Its that time of year again!

The annual British Birdfair at Rutland water will be held between the 17th - 19th August.

As Global Sponsor of the BirdLife International Flyways Programme, Birdfair 2012 is raising funds to support conservation action in the East Asian/Australasian Flyway.

We will once again have a stand at the Birdfair, so we look forward to seeing past and future guests, we will be located in Marquee 6, Stand number 35, please come by and say hello! Lets hope for nice dry, sunny weather!

A quick update on sightings at the lodge and on the excursions that we offer over the past couple of weeks:

On the Theodoro Trail guests have been lucky enough to observe a group of Blue Manakins lekking, this is a fantastic sight as the males line up on a branch, make various strange noises, jump over eachother for about 4 minutes and then come to an abrupt end! Other sightings on the Theodoro trail have included 3 White-browed Foliage Gleaners, Pallid Spinetail, Star-throated Antwren, great views of a Slaty Bristlefront as it responded well to playback and come out along the path! Likewise with a Brasilian Antthrush that come in from a long way off and also walked along the path!

On our High Altitude Excursion last week unfortunately the weather was not so good, but it didnt stop guests having good views of Black and Gold Cotinga, Red-legged Seriemas, Orange-eyed Thornbirds, good views of Rufous-tailed Antbird, Pallid Spinetail and prolonged views of 2 Diademed Tanagers.

In the lower section of Serra dos Orgaos National Park last week Yellow-throated Woodpecker performed well allowing great views, Flame-crested and Yellow-backed Tanagers also showed well together with Pale-browed Treehunter, busily destroying bromeliads as they do!

Sightings within the lodge grounds continue to amaze with a Rufous-headed Tanager on the lodge feeders... this is a first for the feeders, hopefully it will continue to visit! Other highlights for the lodge grounds include White-throated Woodcreeper, Rufous-capped Motmot close to the bridge by the lodge entrance, Scaled Antbird, Pin-tailed Manakin, Spot-billed Toucanet and Red-necked Tanager.

At the Portao Azul Black-billed Scythebill gave good views as did Half-collared Sparrow, Drab-breasted Bamboo Tyrant, Dusky-legged Guan and White-throated Hummingbird.

On the Three-toed Jacamar excursion, of course the Three-toed Jacamar was seen (!) together with Serra Antwren, Hangnest Tody, White Woodpecker, White-eared Puffbird, Aplomado Falcon and Whistling Heron.

Spot-billed Toucanet at the lodge feeders. Andy Foster