Window to Wildlife

My day got off to a great start with two Toco Toucan flying over the flotel, fiery orange bills glowing magnificently in the early morning light. Behind the boat we also had cracking views of a Fawn-breasted Wren, almost identical to the Buff-breasted Wren seen earlier in the week, but separable by range. Departing the flotel for Porto Joffre after breakfast, Dave spotted a Crane Hawk which flew about the trees, showing a rufous, barred tail and striking yellow eye. It landed, then lunged its claws into a hole in the tree in search of food.  Soon we stopped again for a gathering of Piping Guans, Chestnut-bellied Guan and female Bare-faced Curassow, all feeding on clay in a small clearing on the muddy bank.  Crane Hawk At the landing bay, we watched a Rufous Hornero carrying food to its clay like, spiralled nest. Then, just about 100 yards along the road we were delayed again by a Lineated Woodpecker pecking away at the top of a tall wooden post. We had departed early to allow ...

We set out after breakfast for another day of birding by boat along the river. We had barely left the flotel before we encountered a mixed feeding flock working its way through the trees and vegetation lining the bank. We had pulled in close to check a White-winged Swallow, when Dave spotted a Chestnut-vented Conebill in the tree, and suddenly it was chaos, with birds darting everywhere, different people calling and directing us to different birds, and lots of angst struggling to locate birds, or getting distracted by other birds. Who would have thought birding could be so stressful?! Here we had in the bush a Southern-bearded Tyrannulet, a rather drab bird, then in branches close to the water a pair of Rusty backed Spinetail, soon ignored for a grey-tinged White-lored Spinetail nearby. In the high trees a Blue-crowned Trogon was called, but I struggled to find this in the canopy. I did see a Solitary Cacique and several Silver-billed Tanagers amongst the foliage, and a pair of Nunbird...

We had a slightly later start this morning, with breakfast at six followed by a walk around the lodge grounds. Opening the door to our room, a pair of Bare-faced Curassow and three Chestnut- bellied Guans were loitering near the pool providing a great photo opportunity and stunning views. A flock of Monk Parakeets were busy feeding on the grass, together with White-tipped Doves. A large Ringed Kingfisher sat watching the river, then a squawking pair of Hyacinth Macaws flew across and landed in a eucalyptus tree, observed by a group of three Southern Crested Caracaras.  Bare-faced Curassow (Sean Moore) Chestnut-bellied Guan I decided to climb the observation tower for a good look at the nesting Jabirus, and enjoyed a serene view of the river, but could not locate any eggs or chicks beneath the adult bird at rest on its nest. Jabiru Tower Back on the ground, we walked a short distance along an open track. A twiggy Thornbird nest was found in a tree, together with its owner, a  G...

We met early again this morning at 5.45 for another walk around the grounds before breakfast, our last morning at this lodge, reconnecting with many species that had already become familiar to us around the gardens. We noted a flock of  Baywing were somewhat Dunnock-like in their behaviour and colouration. Dave spotted an Epaulette Oriole flitting amongst the branches of a small tree, with the tiny epaulettes, very difficult to spot, but just visible in certain poses. In a small tree a Green-barred Woodpecker clung tenaciously to a trunk, tapping in search of food. But probably the highlight of the morning, was the spectacle of thousands of egrets passing over the reserve, wave after wave of flocks flying low over the fields as they left their overnight roosting sites.  Green-barred Woodpecker We departed from our accommodation after breakfast, but there was more birding to be had from the entrance track, where a field with many termite mounds proved very productive. A Grassla...

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 W...