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Introduction

 
Welcome to the Serra dos Tucanos website!

Serra dos Tucanos is a small lodge within the 46,000ha Tres Picos State Park in the heart of the Atlantic rain forest, south-east Brazil. Serra dos Tucanos was the first dedicated birding lodge established in the Atlantic rain forest back in 2002. Previously a large family home Serra dos Tucanos Lodge was extensively refurbished and now caters specifically for birdwatchers, naturalists and those who just want a peaceful break away. Together with large landscaped gardens, the lodge has two rivers winding through the grounds and an array of flowering and fruiting trees and plants that attract a wealth of fauna.


Serra dos Tucanos lodge
© Cristina Foster

The lodge offers comfortable accommodation for up to 14 people, making it small enough not to interfere with the surrounding environment and to be managed in such a way that guests feel like they are staying at a true home from home. As the lodge is surrounded by forest, the flora and fauna in the gardens alone is quite spectacular. But for those wishing to explore further we have a number of trails within the grounds that offer a variety of walks and excellent opportunities to search for various species of birds. In the 50 acre grounds of the lodge we have recorded over 200 species, of which 60+ are Atlantic forest endemics! This makes Serra dos Tucanos Lodge the prime location in which to stay in the Atlantic rain forest. The grounds also have a number of bird tables, feeding stations and hummingbird feeders, which offer a chance to see a number of species close-up, this together with our specially built photo hide offers guests superb opportunities for photographing some of our rare and colourful endemics.


Spot-billed Toucanet
© Alan Jones

Serra dos Tucanos Lodge is owned and managed by Andy and Cristina Foster. Andy has been birding in Brazil since 1995 and has an excellent knowledge of the birds around the lodge and local area. In 2001 he decided to make the move from the UK permanently and set up Serra dos Tucanos lodge. Originally from Romania, Cristina studied and worked in London before making yet another move to Brazil in 2004, she now runs the lodge together with Andy. In the UK, Andy worked on a nature reserve on the south coast where he was responsible for the biological recording for the site. After his first visit to Brazil on a birding holiday in 1995 he was hooked by the neotropics!

Andy and Cristina are supported by an excellent team of staff at the lodge, one of which is Pete Forrest who is now the full time bird guide, although Andy still leads some of the excursions. Pete joined the team at Serra dos Tucanos back in 2006, during the past few years Pete has built up a vast amount of knowledge of the local birds that he enjoys sharing with the guests. He loves the challenge of finding those difficult bamboo species and has discovered a significant number of new species for the Serra dos Tucanos bird list! Pete has a background in nature reserve management and previously worked for the Kent Wildlife Trust. Both Pete and Andy have an in-depth knowledge of the local birds including calls, seasonal movements, breeding sites and stake outs for particularly sought after species.

During the past six years we have gained a wealth of knowledge and experience birding the local area, having spent countless hours in the field we are extremely knowledgeable and experienced in ensuring that our guests have a great time and see numerous species of birds, including many of the rarities and endemics. You can either come to Serra dos Tucanos independently or join one of the many well known bird tour operators that now chose to stay with us.


Serra dos Tucanos Lodge
© Cristina Foster

Serra dos Tucanos Lodge is situated in a very privileged location only one and a half hours drive from the International airport in Rio de Janeiro. Great birding, stunning surroundings, comfortable accommodation and friendly staff make it the best location from which to explore the wealth of flora and fauna of the Atlantic rain forest.

Serra Antwren
© Stuart Elsom


Yellow-lored Tody Flycatcher.
© Gary Bellingham