Northern Peru

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Northern Peru Northern Peru Naturetrek Tour Report 2 - 18 October 2008 Report compiled by Xavier Munoz Naturetrek Cheriton Mill Cheriton Alresford Hampshire SO24 0NG England T: +44 (0)1962 733051 F: +44 (0)1962 736426 E: [email protected] W: www.naturetrek.co.uk Tour Report Northern Peru Tour Leader: Xavier Munoz (Local Guide) Participants: Richard Reader Susan Lee Terry Lee Sheila Alliez Day 1 Thursday 2nd October Everybody arrived on time with no problems to Lima. We stayed in a nice and cosy hotel in the capital of Peru. We knew it was going to be a short night before our early flight the next morning. Day 2 Friday 3rd October Our early flight to Iquitos was boarded on time. We arrived at Iquitos and the people from Muyuna Lodge were already waiting for us at the airport, we took a bus to the office and after finishing the last logistical issues we bought some extra rain ponchos before taking our panga ride to the Amazon River. Just as we embarked we saw Green Ibis, Yellow–billed Terns, Large-billed Terns flying around the port. Our ride started in a fast panga with our local guide. On the way we saw Gray River Dolphins and a couple of Pink River Dolphins. After four hours we reached the Muyuna Lodge. The surrounding forest was impressive and the lodge itself was simple but comfortable, and cabins had private bathrooms. After lunch we started our first exploration through the Muyuna River, it was nice to see the five species of kingfishers in one afternoon; Ringed, Amazon, Green, Green and Rufous, and American Pygmy Kingfishers were seen in less than three hours. These waterways are really biodiverse. Days 2/3 Saturday 4th/Sunday 5th October These two days were dedicated to walking the trails of the community and also taking daily canoe rides through waterways of flooded forest which provided some great birds such as: Blue–cheeked Jacamar, White-eared Jacamar, Amazonia Pygmy Owl, Short-tailed Parrot, Scarlet-crowned Barbet, Chestnut-eared Aracari, Plain– breasted Piculet, Chestnut Woodpecker, Lineated Woodpecker, Long-billed Woodcreeper, Barred Antshrike, White-flanked Antbird, Amazonian Antshrike, Band-tailed Antbird, Plumbeous Antbird, Bare-necked Fruitcrow, Wire-tailed Manakin, Spotted Tody Flycatcher, White-headed Marsh Tyrant, Cinnamon Attila, Turquoise Tanager, Paradise Tanager, Opal-crowned Tanager, Green Honeycreeper, Caqueta Seedeater, Red- capped Cardinal, among many others. We had the chance to see some Spider Monkeys, and Pygmy Marmosets. Day 4 Monday 6th October We had our last morning in the area of the Muyuna community. In the morning we walked around the main trail and saw Purple Honeycreeper, Swallow Tanager, White-breasted Wood-Wren, Piratic Flycatcher, Black-tailed Tityra, Drab Water Tyrant , Black-collared Hawk (frequent), Great-black Hawk. © Naturetrek April 09 1 Northern Peru Tour Report After lunch we departed to Iquitos again. Muyuna was without question a great experience of lowland rainforest. We were witnesses to the real biodiversity of these forests. Once in Iquitos we checked in to Hotel Regia. Day 5 Tuesday 7th October This morning we visited Alpahuallo Misahana Reserve located just 35 minutes away from Iquitos. Our driver and local guide picked us up early in the morning. A habitat/region of unique white sand awaited us there. Some of the birds seen here were: Paradise Jacamar, Pompadour Cotinga (female) Yellow-tufted Woodpecker, Red- stained Woodpecker, Rufous-rumped Foliage-gleaner, Alpahuallo Antbird (heard only), Silvered Antbird, Black- chinned Antbird, White-crowned Manakin, Yellow-browed Tody-flycatcher, Grayish Mourner, Masked Tityra, Buff-breasted Wren, Huallga Tanager, and Black-faced Dacnis, amongst many others. In the afternoon we headed back to the hotel to refresh a little bit waiting for our late flight to