Night-birding at REGUA

Giant Snipe <em>Gallinago undulata</em> at the REGUA wetland, 11 October 2008 (&copy; Lee Dingain)
Giant Snipe Gallinago undulata at the REGUA wetland, 11 October 2008 (© Lee Dingain)
Striped Owl <em>Asio clamator</em> at the REGUA wetland, 8 November 2008 (&copy; Lee Dingain)
Striped Owl Asio clamator at the REGUA wetland, 8 November 2008 (© Lee Dingain)
Variable Screech-Owl <em>Megascops atricapilla</em> on the Waterfall Trail, 8 November 2008 (&copy; Lee Dingain)
Variable Screech-Owl Megascops atricapilla on the Waterfall Trail, 8 November 2008 (© Lee Dingain)

For many of our guests, Giant Snipe is high on their list of target birds. A nocturnal species, Giant Snipe are most often seen flying over the wetland at dusk, giving their distinctive call. However, over the last couple of months we have been having some amazing encounters, with up to 4 birds showing well on the ground just a few metres away!

Other recent sightings around the wetland at night include 2 Striped Owls, a pair of Barn Owl, Tropical Screech-Owl, Tawny-browed Owl, Common Potoo, Short-tailed Nighthawk, Pauraque, Spot-tailed Nightjar and some superb Scissor-tailed Nightjars. Mammal sightings have also been good with Common Grey Four-eyed Opossum, South-eastern Common Opossom, Nine-banded Armadillo, Fishing Bat, Crab-eating Fox and Capybara all making appearances.

In addition to the wetlands we have also been exploring the forest trails at night, the highlight so far being a pair of Variable Screech-Owls on the Waterfall Trail.