VISITED SITES

Below is a list of the sites we birded. Most of them are rather poorly described in Mary Lou Goodwin's Birding Venezuela. It often contains errors or incomplete descriptions on how to reach a birding site. It does not help the independent public transport traveller too much neither. Information concerning the more difficult species is also almost entirely lacking. Hence, most information was gathered via trip reports on the internet.

La Grita

This is the westernmost site we went as the other species are more easy to get in Colombia. Between La Grita and Bailadores we took the paved road towards Pregonero. Birding the first stretch was rewarding. For the Hemispingus check all bamboo patches as it seems to be confined to it.

Highlights: Slaty-backed Hemispingus (3 birds foraging on the bamboo seeds), Pygmy Swift (a small flock was seen en route), Golden-bellied Starfrontlet (5 birds), Orange-throated Sunangel (small numbers), Merida Tapaculo (a few seen, more heard), Agile Tit-Tyrant (the only for the trip), Black-collared Jay (small numbers), White-fronted Redstart (not uncommon), Gray-capped Hemispingus (small numbers, often in bamboo), Merida Flowerpiercer (several).

Puerto Concha

When we arrived at the small village of Puerto Concha we bargained with local fishermen for a boat tour. It seems they have done it before as the initial prices they tried to charge were high. Ask to be taken to the nature reserve of Cienagas del Catatumbo where both screamers are seen readily. They know both species (point them out in a book) and know where to look for them.

Highlights: Northern Screamer (4 birds), Horned Screamer (5 birds), Shining-green Hummingbird (at a flowering tree near the jetty).

El Frio

We birded the first part of the paved road on first evening as we didn't know where to go exactly. We didn't get too much. The following morning we had us dropped of at the end of the paved road and birded the footpath starting at this point. We followed it until the forest stopped and clearings began. The restaurant at the main road was only opened during midday which was a bit inconvenient (we didn't take food and drinks with us).

Highlights: Solitary Eagle (at the farthest end of the path at a big clearing), Saffron-headed Parrot (at first open patches), Pygmy Swift (near the restaurant at the main road), Violet-chested Hummingbird (at clearing in first forest patches), Russet-throated Puffbird, Scaled Piculet, White-bibbed Manakin (showed only shortly, not-tape responsive), Yellow-browed Shrike-Vireo (part of a mixed species flock in the first forest patch without Cacoa/Banana undergrowth), White-eared Conebill (1 bird).

La Azulita Road

We did some roadside birding between La Azulita and San Eusebio. We started near San Eusebio on first morning and descended towards Mirabel junction. The next morning we were dropped off at the sign-posted fork to the village of Mirabel and descended to La Azulita. Finding (the right spot for) the warbler took quite some effort but it was eventually very tape responsive right at the Mirabel junction!

Highlights: Gray-throated Warbler (in dense vegetation near the junction to Mirabel on the La Azulita road), Band-tailed Guan (a few), Rose-headed Parakeet (good numbers, tape-responsive), Sooty-capped Hermit (in a small orchard), Short-tailed Emerald (the only one for the trip), Stripe-breasted Spinetail (regular encounters), Merida Tapaculo (a few heard), Golden-breasted Fruiteater (2 seen, more heard), White-eared Conebill (1 bird), Moustached Brush-Finch (good numbers), Orange-crowned Oriole (1 bird).

Pico Humboldt trail

Close to the city of Merida lies the Sierra Nevada National Park. The park holds the second highest peak of Venezuela: the "Pico Humboldt". The trail starting from La Mucuy up the mountain is known as the Pico Humboldt Trail amongst birders. From the HQ in La Mucuy you go through tropical forest, cloud forest and bamboo forest to Lagoon Coromoto (3200m) although we didn't go as far as the lake. Transport back from the trail to Tabay (or even just to La Mucuy) proved to be difficult despite the many people returning from their sunday bbq at the parking lot.