Tarapoto. We flew for about one hour and reached our hotel at 22:30. Day 6 Wednesday 8th October This morning we decided to drive east from Tarapoto to visit Juan Guerra location and Cerro Escalera, it was a nice and productive morning, with nice views of White-lined Tanager, Blue Dacnis, Swallow Tanager, Black and White Seedeater, Saffron Finch, Ashy-headed Greenlet, Streaked Flycatcher, Rufous Casiornis, Golden-faced Tyrannulet, Lined Antshrike, Mouse-colored Antshrike, Great Anthshrike, White-chinned Jacamar, Amazonian White-tailed Trogon, Brown Violetear, and Mitred Parakeet. After our lunch we started our drive to Moyobamba which was our next destination. Day 7 Thursday 9th October The forest and patches on both sides of the road to Pumas Hotel located in Florida is a nice birding experience as the area is at the edge of the Alto Mayo National protected area. Today we basically drove along the main road and made some stops on the way in order to see such species as Wattled Guan, Plumbeous Pigeon, Canary- winger Parakeet, Band-winged Nightjar, Gray-breasted Sabrewing, White necked Jacobin, Gilded Barbet, Chestnut-eared Aracari, Rufous Spinetail, White-striped Manakin, Black-faced Tanager, Masked Crimson Tanager, Plumbeous Euphonia, Saffron-crowned Tanager, and Chestnut-bellied Seedeater. We reached an elevation of 2,500 meters in the town of Florida by the end of the day. Day 8 Friday 10th October This morning we started early in the morning to visit the area of Guambo on the entrance to Florida town looking for the endemic unique hummingbird here, it was a medium/difficult walk of about 30 minutes uphill to reach the area. Finally we reached the top of the hill and then we were allocated the specific spot where the bird normally comes to pollinate the ericacia flowers…after at least 25 minutes two males appeared with a female , it was hard to get the best views, because they really move fast. At least three participants had a decent view. 2 © Naturetrek April 09 Northern Peru Tour Report We decided not to wait more and to try the following morning. We had spent enough time there and were sacrificing time, so we decided to visit other areas for other birds, this was a good decision and on this day we saw Green-tailed Trainbearer, Purple-collared Woodstar, White-bellied Woodstar, Green Violetear, Andean Gull (near the lake), Speckle-chested Piculet, Streaked Xenops, Olivaceous Piha, Torrent Tyrannulet, White-banded Tyrannulet, Cinnamon Flycatcher, Cliff Flycatcher, White-capped Dipper, and White-collared Jay among others. We finished our day and returned to the hotel late afternoon, then we did our checklist and rested for the next day. Day 9 Saturday 11th October Our second effort for the Spatulatail was worth it. All participants had excellent views and for longer periods of time that day before. We felt happy for seeing one of the most emblematic birds of the trip. We continued exploring the Abra Patricia area and had very nice views of some endemic birds such as Lulu’s Tody Tyrant and Royal Sunangel. The day was interesting with good views of Spectacled Whitestart, Common- bush Tanager, Gray-hooded Bush Tanager, Vermilion Tanager, Blue-winged Mountain Tanager, Chestnut- bellied Mountain Tanager, Orange-eared Tanager, Flame-faced Tanager, Spotted Tanager, Blue and black Tanager, and Golden-collared Honeycreeper - nice views of all these birds since we were at a lower elevation: 1,200 meters. A simple but good packed lunch was served to get energy for the afternoon. It was also productive, finding Cloud-forest Brush Finch, White-sided Flowerpiercer, Orange-bellied Euphonia, Brown-capped Vireo, Brown- bellied Swallow, Ashy-headed Tyrannulet, and Torrent Duck. We then drove back to our hotel in Florida. Day 10 Sunday 12th October We knew in advance this day was going to be long due to the driving time. The roads were not in the