We are now entering early spring and many birds are preparing to breed. Different species are at different stages of nesting, with many only just starting to form territories but some already have well-grown chicks (see below)! August sightings from around the reserve include:
4×4 Track to Casa Anibal: Maroon-bellied Parakeet, Scaly-headed Parrot, Crescent-chested Puffbird, Spot-backed Antshrike, Sooretama Slaty Antshrike, Spot-breasted Antvireo, Rufous-winged Antwren, White-bibbed Antbird, Black-cheeked Gnateater, Rufous-breasted Leaftosser, Lesser Woodcreeper, White-eyed Foliage-gleaner, Eye-ringed Tody-Tyrant, Eared Pygmy-Tyrant, Russet-winged Spadebill (the first record on this trail), Blue-billed Black-Tyrant, Rusty-margined Flycatcher, Greyish Mourner, Grey-hooded Attila, Eastern Striped Manakin, Shrike-like Cotinga, White-winged Becard, Black-capped Becard, Turquoise Tanager, Brassy-breasted Tanager and Blue-naped Chlorophonia.
Elfin Forest Trail: Mantled Hawk, Black Hawk-Eagle, Black-and-white Hawk-Eagle, Golden-tailed Parrotlet, Blue-bellied Parrot, Least Pygmy-Owl, Buff-bellied Puffbird, Giant Antshrike, Salvadori’s Antwren and Variegated Antpitta.
Waldenoor: White-necked Hawk, Mantled Hawk (this is the most reliable area on the reserve for this species), Plain Parakeet, Scaly-headed Parrot, Reddish Hermit, Frilled Coquette, White-eared Puffbird, Yellow-fronted Woodpecker, Star-throated Antwren, Slaty Bristlefront, Lesser Woodcreeper, Black-capped Foliage-gleaner, Buff-fronted Foliage-gleaner, White-eyed Foliage-gleaner, Grey-hooded Flycatcher, Rough-legged Tyrannulet, Whiskered Flycatcher, Long-tailed Tyrant, Green-backed Becard, Olive-green Tanager, Golden-chevroned Tanager, a pair of Green-chinned Euphonia and Chestnut-bellied Euphonia.
Waterfall Trail: White-necked Hawk, Maroon-bellied Parakeet, Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl, Saw-billed Hermit, Reddish Hermit, Black-throated Trogon, Rufous-capped Motmot, Crescent-chested Puffbird, Spot-billed Toucanet, Yellow-eared Woodpecker, Spot-breasted Antvireo, Star-throated Antwren, Unicoloured Antwren, Scaled Antbird, Black-cheeked Gnateater, Slaty Bristlefront, White-throated Woodcreeper, Black-capped Foliage-gleaner, Buff-fronted Foliage-gleaner, White-eyed Foliage-gleaner, Sharp-tailed Streamcreeper (at the waterfall), Southern Antpipit, White-throated Spadebill, Whiskered Flycatcher, Pin-tailed Manakin, White-thighed Swallow, Red-crowned Ant-Tanager, Azure-shouldered Tanager, Fawn-breasted Tanager, Turquoise Tanager and Yellow-green Grosbeak.
Wetland and adjacent forest trails: Muscovy Duck, Masked Duck, Rusty-margined Guan, Rufescent Tiger-Heron, Whistling Heron, Capped Heron, Grey-headed Kite, Snail Kite, Great Black-Hawk (the second record for REGUA), Laughing Falcon, Limpkin, Slaty-breasted Wood-Rail, Rufous-sided Crake, Ash-throated Crake, Blackish Rail, excellent views of Giant Snipe, Barn Owl, 2 Tropical Screech-Owls (at the usual roost site), Tawny-browed Owl, Striped Owl – including these 2 juveniles (see photo), Scissor-tailed Nightjar, White-chinned Sapphire, White Woodpecker, Spot-backed Antshrike, Tufted Antshrike, Sooretama Slaty Antshrike, Black-cheeked Gnateater, White-throated Woodcreeper, Wing-banded Hornero, Moustached Wren, Long-billed Wren, Black-capped Donacobius, Brazilian Tanager and Wedge-tailed Grass-Finch.
Highlights on our excursions include:
Macaé de Cima: Dusky-legged Guan, Aplomado Falcon, Scale-throated Hermit, White-throated Hummingbird, Brazilian Ruby, Channel-billed Toucan, Saffron Toucanet, Rufous-backed Antvireo, Bertoni’s Antbird, Rufous-tailed Antthrush, Slaty Bristlefront, Mottle-cheeked Tyrannulet, Bare-throated Bellbird, Brassy-breasted Tanager and Uniform Finch.
Pico da Caledônia: White-tailed Hawk, Red-legged Seriema, Plovercrest, Glittering-bellied Emerald, White-throated Hummingbird, Brazilian Ruby, Yellow-browed Woodpecker, Large-tailed Antshrike, Variable Antshrike, Ochre-rumped Antbird, Rufous Gnateater, Mouse-coloured Tapaculo, Scaled Woodcreeper, Black-billed Scythebill, Rufous-capped Spinetail, Sharp-tailed Streamcreeper, Ochre-faced Tody-Flycatcher, Grey-capped Tyrannulet, Blue-billed Black-Tyrant, Velvety Black-Tyrant, Black-and-gold Cotinga, Grey-winged Cotinga, Pin-tailed Manakin, Rufous-crowned Greenlet, Cinnamon Tanager, Azure-shouldered Tanager, Diademed Tanager, Brassy-breasted Tanager, Bay-chested Warbling-Finch, Green-winged Saltator and White-browed Warbler.
Serra dos Órgãos National Park: Spot-winged Wood-Quail, Saffron Toucanet, Yellow-browed Woodpecker, Green-barred Woodpecker, Giant Antshrike, Rufous-backed Antvireo, Ochre-rumped Antbird, Rufous Gnateater, Rufous-tailed Antthrush, Swallow-tailed Cotinga, Hooded Berryeater, Brown Tanager, Half-collared Sparrow and White-browed Warbler.
Sumidouro: Black-and-white Hawk-Eagle, American Kestrel, White-eyed Parakeet, Striped Cuckoo, Barn Owl, Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl, White-vented Violet-ear, Sapphire-spangled Emerald, 5+ Three-toed Jacamars seen on a single trip, Giant Antshrike, Crested Black-Tyrant, Streamer-tailed Tyrant, Uniform Finch and Blue-naped Chlorophonia.
Mammal sightings in August have included: Brown-throated Three-toed Sloth, Greater Fishing Bat, Tufted-ear Marmoset, Brown Howler Monkey, Brazilian Squirrel, Orange-spined Hairy Dwarf Porcupine, Capybara and Red-rumped Agouti. Finally, an intriguing record is that of a dead Southern Tamandua found in the forest behind the wetland, indicating that these animals are still present in the area.