Highlights: Lined Quail-Dove (flushed several times from path), Rose-headed Parakeet (several flocks), Rusty-faced Parrot (several seen near a clearing), Golden-bellied Starfrontlet (1 seen along lower part of path), Gray-naped Antpitta (surprising good observations with few seen and more heard on both mornings, first morning was best due to foggy conditions, always near bamboo patches, not too tape-responsive), Merida Tapaculo (a few seen, more heard), Black-collared Jay (ca 5 birds), White-fronted Redstart (good numbers), Gray-capped Hemispingus (in bamboo patches), White-eared Conebill (1), Merida Flowerpiercer (1 bird only), Moustached Brush-Finch (small numbers daily), White-capped Dipper (seen easily from parking lot nearest to Park HQ).

Lago Mucubaji

We spent only little time here on our way back from Paso del Aguilla. Only some small parts of Paramo vegetation are left and these are also rather degraded due to the high number of visitors. So we did not see anything special there. Furthermore, it proved to be rather difficult to get away by public transport despite being located next to the Santo Domingo - Merida road.

Paso del Aguilla

We mainly birded the Paramo at the eastern (Valera) side of the pass. Although roadside birding might allow to observe all species, we opted to bird a bigger part of the area by walking all the way through the vegetation which turned out to work well. Especially the Helmetcrest and Paramo Wren did not show close to the road. The western side wa good for the Pipit.

Highlights: Bearded Helmetcrest (up to five birds seen, often near flowering bushes), Ochre-browed Thistletail (about 5 seen, skulking birds), Paramo Wren (several), Merida Flowerpiercer (2), Andean Siskin (a group 5 birds flying by), Paramo Pipit (5 seen at the overgrazed meadows at the Mifafi side of the pass).

San Isidro Tunnel Road

The area surrounding the open air quarry of San Isidro still seems rather intact. The entrance road to the mine can be found about 20 km coming from Santo Domingo. If you come by taxi, ask the driver to drop you off at the entrance of the quarry, not at the main road. It will save you quite some time walking up there. Both mornings we friendly asked for permission to enter the quarry, which was always granted without hassle. They even stopped the digging to let us pass. Just tell them you want to see the Cock-of-the-Rocks. We followed the track all the way to the tunnel.

Highlights: Black-and-chestnut Eagle (showed well above the quarry), Lined Quail-Dove (few seen, more heard), Saffron-headed Parrot (near 2nd waterfall), Lazuline Sabrewing (seen hovering shortly right in front of us just before the tunnel), Stripe-breasted Spinetail (1 bird), Crested Spinetail (a pair building a nest a bit behind the quarry), Pavonine Cuckoo (seen twice, allowing prolonged short distance views), Golden-breasted Fruiteater (regular encounters, more heard), Black-collared Jay (3 birds), Andean Cock-of-the-rock (just past the quarry).

La Soledad Road

We went to this site hoping to see a Red Siskin. But we failed. There was little else new to see as we saw most of the species elsewhere. We only walked and birded along the main track.

Highlights: Sooty-capped Hermit (1 bird), Rufous-shafted Woodstar (a pair in a flowering tree near the beginning of the road), Stripe-breasted Spinetail (several), Crested Spinetail (several).

Rio Barragan

During weekend this place is frequented by locals coming for their bbq near the riverside. If you want to bird without too much disturbance, you better visit this place during weektime. Nevertheless Rio Barragan is a rather reliable spot for Pale-headed Jacamar, but we dipped it here. Fortunately we had seen it already in Hato El Cedral and did not make extreme effort to see it again. We did a bit of birding on 2 half days and concentrated on the unpaved road along the Rio Barragan.

Highlights: Sooty-capped Hermit (1 bird), Stripe-backed Wren (daily small numbers), Orange-crowned Oriole (2 birds).

Hato El Cedral

Since an international bank transfer did not work, we paid in BsF at the spot which saved us quite some money due to the better black market exchange rate. Booking is necessary and can be done through their website. There are several other ranches in Los Llanos but we chose this one as it features all import habitats in one place. Roadside birding is another option but we were told it is difficult to bird as most of the land is private. We devided our time over the different available habitats: the wetland, riverine forest and dry scrub and were taken around by Viktor and his 4WD and boat.

