Rain, rain and more rain over the past week! We have just had a group with a fixed itinerary for the past 7 days and spent most of our time trying to avoid the rain, however thankfully due to our local knowledge we managed to avoid the heaviest rain and see a good number of birds.

The first day of the week had to be the best, with 75 species being seen between the lodge grounds and the Cedae Tail. The highlights of this day included Slaty-breasted Wood-Rail, Maroon-bellied Parakeet, Palin Parakeet, Saw-billed Hermit, Sombre Hummingbird, Swallow-tailed Hummingbird, Black Jacobin, Violet-capped Woodnymph, Versicolored Emerald, Brazilian Ruby, Rufous-capped Motmot, Rufous-tailed Jacamar, Crescent-chested Puffbird, Spot-billed Toucanet on the lodge feeders, White-barred Piculet, Yellow-eared Woodpecker, Plain Xenops, White-browed Foliage Gleaner, Black-capped Foliage Gleaner, White-eyed Foliage Gleaner, White-throated Woodcreeper, Lesser Woodcreeper, Spot-breasted Antvireo, Salvadoris Antwren (only the fourth record for the lodge grounds), Ferruginous Antbird, great views of both male and female Scaled Antbird, Rufous-capped Antthrush, Rufous and Black-cheeked Gnateaters, amazingly a Slaty Bristlefront on the Cedae Trail, we usually see this species only above 1000m, 500m higher than this record, Oustalets Tyrannulet, Gray-hooded Attila, Long-billed Wren (again a good record for the lodge grounds), Ruby-crowned Tanager, Brazilian Tanager, Golden-chevroned Tanager, Chestnut-bellied Euphonia, Green-headed Tanager and Red-necked Tanager........ a truly amazing day!

Other highlights of the past week have included Red-legged Serema, Scale-throated Hermit, Dusky-throated Hermit, Reddish Hermit, 15+ Plovercrests on our High AltitudeExcursion, White-throated Hummingbird, Three-toed Jacamar, White-eared Puffbird, Yellow-browed Woodcpecker, Rufous-capped Spinetail, Pallid Spinetail, Red-eyed Thornbird, Sharp-billed Treehunter, Pale-browed Treehunter, Thrush-like Woodcreeper, Black-billed Scythebill, Rufous-backed Antvireo, Star-throated Antwren, Bertonis Antbird, Rufous-tailed Antbird, White-bibbed Antbird, Serra do Mar Tapaculo, Blue Manakin, Pin-tailed Manakin, Serra do Mar Tyrant-Manakin, Shear-tailed Gray-Tyrant, Brassy-breasted Tanager, Bay-chested Warbling-Finch and Half-collared Sparrow.

Blue Manakin. Jon Burrell

This week we have seen the arrival of some much needed rain! During the past 3 weeks we have seen nothing more than a few drops, but last night the heavens opened and we are still experiencing light rainfall today.

Now beginning to see some good mixed flocks in the forest as we are rapidly coming to the end of the breeding season. We had a great day on our High Altitude excursion this week with Grey-winged Cotinga showing well, our driver Aldo managed to pick it up in the scope after a mere 30 seconds of trying! Other highlights from the day included 3 Red-legged Seriema, great views of Plovercrest, White-throated Humingbird, Yellow-browed Woodpecker, Rufous-capped Spinetail, Rufous-backed Antvireo, Rufous-tailed Antbird, Brazilian Antthrush, Rufous Gnateater, Serra do Mar Tapaculo, 2 Swallow-tailed Cotingas, Black and Gold Cotinga, Pin-tailed Manakin, White-rimmed Warbler, Brassy-breasted Tanager and Thick-billed Saltator.

Thick-billed Saltator. Steve Bird.

The feeders at the lodge have been busy over the past few days, highlights have included Slaty-breasted Wood-Rail (strange record for the feeders, but happily there each morning!), Maroon-bellied Parakeet, Plain Parakeet, Spot-billed Toucanet, Blond-crested Woodpecker, Ruby-crowned Tanager, Brazilian Tanager, Orange-bellied Euphonia, Chestnut-bellied Euphonia, and Green-headed Tanager.

Ruby-crowned Tanager next to the lodge feeders. Steve Bird.

The humingbird feeders have also been busy with Saw-billed Hermit, Reddish Hermit, Sombre Hummingbird, Swallow-tailed Hummingbird, Black Jacobin, Violet-capped Woodnymph, Versicolored Emerald and Brazilian Ruby all being recorded today.

