We left mid morning on 8th July after saying goodbye to Luis & thanking him for an excellent stay. We had a short run into Pocene to pick up supplies. Then it was a short drive to Pousada Piuval, our home for the next four nights.
It just had to be done!
My picture in front of this famous iconic sign!
American Black Vultures feeding on a road kill Caiman
Pousada Piuval
A family of Capybaras
Greater Rhea
Southern Screamer
Male Vermillion Flycatcher
This is definitely the most upmarket place we have stayed on this trip so far. It has a resort feel to it. The food was also excellent, being the best we have had so far in Brazil. We had a nice half hour birding from the deck & then it was time for cocktails! We have been on the road for three weeks now, so feel we deserve a little down time.
Campo Flicker
Yellow-throated Capuchin
Hyacinth Macaw
Squirrel Cuckoo
On 9th July we were up early to do a hike into the forest. It was largely a waste of time, as it wasn't geared for birding. We walked through some nice habitats though & the place looked great.
Nacunda Nighthawk
They roost right out in the open.
When they fly they become a different species!
What a bird!
I was enjoying an afternoon snooze when Delana woke me to the news she had found several Nacunda Nighthawks close to the lodge. All thought of sleep was banished & off we set!
In the evening we went on a night drive. It was probably the worst night drive we have ever done. The guides were terrible! They didn't stop for anything which wasn't a large mammal & see as we didn't see any they never stopped! So the 4 Common Paraques; Scissor-tailed & Little Nightjars we saw were just flushed off the road & into the night! To add insult to injury another group found a Jaguar close to the lodge. So off we went again, hurtling through the night & when we spotted the Jaguar at some distance the driver didn't stop! So no photos obtained. What a shambles!
Dawn.
We booked a private tour for all day on the 10th July, at considerable expense, mainly because of our poor experiences on both activities the previous day. We left a 5.30 am in the dark, the only bird of note spotlighted was one that Delana found: a lone White-throated Piping Guan.
Our trusty chariot for the day.
The tracks through the property were fine.
There is a huge marsh on the property,
unfortunately it has little open water.
Typical habitats which we birded.
Chestnut-bellied Guan
Little Blue Heron
Savanna Hawk
Great Potoo
We found two different birds this morning!
Strong-billed Woodcreeper
Rufous-fronted Tody Flycatcher
White-rumped Monjita
As dawn broke, we started to see birds & some good ones at that! The difference is amazing when one can control the driver & stop whenever you want.
Lowland Tapir
Great to see one in good light in the day time.
Mid-morning we came across a Lowland Tapir feeding next to the track! Excellent views were obtained & it was our first daylight sighting!
Jabiru
Sunbittern
Great-rufous Woodcreeper
This bird was exploring this hole &
finding ants.
Calling
Brown-crested Flycatcher
Immature Black-bellied Whistling Ducks
The rare here White-faced Whistling Duck
Bare-faced Ibis
Hyacinth Macaw
Bat Falcon
We drove through a mixture of habitats; patches of forest; ranchland & marshes. The birdlife was plentiful & varied & we both enjoyed the day tremendously.
Lowland Tapir
Great to see it out in the open.
Habitat for Giant Anteater
Giant Anteater
Terrible photos!
But great views through binoculars!
The end of a great day.
At dusk we were lucky to come across a Lowland Tapir, which entertained us for over ten minute. Later we saw two Giant Anteaters but our torch wasn't powerful enough to get good photos. However, it was a great ending to an exceptional day.
Getting ready for the day!
Jabiru on a nest.
Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture
Cocoi Heron
Great Egret
Little Blue Heron
Immature Wattled Jacana
Ruddy Ground Dove
Orange-winged Amazon
Great to get a good view of this species.
Normally seen flying over.
Ringed Kingfisher
Amazon Kingfisher
Squirrel Cuckoo
Yellow-rumped Cacique
On the 11th July we went on a normal game drive. However, there was only one other couple on the truck & they proved to be very accomodating in stopping for birds. We had a great morning & managed 66 species.
On the lawn, near our accommodation!
Capybara family.
Greater Rhea
Pied Plover
Monk Parakeet
Peach-fronted Parakeet
White-winged Swallow
Cattle Tyrant
Chopi Blackbird.
We spent the rest of the day relaxing around the lodge. It proved to be a good move, with some nice sightings & some cocktails!
It was a nice relaxing stay here. Nice to take it easy for a change. Nothing too special was seen, but it was great to take a bit of a break.
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