Birding over the past month has been thick and fast!

 

Our guide Cirilo has been leading various tour groups and individuals around the lodge trails and on the various excursions that we offer from the lodge.

Highlights over the past few weeks have included Solitary Tinamou on the lodges extension trail (will hopefully breed here again this year), both Whistling and Capped Herons, Mantled Hawk, Crowned Eagle, Black and White Hawk-Eagle, Barred Forest Falcon on the Theodoro Trail, Blue-winged Macaw ( a group of at least 25 on the Three-toed Jacamar excursion), Plovercrest, Brazilian Ruby, Rufous-capped Motmot, Three-toed Jacamar, Spot-billed Toucanet, White Woodpecker, Yellow-eared Woodpecker, Yellow-browed Woodpecker, Blond-crested Woodpecker (at the lodge feeders), Itatiaia Thistletail (on the upper steps on our High Altitude Excursion), White-collared Foliage Gleaner, Pale-browed Treehunter, White-eyed Foliage Gleaner, Sharp-tailed Streamcreeper (under the bridge in the lodge grounds as usual!), Black-billed Scythebill, Giant Antshrike, Large-tailed Antshrike, Spot-breasted Antvireo (on the lodges extension trail), Serra Antwren, Rufous-tailed Antbird, Scaled Antbird, Ochre-rumped Antbird, Variegated Antpitta, Slaty Bristlefront (on the Theodoro Trail), Shear-tailed Gray-Tyrant, Sharpbill, Grey-winged Cotinga (good views at Caladonia), Bare-throated Bellbird, Pin-tailed Manakin, Long-billed Wren (still in the lodge grounds!), White-browed Warbler, Chestnut-headed Tanager, Red-necked Tanager, Gilt-edged Tanager, Bay-chested Warbling Finch, Half-collared Sparrow (still very reliable on the Portao Azul excursion) and Yellow-green Grosbeaks in the Serra dos Orgaos National Park.

Green-headed Tanager taken from the photo hide. copyright Andy Foster

It was nice to see so many familiar faces at the annual Bird Fair in Rutland Water last month, its always good to have a catch up with past guests (and hear about all of your most recent travels!), together with meeting new guests due to visit us soon or enquiring for a possible trip in the future!

Now back to Brazil and the birding over the past few weeks at Serra dos Tucanos has been excellent! 

Cirilo has been out guiding on a daily basis with various guests and groups.  

Highlights from the last few weeks on our High Altitude Excursion have included Grey-winged Cotinga (up to 3 calling in one area) with one eventually being found perched in a small tree just above the canopy line, Black and Gold Cotinga, Rufous-tailed Antbird, Large-tailed Antshrike, Rufous-capped Antshrike, Itatiaia Thistletail (good views on the top of Pico de Caladonia), Diademed Tanager, Bay-chested Warbling Finch, Brassy-breasted Tanager and Rufous-backed Antvireo. 

The Three-toed Jacamar Excursion has also been good with views of Three-toed Jacamar (of course!), Serra Antwren, Red-legged Seriema, White-eared Puffbird, Gilt-edged Tanager, Whistling Heron, Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture, White-tailed Hawk, Ash-throated Crake, Blue-winged Macaw, Sapphire-spangled Emerald, White Woodpecker and Black-capped Donacobius. 

Portao Azul has (as nearly always) been turning up the goods with great views of Half-collared Sparrow, Saffron Toucanet, Yellow-eared Woodpecker, Yellow-browed Woodpecker, Pallid Spinetail, Orange-eyed Thornbird, Black-billed Scythebill, Dusky-tailed Antbird, Pin-tailed Manakin, Hang-nest Tody Tyrant, Gilt-edged Tanager and Green-winged Saltator. 

Olive-green Tanager at the lodge feeders. Andy Foster
 

The trails around the lodge grounds have been very productive recently with sightings of  Brown Tinamou, Solitary Tinamou, Mantled Hawk, Black and White Hawk-Eagle, Black Hawk-Eagle, Slaty-breasted Wood-Rail, Maroon-bellied Parakeets, Plain Parakeet, Scaly-headed Parrot, Saw-billed Hermit, Black Jacobin (now back after the winter spent in the lowlands), Black-throated Trogon, Surucua Trogon, Rufous-capped Motmot, Spot-billed and Saffron Toucanets, Blond-crested Woodpecker, Yellow-throated Woodpecker (a rare woodpecker for the lodge grounds), Black-capped Foliage Gleaner, White-eyed Foliage Gleaner, Sharp-tailed Streamcreeper (still being seen daily in the river that runs in front of the lodge), Spot-breasted Antvireo, Ferruginous Antbird, Streak-capped Antwren, Black-cheeked Gnateater, Bare-throated Bellbird (passing through on their way to the higher altitude areas), Blue and Pin-tailed Manakin, Grey-capped Tyrannulet, Eye-ringed Tody-Tyrant, Grey-hodded Attila, Long-billed Wren, Rufous-headed Tanager, Yellow-backed Tanager, Olive-green Tanager, Flame-crested Tanager, Brazilian Tanager, Azure-shouldered Tanager, Golden-chevroned Tanager, Green-headed Tanager, Red-necked Tanager and a first for the lodge feeders Gilt-edged Tanager!

 

Blond-crested Woodpecker at the lodge feeders. Cristina Foster
 

 

 

Its that time of year again!