Great news! The Golden Lion Tamarins have returned to the lodge grounds, what appears to be a pair were seen close to the swimming pool area on Monday and heard again on Tuesday, this shows that the habitat surrounding the lodge must be what these tiny primates require, hopefully they will stick around!

Been out on the Portao Azul excursion this morning, highlights included 1 Short-tailed Hawk, 2 Scale-throated Hermits, Glittering-bellied Emerald, White-throated Hummingbird, Surucua Trogon, 2 Yellow-eared Woodpeckers, Rufous-capped Spinetail, 2 Pallid Spinetails, Red-eyed Thornbird, White-collared Foliage-Gleaner, fantastic views of a Black-billed Scythebill, 2 Ferruginous Antbirds, 1 Dusky-tailed Antbird, 2 White-shouldered Fire-eyes, Rufous Gnateater, Blue Manakin, Pin-tailed Manakin, Yellow Tyrannulet, Gray-hooded Flycatcher, Drab-breasted Bamboo-Tyrant, Hangnest Tody-Tyrant, Ochre-faced Tody-Flycatcher, Yellow-lored Tody-Flycatcher, 2 Fuscous Flycatchers, White-winged Becard, Brassy-breasted Tanager, Gilt-edged Tanager, great views of Half-collared Sparrow and Green-winged Saltator.

Brassy-breasted Tanager © Steve Bird

After 7 years (!) of trying to get broadband internet installed we are now happy to be able to offer our guests free WiFi internet connection at the lodge. Its available in the main lounge, verandas, patio and swimming pool area. So, for those of you that wish to keep up to date with work, check e-mails or see what birds you are missing at home (!) you will need to bring your laptop with you!

Red-legged Seriema. Jon Burrell.

Had a couple of busy weeks, lots of birds as usual, highlights are as follows:

Whistling Heron, Capped Heron, Black-bellied Whistling Duck, Mantled Hawk, Slaty-breasted Woodrail, great views of Ash-throated Crake, Blackish Rail, 6+ Red-legged Seriemas, 12+ Blue-winged Macaws, Marron-bellied and Plain Parakeets at the lodge feeders, juvenile Tawny-browed Owl, Saw-billed Hermit, Scale-throated Hermit, Plovercrest, Frilled Coquette in the lodge garden, Brazilian Ruby in the lodge garden, Three-toed Jacamar, White-eared Puffbird, Crescent-chested Puffbird, both Saffron and Spot-billed Toucanets, Yellow-eared and Yellow-browed Woodpeckers, Rufous-capped Spinetail, Pallid Spinetail, Itatiaia Thistletail after a lot of effort on our High Altitude Excursion, great views though! Sharp-billed Treehunter, Black-capped and White-eyed Foliage Gleaner, White-throated Woodcreeper, 2 Black-billed Scythebills, Star-throated Antwren, Serra Antwren, Ferruginous Antbird, Bertonis Antbird, Rufous-tailed Antbird, Ochre-rumped Antbird, Dusky-tailed Antbird, Scaled Antbird, Brazilian Anttthrush, Black-cheeked Gnateater, Slaty Bristlefront, Serra do Mar Tapaculo, Swallow-tailed Cotinga, Black and Gold Cotinga, Grey-winged Cotinga, Bare-throated Bellbird, Blue Manakin, Pin-tailed Manakin, Serra do Mar Tyrant-Manakin, Grey-capped Tyrannulet, Drab-breasted Bamboo-Tyrant, Eye-ringed Tody Tyrant, Hangnest Tody-Tyrant, Shear-tailed Grey Tyrant, Brazilian Tanager, Azure-shouldered Tanager, Green-headed Tanager, Red-necked Tanager, Brassy-breasted Tanager, Gilt-edged Tanager, Bay-chested Warbling-Finch and Half-collared Sparrow.

Having returned from a good (but cold!) Christmas break we are back out on the trails and enjoying the birds of Brazil once again!

You would have probably all seen the news regarding heavy rainfall in the state of Rio over Christmas and the New Year period, thankfully this has not caused too much damage to the trails on the excursions that we offer.

Today we spent the morning on the Extension Trail that starts at the back of the lodge. The most exciting record (and first for the lodge grounds) was of two Shrike-like Cotingas, also known as the Elegant Mourner. They were heard making a contact call previously unheard by ourselves (now on tape!) and were feeding about a foot above the ground, which is also quite strange!

