We drove the short distance (68 kms) between Cunhatai Pora & Jardim da Amazonas (Garden of the Amazon) on 23rd July. Yet again it was quite a depressing drive, seeing large open fields where not so long ago there would have been forest.
The lodge.
The ponds next to the lodge,
which was good evening birding.
Bare-necked Fruit Crow
Yet another neck-breaker!
Jonathan proved to be an
excellent bird guide.
We arrived at mid-day, settled in to our accommodation & went on an afternoon bird walk into the forest with Jonathan, the resident bird guide. It turned out to be rather surprising, as we recorded 40 species in a relatively short time.
That evening we met up with two English girls, who were travel writers & agents & had a bit of a drunken evening!
Red-wattled Piping Guan
Orange-cheeked Parrot
A pair came into the lodge gardens
every morning.
Cryptic Forest-falcon
Deep in the forest we
heard one calling &
after a while it came in!
Yet another recent
new bird to science.
One of my most wanted
species.
Yellow-throated Woodpecker
Striped Woodcreeper
Blue-cheeked Jacamar
We finally saw this species, after hearing it
so many times.
Pied Puffbird
Red-headed Manakin
As evening approached we climbed up to a small tower,
which proved to be quite birdy.
Spectacled Owl
Always great to see.
The end of another great day!
Just off the main river was a lovely ox-bow lake,
where we spent some time birding.
American Pygmy Kingfisher
Very uncommon & difficult to see.
It inhabits small streams & sluggish back waters.
Green Kingfisher
Lesser Kiskadee
Proboscis Bat
On the morning of 25th July we went on a boat trip down the Rio Claro. It was a beautiful day & we both enjoyed the morning.
Coming out of the ox-bow lake
back into the main river.
Black-faced Spider Monkey
Female Amazonian Antshrike
We then birded a short trail looking for Rufous-necked Puffbird, which we heard but failed to see. We did see a Dotted Tanager, but it was too high up in the canopy for a photo.
Eastern Striolated Puffbird
Got it!
In the afternoon we went searching for Eastern Striolated Puffbird, which we eventually found after a long search. This was a new species not only for us but for Jonathan as well! So it was celebrations all round.
The next day were went on a long walk through primary forest. Parts were vareza (flooded) forest but most was terra firma.