The annual British Birdfair at Rutland water will be held between the 17th - 19th August.

As Global Sponsor of the BirdLife International Flyways Programme, Birdfair 2012 is raising funds to support conservation action in the East Asian/Australasian Flyway.

We will once again have a stand at the Birdfair, so we look forward to seeing past and future guests, we will be located in Marquee 6, Stand number 35, please come by and say hello! Lets hope for nice dry, sunny weather!

A quick update on sightings at the lodge and on the excursions that we offer over the past couple of weeks:

On the Theodoro Trail guests have been lucky enough to observe a group of Blue Manakins lekking, this is a fantastic sight as the males line up on a branch, make various strange noises, jump over eachother for about 4 minutes and then come to an abrupt end! Other sightings on the Theodoro trail have included 3 White-browed Foliage Gleaners, Pallid Spinetail, Star-throated Antwren, great views of a Slaty Bristlefront as it responded well to playback and come out along the path! Likewise with a Brasilian Antthrush that come in from a long way off and also walked along the path!

On our High Altitude Excursion last week unfortunately the weather was not so good, but it didnt stop guests having good views of Black and Gold Cotinga, Red-legged Seriemas, Orange-eyed Thornbirds, good views of Rufous-tailed Antbird, Pallid Spinetail and prolonged views of 2 Diademed Tanagers.

In the lower section of Serra dos Orgaos National Park last week Yellow-throated Woodpecker performed well allowing great views, Flame-crested and Yellow-backed Tanagers also showed well together with Pale-browed Treehunter, busily destroying bromeliads as they do!

Sightings within the lodge grounds continue to amaze with a Rufous-headed Tanager on the lodge feeders... this is a first for the feeders, hopefully it will continue to visit! Other highlights for the lodge grounds include White-throated Woodcreeper, Rufous-capped Motmot close to the bridge by the lodge entrance, Scaled Antbird, Pin-tailed Manakin, Spot-billed Toucanet and Red-necked Tanager.

At the Portao Azul Black-billed Scythebill gave good views as did Half-collared Sparrow, Drab-breasted Bamboo Tyrant, Dusky-legged Guan and White-throated Hummingbird.

On the Three-toed Jacamar excursion, of course the Three-toed Jacamar was seen (!) together with Serra Antwren, Hangnest Tody, White Woodpecker, White-eared Puffbird, Aplomado Falcon and Whistling Heron.

Spot-billed Toucanet at the lodge feeders. Andy Foster

Now almost in the middle of our Brasilian winter temperatures are dropping and we are seeing some damper periods of weather, unusual for this time of year as we usually have clear blue skies! If you are due to visit us in the next few months it would be worth packing a couple of layers of extra clothing!

Firstly we are happy to report that a Golden Lion Tamarin Monkey has been recorded in the lodge grounds again! One was observed by the bridge over the river in front of the Lodge this week! These tiny endangered primates are endemic to south-east Brazil with a small population of around 1.500 left in the wild, they can only usually be seen in areas of fragmented forest down near the coast where there are efforts for a breeding and monitoring programme. They are usually found in thick tangles of forest where they like to eat fruit, small vertebrates and insects. Luckily we have been seeing these primates in the lodge grounds on and off for over 2 years now, although this is the first record in over 6 months. Hopefully they will remain in the local area!

Golden Lion Tamarin in the Lodge grounds. copyright Richard Hall.

The feeders are slowly getting busier, especially with the rain at the moment. Regular sightings include Slaty-breasted Wood-Rail, Maroon-bellied Parakeet, Plain Parakeet, Blond-crested Woodpecker, Great Kiskadee, Rufous-bellied Thrush, Pale-breasted Thrush, Bananaquit, Ruby-crowned Tanager, Brazilian Tanager, Sayaca Tanager, Azure-shouldered Tanager, Golden-chevroned Tanager, Palm Tanager, Violaceous Euphonia, Orange-bellied Euphonia, Chestnut-bellied Euphonia, Blue-naped Chlorophonia, Green-headed Tanager, Burnished-buff Tanager, Blue Dacnis and Green Honeycreeper.

Maroon-bellied Parakeets taken from the photo hide. Andy Foster

The hummingbird feeders are getting regular visits from Saw-billed Hermit, Sombre Hummingbird, Violet-capped Woodnymph and Brazilian Ruby.

Out on the excursions we are beginning to see mixed flocks once again, highlights from the some of the excursions are as follows:

Theodoro Trail has seen large numbers of White-browed Foliage Gleaners, really great views of Rufous-capped Spinetail, White-shouldered Fire-eye, good views of Blue Manakin, Star-throated Antwren and Yellow-eared Woodpecker.

The High Altitude Excursions to Pico de Caladonia have given great views of Red-legged Seriema, Black and Gold Cotinga, Diademed Tanagers, Orange-eyed Thornbird and Rufous-tailed Antbirds, Pallid Spinetail, good views of Large-tailed Antshrike that seemed to appear from nowhere but showed well, Black-Hawk Eagle that was at first distant finally gave some better views, Black and White Hawk Eagle on the lower section of the High Altitude Excursion gave good views during a nice long fly past, and as usual Dusky-tailed Antbird gave its usual skulking views!