Guide: Viktor was assigned as our private specialised bird guide upon our arrival. We mentioned beforehand that we are keen birders but did not ask specifically for Viktor. But you should! Viktor proved to be a very keen birder and knows exactly where to go to complete your wish list. A guide is necessary to enter the wetlands and riverine forest.

Highlights: Orinoco Goose (good numbers), Zigzag Heron (seen briefly during boat trip), Yellow-knobbed Curassow (try to listen for it's characteristic call and scan the river banks, we had 2 birds walking along the river bank), Todd's Nightjar (a few), Pale-bellied Hermit (3 birds), Pale-headed Jacamar (3 birds seen, ask viktor as we told him to remember the place), Agami Heron (several prolonged views during boat trip), Sungrebe (boat trip), Sunbittern (boat trip), White-bearded Flycatcher (several, e.g. along entrance road), Stripe-backed Wren (several), Orinocan Saltator (several, e.g. gallery forest), Venezuelan Troupial (daily small numbers), Dwarf Cuckoo (seen three times, always silent: on camp ground, near Pale-headed Jacamar site, near boat).

Puente Torres

To make sure we got all the arid area species we included this site. The birding is done along the little used old road from Carora to Barquisimeto. Along the main road there is a turn-off near Arenales (?). First you pass the village of Puente Torres and then a small village called Piritas (some 15 km coming from the main road). Here we saw most species immediately. Traffic is sparse so hitchhiking was required.

Highlights: Bare-eyed Pigeon (several birds), Buffy Hummingbird (not uncommon), White-whiskered Spinetail (not uncommon), Slender-billed Tyrannulet (fairly common), Pileated Finch (1 female), Orinocan Saltator (several birds), Vermilion Cardinal (3 birds), Venezuelan Troupial (a pair), Trinidad Euphonia (2 birds).

Yacambu NP

The National Park is a mixture of both Andean and Coastal Cordillera birds. There are 2 park offices: one is right at the entrance and one about 8 km further along the road. We birded the higher areas near the latter and the road which forks off to the Laguna El Blanquito. A few kms more in the direction of Sanare we also birded the highest area where we scored the antpitta.

Highlights: Great Antpitta (1 bird taped in and seen well at the highest point of the main road), Rusty-flanked Crake (2 seen and more heard in the vegetation of Laguna El Blanquito), Merida Tapaculo (2 birds taped in we believe are Merida T., first probably wrongly identified as Lara Tapaculo) , Caribbean Coot (good numbers on Laguna El Blanquito), Band-tailed Guan (good numbers daily) , Helmeted Curassow (1 heard only near the park HQ), Lined Quail-Dove (small numbers daily), Red-eared Parakeet (a flock of about 10 birds), Golden-breasted Fruiteater (several seen, more heard), Fulvous-headed Tanager (3 birds in total), Black-capped Tanager (about 5), Ochre-breasted Brush-Finch (3).

Sanare quarry

About 5 km before the village of Sanare (coming from Barquisemeto) there is a huge open air quarry. Just before you're about to drive past the quarry there's some kind of entrance with a gate. A few hundred meters uphill there is a dirt track on the right which leads through some kind of unofficial dump. We birded along this road for about 2 km as it is much quiter than the heavily used main road.

Highlights: Green-tailed Emerald (3 single birds were not easy to find amongst the other species of hummers...), Tocuyo Sparrow (4 of these skulkers seen), Rosy Thrush-Tanager (the only bird of the trip taped in and seen well in the roadside scrubbery), Venezuelan Troupial (2).

Coro Desert (Sierra San Louis NP)

The Sierra San Louis NP is easily reached from the city of Coro. We drove the road to Acurigua past the El Isiro dam. On various stops we did some roadside birding. Not everybody saw the parrrots on the first day, but the next day we checked every parrot flying out of its sleeping spot and saw several Yellow-shouldereds. The marshy area and surroundings described by Goodwin produced most other species. Getting away from there was rather difficilt and local people regularly warned us for robberies. This desert didn't feel as a pleasant place to be at dusk...