Other highlights from this morning included 2 Rufous-capped Motmot, Lesser Woodcreeper, Thrush-like Woodcreeper, White-eyed Foliage Gleaner, Plain Xenops, Spot-breasted Antvireo, 2 Scaled Antbird, Black-cheeked Gnateater, a stunning male Pin-tailed Manakin, several Red-necked Tanagers, Brazilian Tanager,

Many species appear to have finished breeding and we are already seeing our first mixed flocks, highlights of the last few days have included:

High Altitude Excursion Upper Section:
Scale-throated Hermit, Plovercrest, White-throated Hummingbird, Brazilian Ruby, Giant Antshrike Large-tailed Antshrike, Rufous-backed Antvireo, Rufous-tailed Antbird, Serra do Mar Tapaculo, Swallow-tailed Cotinga, Black and Gold Cotinga, Grey-winged Cotinga, Serra do Mar Tyrant-Manakin, Serra do Mar Tyrannulet, Shear-tailed Gray-Tyrant, Diademed Tanager, Brassy-breasted Tanager, Bay-chested Warbling Finch, Buffy-fronted Seedeater and Thick-billed Saltator.

Portao Azul:
Grey-headed Kite,Black and White Hawk-Eagle, White-eyed Parakeet, White-throated Hummingbird, Saffron Toucanet, Rufous-capped Spinetail, Red-eyed Thornbird, White-collared Foliage Gleaner, Tufted Antshrike, Dusky-tailed Antbird, Hangnest Tody-Tyrant, Yellow-lored Tody-Flycatcher, Brasy-breasted Tanager and Half-collared Sparrow.

Lodge gardens and trails:
Solitary Tinamou, Mantled Hawk, Maroon-bellied Parakeet, Saw-billed Hermit, Rufous-breasted Hermit, Sombre Humingbird, Violet-capped Woodnymph, Crescent-chested Puffbird, Spot-billed Toucanet, Yellow-eared Woodpecker, Blond-crested Woodpecker at the feeders daily, White-throated Woodcreeper, Lesser Woodcreeper, Spot-breasted Antvireo, Star-throated Antwren, Black-cheeked Gnateater, Blue Manakin, Pin-tailed Manakin, Long-billed Wren (on the patio believe it or not!), Ruby-crowned Tanager, Brazilian Tanager, Golden-chevroned Tanager, Red-necked Tanager and Black-throated Grosbeak.

Just a quick message to wish all of our past and future guests a


MERRY CHRISTMAS and HAPPY NEW YEAR!


We look forward to welcoming new guests in 2010!

Another couple of busy birding weeks here at Serra dos Tucanos! We have been out on all of the usual trails and seeing some wonderful birds!

Highlights from the last couple of weeks are as follows:

High Altitude Excursion:

White-rumped Hawk, Black-Hawk Eagle, Red-legged Seriema, Scale-throated Hermit, Plovercrest, White-throated Hummingbird, Yellow-browed Woodpecker, Itatiaia Thistletail, Red-eyed Thornbird, Large-tailed Antshrike, Rufous-tailed Antbird, Serra do Mar Tapaculo, Black and Gold Cotinga, Swallow-tailed Cotinga, Grey-winged Cotinga, Serra do Mar Tyrannulet, White-rimmed Warbler, Brassy-breasted Tanager, Diademed Tanager, Bay-chested Warbling Finch and Thick-billed Saltator.

Wetlands Excursion:

Spectacular views of 2 Crowned Eagles, Greater Ani, Tropical Screech-Owl, Rufous-tailed Jacamar, Crescent-chested Puffbird, Sooretama Slaty-Antshrike, White-flanked Antwren and Long-billed Wren.

Tropical Screech-Owl© Steve Bird

Three-toed Jacamar Excursion:

Slaty-breasted Wood-Rail, Ash-throated Crake, Red-legged Seriema, Blue-winged Macaw, Three-toed Jacamar, White-eared Puffbird, White Woodpecker, Tail-banded Hornero, Firewood Gatherer, Rufous-capped Antshrike, Serra Antwren, Southern Antpipit, Crested Black Tyrant, Magpie Tanager and Gilt-edged Tanager.

