We are now nearing our shortest day of the year. Temperatures have dropped and its down to around 12 degrees centigrade during the night. The lodge feeders are now as busy as ever with daily visits from Saffron Toucanets, Spot-billed Toucanets, Blond-crested Woodpeckers, Maroon-bellied Parakeets, Plain Parakeets, Pale-breasted and Creamy-bellied Thrush, Ruby-crowned Tanager, Brazilian Tanager, Sayaca Tanager, Golden-chevroned Tanager, Palm Tanager, Violaceous Euphonia, Orange-bellied Euphonia, Chestnut-bellied Euphonia, Blue-naped Chlorophonia, Green-headed Tanager, Burnished-buff Tanager, Blue Dacnis and Green Honycreeper.

Birding on our excursions has been just as productive with the following highlights being seen:

High Altitude Excursion (Upper and Lower combined)
Black-Hawk Eagle, Slaty-breasted Wood-Rail, Red-legged Seriema, Scale-throated Hermit, Plovercrest, White-throated Hummingbird, Glittering-bellied Emerald, Brazilian Ruby, Yellow-browed Woodpecker, Gray-bellied Spinetail, Pallid Spinetail, Red-eyed Thornbird, Large-tailed Antshrike, Rufous-backed Antvireo, Rufous-tailed Antbird, Rufous Gnateater, Serra do Mar Tapaculo, Black and Gold Cotinga, Gray-winged Cotinga, Serra do Mar Tyrant-Manakin, Serra do Mar Tyrannulet, Blue-billed Black-Tyrant, Velvety Black-Tyrant, Shear-tailed Gray-Tyrant, White-rimmed Warbler, Diademed Tanager, Bay-chested Warbling Finch and Thick-billed Saltator.

Portao Azul
Scale-throated Hermit, White-throated Hummingbird, Surucua Trogon, Red-eyed Thornbird, Lesser Woodcreeper, Scaled Woodcreeper, Ferruginous Antbird, Ochre-rumped Antbird, Blue Manakin, Pin-tailed Manakin, Drab-breasted Bamboo-Tyrant, Gray-hooded Attila, Brassy-breasted Tanager, Gilt-edged Tanager, Half-collared Sparrow and Ultramarine Grosbeak.

Serra dos Orgaos National Park
Black and White Hawk-Eagle, Black-throated Trogon, Rufous-capped Motmot, Yellow-throated Woodpecker, Rufous-capped Spinetail, Sharp-billed Treehunter, White-browed Foliage-Gleaner, Pale-browed Treehunter, Black-capped Foliage-Gleaner, White-eyed Foliage-Gleaner, Thrush-Like Woodcreeper, White-throated Woodcreeper, Lesser Woodcreeper, Hooded Berryeater and Yellow-legged Thrush.

Bamboo Trail
Scale-throated Hermit, White-throated Hummingbird, Robust Woodpecker, Black-billed Scythebill, Rufous-backed Antvireo, Bertonis Antbird, Brazilian Antthrush, Such’s Antthrush,
Hooded Berryeater, Gray-hooded Flycatcher, Azure-shouldered Tanager and Brassy-breasted Tanager.

Saffron Toucanet on the lodge feeders©. Andy Foster