Our guide Pete has just finished another week of guiding a group from the UK. Despite scattered rain throughout the week they managed to record an impressive 268 species during 8 days.

Highlights included Crowned Eagle, 2 Red-legged Seriema, 7 Blue-winged Macaws, 5 Blue-bellied Parrots (inc young on the extension trail by the lodge), Ferruginous Pygmy Owl (a new record for the lodge grounds), Plovercrest, Frilled Coquette, Amethyst Woodstar, 2 Rufous-crowned Motmot, 2 Three-toed Jacamars, Crescent-chested Puffbird, Spot-billed and Saffron Toucanets (daily at the lodge feeders, both species with young), 4 Toco Toucans on the Three-toed Jacamar Excursion (this came out on top as group bird of the trip), Spot-backed Antshrike, Sooretama Slaty Antshrike, Dusky-tailed Antbird, Brazilian Antthrush, Serra Antwren, Southern Antpipit (this was a lifer for Pete… seeing as he has been after it for 2 years….well done!!), to top it off it was also a first record for the lodge grounds, it was seen on the extension trail, 5 Swallow-tailed Cotingas, Black and Gold Cotinga, Bare-throated Bellbird, Pin-tailed Manakin, Long-billed Wren, no less than 24 species of Tanager including Red-necked, Gilt-edged, Brassy-breasted, Azure-shouldered, Brazilian, Swallow, Chestnut headed, Cinnamon and an amazing flock of 23 Olive-green Tanagers!

Now that we are nearing the end of the year we shall shortly be updating our bird checklist with our 2008 additions, if you are booked in for a stay with us in 2009 you will receive an updated copy via e-mail towards the end of December.

Juvenile Spot-billed Toucanet taken

from our photo hide. Andy Foster©