Highlights: Yellow-shouldered Parrot (2 and 10 birds seen on 2 days), Red-billed Emerald (finally 1 bird seen at close enoughe range to ID), Bare-eyed Pigeon (fairly common), Buffy Hummingbird (good numbers), White-whiskered Spinetail (several birds seen), Slender-billed Tyrannulet (small numbers seen and more heard), Maracaibo Tody-Flycatcher (7 seen in two days), Glaucous Tanager (3 birds only), Pileated Finch (one pair), Orinocan Saltator (small numbers daily), Vermilion Cardinal (several birds seen both days), Venezuelan Troupial (5).

Cerro Chichiriviche (Morrocoy NP)

Close to the coastal city of Tucacas the Morrocoy National Park is easy to access and is a good spot for the Plain-flanked Rail and the Black-backed Antshrike. About 8 km west of Tucacas there is a road which leads to the NP. A bit more than 1 km further there are some mudflats on the right. We had the rails immediately coming out of the vegetation. About 3.7 km from the turn-off there is a blue bodega and a signposted road to Los Claveles on the left. Eventually it reaches the hilltop of the Cerro Chichiriviche where there are some antennas. We birded all the way from the antennas to the main road...

Highlights: Plain-flanked Rail (up to 7 taped in and seen near the mudflats), Black-backed Antshrike (5 seen and more heard near the antennas at Cerro Chichiriviche, Glaucous Tanager (5).

Henri Pittier NP

This National Park in the coastal mountain ranges is world-famous for birding. The park covers both slopes and therefore is variated in both habitats and species. It is easy to access from the city of Maracay. There are 2 roads passing through the park and crossing the range to the coast: the Ocumare and the Choroni Road. The Comboto Road forks off when the Ocumare Road reaches about sea level on the coastal side. Virtually on the pass of the same Ocumare Road there is a Biological Station called "Rancho Grande" which seems to be almost out of use these days. Right behind the buildings there is a trail which is good for some more skulking species. Most of the birding was done along the roadside. Although there can be a lot of traffic at times (avoid weekends and holidays!) the birding can be very good! We mostly concentrated on the higher parts of the Ocumare Road and also the Choroni Road. We also explored the Comboto Road and the lower inland side of the Ocumare Road for some scrub species.

Highlights: Scallop-breasted Antpitta (2 taped in and seen very well near the antenna at the highest point of the Choroni Road), Venezuelan Wood-Quail (surprisingly easily seen on 2 occasions and more heard in the higher reaches of both roads), White-tipped Quetzal (regularly heard and seen in the higher parts of both roads), Helmeted Curassow (3 singles seen in the higher parts of both roads), Plumbeous Antvireo (a pair taped in along the trail behind Rancho Grande - some authors treat them as a full species "White-streaked Antvireo"), Guttulate Foliage-gleaner (3 of these skulkers taped in and seen and a few more heard in the higher parts of both roads), Rufous-cheeked Tanager (small numbers seen rather high on both roads), Venezuelan Flycatcher (it took quite some time before we found an identifiable pair along the Comboto Road), Venezuelan Bristle-Tyrant (4 seen in total, all in the higher parts of the Ocumare Road), Violet-chested Hummingbird (3 in the higher parts of the Ocumare Road), Rufous-lored Tyrannulet (small numbers seen only in the higher parts of the Ocumare Road), Handsome Fruiteater (4 birds seen, all along the higher Ocumare Road), Golden-winged Sparrow (5 seen in total, all along the lower parts of the inland side of the Ocumare Road), Band-tailed Guan (1), Schwartz's Antthrush (2 birds taped in on the highest part of the Choroni Road, heard at both roads), Red-eared Parakeet (fairly common), Streak-capped Treehunter (2 birds along the Choroni Road), Golden-breasted Fruiteater (2), Black-capped Tanager (1), Ochre-breasted Brush-Finch (small numbers along both roads), Black-backed Antshrike (1 heard along the Comboto Road), Sooty-capped Hermit (3 singles along the lower Ocumare Road), Lazuline Sabrewing (1 female in a large flowering tree along the Ocumare Road), Moustached Puffbird (1 bird about halfway up the inland side of the Ocumare Road), Crested Spinetail (3), Plain-backed Antpitta (only along the Ocumare Road regularly heard and only 1 taped in), Whiskered Wren (1 along the Ocumare Road), Fulvous-headed Tanager (2 along the Ocumare Road), Lined Quail-Dove (1 seen),....