Ash-throated Crake© Steve Bird

Serra dos Orgaos National Park:

Black-throated Trogon, Rufous-capped Motmot, White-browed Foliage Gleaner, Lesser Woodcreeper, Spot-breasted Antvireo, Rufous-capped Antthrush, Brazilian Antthrush, Black-cheeked Gnateater, Hooded Berryeater, Sharpbill, Gray-hooded Attila, White-rimmed Warbler, Red-necked Tanager and Brassy-breasted Tanager.

Lodge grounds:

The feeders are still attracting Spot-billed and Saffron Toucanets (4 this afternoon on the canopy feeder), Blond-crested Woodpecker, Maroon-bellied Parakeets, Plain Parakeets, Brazilian, Golden-chevroned, Ruby Crowned, Green-headed and Sayaca Tanagers, Chestnut-bellied, Violaceous and Orange-bellied Euphonias.

The Extension trail is producing some great birding at the moment with Solitary Tinamou, Blue-bellied Parrot, White-eyed Foliage Gleaner, Thrush-like Woodcreeper, Lesser Woodcreeper, Spot-breasted Antvireo, Scaled Antbird, both Rufous and Black-cheeked Gnateaters, Blue Manakin and Pin-tailed Manakin, Eye-ringed Tody-Tyrant, Red-necked Tanager and Black-throated Grosbeak.

The Golden Lion Tamarins have been around in the grounds again, together with the Buffy-tufted-ear Marmosets.

Golden Lion Tamarin in the lodge gardens© Ron and Lyn Caygell

We have also had some really nice sightings and close encounters with Brown Howler Monkeys on our Portao Azul Excursion.

Brown Howler Monkey© Steve Bird

Just a quick update with a fantastic sighting for the lodge gardens. A Birdfinders group came across 2 Golden Lion Tamarins, they were together with 5 Buffy-tufted-ear Marmosets. Both of these species are Alantic forest endemics! They were also seen later in the day at various spots around the garden, and heard this morning also!

Golden Lion Tamarin © Cristina Foster

Highlights from the last few days have included some spectacular views of 2 Grey-winged Cotingas on our High Altitude Excursion, the closest we have ever seen them! After using playback we had 2 birds come in extremely close, giving some great views! Also in the same area, 3 Swallow-tailed Cotingas, several Bay-chested Warbling finches, Itatiaia Thistletail, Large-tailed Antshrike, Diademed Tanagers and Black and Gold Cotinga.

Brazilian Laniisoma (Shrike like Cotinga) gave excellent views on the Theodoro Trail together with Bertonis Antbird and Slaty Bristlefront, and on our Portao Azul excursion Half-collared Sparrow, Tufted Antshrike, Lineated Woodpecker and Yellow-eared Woodpecker all showed well.

The feeders at the lodge remain busy with Spot-billed and Saffron Toucanets visiting occasionally, Blond-crested Woodpecker daily together with Maroon-bellied and Plain Parakeets, Brazilian, Green-headed, Golden chevroned, Ruby-crowned Tanagers, Chestnut-bellied, Violaceous and Orange-bellied Euphonias and Blue-naped Chlorophonia. At the hummingbird feeders on a daily basis are Saw-billed Hermit, Violet-capped Woodnymph, Swallow-tailed Hummingbird, Sombre Hummingbird, Black Jacobin and Versicolored Emerald.

Saw-billed Hermit in the lodge garden. Andy Foster

The bird feeders in the lodge grounds not only attract birds! Over the past couple of months we have been getting daily visits by 3 Guianan Squirrels (Sciurus aestuans), and over the past week we have had our first visits by the endemic Tufted-eared Marmoset (Callithrix aurita). A small family of marmosets have been visiting daily and feeding on the bananas...photos to come soon!

Guianan Squirrel. Cristina Foster

A rare bird to the lodge feeders is the Olive-green Tanager, usually winter visitors to the lodge grounds a small party of 10 - 15 birds visited the feeders recently causing much excitement for the guests!

Olive-green Tanagers taken from the photo hide. Andy Foster

The Three-toed Jacamar excursion record hás been broken again! A group from Birdseekers managed to record a total of 123 species during the day! Highlights included 1 Aplomado Falcon, great views of Ash-throated Crake, 3 Blue-winged Macaws,1 Red-legged Seriema on the nest, 4 Three-toed Jacamars, 2 Toco Toucans, 1 Green-barred Woodpecker, great views of both the rarely recorded Lineated and Robust Woodpeckers, 1 Red-eyed Thornbird, 2 Firewood Gatherers, 1 Serra Antwren, 1 Southern Antpipit (first record for this excursion), 2 Streamer-tailed Tyrants, Tawny-headed Swallow, 2 Gilt-edged Tanagers, 2 Rufous-headed Tanagers, 1 Chestnut-bellied Seedfinch and 2 Yellow-rumped Marshbirds.

