We have just had a new hot water system installed in the lodge, this uses a combination of both solar power and gas. This way we can guarantee hot water is available for guests 24 hours a day, basically if the sun isnt strong enough to heat the water through the solar system the gas system will cut in and heat the water.

After the very heavy rains of several weeks ago we are now experiencing somewhat of a dry period, very unusual for this time of year. The birds have just about finished breeding with large family groups of Green-headed Tanagers practically resident on the fruit feeding tables in the lodge grounds, dispersed occasionally by the female Barred Forest Falcon that now seems to be resident in the lodge gardens. Other regular visitors to the lodge feeders at the moment include Maroon-bellied Parakeets, Plain Parakeets, Spot-billed Toucanet, Blond-crested Woodpecker (this has now reappeared after an abscense of several weeks, presumably whilst breeding), Great Kiskadee, Rufous-bellied Thrush, Pale-breasted Thrush, Bananaquit, Green Honeycreeer, Blue Dacnis, Orange-bellied Euphonia, Violaceous Euphonia, Chestnut-bellied Euphonia, Blue-naped Chlorophonia, Burnished-buff Tanager, Sayaca Tanager, Golden-chevroned Tanager, Palm Tanager, Brazilian Tanager, Ruby-crowned Tanager, Olive-green Tanager (usually just a winter visitor to the lodge feeders, but has been visiting regularly in small groups) and Shiny Cowbird.

Spot-billed Toucanet. Richard Hall

Our guide Cirilo has been out with with various groups and individuals over the past few weeks, highlights have included:

High Altitude Excursion: White rumped Hawk, Black-Hawk Eagle, Aplomado Falcon, Red-legged Seriema, Plovercrest, Brazilian Ruby, Yellow-browed Woodpecker, Red-eyed Thornbird, Giant Antshrike, Rufous-tailed Antbird, Black and Gold Cotinga, Blue-billed Black-Tyrant, Shear-tailed Grey-Tyrant, Serra do Mar Tyrannulet, White-rimmed Warbler, Cinnamon Tanager and Bay-chested Warbling Finch.

Black Hawk Eagle. Richard Hall

Theodoro Trail and Macae de Cima: Yellow-browed Woodpecker, Scaled Woodcreeper, Lesser Woodcreeper, White-collared Foliage Gleaner, White-browed Foliage Gleaner, Buff-browed Foliage Gleaner, stunning views of White-bearded Antshrike, Rufous backed Antvireo, Bertonis Antbird, White-shouldered Fire-eye, Brazilian Antthrush, Rufous Gnateater, Slaty Bristlefront (at peoples feet!), Eared Pygmy-Tyrant and Yellow-legged Thrush.

Serra dos Tucanos Lodge Trails: Frilled Coquette, Amethyst Woodstar, Black-Hawk Eagle, Saw-billed Hermit, Spot-billed Toucanet, White-barred Piculet, Thrush-like Woodcreeper, Lesser Woodcreeper, Planalto Woodcreeper (becoming more common now), Plain Xenops, White-eyed Foliage Gleaner, Spot-breasted Antvireo, Star-throated Antwren, Scaled Antbird, Rufous-capped Antthrush (almost guaranteed on the extension trail!), Black-cheeked Gnateater, Yellow-lored Tody-Flycatcher, Eye-ringed Tody-Tyrant, Grey-hooded Flycatcher, Yellow-backed Tanager, Black-goggled Tanager and Black-throated Grosbeak.

Black-goggled Tanager. Richard Hall

Portao Azul Trail: White-tailed Hawk, Slaty-breasted Wood-rail, White-eyed Parakeet, Scale-throated Hermit, Glittering-bellied Emerald, Saffron Toucanet, Black-billed Scythebill, Rufous-capped Spinetail, Dusky-tailed Antbird, Long-tailed Tyrant, Eulers Flycatcher, Ochre-faced Tody-Flycatcher, Yellow Tyrannulet, Gilt-edged Tanager, Rufous-headed Tanager, Half-collared Sparrow and Green-winged Saltator.

Serra dos Orgaos National Park: Yellow-throated Woodpecker, Sharp-billed Treehunter, Ochre-rumped Antbird, Streak-capped Antwren, stunning views of White-bibbed Antbird, White-rimmed Warbler, Azure-shouldered Tanager and Brown Tanager (good views of this usually very difficult bird).

Wetlands Excursion: Least Grebe, Anhinga, White-faced Whistling Duck, Masked Duck, Lesser-yellow-headed Vulture, Tail-banded Hornero, Sooretama Slaty-Antshrike, Chestnut-backed Antshrike, White-flanked Antwren, White-bearded Manakin, Chestnut-vented Conebill, Giant Cowbird and Lined Seedeater.

Three-toed Jacamar Excursion: Whistling Heron, Red-legged Seriema, Blue-winged Macaw, Striped Cuckoo, Three-toed Jacamar, White-eared Puffbird, Saffron Toucanet, White Woodpecker, Rufous-capped Antshrike, Streamer-tailed Tyrant, Gilt-edged Tanager and Half-collared Sparrow.