Having returned from a good (but cold!) Christmas break we are back out on the trails and enjoying the birds of Brazil once again!

You would have probably all seen the news regarding heavy rainfall in the state of Rio over Christmas and the New Year period, thankfully this has not caused too much damage to the trails on the excursions that we offer.

Today we spent the morning on the Extension Trail that starts at the back of the lodge. The most exciting record (and first for the lodge grounds) was of two Shrike-like Cotingas, also known as the Elegant Mourner. They were heard making a contact call previously unheard by ourselves (now on tape!) and were feeding about a foot above the ground, which is also quite strange!

Other highlights from this morning included 2 Rufous-capped Motmot, Lesser Woodcreeper, Thrush-like Woodcreeper, White-eyed Foliage Gleaner, Plain Xenops, Spot-breasted Antvireo, 2 Scaled Antbird, Black-cheeked Gnateater, a stunning male Pin-tailed Manakin, several Red-necked Tanagers, Brazilian Tanager,

Many species appear to have finished breeding and we are already seeing our first mixed flocks, highlights of the last few days have included:

High Altitude Excursion Upper Section:
Scale-throated Hermit, Plovercrest, White-throated Hummingbird, Brazilian Ruby, Giant Antshrike Large-tailed Antshrike, Rufous-backed Antvireo, Rufous-tailed Antbird, Serra do Mar Tapaculo, Swallow-tailed Cotinga, Black and Gold Cotinga, Grey-winged Cotinga, Serra do Mar Tyrant-Manakin, Serra do Mar Tyrannulet, Shear-tailed Gray-Tyrant, Diademed Tanager, Brassy-breasted Tanager, Bay-chested Warbling Finch, Buffy-fronted Seedeater and Thick-billed Saltator.

Portao Azul:
Grey-headed Kite,Black and White Hawk-Eagle, White-eyed Parakeet, White-throated Hummingbird, Saffron Toucanet, Rufous-capped Spinetail, Red-eyed Thornbird, White-collared Foliage Gleaner, Tufted Antshrike, Dusky-tailed Antbird, Hangnest Tody-Tyrant, Yellow-lored Tody-Flycatcher, Brasy-breasted Tanager and Half-collared Sparrow.

Lodge gardens and trails:
Solitary Tinamou, Mantled Hawk, Maroon-bellied Parakeet, Saw-billed Hermit, Rufous-breasted Hermit, Sombre Humingbird, Violet-capped Woodnymph, Crescent-chested Puffbird, Spot-billed Toucanet, Yellow-eared Woodpecker, Blond-crested Woodpecker at the feeders daily, White-throated Woodcreeper, Lesser Woodcreeper, Spot-breasted Antvireo, Star-throated Antwren, Black-cheeked Gnateater, Blue Manakin, Pin-tailed Manakin, Long-billed Wren (on the patio believe it or not!), Ruby-crowned Tanager, Brazilian Tanager, Golden-chevroned Tanager, Red-necked Tanager and Black-throated Grosbeak.