Other highlights throughout the week included 1 Solitary Tinamou on the lodges extension trail, White-necked Hawk and Mantled Hawk, Black and White Hawk-Eagle, Slaty-breasted Wood Rail, White-throated Hummingbird, Brazilian Ruby, Blond-crested Woodepcker (voted bird of the trip), Crescent-chested Puffbird in the lodge garden, Saffron Toucanets (keep the faith!), Spot-billed Toucanets, Yellow-browed Woodpecker, Black-billed Scythebill and Tufted Antshrike on our Portao Azul excursion, White-bearded Antshrike, Scaled Antbird, Black-cheeked Gnateater, Black and Gold Cotinga, great views of Swallow-tailed Cotingas, Gray-hooded Attila, Long-billed Wren, Brazilian Tanager, Red-necked Tanager, Brassy-breasted Tanager, Gilt-edged Tanager, Black-throated Grosbeak, Green-winged Saltator and Thick-billed Saltator.

Green-headed Tanager from the photo hide. Andy Foster

We have had a very busy and bird filled couple of weeks! Despite some persistant rain we have managed to avoid the worst of it and experienced mostly dry days with some light showers.

There are many species of bird now breeding in the lodge grounds including Maroon-bellied Parakeet, Surucua Trogon, White-barred Piculet, Blond-crested Woodpecker, Sharp-tailed Streamcreeper, Spot-breasted Antvireo, Plain Antvireo, Star-throated Antwren, Rufous Gnateater, Black-cheeked Gnateater, Blue Manakin (regularly seen lekking), Sepia-capped Flycatcher, Yellow-lored Tody Flycatcher, Masked Water-Tyrant, Great Kiskadee, Chestnut-crowned Becard, Crested Becard, Rufous-bellied Thrush, Pale- Breasted Thrush, Ruby-crowned Tanager, Brazilian Tanager, Sayaca Tanager, Golden-chevroned Tanager, Palm Tanager, Violaceous Euphonia, Orange-bellied Euphonia, Green-headed Tanager and Red-necked Tanager.

Other sightings from the lodge grounds over the past couple of weeks have included Black and White Hawk Eagle (still nesting), Black Hawk-Eagle, Slaty-breasted Wood-Rail, Saw-billed Hermit, Scale-throated Hermit, Black Jacobin (now back in good numbers), Frilled Coquette, Rufous-capped Motmot (upto 3 pairs in the lodge grounds, although proving difficult to see!), Crescent-chested Puffbird, Saffron Toucanet (4 at our canopy feeder), Spot-billed Toucanet, White-throated Woodcreeper, White-eyed Foliage Gleaner, Rufous-capped Antthrush, Blue Manakin, Pin-tailed Manakin, Gray-capped Tyrannulet, Gray-hooded Attila and Azure-shouldered Tanager.

Birding on our various excursions has also been very productive, highlights are as follows:

Bamboo Trail:

Scale-throated Hermit, Plovercrest, White-throated Hummingbird, Black-throated Trogon, Yellow-browed Woodpecker, Sharp-billed Treehunter, White-collared Foliage Gleaner, Black-billed Scythebill, White-bearded Antshrike, Bertonis Antbird, Ochre-rumped Antbird, Brazilian Antthrush, Spotted Bamboowren, Slaty Bristlefront, Serra do Mar Tapaculo, Black and Gold Cotinga, Hooded Berryeater, Drab-breasted Bamboo Tyrant, Greenish Schiffornis and Brassy-breasted Tanager.

High Altitude Trails, Upper and Lower combined:

White-rumped Hawk, Black Hawk-Eagle, Red-legged Seriema, Plovercrest, White-throated Hummingbird, Brazilian Ruby, Pallid Spinetail, Itatiaia Thistletail, Large-tailed Antshrike, Rufous-tailed Antbird, Dusky-tailed Antbird, Serra do Mar Tapaculo, Swallow-tailed Cotinga (several seen on both the upper and lower areas, and observed nest building), Black and Gold Cotinga, stunning views of Grey-winged Cotinga (upto 3 pairs on the upper section), Serra do Mar Tyrant Manakin, Serra do Mar Tyrannulet, Shear-tailed Gray-Tyrant, Chestnut-headed Tanager, Bay-chested Warbling Finch, Half-collared Sparrow and Thick-billed Saltator.