Serra dos Orgaos National Park. The first part of the day was spent in the Lower section of the park with sightings of Pale-browed Treehunter, Cirilo spotted a Yellow-throated Woodpecker, whilst going after this bird the group saw a Lesser Woodcreeper, and then out of nowhere a Sharpbill popped up and gave good views for around 2 minutes! After the departure of the Sharpbill Cirilo picked up a movement, and the Yellow-throated Woodpecker was on its way up a stump which again gave good views. During this time Yellow-green Grosbeaks were busy calling close by, after some playback on the iPod…bang, they came straight in and gave some good views! Other highlights in the Park were White-throated Woodcreeper, good views of both Rufous-capped Motmot, Scaly-headed Parrot and Surucua Trogon.

Also in the lower park a Brown-throated Three-toed Sloth was seen together with a baby sloth!

Serra dos Orgaos National Park. Andy Foster

We’ve had a busy last month at the lodge with lots of birding going on as usual, at the end of the day that’s what we are all about! 

We had a stand at the Brasilian Bird Fair “Avistar” last weekend, this was the 7th Annual Brasilian Bird Fair held in Sao Paulo. Cirilo (our guide) represented us over the three day fair and we shared our stand with two other lodges from the region, our good friends at Regua and Vale das Taquaras. Our stand was generously funded by the Prefeitura of Cachoeiras de Macacu, our local town council. Over the past decade birding and bird photography has become more popular amongst Brasilians. Avistar is not only a good opportunity for Brasilian birders to come together but it also promotes conservation across the whole of Brasil.

The stand at Avistar. Nicholas Locke

We will also be at the British Bird Fair from the 17th – 19th August 2012, more details to come!

Cirilo has been guiding various guests over the past month, with as always some great sightings, of which some highlights are as follows:
Dusky legged guan, Red legged Seriema, Capped Heron, Whistling Heron, Rufescent tiger Heron, Slaty breasted Wood Rail, Spot-winged Wood-Quail heard at the lodge, Greater Ani, Saw billed Hermit, Scale-throated Hermit and Planalto Hermit, Brazilian Ruby (now resident at the lodge for the winter months), Plovercrest, Sapphire-spangled Emerald and Glittering-throated Emerald, Rufous capped Motmot, Rufous tailed Jacamar and Three-toed Jacamar, White eared and Crescent-chested Puffbird, Spot billed Toucanet, Channel billed Toucan, White-barred Piculet, Yellow-eared Woodpecker, Yellow-browed Woodpecker, White Woodpecker, Lesser Woodcreeper, White-throated Woodcreeper, Black-billed Scythebill, Sharp-billed Treehunter, Pale browed Treehunter, Rufous-capped Spinetail, Tail Banded Hornero, Orange-eyed Thornbird, White browed Foliage Gleaner, Buff-browed Foliage Gleaner, Sharp-tailed Streamcreeper still occupying its normal spot under the bridge by the lodge, Large tailed Antshrike, Giant Antshrike, Sooretama-Slaty Antshrike, Chestnut backed Antshrike, Streakd-capped Antwren, White-flanked Antwren, Star-throated Antwren, Rufous tailed Antbird, Scaled Antbird, Bertonis Antbird, Ferruginous Antbird, Spot-breasted Antvireo, Brazilian Antthrush, Rufous Gnateater, Black-cheeked Gnateater, Black and Gold Cotinga, Hooded Berryeater, Pin-tailed Manakin, Blue Manakin, White-bearded Manakin, Green-backed Becard, Gray capped Tyrannulet, Oustalets Tyrannulet, Serra do Mar Tyrannulet, Gray hooded Flycatcher, Grey-hooded Attila, Hangnest Tody Tyrant, Yellow-lored Tody Tyrant, Ochre-faced Tody Tyrant, Drab breasted Bamboo Tyrant, Eared Pygmy Tyrant, Velvety Black Tyrant, Streamer-tailed Tyrant, Long-tailed Tyrant, White-breasted Tapaculo, Serra do Mar Tapaculo, Magpie Tanager, Gilt edged Tanager, Rufous-headed Tanager, Yellow-backed Tanager, Olive- green Tanager, Brazilian Tanager, Blue-naped Chlorophonia, Bay-chested Warbling Finch, Uniform Finch, Curl-crested Jay, Black-throated Grosbeak and Slaty Bristlefront!

Plain Parakeet at the lodge feeders, copyright. Ron Brown.

The bird feeding stations remain busy with all of the usual visitors, its still so nice to be able to observe the Blond-crested Woodpeckers coming in for regular feeds together with the Spot-billed Toucanets and various species of colourful tanagers. The hummingbird feeders are also busy as there is now a distinct lack of natural flowers in the surrounding forests.

The last month has seen temperatures dropping as we head into autumn! The breeding season has now passed and we are beginning to see the start of mixed flocks, which will carry on throughout our winter period until mid August. 

Birding with large mixed flocks can be quite challenging, but of course very rewarding at the same time should you be lucky enough to get good views of 10+ lifers all in one easy swoop! 

The lodge feeders will also start to become busier in the next month or so and the consumption of bananas will return to 15+ kilos per day! 

