We met at 6am and took a short walk uphill to a simple moth trap, with a white sheet in front of a bright light. This was attracting a bounty of moths, which in turn attracted a bounty of hungry birds as dawn broke. First up was a White-crowned Woodcreeper working it’s way up the post at the side of the sheet, closely followed by a Planalto Woodcreeper, with a smaller bill, then later a diminutive Olivaceous Woodcreeper, with marked contrast between the olive green shoulders and rufous tail.
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| Olivaceous Woodcreeper |
A Social Flycatcher landed nearby, and jumped up to snatch a moth, whilst both Rufous-bellied and Pale- breasted Thrush hopped on the ground. Several River Warblers with bold eye stripe appeared on the bank, then hopped onto the lawn. Black- goggled Tanagers arrived next, then a tiny Golden-crowned Warbler, which foraged silently in a tangle of vegetation.
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| River Warbler |
Several Rufous-collared Sparrows hopped onto the grass, then began to feed on seed put out on a log, soon joined by Saffron Finches. A Ruby-crowned Tanager appeared, then emerging behind the moth trap a striking Grey-hooded Attila, which lingered for a minute or so. A White shouldered Fire-eye was rather fleeting in its appearance, but the red eye showed clearly. Several Green headed Tanagers arrived and fed on the sprinkled seeds, then we were delighted to see some Spot-billed Toucanets land in the tree, although they did not come down. A Chestnut-crowned Becard alighted on a nearby bush, then Red-rumped Cacique and Scaled Woodcreeper appeared.
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| Rufous-collared Sparrow |
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| Grey-hooded Atilla |
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| White-shouldered Fire-eye |
Moving away from the moth trap, we headed towards the hummingbird feeders, noting Blue-and-white Swallows flying overhead on our way. Several Saffron Toucanets were feeding here. Tony then arrived, and advised there had been a mix up over timings so we returned for breakfast, with a plan to return to the feeders after breakfast with the whole group.
Back at the lodge feeders, we had brilliant views of Red-breasted Toucans perched next to the viewing platform, and both Plain and Maroon-bellied Parakeets feasting on bananas, together with some Olive-green Tanagers. On the front feeders, I was thrilled to find some Magpie Tanagers, a species which had been seen by Tim, but eluded me on our previous visit to the Atlantic Rainfirest. On the ground a Pale-breasted Thrush hopped about, and several Slaty breasted Wood Rail appeared beneath a tree foraging on the ground.
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| Maroon-bellied Parakeet |
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| Plain Parakeet |
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| Magpie Tanager |
Returning to the hummingbird feeding station later, we found House Wren at the base of some vegetation, and on the fruit tables there were Olive-green Tanagers, Sayaca Tanagers and Azure winged Tanagers. A Scale throated Hermit darted about the nectar feeders, hovering to drink and a Bananaquit also took advantage of this easy food supply. Several Violet-capped Woodnymph dipped their bills into the nectar trays.
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| Violet-capped Woodnymph |
At the second hummingbird feeding station, a Blue Dacnis came in to feed on the sugary liquid. There were lots of hummingbirds here too including Brazilian Ruby, White-chinned Sapphire, Dusky-throated Hermit and the rather dull plumaged Sombre Hummingbird. Versicolored Emerald and White-throated Hummingbird also appeared, although less frequently than the other species. A Masked Water-Tyrant foraged on the vegetation nearby. On the verbenas, we found White-chinned Sapphire, then later a gorgeous Festive Coquette gave excellent views. Suddenly a Black-throated Grosbeak, with heavy red bill, landed in the branches by the feeders.
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| Blue Dacnis |
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| White-throated Hummingbird |
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| Festive Coquette |
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| Black-throated Grosbeak |
Walking back to our room before lunch, Tim and I both had a brief view of a Black-throated Piping Guan as it flew away from a tree ahead of of us. Returning to the lodge, a pair of Yellow-fronted Woodpecker moved around the trees by the front feeders, then behind the lodge, I had excellent views of a Blond-crested Woodpecker, feeding beneath the viewing platform. Dave spotted White-eyed Foliage Gleaner, another new trip tick, then Rufous-capped Spinetail. Next we found a pair of Crescent-collared Puffbirds sat in the tree below us.
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| Yellow-fronted Woodpecker |
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| Blond-crested Woodpecker |
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| Crescent-collared Puffbird |
Most of the group had previously seen a Mantled Hawk while I returned to my room, so Roberto kindly took me up the track and relocated this lovely raptor for me. I had brilliant scope views, both front and back, as it helpfully repositioned itself on a bare branch.
After lunch we took another walk around the grounds, this time taking a lower path. A Hangnest Tody-Flycatcher moved furtively through the bushes, but at close range, enabling us to note its markings and reach a confirmed identification. Dave spotted a White-spotted Woodpecker clung to a small tree, not easy to pick out in the tangle of vegetation but eventually we all got onto the bird. On a small building a rufous Cliff Flycatcher perched, then made typical flycatching sorties before returning to its favoured post. Continuing our walk, we found a Social Flycatcher, Long- tailed Black Tyrant and a Yellow- lored Tody Flycatcher (also known as Grey-headed). Approaching the Verbena garden, we had great views of an Eared Pygmy-tyrant, with distinctive facial markings. Then finally, Roberto spotted a large Robust Woodpecker tapping at the top of a tall tree and showing really well in the scopes.
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| White-spotted Woodpecker |
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| Robust Woodpecker (Sean Moore) |
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