best condition due to some repairs, but we did stop in some areas where flocks were active and we were able to observe some nice and common birds such as Fasciated Tiger-heron, Plumbeous Rail, Spotted Sandpiper, Scarlet Fronted Parakeet, Spot-throated Hummingbird, Amazilia hummingbird, Tyrian Metaltail, Black-necked Woodpecker, (endemic) Black Phoebe, Crowned-chat Tyrant, Tropical Gnatcatcher, Inca Jay, Hooded Siskin, Lesser Goldfinch, Red Crowned Ant-tanager, Golden-rumped Euphonia, Blue and yellow Tanager, Moustached Flowerpiercer, Maranon-streaked Saltator, Golden-bellied Grosbeak, and sPeruvian Meadowlark amongt others. At the end of the day we reached the lodge Hacienda Chillo. Day 11 Monday 13th October We visited Kuelap, a very impressive archaeological ruin of pre-Inca times. We also learnt a lot about the Chachapoyas culture. We were really impressed with views of landscapes and although the birding was not our main focus this day we were able to see some birds such as Streaked Tufted-cheek, Pale-egged Hornero, Collared Antshrike, Tawny-crowned Pygmy Tyrant, Vermilion Flycatcher, Long-tailed Mockingbird, Striped Cuckoo, Scaled Pigeon, Croaking Ground-dove, Pearl Kite. We then left Keulap with enough time to drive to our next stop, Jaen. © Naturetrek April 09 3 Northern Peru Tour Report Day 12 Tuesday 14th October We started birding north of Jaen where some Maranon specialties occur. Our main goal today was to reach the Abra Porculla pass, although the driving was long we made at least two stops and got some good birds such as Broad-winged Hawk, Red-masked Parakeet, Pacific Parrotlet, Gray-chinned Hermit, Maranon Spinetail, Chinchipe Spinetail, Huallaga Slaty-Antshrike, Sierran Elaina, Tumbes-beardless Tyrannulet, Black and White Tody Tyrant, Yellow-olive Flycatcher, White-throated Kingbird, Black and White Becard, Black-capped Sparrow, Black-cowled Saltator, and Yellow-tailed Oriole. We then drove to Tucume to our nice hotel of Los Horcones. Day 13 Wednesday 15th October This morning we visited El Senor de Sipan Museum - an impressive place where you can learn in depth about the wisdom and customs of that culture.
Recommended publications
  • Costa Rica 2020
    Sunrise Birding LLC COSTA RICA TRIP REPORT January 30 – February 5, 2020 Photos: Talamanca Hummingbird, Sunbittern, Resplendent Quetzal, Congenial Group! Sunrise Birding LLC COSTA RICA TRIP REPORT January 30 – February 5, 2020 Leaders: Frank Mantlik & Vernon Campos Report and photos by Frank Mantlik Highlights and top sightings of the trip as voted by participants Resplendent Quetzals, multi 20 species of hummingbirds Spectacled Owl 2 CR & 32 Regional Endemics Bare-shanked Screech Owl 4 species Owls seen in 70 Black-and-white Owl minutes Suzy the “owling” dog Russet-naped Wood-Rail Keel-billed Toucan Great Potoo Tayra!!! Long-tailed Silky-Flycatcher Black-faced Solitaire (& song) Rufous-browed Peppershrike Amazing flora, fauna, & trails American Pygmy Kingfisher Sunbittern Orange-billed Sparrow Wayne’s insect show-and-tell Volcano Hummingbird Spangle-cheeked Tanager Purple-crowned Fairy, bathing Rancho Naturalista Turquoise-browed Motmot Golden-hooded Tanager White-nosed Coati Vernon as guide and driver January 29 - Arrival San Jose All participants arrived a day early, staying at Hotel Bougainvillea. Those who arrived in daylight had time to explore the phenomenal gardens, despite a rain storm. Day 1 - January 30 Optional day-trip to Carara National Park Guides Vernon and Frank offered an optional day trip to Carara National Park before the tour officially began and all tour participants took advantage of this special opportunity. As such, we are including the sightings from this day trip in the overall tour report. We departed the Hotel at 05:40 for the drive to the National Park. En route we stopped along the road to view a beautiful Turquoise-browed Motmot.