Cirilo has been busy guiding over the last month sharing his knowledge and enthusiasm of the local birds. There have as always been many highlights (difficult not to have with such great birding)! However, some of the main highlights over the past few weeks have been the following: 

Mantled Hawk (Theodoro Trail), White-tailed Hawk, Dusky-legged Guan, Blackish Rail (Sumidouro area), White-eyed Parakeet, Blue-bellied Parrot (Theodoro Trail), Scale-throated Hermit, Planalto Hermit, Plovercrest, Glittering-bellied Emerald, White-chinned Sapphire, Black-throated Trogon, Channel-billed Toucan, Blond-crested Woodpecker (lodge feeders), Pallid Spinetail, Red-eyed Thornbird, White-browed Foliage Gleaner, Pale-browed Treehunter, Sharp-billed Treehunter, Black-capped Foliage Gleaner, White-collared Foliage Gleaner, Sharp-tailed Streamcreeper (still resident on the stream in front of the lodge), Planalto Woodcreeper, Giant Antshrike, Sooretama Slaty Antshrike, Star-throated Antwren, Ferruginous Antbird, Bertonis Antbird, Rufous-tailed Antbird, Ochre-rumped Antbird, Streak-capped Antwren, Brasilian Antthrush, Rufous Gnateater, Black-cheeked Gnateater, Slaty Bristlefront, Serra do Mar Tapaculo, Black and Gold Cotinga, Blue Manakin, Pin-tailed Manakin, Gray-hooded Flycatcher, Gray-capped Tyrannulet, Blue-billed Black Tyrant, Streamer-tailed Tyrant (Sumidouro area), Green-backed Becard, Black-capped Becard, Moustached Wren, Long-billed Wren, Curl-crested Jay (Sumidouro area), Yellow-backed Tanager, Hooded Tanager, Flame-crested Tanager, Brasilian Tanager, Azure-shouldered Tanager, Diademed Tanager, Green-headed Tanager, Red-necked Tanager, Gilt-edged Tanager, Swallow Tanager, Bay-chested Warbling Finch, Half-collared Sparrow and Thick-billed Saltator.

Brazilian Tanager at the lodge feeders - Ron Brown ©



Recent sightings over the past week have included the following:

Lodge grounds and Trails:
Surprisingly a Magnificent frigatebird was seen over the lodge, this is our second record from the lodge grounds and also a Savanna Hawk, both of these species are rare sightings from the lodge but common birds in their own habitats. Slaty breasted wood rail, Maroon bellied Parakeet, Swallow Tailed hummingbird, White throated woodcreper, Spot breasted antvireo, Star throated antwren and Black cheeked gnateater.

Three-toed Jacamar Excursion:
Capped heron, White tailed hawk, Three-toed Jacamar, White-eared Puffbird, Yellow-eared Woodpecker, Tail banded Hornero, Common thornbird, White browed Blackbird and Chestnut caped blackbird and Streamer tailded tyrant.

Red-legged Seriema © Ron Brown

Theodoro Trail:
Bertonis and Ferruginous Antbird, White rimmed Warbler, Yellow browed Woodpecker Scale throated hermit, Brassy beasted Tanager, Buff browed Foliage Gleaner and Buff fronted Foliage Gleaner.

High Altitude Excursion:
Swallow tailed Cotinga, Black and Gold Cotinga, Bay chested Warbling Finch, Red-legged Seriema, Brazilian Ruby, Plovercrest, White throated hummingbird, Rufous tailed Antbird and Diademed Tanager.

Temperatures are still high and with surprisingly little rainfall for this time of year. The feeding tables remain busy with regular visits from Slaty-breasted Wood-Rails, Maroon-bellied and Plain Parakeets, Spot-billed Toucanets, both male and female Blond-crested Woodpeckers, Great Kiskadee, Rufous-bellied Thrush, Creamy-bellied Thrush, Pale-breasted Thrush, Bananaquit, amazingly the Olive-green Tanagers that are usually just winter visitors to the feeders are still making daily visits in flocks of up to 10 birds (this can be a tough bird to see away from the feeders), Ruby-crowned Tanager, Brazilian Tanager, Sayaca Tanager, Azure Shouldered Tanager (again this is usually just a winter visitor, but has decided to stay throughout the summer breeding in the lodge gardens), Golden-chevroned Tanager, Palm Tanager, Violaceous Euphonia, Orange-bellied Euphonia, Chestnut-bellied Euphonia, Blue-naped Cholorphonia, Green-headed Tanager, Burnished Buff Tanager, Blue Dacnis and Shiny Cowbird.

Blond-crested Woodpecker at the lodge feeders. copyright Ron Brown.

The hummer feeders are also busy with daily visits from Saw-billed Hermit, Sombre Hummingbird, Swallow-tailed Hummingbird, Black Jacobin, Violet-capped Woodnymph, Versicolored Emerald and Black-eared Fairy which has been absent from the lodge grounds for over 7 years, it is now paying late afternoon and early evening visits to the hummingbird feeders on a daily basis!

Versicolored Emerald. copyright Ron Brown.

The trails within the lodge grounds remain good with recent records of both Solitary and Brown Tinamou, Dusky-legged Guan, Spot-winged Wood-Quail (heard at dusk only), Golden-tailed Parrotlet, Blue-bellied Parrot, Tawny-browed Owl, Black-throated and Surucua Trogon, Rufous-capped Motmot, Crescent-chested Puffbird, Saffron Toucanet, Yellow-eared Woodpecker, Pale-browed Treehunter (this is the first record for the lodge grounds), Black-capped Foliage Gleaner, White-eyed Foliage Gleaner, Spot-breasted Antvireo, Star-throated Antwren, White-shouldered Fire-eye, Rufous-capped Antthrush, Black-cheeked Gnateater, Blue Manakin, Pin-tailed Manakin, Eye-ringed Tody-Tyrant, Grey-hooded Attila, Rufous-headed Tanager, Yellow-backed Tanager, Flame-crested Tanager, Red-necked Tanager and Black-throated Grosbeak.

