Brazil; Serra do Japi

  We had a couple more days out in Serra do Japi before I left, with the hopes of exploring some new areas of forest where we might find some more interesting species. Sadly, our plans did not work out as well as we had hoped, as the main location we planned on visiting was, as we found on our arrival, private. Despite this we decided to bird the nearby area of farmland that bordered the forest, and here we had a few nice species.
  First of these were two male Blue-billed Black Tyrant that were along the track. The first individual was very elusive but the second was very showy, perching out in the open and allowing us to enjoy some fantastic views. This is the first time I have seen this species in Sao Paulo and only the second time I have seen it in total. Also along this trail there were some very showy Dusky-legged Guans, the best showing birds I have ever seen. They were quite content to site by the side of the road while we photographed them.
  We then decided to explore another area of forest not far from where we were birding. Although it was already quite late in the morning and the early drizzle had now given way to sunshine there was enough activity to keep things interesting. A Festive Coquette was a nice surprise but all we saw of the bird was its arse, it being perched nearly in the canopy. A very showy Rufous-capped Spinetail was also a nice treat, allowing me to get some smart photos of this normally elusive species.
  For my last day we decided to change our routine a little and head to the regular area of Japi, but at night to look for owls. This planned worked out nicely as we managed to find maybe six Rusty-barred Owls, almost all showing very well. There was also Pauraque and Tropical Screech Owl but frustratingly we only heard both Tataupa Tinamou and Ocellated Poorwill, both of which would have been lifers for me. Either way, it was an excellent evening out in the forest, and something we would love to do again.

-Blue-billed Black-Tyrant

-Dusky-legged Guan

-Rufous-capped Spinetail

-Urbanus albimargo

-Rusty-barred Owl

Species List:
Serra do Japi: Dusky-legged Guan, Picazuro Pigeon, Ruddy Ground Dove, White-tipped Dove, Eared Dove, Guira Cuckoo, Smooth-billed Ani, Squirrel Cuckoo, Festive Coquette, Glittering-bellied Emerald, Violet-capped Woodnymph, White-throated Hummingbird, Versicolored Emerald, Pauraque, Southern Lapwing, Snowy Egret, Western Cattle Egret, Green Ibis, Black Vulture, Grey-headed Kite, Roadside Hawk, White Woodpecker, White-spotted Woodpecker, Campo Flicker, Red-legged Seriema, Southern Crested Caracara, Yellow-headed Caracara, American Kestrel, Aplomado Falcon, Rusty-barred Owl, Tropical Screech Owl, Scaly-headed Parrot, White-eyed Parakeet, Spot-backed Antshrike, Variable Antshrike, Rufous-winged Antwren, Olivaceous Woodcreeper, Rufous Hornero, Rufous-capped Spinetail, Spix's Spinetail, Common Tody-Flycatcher, Yellow-olive Flatbill, Southern Beardless Tyrannulet, Euler's Flycatcher, Blue-billed Black Tyrant, Brown-crested Flycatcher, Great Kiskadee, Boat-billed Flycatcher, Rufous-browed Peppershrike, Curl-crested Jay, House Wren, Pale-breasted Thrush, Rufous-bellied Thrush, Purple-throated Euphonia, Rufous-collared Sparrow, Yellow-rumped Marshbird, Southern Yellowthroat, Tropical Parula, Golden-crowned Warbler, Flavescent Warbler, White-rimmed Warbler, Orange-headed Tanager, Ruby-crowned Tanager, Sayaca Tanager, Burnished-buff Tanager, Blue Dacnis, Blue-black Grassquit, Double-collared Seedeater, Bananaquit,

Brazil; Lagoa do Jardim Lenor

To finish off my time in Brazil we made stayed at Lia’s parents house and as such were able to do some birding in the estate gardens there, as well as the adjacent forest fragments and waterways. In addition to the regular species that we are used to seeing here we also had nice views of species such as Yellow-rumped Marshbird, Variable Antshrike and Aplomado Falcon. We visited the lake almost daily, but other trips away meant we had a few days off.

-Black-pencilled Marmosette

-Masked Water Tyrant

-Golden-crowned Warbler

-Eared Dove

One of the places we visited was the just over the hill, where there was a small marsh surrounded by an extension of Lia’s estate. Our visit here was purely exploratory but we managed to find some interesting species in the marsh there, and were the season better it could even attract some rarities. As soon as we arrived it all kicked off, with a Black-capped Donacobius flying over the car, closely followed by a Rufous-thighed Hawk. Fortunately we saw both of these species again afterwards. But the highlight was a small group of Orange-breasted Thornbird. Initially we just heard them and suspected they might be crakes, but after recording them and then playback-ing we found the source of the calls. They then showed quite nicely, although frustratingly for photos. Other goodies that we found here included commoner marsh birds such as Chestnut-capped Blackbird and Common Waxbill. 