    [Show full text]
  • Bird Ecology, Conservation, and Community Responses
    BIRD ECOLOGY, CONSERVATION, AND COMMUNITY RESPONSES TO LOGGING IN THE NORTHERN PERUVIAN AMAZON by NICO SUZANNE DAUPHINÉ (Under the Direction of Robert J. Cooper) ABSTRACT Understanding the responses of wildlife communities to logging and other human impacts in tropical forests is critical to the conservation of global biodiversity. I examined understory forest bird community responses to different intensities of non-mechanized commercial logging in two areas of the northern Peruvian Amazon: white-sand forest in the Allpahuayo-Mishana Reserve, and humid tropical forest in the Cordillera de Colán. I quantified vegetation structure using a modified circular plot method. I sampled birds using mist nets at a total of 21 lowland forest stands, comparing birds in logged forests 1, 5, and 9 years postharvest with those in unlogged forests using a sample effort of 4439 net-hours. I assumed not all species were detected and used sampling data to generate estimates of bird species richness and local extinction and turnover probabilities. During the course of fieldwork, I also made a preliminary inventory of birds in the northwest Cordillera de Colán and incidental observations of new nest and distributional records as well as threats and conservation measures for birds in the region. In both study areas, canopy cover was significantly higher in unlogged forest stands compared to logged forest stands. In Allpahuayo-Mishana, estimated bird species richness was highest in unlogged forest and lowest in forest regenerating 1-2 years post-logging. An estimated 24-80% of bird species in unlogged forest were absent from logged forest stands between 1 and 10 years postharvest.
    [Show full text]
  • Perú: Cordillera Escalera-Loreto Perú: Cordillera Escalera-Loreto Escalera-Loreto Cordillera Perú: Instituciones Participantes/ Participating Institutions
    .................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... .............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................no. 26 ....................................................................................................................... 26 Perú: Cordillera Escalera-Loreto Perú: Cordillera Escalera-Loreto Instituciones participantes/ Participating Institutions The Field Museum Nature and Culture International (NCI) Federación de Comunidades Nativas Chayahuita (FECONACHA) Organización Shawi del Yanayacu y Alto Paranapura (OSHAYAAP) Municipalidad Distrital de Balsapuerto Instituto de Investigaciones de la Amazonía Peruana (IIAP) Herbario Amazonense de la Universidad Nacional de la Amazonía Peruana (AMAZ) Museo de Historia Natural de la Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos Centro
    [Show full text]
  • REGUA Bird List July 2020.Xlsx
    Birds of REGUA/Aves da REGUA Updated July 2020. The taxonomy and nomenclature follows the Comitê Brasileiro de Registros Ornitológicos (CBRO), Annotated checklist of the birds of Brazil by the Brazilian Ornithological Records Committee, updated June 2015 - based on the checklist of the South American Classification Committee (SACC). Atualizado julho de 2020. A taxonomia e nomenclatura seguem o Comitê Brasileiro de Registros Ornitológicos (CBRO), Lista anotada das aves do Brasil pelo Comitê Brasileiro de Registros Ornitológicos, atualizada em junho de 2015 - fundamentada na lista do Comitê de Classificação da América do Sul (SACC).
    [Show full text]
  • Ornithological Surveys in Serranía De Los Churumbelos, Southern Colombia
    Ornithological surveys in Serranía de los Churumbelos, southern Colombia Paul G. W . Salaman, Thomas M. Donegan and Andrés M. Cuervo Cotinga 12 (1999): 29– 39 En el marco de dos expediciones biológicos y Anglo-Colombian conservation expeditions — ‘Co­ conservacionistas anglo-colombianas multi-taxa, s lombia ‘98’ and the ‘Colombian EBA Project’. Seven llevaron a cabo relevamientos de aves en lo Serranía study sites were investigated using non-systematic de los Churumbelos, Cauca, en julio-agosto 1988, y observations and standardised mist-netting tech­ julio 1999. Se estudiaron siete sitios enter en 350 y niques by the three authors, with Dan Davison and 2500 m, con 421 especes registrados. Presentamos Liliana Dávalos in 1998. Each study site was situ­ un resumen de los especes raros para cada sitio, ated along an altitudinal transect at c. 300- incluyendo los nuevos registros de distribución más m elevational steps, from 350–2500 m on the Ama­ significativos. Los resultados estabilicen firme lo zonian slope of the Serranía. Our principal aim was prioridad conservacionista de lo Serranía de los to allow comparisons to be made between sites and Churumbelos, y aluco nos encontramos trabajando with other biological groups (mammals, herptiles, junto a los autoridades ambientales locales con insects and plants), and, incorporating geographi­ cuiras a lo protección del marcizo. cal and anthropological information, to produce a conservation assessment of the region (full results M e th o d s in Salaman et al.4). A sizeable part of eastern During 14 July–17 August 1998 and 3–22 July 1999, Cauca — the Bota Caucana — including the 80-km- ornithological surveys were undertaken in Serranía long Serranía de los Churumbelos had never been de los Churumbelos, Department of Cauca, by two subject to faunal surveys.