Just a quick update to wish everyone a very Happy New Year for 2012!

We are currently closed for the Christmas and New Year period and re-open to guests on the 12th January.

Brazilian Tanager in the lodge garden. copyright Rod Sheppard

The last group of 2011 was a group from Rockjumper, they stayed for a total of 7 nights and saw just over 230 species!

Main highlights for their trip included the following:

Whistling Heron, Grey-bellied Goshawk, White-rumped Hawk, Red-legged Seriema, Ash-throated Crake, Blackish Rail, Blue-winged Macaw, White-eyed Parakeet, Peach-fronted Parakeet, Pileated Parrot, Saw-billed Hermit, Scale-throated Hermit, Planalto Hermit, White-chinned Sapphire, White-throated Hummingbird, Brazilian Ruby, Rufous-capped Motmot, Three-toed Jacamar, White-eared Puffbird, Black-necked Aracari, Saffron Toucanet, Spot-billed Toucanet, White Woodpecker, Yellow-eared Woodpecker, Yellow-browed Woodpecker, Blond-crested Woodpecker, Pallid Spinetail, Firewood Gatherer, Ochre-breasted Foliage Gleaner, White-collared Foliage Gleaner, Sharp-billed Treehunter, Thrush-like Woodcreeper, Planalto Woodcreeper, Lesser Woodcreeper, Scaled Woodcreeper, Black-billed Scythebill, Large-tailed Antshrike, Sooretama Slaty Antshrike, Rufous-backed Antvireo, Star-throated Antwren, Serra Antwren, Rufous-tailed Antbird, Ochre-rumped Antbird, Streak-capped Antwren, both Rufous and Black-cheeked Gnateaters, Slaty Bristlefront, Serra do Mar Tapaculo, Grey-hooded Flycatcher, Drab-breasted Bamboo Tyrant, Vermilion Flycatcher, Velvety Black-Tyrant, Streamer-tailed Tyrant, Black and Gold Cotinga, Bare-throated Bellbird, Pin-tailed Manakin, Swallow-tailed Cotinga, White-winged Swallow, Long-billed Wren, White-rimmed Warbler, Half-collared Sparrow, Cinnamon Tanager, Olive-green Tanager, Brazilian Tanager, Azure-shouldered Tanager, Fawn-breasted Tanager, Red-necked Tanager, Gilt-edged Tanager, Red-legged Honeycreeper, Rufous-headed Tanager, Bay-chested Warbling Finch, Temmincks Seedeater and Thick-billed Saltator.

The feeders at the lodge remain very busy for this time of year with all the usual daily visitors and our Channel-billed Toucans are getting bolder and coming to the main feeders now!

Burnished-buff Tanager at the lodge feeders. copyright Rod Sheppard

We are soon to have our feeder webcam up and running, it currently live streams to our office but we are hoping to soon get it set up online! Watch this space!

A group from Birdfinders have just completed a 9 day stay with us. Although we seem to be going through an unusually wet and colder period for this time of the year is hasn’t really affected the birding that much.

The group had a great week with a combined total of 234 species. An excellent week for Cotingas with Swallow-tailed Cotinga, Black and Gold Cotinga, Grey-winged Cotinga, Hooded Berryeater and Bare-throated Bellbird all being seen well.

Other highlights over the past week have included Capped Heron, Masked Duck, Black and White Hawk Eagle, Red-legged Seriema, Spot-winged Wood-Quail, Blue-ground Dove, White-eyed Parakeet, Peach-fronted Parakeet (a rare bird for this area, seen only occasionally on the Three-toed Jacamar Excursion), Rufous-breasted Hermit, Reddish Hermit, Plovercrest (nice views of a male on the Macae de Cima excursion yesterday), Black-throated trogon, Three-toed Jacamar, White-eared Puffbird, Black-necked Aracari, Spot-billed Toucanet (almost daily on the feeders), Toco Toucan, Yellow-browed Woodpecker, White Woodpecker, Green-barred Woodpecker, Rufous-capped Spinetail, Pallid Spinetail, Red-eyed Thornbird, White-browed Foliage Gleaner, Black-capped Foliage Gleaner, White-collared Foliage Gleaner, White-eyed Foliage Gleaner, Sharp-tailed Streamcreeper (reliable as ever under the bridge at the lodges entrance) Plain-winged Woodcreeper, White-throated Woodcreeper, Scaled Woodcreeper, Lesser Woodcreeper, Giant Antshrike (on a rather rainy day at the Serra dos Orgaos National Park), Large-tailed Antshrike, Star-throated Antwren, Serra Antwren, Ferruginous Antbird, Bertonis Antbird, Rufous-tailed Antbird, Dusky-tailed Antbird, White-bibbed Antbird, Streak-capped Antwren, Brazilian Antthrush, Blue Manakin, Pin-tailed Manakin, Grey-hooded Flycatcher, Grey-hooded Attila, Long-billed Wren, a good number of Tanager species on the lodge feeders this week including Orange-bellied Euphonia, Violaceous Euphonia, Chestnut-bellied Euphonia, Blue-naped Chlorophonia, Olive-green Tanager, Sayaca Tanager, Azure-shouldered Tanager (now nest building in the lodge garden!), Golden-chevroned Tanager, Palm Tanager, Brazilian Tanager, Ruby-crowned Tanager and Green-headed Tanager.

