The 2010 Bird Fair held at Rutland Water in the UK (20th - 22nd August) is now approaching fast! As usual we will have a stand at this great event, we will be located in Marquee 6, stand number 22. If you are visiting the Fair then please come by and see us!

For further information on the Bird Fair please visit their official website:

http://www.birdfair.org.uk/

Birds around the lodge grounds.

Today saw the return of the Black and White Hawk Eagles to their now annual nesting site that is visible from the lodge grounds. Located high in a huge emergent tree an adult bird was observed rennovating the nest presumably ready for this years breeding season that should commence next month. We have also been watching a pair of Black-Hawk Eagles flying daily over the lodge for the past few days, they have been giving great views!

Other species of note in the lodge grounds this week have included Solitary Tinamou, Brown Tinamou, Slaty-breasted Wood-Rail (on the feeders as usual!), Maroon-bellied Parakeet, Plain Parakeet, Lesser Swallow-tailed Swift, Saw-billed Hermit, Dusky-throated Hermit, Sombre Hummingbird, Brazilian Ruby, Black-thoated and Surucua Trogon, Rufous-capped Motmot, Crescent-chested Puffbird, Spot-billed Toucanet, Yellow-eared Woodpecker, 2 Blond-crested Woodpeckers (on the feeders), Black-capped Foliage Gleaner, White-eyed Foliage Gleaner, Sharp-tailed Streamcreeper (building a nest by the bridge at the front of the lodge), Thrush-like Woodcreeper, White-throated Woodcreeper, Lesser Woodcreeper, Spot-breasted Antvireo, Ferruginous Antbird, Scaled Antbird, White-shouldered Fire-eye, Rufous-capped Antthrush, Black-cheeked Gnateater, Pin-tailed Manakin, Gray-hooded Attila, Long-billed Wren, Ruby-crowned Tanager, Brazilian Tanager, Azure-shouldered Tanager, Green-chinned Euphonia (on our upper canopy feeder), Green-headed Tanager, Red-necked Tanager, Brassy-breasted Tanager and amazingly.... Gilt-edged Tanager!

The Buffy-tufted eared Marmosets are back, 3 were seen "stealing" bananas from our canopy feeder yesterday, hopefully this will turn into a daily ritual for them!

Plain Parakeet taken from the photo hide. Cristina Foster