Sumidoro

Leonardo, one of the REGUA Guides treated us to a great days birding at Sumidoro.   The list of birds seen, and the views we had were great.

A pair of displaying Blue-winged Macaw gave us a spectacular opportunity to watch their inter-action.   At times they flew in complete synchronicity, swooping and soaring - calling as they displayed.   Then, at rest in a near tree, they continued to pair-bond with pecking, grooming and contact 'chipping' to each other.   We spent ages just enjoying them and snapping away with the cameras - over a thousand shots must have been taken by the group in all - some taking more than others!

Blue-winged Macaw

We had several stops along the road, and were surprised at the number of birds to be found in the scrappiest bits of habitat.   One flock had over a dozen species and gave us all the chance to take our time over birds which had previously been very shy.   

There were also some delightful new species for our trip list including; Magpie Tanager, Gilt-edged Tanager, Ruby-crowned Tanager, Dusky-legged Guan, Glittering-bellied Emerald, Toco Toucan, Serra Antwren and Southern Beardless Tyrannulet.

Gilt-edged Tanager

The Three-toed Jacamar gave their usual brilliant showing with at least eight individuals being found. A very obliging Surucua Trogon sat right in front of us for ages, allowing great photo opportunities.   Grey-eyed Greenlet is another lovely species to find here, and once more Leonardo managed to get great views for us all.

A Ferruginous Pygmy Owl started to call and was mobbed by Violet-capped Woodnymphs and Tanagers.   This forced the Owl to fly further away from us, but still within lens distance for some.

Several American Kestrels were seen perched on wires and telegraph poles.   On the way back Leonardo had another couple of stops up his sleeve and one of our party's wish list was found at the first - Firewood Gatherer - what a great name.   Their nests were to be found in a nearby tree - typically made of twigs laid between the branches of the tree and the trunk.   Rufous Hornero nests (from the Ovenbird family) were also in the same tree - no need to describe what they look like I am sure!

Hornero nest

Streamer-tailed Tyrant responded immediately, giving a great display for everyone, even though the drizzle was starting to fall by this time. 

White-eared Puffbird

A couple of White-eared Puffbird (one of my favourite families) posed well in a tree for us as Curl-crested Jays flew around chattering to each other as they moved from tree to telegraph wire and back to tree.

In addition to all this we also saw Rufous-fronted Thornbird, Sepia-capped Flycatcher, Hangnest Tody-tyrant, Cliff Flycatcher, Long-tailed Tyrant, Brown-crested Flycatcher, Rufous-browed Peppershrike, Crested Oropendola, Rufous-headed Tanager, Uniform Finch, Pileated Finch, and Double-collared Seedeater.

What a great day!