biodiversity. He's also given various talks and...
Holbrook’s 2020 Holiday Gift Guide for Birders
There’s still time to find the perfect holiday gift for the birder in your life…or drop a hint about your own wish list. From feeders to field gear, here are a few ideas to inspire you. Under $20 WindowAlert Window Decals Protect birds by preventing window strikes. These static-cling decals, which...
7 (More) Scary Bird Species
You asked for it! Our original blog post on scary bird species has been a perennial favorite over the years, so we’re back with seven more scary birds to haunt your nightmares (or add to your life list, if you dare). 1. Horned Screamer (Anhima cornuta) Photo by Wagner Machado Carlos Lemes The name...
A Virtual Look at Fall Bird Migration
Guest post by Debbie Jordan Fall is my favorite season—not only because cooler weather is arriving after Florida’s long hot summer, but also because it is time for migrating birds to pass through, heading south to their wintering grounds in Central and South America. The Cornell Lab of Ornithology...
5 Citizen Science Opportunities for Birders
Scientists can’t be everywhere at once, which is why they sometimes rely on the eyes and ears of volunteers to make observations and collect data. If you love birds and want to help protect them, consider becoming a citizen scientist—many projects require little more than an Internet connection and...
Birding Festivals Get Creative This Year
Birders are not ones to be dissuaded from following their passion. When it comes to the coronavirus crisis enveloping the world, festival-goers and organizers are getting creative with their programming. Holbrook’s Jen Hajj reached out to leaders from the birding community to get their take on...
Birding Blogs We Love
Whether you’ve been birding for years or you’re just starting out, birding blogs are a great way to stay updated on current birding events, learn new and exciting information, and join a community that shares your passion. We’ve gathered up a few of our favorite birding blogs that every type of...
Holbrook's 2019 Gift Guide for Birders
As the holiday season comes upon us, it’s time to start thinking about buying gifts for friends and family. If you know someone who is a birder, whether they’re just starting out or an expert in their field, here are some gift ideas for birding enthusiasts. Who knows? Maybe you’ll end up adding a...
eBird for Beginners
Global Big Day, a 24-hour birding event sponsored by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, takes place on May 4 this year. This event invites everyone from around the world to go out and record bird species they see using their eBird database in order to provide valuable information to scientists about...
Meet the birds of Selva Verde Lodge Part 2
For beginner and expert birders alike, Selva Verde is the perfect birding destination. One third of the 910 species that reside in Costa Rica can be found within Selva Verde’s 500 acres of protected rainforest, making it a safe haven for birds and bird watchers alike. In part 2 of our series, we...
The 2019 Great Backyard Bird Count
The Great Backyard Bird Count began in 1998 as a joint project between the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and the National Audubon Society and has since expanded to 161 countries. Last year there were a total number of 180,634 checklists submitted, 6,459 species observed, and 28,897,335 total...