The last couple of weeks has seen a flurry of activity! Firstly we have found a nest of Black and White Hawk Eagle that is visible from the lodge! We have been seeing the Hawk Eagles on and off over the past couple of weeks and suspected a nest could be close by. Having followed one of the adult birds through the scope to the same tree on three occasions we started to look harder... and there it was, a large stick nest in the middle of a huge forest emergent. One of the adult birds is currently on the nest whilst the other can be seen hunting regularly.

Another highlight has been our first sighting of Brown Howler monkey from the lodge. There was a small group calling just opposite the lodge and after a quick scan with binoculars we managed to locate a large male howler who spent the next hour watching us! Hopefully there will be further sightings of this fantastic mammal in the future!

Pete has had some great bird sightings over the past week whilst leading a group. Highlights have included Barred Forest Falcon, Slaty-breasted Wood Rail, Blue-bellied Parrots, Crescent-chested Puffbird, Saffron Toucanet, Yellow-browed Woodpecker, a new bird for the Serra dos Tucanos list was Buff-throated Woodcreeper in the Serra dos Orgaos National Park, Giant Antshrike, Rufous-tailed Antbird, Black-cheeked Gnateater, Swallow-tailed Cotinga, Black and Gold Cotinga, Bare-throated Bellbird, Shear-tailed Gray-Tyrant, Rufous-headed Tanager and Gilt-edged Tanager.

Another highlight this week was getting best views ever of a Variegated Antpitta!

Variegated Antpitta. Andy Foster©

Over the past couple of weeks we have been busy on our usual excursions. The breeding season is now well underway with various “lurking” species responding well to playback. Highlights have included Mantled Hawk, Red-legged Seriema, Dusky-throated Hermit, Plovercrest, Frilled Coquette, 5 Three-toed Jacamars, 2 Crescent-chested Puffbirds are still in the lodge grounds, Saffron and Spot-billed Toucanets, Yellow-browed Woodpecker, Gray-bellied Spinetail, Tufted Antshrike, Large-tailed Antshrike, White-bearded Antshrike, Serra Antwren, White-bibbed Antbird, 6 Swallow-tailed Cotingas have returned to their breeding grounds on our High Altitude Excursion, Hooded Berryeater and Bellbirds are busy calling almost non-stop on the Bamboo Trail, Rufous-headed and Gilt-edged Tanagers on the Portao Azul excursion, Pete also heard the endemic Cinnamon vented Piha at this same location, a bird that we haven’t recorded for at least 6 years!

The photo hide continues to provide guests close up views of Blond-crested Woodpecker, Blue-naped Chlorophonia, Green-headed Tanager, Ruby-crowned Tanager, Brazilian Tanager, 3 species of Euphonia, 3 species of Thrush, Plain and Reddish-bellied Parakeets.

Blond-crested Woodpecker, taken from the photo hide.

Andy Foster©