The first heavy summer rains have just begun, with torrential rain being almost a daily occurrence anytime after 17.00! Thankfully this doesnt really interfere with the daily birding excursions!

The last couple of weeks Cirilo has been out guiding the last two groups of 2010! As usual the weekly totals were around the 250 - 260 different species seen, and around 65-70 Atlantic forest endemics.

Highlights have as usual been numerous, most exciting of all has been the number of species being seen breeding within the lodge grounds. Confirmed records of breeding birds within the lodge grounds for 2010 include Solitary Tinamou, Slaty-breasted Wood-Rail, Ruddy ground- dove, Grey-fronted Dove, Maroon-bellied Parakeet, Saw-billed Hermit, Black Jacobin, Violet-capped Woodnymph, Sombre Hummingbird, Surucua Trogon, Rufous-capped Motmot, Crescent-chested Puffbird, Spot-billed Toucanet, White-barred Piculet, Blond-crested Woodpecker, Plain-winged Woodcreeper, White-throated Woodcreeper, White-eyed Foliage-gleaner, Sharp-tailed Streamcreeper, Spot-breasted Antvireo, Plain Antvireo, Star-throated Antwren, Ferruginous Antbird, Scaled Antbird, Rufous-capped Antthrush, Black-cheeked Gnateater, Chestnut-crowned Becard, White-winged Becard, Crested Becard, Blue Manakin, Pin-tailed Manakin, Masked Water-tyrant, Tropical Kingbird, Social Flycatcher, Great Kiskadee, Boat-billed Flycatcher, Grey-hooded Attila, White-throated Spadebill, Yellow-olive Flycatcher, Yellow-lored Tody-flycatcher, Grey-capped Tyrannulet, Sepia-capped Flycatcher, Ochre-bellied Flycatcher, Blue and White Swallow, House Wren, Rufous-bellied Thrush, Pale-breasted Thrush, Creamy-bellied Thrush, Bananaquit, Blue Dacnis, Orange-bellied Euphonia, Violaceous Euphonia, Chestnut-bellied Euphonia, Green-headed Tanager, Red-necked Tanager, Sayaca Tanager, Golden-chevroned Tanager, Palm Tanager, Brazilian Tanager, Ruby-crowned Tanager, Shiny Cowbird, Black-throated Grosbeak and Saffron Finch!

Thats a grand total of 63 species!

The lodge feeders remain busy, providing good photographic opportunities from our photo hide that is located in front of the feeders.

Blue-naped Chlorophonia at the lodge feeders. Jose Maria Fernandez

The Serra dos Orgaos National Park excursion is still providing some great sightings from the canopy walkway that is now a regular route for us on this full day trip.

Canopy walkway in the Serra dos Orgaos National Park. Jose Maria Fernandez

Giant Antshrike taken along the canopy walkway. Ian Hardy©