Birds of a Feather: Mareena S. Finds Her Flock of Friends Birding in Costa Rica
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- Expert-Led Birding Expeditions: Experience immersive birding programs, like "Birding in Southern Costa Rica," where participants add hundreds of species to their life lists with the guidance of expert instructors.
- Lifelong Learning & Lasting Bonds: Learn how Road Scholar programs create transformative experiences, leading to repeat journeys and enduring friendships, extending the adventure beyond the trip itself.
Newly single after 15 years, Mareena S. from Arizona heard about Road Scholar’s learning adventures while she was listening to NPR. “I needed to find my people,” says Mareena. With a passion for birds and a recent bonus from work, she made the decision that would transform her world: She enrolled in Road Scholar’s 11-day Birding in Southern Costa Rica: Motmots to Quetzals program. Mareena began her journey without knowing anyone or what to expect.
A New Chapter Takes Flight
Not only did Mareena add more than 250 birds to her life list during her July 2024 journey, she also made 10 new friends — everyone in her Road Scholar group! “I’m so happy I found my people and have their support,” says Mareena. “We bonded immediately, and we feel like we’ve been friends forever. We share the same outlook and passion for birding.”
Green-crowned Brilliant, Yellow-throated Toucan, Violet Sabrewing
Gotta Catch ‘Em All!
From Rosy thrush-tanagers to Resplendent quetzals, Mareena’s life list grew. “Every time I turned around, I saw another bird. It was like Pokémon, and I wanted to catch ‘em all,” she says. “I saw the Resplendent quetzal with its long, wispy tail feathers extending twice its length, and the Motmot!” Each sighting was a moment of pure joy, a testament to the rich biodiversity of this region and their expert Group Leader, Erick Guzman, who led the group to their incredible encounters.
Resources for Ornithophiles
A scholar of the skies, Mareena utilizes several apps to aid her in identifying birds. She especially likes Merlin Bird ID. “It records incoming audio to provide identification suggestions,” she says. She also used an app specifically for Costa Rican birds. “I clicked on ones I saw and birds I heard but didn’t see. “I would rather see them before I add them,” she says. Mareena also read all of the books on Road Scholar’s reading list and brought some of them along on the program for reference. “I created a picture book for each of the women on the program,” says Mareena.
She estimates taking 1,400 pictures during her learning adventure. “It’s a thrill to spot a new bird. At the end of each day, we’d go through our books to check off birds and tally up our numbers from the day,” she explains. “We exchanged stories and tips, laughed and forged a deep connection.” This daily ritual of shared learning and reflection underscored the true spirit of a Road Scholar learning adventure.
Continuing the Journey: A Flock That Stays Together
Out of the 11 women on Mareena’s first program, eight of them returned this past July 2025 as a private group to experience Birding in Northern Costa Rica: Tanagers to Toucans. “This is how much we love each other,” says Mareena. “We also requested the same Group Leader who we had last year, Erick, for our second program in Costa Rica,” she says.
Flight Patterns: Beyond the Program
The bird-loving friends stay connected year-round. “I traveled to Wisconsin to bird for a few days last October with group members,” says Mareena. “Next, I’m planning to meet the California group in January for the Morro Bay Bird Festival.” With two birding programs under their belt, Mareena knows the shared love of birds will always bring them together. The women are already looking forward to their summer 2026 adventure, Birding in the Ecuadorian Andes, with Road Scholar.
Mareena’s story showcases how Road Scholar not only cultivates enriching learning adventures but a vibrant community where shared passions and lifelong friendships take flight.
The friends in Northern Costa Rica, summer, 2025.
