Tuesday 14th November 2023: REGUA Wetlands and lowland forest

 Today we were headed down from the mountains, and with the lower levels of Brazil sweltering in extreme temperatures, the decision was made to leave the lodge at the unearthly hour of 4am for a morning of birding, to be followed by a leisurely lunch in a restaurant, before returning early to the lodge.

We arrived at Reserva Ecologica de Guapiacu (REGUA) at 05.30 and were immediately enjoying fantastic birding around this manmade wetland. In the fields as we drove into the car park were Cattle Egret, Southern Lapwing and Caracara. On a telephone wire, a Cliff Flycatcher perched obligingly, and a Creamy-bellied Thrush was on the ground. We hadn’t even left the bus yet!

Reaching the first pools, a Channel-billed Toucan flew into a tree. We found both Tropical Kingbird and Social Flycatcher, and spent some debating the differences and trying to get the key features of these relatively common birds into our heads. A Masked Water Tyrant was busy feeding around the margins of the pool, and a stunning, brilliant red Brazilian Tanager flew into view, landing in the top of a leafy tree. A Saffron Finch appeared, while over the water Southern Swallows swooped and dived. Around the edges of the pool we found a Striated Heron, creeping furtively thorough the reeds. A Wattled Jacana scampered over the vegetation and a Rufescent Tiger-Heron stood poised attentively nearby. Several Common Gallinules were present and an Amazon Kingfisher darted over the water. Noisy Greater Anis were squabbling in the trees on one of the islands, and a smart White-headed Marsh Tyrant flitted between scrubby bushes. Black-bellied Whistling Duck swam amongst the vegetation on the water,  then a Muscovy Duck flew in. 

Brazilian Tanager

White-headed Marsh Tyrant

Rufescent Tiger Heron

Black-bellied Whistling Duck

Muscovy Duck

On the next pool we added White-faced Whistling Duck to our wildfowl collection. In the trees, large numbers of Cattle Egrets were nesting, with a smattering of Boat-billed Heron and Black-crowned Night Herons hidden amongst them. 

White-faced Whistling Duck

The next pool was more open, and we had great views of a Yellow-chinned Spinetail  building a nest. In the vegetation beside the pool a stripy Chestnut-backed Antshrike gave superb views.

It was already starting to get hot, so we headed into the shade of the forest. Yellow-backed Tanager was another new species for us, then a tiny White- chinned Sapphire, hovering high amongst the treetops. We had incredible views of a Rufous-capped Ant-thrush, which crept through the undergrowth and walked right in front of us as we watched. A Red-crowned Ant Tanager and Sooretama Slaty Ant Shrike passed through next, and a tiny Violet-capped Woodnymph, then Eye-ringed Tody Tyrant.

Sooretama Slaty Antshrike

Continuing onwards, Andy our guide challenged us to find a bird in view. Emily was the star who found it -a Long-tailed Potoo, motionless on a dead tree, looking just like a piece of wood. A Rufous-tailed Jacamar showed really well on a branch close to the trail and an Ochre-bellied Flycatcher moved through the vegetation. Both Yellow-backed and Flame-crested Tanagers were present in a mixed feeding flock together with a White-flanked Antwren and Plain Xenops. Finally, as we retraced our steps, we had good views of a Scaled Antbird.

Long-tailed Potoo

Rufous-tailed Jacamar

We lunched at an incredible restaurant with bucketloads of food on offer, - a beautifully displayed buffet, together with an assortment of meats carved at your table. We all ate far too much, but really enjoyed ourselves. 

After returning to the lodge, we had a siesta in the afternoon, entertained once again by the kaleidoscope of colour from the birds around the feeders, before heading off along the white trail for a late afternoon session. A female Black-throated Trogon showed really well, then as we returned in fading light, a group of Spot-winged Wood Quail were spotted roosting in a low lying clump of bamboo next to the path, and the Long-trained Nightjar repeated its performance from our first night. A superb end to another brilliant day.