Today’s trip was out to an area beyond Nova Friburgo which
gives us some high level birding. We drove up to the top of the roadway and
the first birds we saw were Shear-tailed Grey-Tyrant, Cinnamon Tanager, Cliff
Flycatcher and a very obliging Pallid Spinetail. As we watched the Spinetail a Brazilian Ruby
shot past, almost immediately two Diademed Tanager appeared. The Tanagers put a great show on even though
they kept disappearing into the mist.
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| Pallid Spinetail |
Plovercrest fed on blossom
Bay-chested Warbling-finch called but refused to show. Serra do Mar Tyrannulet was our next
sighting along with Rufous Gnateater, then two species called but stayed deep
in the undergrowth Rufous-backed Antvireo and Rufous-tailed Antbird.
Yellow-browed woodpecker tapped on a nearby tree trunk and a
Blue-billed Black-tyrant sat up watching us.
In the distance Grey-winged and Black-and-gold Cotinga whistled,
Star-throated Hermit and White-throated Hummingbird called. The hummingbird later gave us a lovely view
as it sat high on a bare branch.
Rufous-tailed Antbird, Rufous-crowned Greenlet and
Ochre-faced Tody-flycatcher were followed by Plumbeous Pigeon which allowed
some great photographs to be taken.
Rufous-browned Peppershrike, White-rimmed Warbler with its great song,
and Yellow-eared Woodpecker came in close succession.
After a quick stop for lunch we were off to the lower trail
where Highland Elaenia, Planalto Tyrannulet, Large-tailed Antshrike, Variable
Antshrike and Glittering-bellied Emerald followed in quick succession. Rufous-capped Spinetail called but once
again refused to be seen.
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| Plumbeous Pigeon |
More Shear-tailed Grey-tyrant showed well from the top of a
nearby tree displaying their long slender tails as they flew. Our final flurry of activity was a
bromeliad-laden tree full of birds, Hepatic Tanager showed low down in good
light, Scaled Woodcreeper kept to the shaded areas of the branches,
Golden-crowned Warbler, Blue Dacnis,
Buff-fronted Foliage-gleaner, Serra do Mar Tyrant-Manakin, Rufous-capped
Spinetail and a female Black-and-Gold Cotinga.
What a way to end our walk.
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| Hepatic Tanager |
On the way back to collect the minibus light rain started to
fall so we donned our already well worn wet weather gear. Claire had been asking about the “three foot
high jobs” – Red-legged Seriema, and we were entering the area where they had
been seen on previous visits. Just as I mentioned
that she should start looking, two birds appeared on the hillside next to the
track. We stopped and had great views,
aided by our driver who had their call on his mobile phone. Chaos ensued as the birds raced towards the
sound and their noisy cacophony surrounded us – how on earth can the field
guide describe this as “calm series of . . . “ our experience tells us
different. Two fields on a further pair
were perched on fence posts – quite odd to see such a large bird in that
position.
As we made our way back to REGUA in the bus the sound of
Seriema travelled with us as several of us had video which had caught the
experience all to well. Our driver
thought we were absolutely “loco”.