    [Show full text]
  • Costa Rica: the Introtour | July 2017
    Tropical Birding Trip Report Costa Rica: The Introtour | July 2017 A Tropical Birding SET DEPARTURE tour Costa Rica: The Introtour July 15 – 25, 2017 Tour Leader: Scott Olmstead INTRODUCTION This year’s July departure of the Costa Rica Introtour had great luck with many of the most spectacular, emblematic birds of Central America like Resplendent Quetzal (photo right), Three-wattled Bellbird, Great Green and Scarlet Macaws, and Keel-billed Toucan, as well as some excellent rarities like Black Hawk- Eagle, Ochraceous Pewee and Azure-hooded Jay. We enjoyed great weather for birding, with almost no morning rain throughout the trip, and just a few delightful afternoon and evening showers. Comfortable accommodations, iconic landscapes, abundant, delicious meals, and our charismatic driver Luís enhanced our time in the field. Our group, made up of a mix of first- timers to the tropics and more seasoned tropical birders, got along wonderfully, with some spying their first-ever toucans, motmots, puffbirds, etc. on this trip, and others ticking off regional endemics and hard-to-get species. We were fortunate to have several high-quality mammal sightings, including three monkey species, Derby’s Wooly Opossum, Northern Tamandua, and Tayra. Then there were many www.tropicalbirding.com +1-409-515-9110 [email protected] Page Tropical Birding Trip Report Costa Rica: The Introtour | July 2017 superb reptiles and amphibians, among them Emerald Basilisk, Helmeted Iguana, Green-and- black and Strawberry Poison Frogs, and Red-eyed Leaf Frog. And on a daily basis we saw many other fantastic and odd tropical treasures like glorious Blue Morpho butterflies, enormous tree ferns, and giant stick insects! TOP FIVE BIRDS OF THE TOUR (as voted by the group) 1.
    [Show full text]
  • Spatuletails, Owlet Lodge & More 2018
    Field Guides Tour Report Peru's Magnetic North: Spatuletails, Owlet Lodge & More 2018 Jun 23, 2018 to Jul 5, 2018 Dan Lane & Jesse Fagan For our tour description, itinerary, past triplists, dates, fees, and more, please VISIT OUR TOUR PAGE. The name of this tour highlights a few of the spectacular birds that make their homes in Peru's northern regions, and we saw these, and many more! This might have been called the "Antpittas and More" tour, since we had such great views of several of these formerly hard-to-see species. This Ochre-fronted Antpitta was one; she put on a fantastic display for us! Photo by participant Linda Rudolph. The eastern foothills of Andes of northern Peru are one of those special places on the planet… especially if you’re a fan of birds! The region is characterized by pockets of white sand forest at higher elevations than elsewhere in most of western South America. This translates into endemism, and hence our interest in the region! Of course, the region is famous for the award-winning Marvelous Spatuletail, which is actually not related to the white sand phenomenon, but rather to the Utcubamba valley and its rainshadow habitats (an arm of the dry Marañon valley region of endemism). The white sand endemics actually span areas on both sides of the Marañon valley and include several species described to science only since about 1976! The most famous of this collection is the diminutive Long-whiskered Owlet (described 1977), but also includes Cinnamon Screech-Owl (described 1986), Royal Sunangel (described 1979), Cinnamon-breasted Tody-Tyrant (described 1979), Lulu’s Tody-Flycatcher (described 2001), Chestnut Antpitta (described 1987), Ochre-fronted Antpitta (described 1983), and Bar-winged Wood-Wren (described 1977).