Colonia Tovar

This surrealistic German village lies just a few hours west from Caracas. About 8 km before the village (coming from La Victoria) there is a bus stop and a paved track to the left which leads to Cortada de Maya. The two target birds (Tapaculo and Spinetail) are readily seen here.

Highlights: Caracas Tapaculo (several taped in and seen easily, more heard), Black-throated Spinetail (4 seen and more heard), Red-eared Parakeet (a few), Rufous-shafted Woodstar (1 male), Black-capped Tanager (1), Ochre-breasted Brush-Finch (small numbers).

Orinoquia Lodge

As the flight coming from Caracas and the flight towards Manapiare did not connect we had to spend one afternoon near Puerto Ayacucho. The travel agency put us in this lodge. Exploring the surrounding area did not reveal too much birdwise. There must be better alternatives...

Highlights: White-browed Purpletuft (3 birds were the only for the trip).

Junglaven

We found several recent reports on the poor state of this famous lodge but still decided to go for it. It took us quite a while before we were able to get in contact with them. We actually made a reservation through a local tourist company (XXX) as the people of Junglaven did not answer our numerous mails. The airstrip near the lodge has been closed which meant we had to land in Manapiare and then take a 3 hour boat trip to Junglaven. The entrance road was blocked by a fallen tree so we united forces to clear it. Upon arrival we saw several huts in poor condition, but there were still several decent ones. But the hospitality was great and birding very rewarding! Our chats with the ageing owner of the lodge made clear that it wouldn't take too long before he stops his business though... We were dropped and picked up every day upon request. The main areas we concentrated on are: the entrance road (especially the part closest to the lodge), the Galapagos Trail and the savanna area and the lagoon behind the lodge. The latter was explored using a motorized kind of canoe.

Highlights: Rufous-winged Ground-Cuckoo (it took a while to get good views but ultimately we saw 3 birds and heard some more, all along the main track), Spot-backed Antwren (1 bird seen in a mixed flock, unexpected), Azure-naped Jay (3 noisy birds taped in at the beginning of the Galapagos Trail), Crestless Curassow (1 distantly calling bird taped in alon the Galapagos Trail), Amazonian Tyrannulet (1 bird at the edge of the big lagoon), Gray-winged Trumpeter (2 encounters with small groups along the main track), Imeri Warbling-Antbird (small numbers), Yellow-crowned Manakin (only 2 seen along the Galapagos Trail), Brown-headed Greenlet (singles seen on two days), Rufous, White-tailed and Blackish Nightjar and Least Nighthawk (all near the savanna area).

Cerro Humo

In the Paria NP we took the trail up to Cerro Humo to get the endemics. From the end of the village of Las Melenas it is easy to find the way up. The trail starts right at the (abandoned?) park Guard House. The main and best trail goes straight while there is an other trail that forks off immediately after the house. The prevalent flowers attracted lots of hummers.

Highlights: White-throated Barbtail (up to 4 birds seen well after being taped in), Scissor-tailed Hummingbird (on two consecutive days one was seen: 1 in the flowering trees behing the park guard house and 1 superb male taped in along the main trail), Yellow-faced Redstart (small numbers seen on both days), Rufous-shafted Woodstar (1 female), Handsome Fruiteater (3 birds seen), Orange-crowned Oriole (2), Trinidad Euphonia (2), Sooty-capped Hermit (1), White-tailed Sabrewing (small numbers on both days), Tufted Coquette (3 birds together, just past the village of Las Melenas).

