Over the past couple of weeks we have had some great birding with some unexpected birds turning up on some of the excursions and also in the lodge grounds.

The feeders remain fairly quiet although Spot-billed Toucanets are now daily visitors together with several Tanager species and both male and female Blond-crested Woodpeckers. Yellow-throated Woodpecker yesterday was the third record for the lodge grounds in 6 years, although this can be seen more often on our Serra dos Orgaos National Park excursion, another unusual record for the lodge grounds was Uniform Finch last week. Crescent-chested Puffbirds are still around together with good views of the endemic Black-throated Grosbeak, Slaty-breasted Wood-Rails feeding in front of the lodge and Sharpbill.

Other highlights have included the following:

High Altitude Excursions:
The best views ever (!) of a perched White-rumped Hawk, 2 Red-legged Seriemas, White-throated Hummingbird, Grey-bellied Spinetail (only the 2nd record from this excursion), Pallid Spinetail, Rufous-tailed Antbird, Dushy-tailed Antbird, Serra do Mar Tapaculo, Black and Gold Cotinga, excellent prolonged scope views of 2 Grey-winged Cotingas!, Serra do Mar Tyrant Manakin, 2 Serra do Mar Tyrannulets, Shear-tailed Grey-Tyrants, Chestnut-headed Tanagers and a small flock of Bay-chested Warbling finches.

Macae De Cima Excursion:
Black and White Hawk-Eagle, 6+ Plovercrests, Scale-throated Hermit, White-collared Foliage Gleaner, great views of the very skulky Spotted Bamboowren, Bare-throated Bellbird, Giant Antshrike, Drab-breasted Bamboo-Tyrant, White-rimmed Warbler and Green-winged Saltator.

Theodoro Trail:
Saffron Toucanet, Spot-billed Toucanet, Yellow-browed Woodpecker, Ochre-breasted Foliage Gleaner, Red-eyed Thornbird, White-throated Woodcreeper, Bertonis Antbird, Ochre-rumped Antbird, 2 Brazilian Antthrush, Rufous Gnateater, Slaty Bristlefront, Pin-tailed Manakin, 4 Azure-shouldered Tanagers, Green-chinned Euphonia and 20+ Brassy-breasted Tanagers.

Portao Azul Excursion:
Once again this very popular and productive half day trip performed well with good sightings of the following: Dusky-legged Guan, Amethyst Woodstar, Rufous-capped Spinetail, Pallid Spinetail, Red-eyed Thornbird, White-collared Foliage Gleaner, Lesser Woodcreeper, Black-billed Scythebill, Ferruginous Antbird, Hangnest Tody-Tyrant, Shear-tailed Grey-Tyrant, Grey-hooded Attila, Green-backed Becard, Gilt-edged Tanager and amazing views of Half-collared Sparrow.

Three-toed Jacamar Excursion:
Slaty-breasted Wood-Rail, Ash-throated Crake, Blackish Rail, 3 Blue-winged Macaws, 8+ White-eyed Parakeets, Planalto Hermit, Glittering-bellied Emerald, 3 Three-toed Jacamars, 5 White-eared Puffbirds, White Woodpecker, Tail-banded Hornero, Rufous-capped Antshrike, Green-backed Becard, Black-capped Donacobius and Gilt-edged Tanagers.