Other Tanager highlights on the excursions included Yellow-backed Tanager, Diademed Tanager, Flame-crested Tanager, Red-necked Tanager, Gilt-edged Tanager, Brassy-breasted Tanager and Swallow Tanager.

Yellow-browed Woodpecker. copyright Rod Sheppard

A great mammal sighting this week was of a very rare Woolly Spider Monkey on the Theodoro Trail, this is an excellent indication that hunting is declining in the local area since the designation of the Tres PicosState Park. Other mammal sightings over the past couple of weeks have included Tufted-eared Marmosets, Buffy-tufted Eared Marmosets, Brown Howler Monkey, Brown Capuchin Monkey, Southern river Otter, Orange-spined Hairy-dwarf Porcupine, Brown-throated three-toed Sloth and Capybara.

What a busy couple of months! We have had a steady flow of guests and Cirilo has been out guiding almost daily.

The lodge feeders and grounds are as good as ever as the forest begins to mature even more, we are even getting regular sightings of Blue Manakin from the veranda, also a regular visitor now is the Channel-billed Toucan! The feeders are attracting a great variety of species still and we have recently added a new feeder with crushed corn on, this has already attracted a new species for the lodge grounds, a Sooty Grassquit!

Channel-billed Toucan at the lodge feeders. copyright of Rodrigo Perez Grijalvo

Other highlights on the feeders at the moment include Slaty-breasted Wood-Rail, Maroon-bellied Parakeet, Plain Parakeet, Spot-billed Toucanet, Saffron Toucanet, Channel-billed Toucan, Blond-crested Woodpecker, Pale-breasted Thrush, Creamy-bellied Thrush, White-necked Thrush, Orange-bellied Euphonia, Chestnut-bellied Euphonia, Blue-naped Cholorophonia, Olive-green Tanager, Azure-shouldered Tanager, Golden-chevroned Tanager, Brazilian Tanager, Ruby-crowned Tanager, Black-goggled Tanager, Green-headed Tanager, Burnished-buff Tanager and Green Honeycreeper.

There have been many highlights on our excursions also, here are a few:

Three-toed Jacamar Excursion:
White-tailed Kite, White-tailed Hawk, Aplomado Falcon, Dusky-legged Guan, Blackish Rail, Blue-winged Macaw, White-eyed Parakeet, Frilled Coquette, Black-necked Aracari, Three-toed Jacamar, White-eared Puffbird, Scaled Woodcreeper, Yellow Tyrannulet, Streamer-tailed Tyrant, Yellow-browed Tyrant, Tawny-headed Swallow, Black-capped Donacobius, Curl-crested Jay, Magpie Tanager, Gilt-edged Tanager, White-bellied Seedeater and White-browed Blackbird.

Blackish Rail. copyright of Rod Sheppard

Portao Azul Excursion:
Black and White Hawk Eagle, Grey-headed Kite, Black-Hawk Eagle, White-eyed Parakeet, White-throated Hummingbird, Amethyst Woodstar, Saffron Toucanet, Yellow-browed Woodpecker, Yellow-eared Woodpecker, Rufous-capped Spinetail, Red-eyed Thornbird, White-collared Foliage Gleaner, Sharp-tailed Streamcreeper, Black-billed Scythebill, Giant Antshrike, Ferruginous Antbird, Dusky-tailed Antbird, Rufous Gnateater, Pin-tailed Manakin, Grey-capped Tyrannulet, Yellow Tyrannulet, Ochre-faced Tody Flycatcher, Grey-hooded Attila, Green-backed Becard, Yellow-legged Thrush, Rufous-headed Tanager, Gilt-edged Tanager, Buffy-fronted Seedeater, Half-collared Sparrow and Green-winged Saltator.

Theodoro Trail:
Mantled Hawk, Barred Forest-Falcon, Scale-throated Hermit, White-throated Hummingbird, Brazilian Ruby, Black-throated Trogon, Surucua Trogon, Spot-billed Toucanet, Sharp-billed Treehunter, Pale-browed Treehunter, White-browed Foliage Gleaner, White-collared Foliage Gleaner, White-throated Woodcreeper, Giant Antshrike, Bertonis Antbird, Ferruginous Antbird, Brazilian Antthrush, stunning close up views of Slaty Bristlefront, also good views of Shrike-like Cotinga, Bare-throated Bellbird, Blue Manakin, Pin-tailed Manakin, Oustalets Tyrannulet, Sharpbill, White-rimmed Warbler and Brassy-breasted Tanager.

Surucua Trogon. copyright of Rod Sheppard

High Altitude Excursion (Pico de Caladonia)
Black Hawk- Eagle, Red-legged Seriema (on the lower section), Plovercrest, White-throated Hummingbird, Pallid Spinetail, Large-tailed Antshrike, Rufous-backed Antvireo, Rufous-tailed Antbird, Brazilian Antthrush, Serra do Mar Tapaculo, Swallow-tailed Cotinga (now back for the summer), Black and Gold Cotinga, Grey-winged Cotinga, Serra do Mar Tyrannulet, Velvety Black-Tyrant, Shear-tailed Grey-Tyrant, Chestnut-headed Tanager (on the lower section), Diademed Tanager, Bay-chested Warbling Finch and Thick-billed Saltator.

