Hosts

2025 CONFERENCE HOSTS

Talamanca Hawkwatch is second only to Rio de Rapaces “River of Raptors” in Veracruz, as the most concentrated migratory route of raptors in the world with 3.5 million raptors counted from a single point as well as the biggest known migration spot for Peregrine Falcons and Plumbeous Kites.

We started operations in 2000 after Pablo Porras was granted an internship at Hawk Mountain Sanctuary, where he learned raptor conservation and monitoring techniques and received a grant to start counting. After that, we conducted full season counts both in Spring and Autumn until 2006. In six years of full counts a lot was accomplished, not only for science but also for the benefit and sustainable development of the Talamanca Territory. Talamanca Hawkwatch reached the millionth bird during the first full-season count and counted more than three million birds of 17 different species in the last official season.

Our Mission & Approach

The primary objective is to track long-term population trends of diurnal raptors migrating throughout the year. The information gathered enables us to better understand the dynamics, and conservation needs of raptor populations on the continent. By doing this our team will encourage other investigators and conservation initiatives to join us. We aim to attract more people to obtain knowledge about this magical place, to maintain its conservation path, and help others to understand why raptors are important.

Conference Co-Hosts

Working with David and Pablo on all aspects of the conference, but particularly local field trips and the Tortuguera three-day trip, will be Emmanuel and Josué Guzman, from Hotel Robledal in San José.