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| The Waterfall at REGUA |
Having visited REGUA six times before, I have
never taken quite so long to get to the Waterfall, a favourite trail for most
visitors it is usually the first full day’s birding on the reserve. With the weather looking a little more
settled today, we are keeping fingers crossed that Day 8 could be the day! With picnics packed we climbed into the
by-now familiar blue 4x4 truck to get to the start of our walk.
On the way we saw the American Kestrel perched on a wire
over the pasture, and Burrowing Owl, one perched on a fence post and the other
keeping watch from the top of a smooth boulder. A flock of Saffron Finch flew into a tree
near the track. Once we had dismounted
from the 4X4 vehicle and started our
walk, within minutes we had a Rufous-capped Antthrush which strutted out onto
the path in front of us and gave a great show.
Crescent-chested Puffbird posed on a branch nearby. A bank on the side of the track had several
holes in it which were the nests of puffbirds, foliage-gleaner, and
motmot. Thrush-like Woodcreeper, Lesser
Woodcreeper, Black-goggled Tanager, White Shouldered Fire-eye gave fleeting
views. A Rufous-breasted Leaftosser
flitted low in the undergrowth and eventually gave itself up.
We crossed the clearing and as we descended back into the
forest we saw the grasses moving beside the track. We stood quietly and waited, a small nose
and face appeared, looked at us and then promptly retreated, this was a “land
otter” or Tayra, (Eira Barbara) a forest dwelling mammal which lives near rivers and is often kept by
Brazilian indigenous people as they prey on rodents. A very efficient biological controller.
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| Blue Manakin |
We continued into the forest and within minutes a Saw-billed
Hermit shot past us, a large flock of Yellow-Olive Flycatchers, and Red-Crowned
Ant-Tanager fed in the canopy of a nearby tree. A group of Golden-tailed Parrotlets flew over
giving their call, but not stopping in their journey. Then we were into a number of skulking birds with
Streak-capped Antwren, Star-throated Antwren, Plain Antvireo, and Eye-ringed
Tody-tyrant proving an interesting challenge.
Olive-green Tanagers were far more forthcoming, as was Sulphur rumped
Flycatcher (renamed “Shuffle-rumped” by Claire). As we neared the waterfall a Buff-throated
Foliage-Gleaner appeared ahead.
As we had taken 8 days to get here we decided to take lunch
at the waterfall (it was only 11.30 am but we were all delighted to have
finally beaten the weather). As we
watched a White-thighed Swallow swooped overhead, after a while it started to
circle low over the pool drinking on the wing – a delightful sight. A Surucua Trogon appeared and gave excellent
views in a nearby tree, even moving into a better-lit position for the
photographers when asked!
A flock of Flame-crested Tanager and Chestnut-crowned Becard
fed in a nearby canopy, chattering as they went. A distinctive call rang out and when I asked
Leonardo what it was he confirmed it as Sharp-tailed Streamcreeper – I put up
my bins and there was the bird right in front of us. Everyone had great views and several
photographs were taken.
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| Butterfly |
Soon it was time to make the return journey, but our next
birds were Black-capped Foliage-gleaner, Sepia-capped Flycatcher, White-flanked
Antwren and Streaked Xenops. The
highlight of the day however came around the 1350m point, in the form of
Shrike-like Cotinga a bird for which the reserve is famous, and one that eluded
me for five years initially. I have now
had increasingly good views over the last three years, and this one topped the
lot! The male perched in front of us,
above us and then moved from branch to branch, but always where it could be
seen. A couple of the group got good
pictures, even though the light was poor in the forest.
The day’s final treats for us were Greyish Mourner,
Crescent-chested Puffbird and Flame-crested Tanager.
So, at last we had achieved what had started to seem
impossible, we got to the Waterfall!
Long may the good weather hold.