Serra dos Orgaos National Park:

Rufous-capped Motmot, Spot-billed Toucanet, Yellow-fronted Woodpecker, Yellow-eared Woodpecker, Yellow-throated Woodpecker, White-browed Foliage Gleaner, Pale-browed Treehunter, Lesser Woodcreeper, Rufous-backed Antvireo, Streak-capped Antwren, White-rimmed Warbler, great views of Brown Tanager, Rufous-headed Tanager, Yellow-backed Tanager, Flame-crested Tanager and Red-necked Tanager.

Three-toed Jacamar Excursion:

Lesser Yellow-Headed Vulture, Gray-headed Kite, Aplomado Falcon, Bat Falcon, Ash-throated Crake, Blackish Rail, 20+ Blue-winged Macaw, Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl, Sapphire-spangled Emerald, 6 Three-toed Jacamars, White-eared Puffbird, 8 + White Woodpeckers, 10+ Toco Toucans, Serra Antwren, Hangnest Tody-Tyrant, Streamer-tailed Tyant, Tawny-headed Swallow, Gilt-edged Tanager and Half-collared Sparrow.

Portao Azul:

Saffron Toucanet, Green-barred Woodpecker (nesting in the same tree as last year!), Gray-bellied Spinetail, Red-eyed Thornbird, White-collared Foliage Gleaner, Black-billed Scythebill, amazing views of a male Tufted Antshrike, both male and female Giant Antshrike, Ferruginous Antbird, Dusky-tailed Antbird, Hangnest Tody-Tyrant, Rufous-headed Tanager and Gilt-edged Tanager.

Theodoro Trail:

Mantled Hawk, Saffron and Spot-billed Toucanet, Yellow-browed Woodpecker, Rufous-capped Spinetail, White-bearded Antshrike, Bertonis Antird, Short-tailed Antthrush, Brazilian Antthrush, Black-cheeked Gnateater, Spotted Bamboowren, great views of Elegant Mourner, Bare-throated Bellbird, Gray-hooded Attila, Sharpbill, Azure-shouldered Tanager and Black-throated Grosbeak.

Wetlands Excursion:

Whistling Heron, Capped Heron, Rufescent Tiger-Heron, Masked Duck, Tropical Screech-Owl, Pauraque, Reddish Hermit, Rufous-capped Motmot, Rufous-tailed Jacamar, Chestnut-backed Antshrike, Sooretama Slaty-Antshrike, White-flanked Antwren, Unicolored Antwren, Scaled Antbird, Long-billed Wren and Chesnut-vented Conebill.

During the last few weeks our Three-toed Jacamar record has been broken...twice! The Three-toed Jacamar is a south-east Brazilian endemic, found only in sections of dry fragmented forest near a small town called Sumidouo. On our excursion to look for the Jacamar we have devised a circular route that covers several different habitats and gives the opportunity of seeing anything between 65-100+ species in a day. The old record was of 109 species, but our Birdfinders group that visited from the 12th - 22nd August broke this record with a very respectable 112 species! The following week we had another group from Birdfinders who managed to better this total and record 114 species! Highlights from the Jacamar excursion over the last few weeks have included Gray-headed Kite, Black and White Hawk Eagle, Bat Falcon, Slaty-breasted Wood-Rail, Ash-throated Crake, Blackish Rail, Red-legged Seriema, Blue-winged Macaw, Planalto Hermit, Three-toed Jacamar, Toco Toucan, White Woodpecker, Tail-banded Hornero, Red-eyed Thornbird, Black-billed Scythebill, Tufted Antshrike, Serra Antwren, Ferruginous Antbird, Streamer-tailed Tyrant, White-rumped Swallow, Tawny-headed Swallow, Chestnut-vented Conebill, Magpie Tanager, Rufous-headed Tanager, Oranage-bellied Euphonia, Gilt-edged Tanager and Half-collared Sparrow.