Wetlands Excursion (Regua)
Pied-billed Grebe, Capped Heron, Rufescent Tiger Heron, Black-bellied Whistling Duck, Masked Duck, Swallow-tailed Kite, Rufous-sided Crake, Tropical Screech Owl, Common Paraque, Tail-banded Hornero, Sooretama Slaty Antshrike, Common Tody Flycatcher, White-headed Marsh-Tyrant, Moustached Wren, Long-billed Wren, Chestnut-vented Conebill and Red-legged Honeycreeper.

Long-billed Wren. copyright of Rod Sheppard

Summer is slowly arriving, although a cold front last week had the temperatures falling back down to 11 degrees centigrade at night!

The feeders at the lodge remain busy with daily visits from Slaty-breasted Wood-Rail, Maroon-bellied Parakeets, Plain Parakeets, Spot-billed Toucanet, Blond-crested Woodpecker, Great Kiskadee, Rufous-bellied Thrush, Pale-breasted Thrush, Creamy-bellied Thrush, Bananaquit, Green Honeycreeper, Blue Dacnis, Orange-bellied Euphonia, Violaceous Euphonia, Chestnut-bellied Euphonia, Blue-naped Cholorphonia, Green-headed Tanager, Burnished-buff Tanager, Sayaca Tanager, Azure-shouldered Tanager, Golden-chevroned Tanager, Palm Tanager, Brazilian Tanager, Ruby-crowned Tanager, Olive-green Tanager and Shiny Cowbird.

Green Honeycreeper at the lodge feeders © Lee Dingain

New visitors to the feeders this month include Rufous-capped Motmot (seen feeding on bananas on two occasions), Black-goggled Tanager and White-necked Thrush!

The hummingbird feeders have been equally busy with daily sightings of Saw-billed Hermit, Swallow-tailed Hummingbird, the Black Jacobins have returned after their usual winter break spent in the lowlands, Violet-capped Woodnymph, Versicolored Emerald, Sombre Hummingbird and Brazilian Ruby.

Brazilian Tanager at the lodge feeders © Lee Dingain

….. and all of the above seen from the comfort of the veranda with a cold beer or coffee in hand!!

Birding in the lodge grounds remain as good as always as birds start to breed, the Extension trail has been particularly productive this week with sightings of Brown Tinamou, Black-throated trogon, Surucua Trogon, Rufous-capped Motmot, Crescent-chested Puffbird, Saffron Toucanet, Channel-billed Toucan, Thrush-like Woodcreeper, White-throated Woodcreeper, Planalto Woodcreeper, Lesser Woodcreeper, Black-capped Foliage Gleaner, White-eyed Foliage Gleaner, Streaked Xenops, Spot-breasted Antvireo, Star-throated Antwren, Ferruginous Antbird, Scaled Antbird, Streak-capped Antwren, Rufous-capped Antthrush, Black-cheeked Gnateater, Blue Manakin, Pin-tailed Manakin, Gray-hooded Attila (looks like it will breed in the lodge garden again this year), Eye-ringed Tody Tyrant, Ochre-bellied Flycatcher, Yellow-backed Tanager, Flame-crested Tanager and Black-throated Grosbeak!

…….. and all of the above seen within a 20 minute walk from the lodge!

Violet-capped Woodnymph © Rod Sheppard

The Black and White Hawk-Eagle nest is visible from the lodge again this year allowing daily sightings of this fantastic bird, in addition to this the pair of Sharp-tailed Streamcreepers are resident again under the entrance bridge to the lodge!

Our guide Cirilo has been out leading excursions and showing some great birds to guests over the past month. A few highlights from the last couple of weeks include:

Black-Hawk Eagle, Red-legged Seriema, Plovercrest, White-throated Hummingbird, Yellow-browed Woodpecker, Large-tailed Antshrike, Rufous-backed Antvireo, Rufous-tailed Antbird, Serra do Mar Tapaculo, Swallow-tailed Cotinga (back for the summer after their usual 3 months away), prolonged views (!) of Grey-winged Cotinga, Black and Gold Cotinga, Serra do Mar Tyrant Manakin, Serra do Mar Tyrannulet, Brassy-breasted Tanager, Diademed Tanager, Green-winged Saltator and Bay-chested Warbling Finch, Rufous-capped Spinetail, Sharp-billed Treehunter, Giant Antshrike, Bertonis Antbird, Ochre-rumped Antbird, Brazilian Antthrush, Rufous Gnateater, Hooded Berryeater, Bare-throated Bellbird and Drab-breasted Bamboo-Tyrant.

More sightings coming soon!

Time does fly! Another year has gone by and once again the annual Bird Fair in the UK is less than a week away!

As usual we will have a stand at the fair, we will be in Marquee 6, stand number 35, so please pop by and say hi! Myself and Cristina wont be at the stand this year, but our good friend Tony Kay of Kay Optical will be there looking after it for us!

