We’ve had a busy last month at the lodge with lots of birding going on as usual, at the end of the day that’s what we are all about! 

We had a stand at the Brasilian Bird Fair “Avistar” last weekend, this was the 7th Annual Brasilian Bird Fair held in Sao Paulo. Cirilo (our guide) represented us over the three day fair and we shared our stand with two other lodges from the region, our good friends at Regua and Vale das Taquaras. Our stand was generously funded by the Prefeitura of Cachoeiras de Macacu, our local town council. Over the past decade birding and bird photography has become more popular amongst Brasilians. Avistar is not only a good opportunity for Brasilian birders to come together but it also promotes conservation across the whole of Brasil.

The stand at Avistar. Nicholas Locke

We will also be at the British Bird Fair from the 17th – 19th August 2012, more details to come!

Cirilo has been guiding various guests over the past month, with as always some great sightings, of which some highlights are as follows:
Dusky legged guan, Red legged Seriema, Capped Heron, Whistling Heron, Rufescent tiger Heron, Slaty breasted Wood Rail, Spot-winged Wood-Quail heard at the lodge, Greater Ani, Saw billed Hermit, Scale-throated Hermit and Planalto Hermit, Brazilian Ruby (now resident at the lodge for the winter months), Plovercrest, Sapphire-spangled Emerald and Glittering-throated Emerald, Rufous capped Motmot, Rufous tailed Jacamar and Three-toed Jacamar, White eared and Crescent-chested Puffbird, Spot billed Toucanet, Channel billed Toucan, White-barred Piculet, Yellow-eared Woodpecker, Yellow-browed Woodpecker, White Woodpecker, Lesser Woodcreeper, White-throated Woodcreeper, Black-billed Scythebill, Sharp-billed Treehunter, Pale browed Treehunter, Rufous-capped Spinetail, Tail Banded Hornero, Orange-eyed Thornbird, White browed Foliage Gleaner, Buff-browed Foliage Gleaner, Sharp-tailed Streamcreeper still occupying its normal spot under the bridge by the lodge, Large tailed Antshrike, Giant Antshrike, Sooretama-Slaty Antshrike, Chestnut backed Antshrike, Streakd-capped Antwren, White-flanked Antwren, Star-throated Antwren, Rufous tailed Antbird, Scaled Antbird, Bertonis Antbird, Ferruginous Antbird, Spot-breasted Antvireo, Brazilian Antthrush, Rufous Gnateater, Black-cheeked Gnateater, Black and Gold Cotinga, Hooded Berryeater, Pin-tailed Manakin, Blue Manakin, White-bearded Manakin, Green-backed Becard, Gray capped Tyrannulet, Oustalets Tyrannulet, Serra do Mar Tyrannulet, Gray hooded Flycatcher, Grey-hooded Attila, Hangnest Tody Tyrant, Yellow-lored Tody Tyrant, Ochre-faced Tody Tyrant, Drab breasted Bamboo Tyrant, Eared Pygmy Tyrant, Velvety Black Tyrant, Streamer-tailed Tyrant, Long-tailed Tyrant, White-breasted Tapaculo, Serra do Mar Tapaculo, Magpie Tanager, Gilt edged Tanager, Rufous-headed Tanager, Yellow-backed Tanager, Olive- green Tanager, Brazilian Tanager, Blue-naped Chlorophonia, Bay-chested Warbling Finch, Uniform Finch, Curl-crested Jay, Black-throated Grosbeak and Slaty Bristlefront!

Plain Parakeet at the lodge feeders, copyright. Ron Brown.

The bird feeding stations remain busy with all of the usual visitors, its still so nice to be able to observe the Blond-crested Woodpeckers coming in for regular feeds together with the Spot-billed Toucanets and various species of colourful tanagers. The hummingbird feeders are also busy as there is now a distinct lack of natural flowers in the surrounding forests.