Tail-banded Hornero© Tim Keller

Magpie Tanager© Tim Keller

Other highlights from the past few weeks have included:

Bamboo Trail: Pileated Parrot, Plovercrest, Yellow-browed Woodpecker, Rufous-capped Spinetail, Sharp-billed Treehunter, Black-billed Scythebill, Giant Antshrike, White-bearded Antshrike, Rufous-backed Antvireo, Bertonis Antbird, Ochre-rumped Antbird, Brazilian Antthrush, Spotted Bamboowren, Black and Gold Cotinga, Hoded Berryeater, Bare-throated Bellbird, Pin-tailed Manakin, Drab-breasted Bamboo-Tyrant, Gray-hooded Attila, Greenish Schiffornis, Green-winged Saltator and Thick-billed Saltator.

High Altitude Trails: White-rumped Hawk, Crowned Eagle, Black-Hawk Eagle, Red-legged Seriema, Scale-throated Hermit, Plovercrest, White-throated Hummingbird, Brazilian Ruby, Itatiaia Thistletail, Pallid Spinetail, Large-tailed Antshrike, Rufous-tailed Antbird, Dusky-tailed Antbird, Serra do Mar Tapaculo, Swallow-tailed Cotinga, Black and Gold Cotinga, Greywinged Cotinga, Chestnut-headed Tanager, Azure-shouldered Tanager, Brassy-breasted Tanager and Bay-chested Warbling Finch.

Lodge gardens and grounds: A good number of guests have found time to walk the lodges trails over the past couple of weeks, bringing in some great sightings on a daily basis, some of these have included Solitary Tinamou, Brown Tinamou, Mantled Hawk, Black and White Hawk-Eagle, our first record of Aplomado Falcon, Slaty-breasted Wood-Rail, Golden-tailed Parrotlet, Blue-bellied Parrot, Tawny-browed Owl, Saw-billed Hermit, Violet-capped Woodnymph, Brazilian Ruby, Rufos-capped Motmot, Crescent-chested Puffbird, Saffron Toucanet, Yellow-eared Woodpecker, Blond-crested Woodpecker, Chicli Spinetail, White-eyed Foliage Gleaner, Thrush-like Woodcreeper, White-throated Woodcreeper, Lesser Woodcreeper, Spot-breasted Antvireo, Star-throated Antwren, Ferruginous Antbird, White-shouldered Fire-eye, Blue and Pin-tailed Manakin, Gray-hooded Flycatcher, Eye-ringed Tody-Tyrant, Gray-hooded Attila, Rufous-headed Tanager, Olive-green Tanager, Ruby-crowned Tanager (for once showing its ruby crown, see photo below!), Brazilian Tanager, Green-headed Tanager, Red-necked Tanager and Black-throated Grosbeak.

Ruby-crowned Tanager© Tim Keller

Firstly we must apologise for our abscence, but our internet connection hás been worse than usual, relying on a mobile phone with an aerial!

Bird Fair….win a weeks birding trip for two to Serra dos Tucanos!

Unfortunately we will not be attending the British Bird Fair this weekend (21st-23rd August) as we have done so in recent years, however we do hope to return for 2010. For those of you visiting the Bird Fair you can purchase raffle tickets from the Neotropical Bird Club (Marquee 4, Stands 27&28), first prize is a weeks accommodation and guiding here at Serra dos Tucanos for two people! So, if you fancy winning a birding trip to Brazil please visit the Neotropical Bird Club Stand, dig deep and purchase as many tickets as you can!!

Please also visit film maker Malcolm Rymer at the Bird Fair (Marquee 4, Stand 40) if you wish to purchase the Birds of the Atlantic Rainforest DVD (featuring Serra dos Tucanos Lodge) and showing some great footage of the birds and surrounding s that we have here.

Now well into our spring here in Brazil we are seeing the first signs of displaying birds and nest building, and our first summer migrants are being recorded by Pete out on the excursions. The birds seem to be starting to breed and display earlier every year, last year Star-throated Antwrens were seen nest building around the end of August, this year local birder Peter Lewis-Jones observed a male Star-throated Antwren nest building at the beginning of August! Yellow-lored Tody Flycatchers, Green-headed Tanagers and Brazilian Tanagers are also currently building nests in the lodge gardens. Our pair of Black and White Hawk Eagles are also showing daily at the nest site, giving some good views. One of the adult birds visiting the garden one morning gave an unsuspecting Channel-billed Toucan the shock of its life, but did however delight our guests who were watching the toucan!

