tear ducts

Marine turtles have large salt glands behind their eyes that excrete excess salt as tears. Without these glands they would not be able to live in a salt water environment.

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It's a race!

After a rough climb out of the sand, the hatchlings race towards the ocean and fight against the rough waves of Ostional. The turtles have now lost 20% of their body mass due to evaporated water loss since hatching.

This is the last time the male marine turtle will be on land. The next time the females return to the beach is when they lay their first batch of eggs in the sand.

When hatchlings first emerge from the sand they rest and stop for sometimes a few minutes to get their bearings. The hatchlings are light sensitive, their sense of sight and smell plays an important role in helping them navigate towards the ocean. At night the sky is slightly lighter above the ocean. Artificial lights and noise can lead the hatchlings away from the water giving them false cues.

Source: Sea Turtles, James R. Spotila

‘Tortuguitas’ Olive Ridley Hatchlings

Just when you thought the magic was over, the beach again is filled with life.

Hatchlings with their eyes barely opened peep their heads out of the sand. As if in deep sleep the turtles wiggle their way through the sand to reach the surface. It’s been estimated that approximately 10 hatchlings are required for a successful emergence out of the sand.

One of the most fascinating aspects of sea turtles is the temperature dependent sex determination. Olive ridley turtles in Costa Rica are found to produce 100% males at 27.0˚C and 100% females at 32.0˚C. The pivotal temperature that produces 50:50 ratio of male to female hatchlings is at 30.5˚C.

Source: Sea Turtles, James R. Spotila

Ostional Community Wildlife Refuge Signs ‘ADIO’

At the entrances of the beach there are signs explaining what is expected by the people of Ostional when visitors come to see the turtles:
· Do not bother the turtles,
· No flashlights or flash photos (flashlights are often tinted by red transparent plastic)
· Ask for a tour guide,
· Keep the beach clean and
· No vehicles are permitted on the beach.

Punte India

Punte India is located at the far north end of Ostional. Around these rock cliffs is another secluded white sand cove. Fishermen are often found precariously perched off the rocks fishing with throw nets. The waves are extremely strong, crashing against the rocks and retrieving into the ocean with great force. Various fish are caught here such as Tuna (rosario y blanca), Marlin, sardines, corvina and dorado.

***The Girl with the Stars in Her Eyes***

Laydey touching her toes is one of the many children that live in Ostional. She lives behind the green belt in front of the beach. There is an intricate network of small huts that is separate from the main road through Ostional. At four years of age, she helps out with the egg collections during the arribadas. She typically runs from a great distance when she spots a friend on the beach to greet them with a big hug and kiss.

Personal Consumption Permit

The 200 eggs each family of Ostional is allowed is personally collected. A permit must be presented to one of the two Ostional beach policemen at the time of collection on the beach.

Waves… Sundogs… and Sunsets

Every night the sunsets are uniquely beautiful filling the skies with many colors. You can never be disappointed. One of my favorite times to walk the beach is at night. The beach can change drastically depending on the moon. At full moon the beach is absolutely lit up and you can have clear vision along the beach for a few hundred meters. When there is no moon the sky is filled with stars and the big dipper is really tiny. Everyone is aware that any lights along the beach are harmful to the turtles, so the town is lit with only a few street lights (4 to 5) after dark.

‘Cigueñón’ Woodstork (Mycteria Americana)

Woodstorks are frequently found at a variety of freshwater and saltwater habitats, looking for areas with receding water levels with a concentration of fish in shallow pools. It often feeds in groups submerging themselves into the water with partly opened bills sweeping to and fro, driving and concentrating fishes and then shutting their bills on contact.

Source: A Guide to the Birds of Costa Rica by F. Gary Stiles and Alexander F. Skutch

‘Carpintero de Hoffmann’ Hoffman’s Woodpecker (Melanerpes hoffmannii)

This adult male woodpecker is found on the Pacific slope from the south of Honduras to Costa Rica. It prefers deciduous forests, light woodland, second growth and scattered tree growth areas. He likes to feed on beetles, ants, larvae, fruit, and nectar.






Its voice is a hard metallic rattle, in repeated short bursts, followed by a nasal rattle. Woick-a woick-a woick-a…or wicka wicka wicka followed by a nodding of the entire body.

Source: A Guide to the Birds of Costa Rica by F. Gary Stiles and Alexander F. Skutch