    [Show full text]
  • Bird) Species List
    Aves (Bird) Species List Higher Classification1 Kingdom: Animalia, Phyllum: Chordata, Class: Reptilia, Diapsida, Archosauria, Aves Order (O:) and Family (F:) English Name2 Scientific Name3 O: Tinamiformes (Tinamous) F: Tinamidae (Tinamous) Great Tinamou Tinamus major Highland Tinamou Nothocercus bonapartei O: Galliformes (Turkeys, Pheasants & Quail) F: Cracidae Black Guan Chamaepetes unicolor (Chachalacas, Guans & Curassows) Gray-headed Chachalaca Ortalis cinereiceps F: Odontophoridae (New World Quail) Black-breasted Wood-quail Odontophorus leucolaemus Buffy-crowned Wood-Partridge Dendrortyx leucophrys Marbled Wood-Quail Odontophorus gujanensis Spotted Wood-Quail Odontophorus guttatus O: Suliformes (Cormorants) F: Fregatidae (Frigatebirds) Magnificent Frigatebird Fregata magnificens O: Pelecaniformes (Pelicans, Tropicbirds & Allies) F: Ardeidae (Herons, Egrets & Bitterns) Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis O: Charadriiformes (Sandpipers & Allies) F: Scolopacidae (Sandpipers) Spotted Sandpiper Actitis macularius O: Gruiformes (Cranes & Allies) F: Rallidae (Rails) Gray-Cowled Wood-Rail Aramides cajaneus O: Accipitriformes (Diurnal Birds of Prey) F: Cathartidae (Vultures & Condors) Black Vulture Coragyps atratus Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura F: Pandionidae (Osprey) Osprey Pandion haliaetus F: Accipitridae (Hawks, Eagles & Kites) Barred Hawk Morphnarchus princeps Broad-winged Hawk Buteo platypterus Double-toothed Kite Harpagus bidentatus Gray-headed Kite Leptodon cayanensis Northern Harrier Circus cyaneus Ornate Hawk-Eagle Spizaetus ornatus Red-tailed
    [Show full text]
  • Best of Trinidad: Asa Wright Nature Centre & Grande Riviere, the Lush Stronghold of the Trinidad Piping-Guan
    Best of Trinidad: Asa Wright Nature Centre & Grande Riviere, the Lush Stronghold of the Trinidad Piping-guan March 23-30, 2018 with Bill Gette Trinidad Piping-guan, courtesy Mt. Plaisir Estate Hotel This tour is designed to showcase the best of Trinidad. Compared to our classic Trinidad Birding Tour, this trip is more flexible in pace with options to pursue your interests―be they birds, butterflies, photography, or simply relaxing in a tropical setting (and letting the birds come to you). It’s ideal for returning guests and for couples/friends with diverse interests. It also fits well into a calendar week, great for those with limited time. Two fine lodges are featured for variety. First, we’ll stay at the beloved Asa Wright Nature Centre (AWNC), enjoying the famous verandah and venturing off the grounds to see Scarlet Ibises at Caroni National Park and the scenic mountain terrain of the surrounding Northern Range. We will also have a full-day field trip to Nariva Swamp. After five nights at AWNC, we’ll spend two nights at a boutique, beachfront lodge on Trinidad’s northern coast where lush forests provide a stronghold for the endangered Trinidad Piping-guan. Our travel day between lodges includes a visit to the Aripo Agricultural Station. Trinidad: March 23-30, 2018 Tour Highlights Travel with Mass Audubon and AWNC’s expert guides celebrated for their birding knowledge and friendly, world-class guiding skills Savor five nights at the Asa Wright Nature Centre; relish morning coffee and birding on the famous verandah Visit the enigmatic Oilbirds in the grotto of Dunston Cave Witness skies turned crimson with thousands of Scarlet Ibises coming to roost in Caroni National Park Enjoy optional excursions if you’d like more birding or photography experiences Relish two nights at Mt.
