Finally we woke to no precipitation. Cloudy skies but no rain. We rather hesitantly prepared ourselves for
a walk along the Brown Trail to the Canopy Tower Loop, not daring to tempt fate
too much.
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| The new Canopy Hide |
Within minutes of leaving the Lodge we were watching
White-flanked Antwren. Rufous-tailed
Jacamar showed well and Cocoi Heron flew overhead. In the small wetland we found Common
Gallinule and Purple Gallinule, a group of Brazilian Teal were hiding a single
female Masked Duck. Lemon-chested
Greenlet called from a nearby tree and Smooth-billed Ani were perched among the
long grasses and reeds. A flock of
around 12 White-faced Whistling duck flew over to the main water area, and
Great Egret and Least Grebe gave us a huge disparity in size to consider.
Long-billed Wren called and responded immediately to our
guide’s whistle. Masked Water-tyrant,
White-headed Marsh-tyrant and Southern Lapwing gave us great views and allowed
us to hone our memories for these neotropic bird names.
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| Beautiful Berries |
As we moved into the more wooded part of the trail we had
Grey-hooded Attila immediately in front of us, Sooretama Slaty-Antshrike was
our next addition. Fuscous Flycatcher
was heard and after a few whistles from Adilei came to the front of the canopy
above us – a bit of neotropic neck at last!
Blue and White Swallow dipped and soared feeding above the water. Yellow-breasted Flycatcher, Southern
Antpipit, Unicoloured Antwren, Grey-fronted Dove, White-Eyed Foliage-Gleaner,
Sepia-capped Flycatcher, Flame-crested Tanager, Black-cheeked Gnateater,
Black-goggled Tanager and Chestnut-Backed Antshrike, Euler’s Flycatcher – the
birds came thick and fast.
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| The view from the Canopy Hide |
At the new Canopy Tower, we climbed up the spiral staircase
to gain an overview of the valley beyond the wetland and the lodge. Although it was quiet a Ferruginous
Pygmy-Owl did respond to our guide’s whistling and after a little searching in
the forest nearby we found the delightful bird sitting high up in a nearby
tree. This soon became known as a
“Fusticated” version – a well known sub-species invented by Claire, who is fast
gaining a reputation as an inventive namer of species.
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| Not surprising after all that rain! |
Our next batch of birds were a little slower in showing
themselves as the heat of the day wore on, but we still managed an impressive
number with the main sightings being: Eye-ringed Tody-Tyrant, Chestnut-headed
Tanager, Rufous-winged Antwren,
Red-crowned Ant-Tanager, Black-capped Foliage-gleaner, Thrush-like Woodcreeper,
Lesser Woodcreeper and a very quick flypast of Shrike-like Cotinga. Motmot bubbled some distance away but did
not respond or come near.
Finally we had to return to the lodge for lunch, and as we
dined, surprise, surprise the rain fell again.
Nothing left to do but relax – funny how quickly you fall into that
pattern when the opportunity presents itself.
