We were up and out before light, for a pre-breakfast safari ride around the lodge grounds, setting off along some open tracks before reaching a more wooded area. In the semi darkness a Savannah Hawk flew over, and a Great Potoo was found lurking cryptically against a branch, barely visible to the uninformed eye. In a tall tree we found a pair of Orange-winged Parrots with yellow faces, and both Toco Toucan and Crested Oropendula flew past. A Bat Falcon pair close to the track were a great find, giving decent views despite the poor Iight, and in a nearby dead tree a Black crowned Tityra perched high at the top. Buff-necked Ibis passed overhead, sounding like geese as they called noisily to each other. Then we found a group of four Chestnut Guans - according to our guide, the presence of this species being a healthy bio indicator. White-throated Piping Guan and Capuchin monkeys were also seen in the trees here and a lone Cocoi Heron roosting high in a bush. On the ground we encountered White-tipped Doves feeding unobtrusively, then a flock of beautiful Scaled and Ground Doves, tiny, delicately marked birds. Amongst the leafy, shrubby vegetation we found a Blue-headed Parrot, then a pair of gorgeous Silver- beaked Tanagers and a Rusty-margined Flycatcher. But the highlight of the morning, was a magnificent Sun-Bittern, a much wanted species that gave incredible views as it pottered about a small pool just feet from the road.
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| Sun Bittern |
Returning to the marsh, we found it was a hive of activity, with a flock of Wood Storks, together with both Little Blue and Cocoi Heron. A flock of Black Skimmers in flight added to the mix, and as we lingered, Monk Parakeets, a Great Black Hawk, Savanna Hawk, Jabiru, and Black-faced Whistling Ducks all filled the air in a delightful and noisy maelstrom of birds.
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| Wood Storks |
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| Cocoi Heron |
After breakfast we met for a group walk in the grounds, but not before I spotted a Peach-fronted Parakeet on a post from my room and a Narrow-billed Woodcreeper climbing up a small palm tree. Gathering by the pool, there were birds everywhere. Rufous Cachalote foraged in the low shrubs, together with a Bluish-grey Saltator. On the ground, groups of Grey Baywing, Saffron Finch, Thrush-like Wren, and Chopi Blackbird were all busy feeding, and a pair of Grey-breasted Martins were spotted nesting under the eaves.
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| Narrow-billed Woodcreeper |
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| Bluish-grey Saltator |
Soon we set off again on another safari ride. We quickly reached a small pond beside a bridge, which was rich with bird life. A single Whistling Heron was spotted in the vegetation, and on the water a flock of Muscovy Duck swam in a small flotilla, whilst a family of sixteen Black faced Whistling Duck took over another part of the water. At the vegetated edges a pair of Grey-necked Wood Rail skulked unobtrusively beneath the overhanging branches. A Small Blue Heron was here too, together with a Bare-faced Ibis, and an Amazon kingfisher sat on the bridge, searching for food, then diving on its prey. A spectacular Yellow-billed Cardinal foraged in a bush by the bridge and a Snail Kite surveyed the scene, together with a group of Plumbeous Ibis perched in a dead tree.
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| Muscovy Duck |
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| Black-bellied Whistling Ducks |
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| Grey-necked Wood Rail |
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| Bare-faced Ibis |
We continued our journey, passing though an area of palms and cacti, finding curly crested Bare-faced Currasow, Roadside Hawk and both Red throated and Blue throated Piping Guans as we drove. We stopped to photograph a pair of Black-fronted Nunbirds, and were immediately attacked by voracious mosquitoes! As we approached the pond again, we found a Green Kingfisher, smaller than the Amazon seen previously, and a rather neat White-rumped Monjita perched on some vegetation. Suddenly a pair of Hyacinth Macaws flew into the trees near the path, huge, impressive birds, seemingly oblivious to our proximity. Then a Red-crested Cardinal appeared by the bridge, yet another new bird, to complete our safari as we returned for lunch.
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| Black-fronted Nunbirds |
After eating, we had some free time before meeting again. This was not to be wasted though, and Tim and I set out to explore a new path close to our room, which ran alongside a small stream. We found a Rufescent Tiger Heron here, then a noisy pair of birds caught our eye. Fortunately, our guide Dave was also out birdwatching, and near enough to confirm they were Yellow-chinned Spinetail. In a wide ditch, Great Egret, Snowy Egret and Jabiru, all feeding together made an interesting study of the size differences between these species. As we walked on I spotted a large bird sat at the top of a bush, with a rufous body and pale head. Again, Dave came to the rescue, confirming Black-banded Hawk, another new tick.
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| Yellow-chinned Spinetail |
Congregating by the bus a little later, a Roseate Spoonbill was feeding in the distance - not the greatest of views, even through the scope, but one that everyone knew I was keen to tick, having missed out on previous trips to suitable watery locations in both Brazil and Costa Rica. Roberto had been out after lunch too, and located a Yellowish Pipit. Our guide book indicated this was more likely to be heard than seen, so we were thrilled when we managed to locate it, furtively pecking amongst the grasses, but eventually pausing long enough for some excellent views, and even photographs! A few Collared Plovers, making short, furtive runs, were another great find.
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| Yellowish Pipit |
Setting off on the safari bus again late afternoon, we continued to add new species to our list. Yellow-rumped Cacique, with pale bills and yellow wings and rump, noisily drew our attention, and around ten Smooth-billed Anis moved through the vegetation. A vast Black Hawk flew into view, then landed in a tree, and a female Little Woodpecker was spotted hammering on a trunk. A Crane Hawk appeared fleetingly but was not seen well, then to our delight, we found another pair of Sun Bittern as they flew over the road into a small pool, and I caught a brief but memorable glimpse of the famous ‘ sun’ markings on the wings as it landed. As the light dropped, both Guans and Chachalacas were found running on the ground and calling loudly from the trees, and Turquoise-fronted Parrots completed the list for the day.
It had been another incredible day, with over ninety species seen, improving on yesterday’s tally. Some species, such as Rufous Hornero, were already becoming familiar to,us, whilst other new and spectacular birds continued to challenge us, but the whole spectacle and sheer diversity filled us with awe and wonder.
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