Yellow-lored Tody Flycatcher© Tim Keller

2 male Frilled Coquettes have been impressing guests by displaying in front of the photo hide, together with great views of the endemic Olive green tanager, a bird often difficult to see away from the Cedae Trail with numbers reaching 10+ birds on the feeders. Other good sightings in the lodge garden over the last couple of weeks have included Buff-bellied Puffbird, Crescent-chested Puffbird, Saffron and Spot-billed Toucanets, Gilt-edged Tanagers, Grey-hooded Attila (will hopefully breed in the lodge gardens again this year) and a pair of Sharp-tailed streamcreepers have once again taken up residence under the lodge bridge and are busy with nesting material.

Pete has been busy out on the excursions, some of the highlights have included White bearded Antshrike, Large-tailed Antshrike, Brazilian Antthrush, Slaty Bristlefront, Spotted Bamboo Wren, Bare-throated Bellbird, Bertonis, Ochre-rumped, Ferruginous, Dusky-tailed, Rufous-tailed and Scaled Antbirds, Pin-tailed Manakin, Black and Gold Cotinga, Hooded Berryeater, Serra do Mar Tapaculo, great views of a pair of Crowned Eagles, Three-toed Jacamar, Yellow-browed Woodpecker, White-collared Foliage-Gleaner, Black-billed Scythebill, Rufous-backed Antvireo, Drab-breasted Bamboo-Tyrant, Long-billed Wren, Rough-legged Tyrannulet, Rufous-headed, Azure-shouldered, Red-necked, Brassy-breasted and Gilt-edged Tanagers.

Three-toed Jacamar© Tim Keller

We have been exploring a new area of lowland forest and hope to make a new half day excursion to this area, species of note that we have recorded so far include Reddish Hermit, Glittering-throated Emerald, Rufous-tailed Jacamar, Crescent-chested Puffbird, Salvadoris Antwren, Rufous-winged Antwren, Scaled Antbird, Southern Antpipit, Grayish Mourner, Moustached Wren and Long-billed Wren.

Yes, we’ve reached that time of year again when the bird tables are overwhelmed with large numbers of birds! Over the past 3 days there has been 27 different bird species feeding at the tables, consuming a massive 15 kilos of bananas per day!

Orange-bellied Euphonia at the feeders. Andy Foster©

Green-headed Tanger at the feeders. Andy Foster©

Sightings of Black and White Hawk Eagle are now increasing and 1 adult bird has been seen regularly re-building the nest, presumably in preparation for nesting later this year, the nest can be seen through a scope from the comfort of our patio!

We are noticing seasonal movements in quite a few species of birds at the moment, Gilt-edged Tanagers, Brassy-breasted Tanagers and Brazilian Rubys are being recorded in the lodge grounds, usually all of these species are found above 1000 metres in altitude, but due to the drop in temperatures they have come down some 600 metres in altitude for a slightly warmer environment! Green-chinned Euphonias are also on the feeders at the moment, usually a difficult bird to see in this area. Other sightings in the lodge grounds this week have included Giant Antshrike, Crescent-chested Puffbird, Mantled Hawk, Yellow-backed and Flame-crested Tanagers, Green-backed Becard and Black Hawk Eagle.

Recent sightings on some of our excursions have included the following:

Portao Azul:
15+ Dusky-legged Guans, Slaty-breasted Wood-Rail, Blackish Rail, Blue-winged Macaw, White-eyed Parakeet, Yellow-eared Woodpecker, Rufous-capped Spinetail, Pallid Spinetail, Red-eyed Thornbird, Variable Antshrike, Ferruginous Antbird, Dusky-tailed Antbird, Rufous Gnateater, Pin-tailed Manakin, Drab-breasted Bamboo-Tyrant, Hangnest Tody-Tyrant, Green-backed Becard, Rufous-headed Tanager, Fawn-breasted Tanager, Brassy-breasted Tanager, Gilt-edged Tanager and Half-collared Sparrow.

Three-toed Jacamar Excursion:
Capped Heron, Aplomado Falcon, Ash-throated Crake, Red-legged Seriema, Blue-winged Macaw, White-eyed Parakeet, Barn Owl, Three-toed Jacamar, White-eared Puffbird, Tail-banded Hornero, Firewood Gatherer, Tufted Antshrike, Hangnest Tody-Tyrant, Ochre-faced Tody Flycatcher, Streamer-tailed Tyrant, Gilt-edged Tanager and Half-collared sparrow.