    [Show full text]
  • TAS Trinidad and Tobago Birding Tour June 14-24, 2012 Brian Rapoza, Tour Leader
    TAS Trinidad and Tobago Birding Tour June 14-24, 2012 Brian Rapoza, Tour Leader This past June 14-24, a group of nine birders and photographers (TAS President Joe Barros, along with Kathy Burkhart, Ann Wiley, Barbara and Ted Center, Nancy and Bruce Moreland and Lori and Tony Pasko) joined me for Tropical Audubon’s birding tour to Trinidad and Tobago. We were also joined by Mark Lopez, a turtle-monitoring colleague of Ann’s, for the first four days of the tour. The islands, which I first visited in 2008, are located between Venezuela and Grenada, at the southern end of the Lesser Antilles, and are home to a distinctly South American avifauna, with over 470 species recorded. The avifauna is sometimes referred to as a Whitman’s sampler of tropical birding, in that most neotropical bird families are represented on the islands by at least one species, but never by an overwhelming number, making for an ideal introduction for birders with limited experience in the tropics. The bird list includes two endemics, the critically endangered Trinidad Piping Guan and the beautiful yet considerably more common Trinidad Motmot; we would see both during our tour. Upon our arrival in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago’s capital, we were met by the father and son team of Roodal and Dave Ramlal, our drivers and bird guides during our stay in Trinidad. Ruddy Ground-Dove, Gray- breasted Martin, White-winged Swallow and Carib Grackle were among the first birds encountered around the airport. We were immediately driven to Asa Wright Nature Centre, in the Arima Valley of Trinidad’s Northern Range, our base of operations for the first seven nights of our tour.
    [Show full text]
  • Southeast Brazil: Atlantic Rainforest and Savanna, Oct-Nov 2016
    Tropical Birding Trip Report Southeast Brazil: Atlantic Rainforest and Savanna, Oct-Nov 2016 SOUTHEAST BRAZIL: Atlantic Rainforest and Savanna October 20th – November 8th, 2016 TOUR LEADER: Nick Athanas Report and photos by Nick Athanas Helmeted Woodpecker - one of our most memorable sightings of the tour It had been a couple of years since I last guided this tour, and I had forgotten how much fun it could be. We covered a lot of ground and visited a great series of parks, lodges, and reserves, racking up a respectable group list of 459 bird species seen as well as some nice mammals. There was a lot of rain in the area, but we had to consider ourselves fortunate that the rainiest days seemed to coincide with our long travel days, so it really didn’t cost us too much in the way of birds. My personal trip favorite sighting was our amazing and prolonged encounter with a rare Helmeted Woodpecker! Others of note included extreme close-ups of Spot-winged Wood-Quail, a surprise Sungrebe, multiple White-necked Hawks, Long-trained Nightjar, 31 species of antbirds, scope views of Variegated Antpitta, a point-blank Spotted Bamboowren, tons of colorful hummers and tanagers, TWO Maned Wolves at the same time, and Giant Anteater. This report is a bit light on text and a bit heavy of photos, mainly due to my insane schedule lately where I have hardly had any time at home, but all photos are from the tour. www.tropicalbirding.com +1-409-515-9110 [email protected] Tropical Birding Trip Report Southeast Brazil: Atlantic Rainforest and Savanna, Oct-Nov 2016 The trip started in the city of Curitiba.
    [Show full text]
  • Lapa Rios Bird Checklist Lapa Rios Bird Checklist
    Lapa Rios Bird Checklist Lapa Rios Bird Checklist The birds listed as "have been seen" at Lapa Rios include the Reserve itself as well as sighthings in the Matapalo (beach) area, in and around Puerto Jiménez and along the road from Puerto Jiménez to Lapa Rios; a distance of approximately 19 kilometers (11 miles). Lapa Rios is a private Biological Preserve of approximately 1000 acres. Access to its trail system is only through the permission of the management. The trail inmmediately adjacent to the main lodge can be explored without a staff guide, but a staff guide is required for any excursion into the interior of the preserve or along the Carbonera River. STATUS CODE: A = "Abundant" - many seen or heard daily in appropriate habitat/season and/or in large groups at frequent intervals. C = "Common" - consistently recorded in appropiate habitat/season and/or in large groups at frequent intervals. U = "Uncommon" - recorded regularly but with longer intervals and in small numbers. R = "Rare" - recorded in very small numbers or on really rare occasions. Acc = "Accidental" - recorded only a few times at Lapa Rios sometimes far out of its normal range and not likely to recur. Ex = "Extinct"- considered to be extint in the wild, with no populations on the country and only few sightings in the last years. GARRIGUES GUIDE: We reference Richard Garrigues guidebook for the bird’s description. The Birds of Costa Rica: A Field Guide. Zona Tropical Publications, Paperback – April 12, 2007 1 COMMON NAME LATIN NAME STATUS GUIDE TINAMOUS 1 Great Tinamou Tinamus major A Pag.
    [Show full text]