This past week hás seen a mixed bag of weather making birding conditions somewhat difficult on a couple of days. Our guide Pete got himself a lifer (which is getting increasingly difficult to do so)! Spotted Bamboo Wren has only been recorded on our Macae de Cima Trail in the past so Pete was very happy to have had one on the Bamboo Trail. Other highlights on the Bamboo Trail included Pale-browed Treehunter, White-browed Foliage Gleaner, 5 White-throated Woodcreepers, Ochre-rumped and Bertonis Antbird, several Hooded Berryeaters, Black and Gold Cotinga and excellent views of a Black-Hawk Eagle.

Temmincks Seedeater was again seen at Serra dos Orgaos National Park, and in the lower section of the Park Salvadoris Antwren and Rufous-capped Motmot gave good views. On our High Altitude Excursion Upper Section Itatiaia Thistletail showed well and the group also got great views of a White-rumped Hawk.

Hooded Berryeater by Blake Maybank© on the Bamboo Trail

There has been a large antswarm moving around on the lodge trails, although this has made trail walking somewhat hazardous (!) the rewards were many. Birds feeding around the swarm have included Surucua Trogon, Yellow-eared Woodpecker, White-eyed Foliage Gleaner, Thrush-like, White-throated, Lesser and Scaled Woodcreepers, Spot-breasted and Plain Antvireos and Black-cheeked Gnateater.

Black-cheeked Gnateater by Stuart Elsom©