Yesterday was spent on the High Altitude Trail Upper section. We had a great day even though the weather threatened to close in on several occasions. We saw some fantastic birds including small flocks of Bay-chested Warbling Finches, Serra do Mar Tyrannulet, a pair of Rufous-tailed Antbirds, a stunning male Plovercrest, White-throated Hummingbird, Diademed Tanagers, Rufous Gnateater, Black and Gold Cotinga and Shear-tailed Gray-Tyrant.

The two main target birds of this excursion are without doubt Itatiaia Thistletail and Grey-winged Cotinga, both discovered by us in the area a couple of years ago. These two birds are very range restricted and difficult to encounter elsewhere.

Thankfully we managed with a little effort and perseverance to see two Grey-winged Cotingas and one Itatiaia Thistletail, both great endemics of this region!

Male Plovercrest photographed by Simon Warry© on the High Altitude Trail