Guacharo NP

From the touristic village of Caripe one can get easy access to one of the largest Oilbird colonies. We did not enter the cave but went there just before dusk. The sight and sound of thousands of Oilbirds fying out overhead is a great experience. As we had no appointment with a guide on the first day we spent the morning hanging around in the nearby forest which produced only a few regional but common goodies.

Highlights: Oilbird: (abundant), Lined Quail-Dove (2), White-tailed Sabrewing (small numbers), Crested Spinetail (2), Fulvous-headed Tanager (1), Ochre-breasted Brush-Finch (3).

Cerro Negro

We were taken by our guide to the forest near the small village of Sabana de Piedro. The hacienda near the obvious radio antenna gave access to enter the site. Several trails lead through the plantations before climbing uphill to the forest. Unlike other reports we found the hike not too difficult, but it might be muddy at times. We suggest to get a guide (see below) to take care of all the logistics and to obtain permission to pass the hacienda's property..

Guide: Carlos Manosalua is the guy who can take you to the Gray-headed Warbler. He can be found around the office at the Guacharo Cave during working hours. You could also try to phone him in advance on 0416 591 11 07 or 0416 792 35 96.

Highlights: Gray-headed Warbler (a group of 3 birds taped in), Venezuelan Sylph (3 birds seen inside the forest), White-tailed Sabrewing (a few), Guttulate Foliage-gleaner (1 heard), Fulvous-headed Tanager (1).

Cano Colorado

We had a quick stop for one day at the scrub and patchly forested area of Cańo Colorado. We felt the directions of where to bird were a bit confusing, so we just birded randomly with moderate succes.

Highlights: Golden-spangled Piculet (several seen, some authors treat them as full species "Black-dotted Piculet"), Crimson-hooded Manakin (good numbers), Stripe-backed Wren (good numbers), Orange-crowned Oriole (a few).

La Escalera

One of the best birding sites in Venezuela is found just along the main road heading south towards Brazil. We were based in the small mining village of Las Claritas. Most of the trip reports and the book by Goodwin use the KM markers to indicate the birding sites. They are being replaced by an alternative numbering. To get the new indicators, you should add about 625 to the old ones. The old ones start counting from the El Dorado junction. The road itself winds up from the lowland forests onto the grassy plateau "Gran Sabana". We often let the weather determine the area/altitude we birded. On several occasions we had persistent mist, drizzle and low clouds on the higher reaches while the weather lower down was good.

The Guiana Trail is the lowest site along this road. Access to this trail can be difficult to find and we followed the French directions mentioned by Renaudier. Driving back north from Las Claritas you will find a short dirt track on the right exactly at KM 69,6. We asked permission from the friendly inhabitants of the wooden house to enter the forest. They showed us the way to the footpath which is used by many local people for trading/smuggling as it leads all the way to Guyana. Several people carrying various merchandise past us and were friendly at all the times although it feels a bit shady... We only birded this path till the steeper slopes began.

Around KM 87 there is a dirt road on the right (coming from Las Claritas) which is known as the Capuchinbird Road. About 5 km further along this road there is a junction where we kept left. The right one is controlled by a checkpoint from a mining company. We immediately heard some Capuchinbirds calling from their lek and they were seen promptly.

The famous road leading up the plateau known as La Escalera ("the stairs") starts at about KM 88. Pulling over the car on various sites and roadside birding is easily done and generally good. KM 98-100 has the better forest on the lower slopes. Km 109-112 gave some good mixed feeding flocks, mainly around 10 in the morning. Km 122-125 has short trails on both sides of the road near the shelter at KM 124. Km 129-133 is covered with nice forest and there is a short trail around KM 131.

The grassy area starting from about Km 135 is known as The Gran Sabana. Especially the forest edge at the start of the Gran Sabana and the surroundings of the soldier statue were good for birding. Although the area commands a fine view we didn't explore it too much further than the statue.