We have just had a group from Birdfinders with us, they stayed a total of 9 days and saw in excess of 240+ species! Highlights amongst others included Mantled Hawk, Black and White Hawk Eagel, Red-legged Seriema, Blue-winged Macaw, Maroon-bellied Parakeet, Saw-billed Hermit, Black Jacobin, Plovercrest, Rufous-capped Motmot, Three-toed Jacamar, White-eared Puffbird, Spot-billed Toucanet, Saffron Toucanet (both at our feeders), Blond-crested Woodpecker, Yellow-eared Woodpecker, White-throated Woodcreeper, Black-billed Scythebill, White-collared Foliage Gleaner, Sharp-tailed Streamcreeper (under the lodge bridge as usual!), Sooretama Slaty Antshrike, Rufous-tailed Antbird, Brazilian Antthrush, Gray-winged Cotinga, Black and gold Cotinga, Pin-tailed Manakin, Streamer-tailed Tyrant, Grey-hooded Attila, Yellow-lored Tody Flycatcher, Oustalets Tyrannulet, Curl-crested Jay, Blue-naped Chlorophonia, Green-headed Tanager, Red-necked Tanager, Gilt-edged Tanager, Brassy-breasted Tanager, Brazilian Tanager, Olive-green Tanager, Black-throated Grosbeak and Half-collared Sparrow.

Brazilian Tanager by Rod Sheppard (top) can be seen daily at the lodge feeders and Red-legged Seriema (above), seen on the High Altitude and Jacamar excursions. Rod Sheppard.

We have had a new mammal for the lodge grounds, a Brown-throated Three-toed Sloth, its still hanging around (literally!), so hopefully it will stay for some time!

Brown-throated Three-toed Sloth. Andy Foster

Three-toed Jacamar (below). Rod Sheppard

Serra dos Tucanos has now re-opened after our annual months holiday in June. This doesnt mean to say that the birds have been on holiday as well though! With night time temperatures now dropping down to 9 degrees centigrade the bird feeders are busier than ever. A mixture of 15+ species are ploughing their way through over 20 kilos of bananas a day!

Blue-naped Chlorophonia. copyright - Rod Sheppard.

On the feeders daily there are up to 8 Spot-billed Toucanets, 4 Saffron Toucanets, 20+ Plain Parakeets, 20+ Reddish-bellied Parakeets, Azure-shouldered Tanagers, Olive-green Tanagers, 10+ Blue-naped Chlorophonias, 15+ Green-headed Tanagers, Ruby-crowned Tanagers, Chestnut-bellied Euphonias, Violaceous Euphonias, Orange-bellied Euphonias, Purple-throated Euphonias, Blond-crested Woodpecker, Brazilian Tanager, even Red-necked Tanagers have been on the feeders, only the second time we have ever seen this!

Blond-crested Woodpecker. copyright - Rod Sheppard

A pair of Giant Antshrikes have also been seen on the lodges Extension Trail together with Rufous-capped Antthrush, Black-cheeked Gnateater, Scaled Antbird, Scaled Woodcreeper and Rufous-capped Motmot. The Crescent-chested Puffbird has been hanging around the hummingbird feeders (not sure why!), together with Brazilian Ruby, Swallow-tailed Hummingbird, Sombre Hummingbird, Violet-capped Woodnymph and Saw-billed Hermit.

Our guide Cirilo has went up on the High Altitude excursion yesterday and had good views of Diademed Tanager, Bay-chested Warbling Finch, Rufous-tailed Antbird, Serra do Mar Tyrannulet and Black and Gold Cotinga among others.

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Yes, in the space of just one week we have added another new species to the Serra dos Tucanos bird list...... this time its a Common Nighthawk (Chordeiles minor), once again seen by Ian Hillery and Jim France together with our guide Cirilo. The bird was observed on the return journey from our Serra dos Orgaos National Park excursion.

The feeders in the lodge grounds remain very busy with up to 15 Olive-green Tanagers visiting daily, a common visitor at this time of year. Its getting colder now with temperatures at the lodge falling to 14 degrees centigrade at night, this cold weather is however providing the most glorious clear sunny days! Golden-tailed Parrotlets are flying over the lodge grounds daily, although as usual they are very difficult to locate once they land! Also had a pair of Black and White Hawk eagles displaying above the lodge, joined briefly by a Black Hawk Eagle!

The hummingbird feeders are also busy with regular visits from Saw-billed Hermit, Swallow-tailed Hummingbird, Black Jacobin, Violet-capped Woodnymph, Sombre Hummingbird and Brazilian Ruby.

Saw-billed Hermit© Rod Sheppard

The trails in the lodge grounds remain busy with sightings of Dusky-throated Hermit, Black-throated Trogon, Rufous-capped Motmot, Spot-billed and Saffron Toucanet, Channel-billed Toucan, Yellow-eared Woodpecker, Thrush-like Woodcreeper, White-throated Woodcreeper, Lesser Woodcreeper, White-eyed Foliage Gleaner, Giant Antshrike (rare for the lodge trails), Star-throated Antwren, Ferruginous Antbird, Scaled Antbird, Streak-capped Antwren, Rufous-capped Antthrush, Pin-tailed Manakin, Blue Manakin, Gray-hooded Attila, Red-necked Tanager, Brassy-breasted Tanager (only a winter visitor in the lodge grounds) and Black-throated Grosbeak amongst others!

Black-cheeked Gnateater© Rod Sheppard