Highlights: Tepui Swift (several seen at higher altitudes), Rufous-breasted Sabrewing, Peacock Coquette, Tepui Goldenthroat, Velvet-browed Brilliant, McConnell's Spinetail, Tepui Spinetail, Roraiman Barbtail (seen on 2 days along the KM 124 trail), White-throated Foliage-gleaner (4 seen in total in the higher parts), Streak-backed Antshrike (a pair taped in between KM 123,5), Roraiman Antwren (easily heard and seen), Roraiman Antbird (1 male taped in near KM 130,5) Tepui Antpitta (heard regularly and seen without difficulties), Great Elaenia (1 bird near KM 135), Chapman's Bristle-Tyrant (only 1 seen), Black-fronted Tyrannulet (small numbers seen in the higher parts), Ruddy Tody-Flycatcher (small numbers in the higher parts), Red-banded Fruiteater (several seen and more heard in the higher parts), Rose-collared Piha (a few seen, all between KM 122-124), Orange-bellied Manakin (regularly seen), Olive Manakin (small numbers in the higher parts), Scarlet-horned Manakin (good numbers, mainly on the higher parts), Blue-cheeked Parrot (2 birds en route to the Guiana Trail), Guianan Red-Cotinga (1 bird high up in the first part of the Guiana Trail), Black-throated Antshrike (1 bird taped in at the start of the Guiana Trail), Spotted Antpitta (1 bird taped in not too far along the Guiana Trail), Tepui Greenlet (regularly heard but not too many seen in the middle Escalera parts), Flutist Wren (a few seen and more heard, mainly in the higher parts), Tepui Redstart (good numbers in the higher parts), Olive-backed Tanager (fairly common in the higher parts), Greater Flowerpiercer (2 seen in a mixed flock near KM 132 and 1 single seen on two consecutive days at KM 122), Tepui Brush-Finch (good numbers in the higher parts), Golden-tufted Grackle (fairly common in the higher parts), Capuchinbird (easily heard and seen along the Capuchinbird Road), Spot-backed Antwren (2 birds taped in at the Capuchinbird lek).

Rio Grande (Imataca FR)


Most birders visit this site in order to see the Harpy Eagle and Ground-Cuckoo. Although we already saw those species elsewhere we still paid a visit to this forest as it holds some other interesting species. We didn't have any good descriptions of where to bird, so we decided to take a guide to show us around on the first day. In the morning we were shown an Harpy Eagle on it's nest while in the afternoon we were taken to the Forest Reserve behind the logging company. As not all the Harpy nests are occupied every year, the best bet to see this cracker is to let yourself be led by one of the guides. In El Palmar our hotel manager contacted one for us with pleasure. The following days were spent in the Imataca Forest Reserve. It can be found about 20 east from El Palmar. Not too far past the obvious bridge one can find the entrance to the logging company. After signing yourself in as a visitor you are free to bird the area. We took the first wide track to the right which made a squared curve to the left and followed it untill we reached an indicated path into the forest. This gave access to a grid of other paths and was very rewarding birdwise.

Guide: Javier can be contacted through Mr. Stokfim, the owner of hotel Parador Taguapuire. There might be other guides as well but at least Javier is good with all the birds.

Highlights: Harpy Eagle (1 adult gave superb views on and around it's nest), Rufous-winged Ground-Cuckoo (2 birds taped in easily seen were just too good, we heard them the other days as well, all on "the grid"), Ferruginous-backed Antbird (a few seen on "the grid"), Rufous-breasted Sabrewing (1 bird only), Wing-banded Antbird (2 birds taped in gave a nice and silly show on "the grid"), Black-spotted Barbet (heard before but eventually 4 seen along the main track in the Imataca Forest), Rose-breasted Chat (several sightings including a singing male in a bamboo patch along the main track in the Imataca Forest besides single birds in mixed feeding flocks) , Gray-winged Trumpeter (at least three seen on "the grid" to our pleasant surprise), Curve-billed Scythebill (2 birds on "the grid"), Racket-tailed Coquette (1 female along the main track in the Imataca Forest was an unexpected bonus).