-Orange-breasted Thornbird

-Black-capped Donacobius

-Chestnut-capped Blackbird

Species List:
Lagoa do Jardim Lenor: Brazilian Teal, Pale-vented Pigeon, Picazuro Pigeon, Ruddy Ground Dove, White-tipped Dove, Eared Dove, Guira Cuckoo, Smooth-billed Ani, Sick's Swift, Planalto Hermit, Glittering-bellied Emerald, Swallow-tailed Hummingbird, Slaty-breasted Wood Rail, Common Gallinule, Rufous-sided Crake, Southern Lapwing, Wattled Jacana, Anhinga, Neotropic Cormorant, Rufescent Tiger Heron, Great Egret, Western Cattle Egret, Whistling Heron, Black-crowned Night Heron, Green Ibis, Buff-necked Ibis, Black Vulture, Roadside Hawk, Short-tailed Hawk, Tropical Screech Owl, Ringed Kingfisher, Amazon Kingfisher, Toco Toucan, White-barred Piculet, White Woodpecker, White-spotted Woodpecker, Lineated Woodpecker, Blond-crested Woodpecker, Green-barred Woodpecker, Campo Flicker, Red-legged Seriema, Southern Crested Caracara, Yellow-headed Caracara, American Kestrel, Aplomado Falcon, Yellow-chevroned Parakeet, Blue-winged Parrotlet, White-eyed Parakeet, Barred Antshrike, Variable Antshrike, Rufous Hornero, Sharp-tailed Streamcreeper, Yellow-chinned Spinetail, Common Tody-Flycatcher, Cliff Flycatcher, Southern Beardless Tyrannulet, Yellow-bellied Elaenia, White-crested Tyrannulet, Masked Water Tyrant, Cattle Tyrant, Great Kiskadee, Boat-billed Flycatcher, Social Flycatcher, Tropical Kingbird, Rufous-browed Peppershrike, Curl-crested Jay, Blue-and-white Swallow, Grey-breasted Martin, House Wren, Chalk-browed Mockingbird, Pale-breasted Thrush, Creamy-bellied Thrush, Common Waxbill, House Sparrow, Purple-throated Euphonia, Rufous-collared Sparrow, Variable Oriole, Shiny Cowbird, Yellow-rumped Marshbird, Golden-crowned Warbler, Hooded Tanager, Orange-headed Tanager, Ruby-crowned Tanager, Sayaca Tanager, Palm Tanager, Chestnut-vented Conebill, Saffron Finch, Double-collared Seedeater, Bananaquit,
Brejo Eng. d'Água: Brazilian Teal, Picazuro Pigeon, Ruddy Ground Dove, Eared Dove, Smooth-billed Ani, Planalto Hermit, Glittering-bellied Emerald, Swallow-tailed Hummingbird, Rufous-sided Crake, Southern Lapwing, Black Vulture, Rufous-thighed Hawk, Roadside Hawk, Short-tailed Hawk, Amazon Kingfisher, Toco Toucan, White Woodpecker, White-spotted Woodpecker, Green-barred Woodpecker, Campo Flicker, Southern Crested Caracara, Yellow-chevroned Parakeet, Blue-winged Parrotlet, White-eyed Parakeet, Barred Antshrike, Variable Antshrike, Rufous Hornero, Orange-breasted Thornbird, Yellow-olive Flatbill, Southern Beardless Tyrannulet, Yellow-bellied Elaenia, Bran-colored Flycatcher, Masked Water Tyrant, Short-crested Flycatcher, Great Kiskadee, Boat-billed Flycatcher, Social Flycatcher, Rufous-browed Peppershrike, Black-capped Donacobius, Blue-and-white Swallow, House Wren, Chalk-browed Mockingbird, Pale-breasted Thrush, Creamy-bellied Thrush, Common Waxbill, House Sparrow, Purple-throated Euphonia, Chestnut-capped Blackbird, Yellow-rumped Marshbird, Sayaca Tanager, Saffron Finch, Lined Seedeater, White-bellied Seedeater, Double-collared Seedeater, Bananaquit,

Brazil; Serra do Japi

  We had a morning out birding at the Serra do Japi mountains to try and find some Atlantic Forest species instead of the usual birds around Lia’s estate. The day was overcast and slightly breezy but it felt quite birdy. It was unfortunate that it was a weekend and as such it was busy with cyclists and hikers. We were still able to find some excellent species and quiet spots and by the end of the morning we had over 50 species.
  There were a few highlights. Notably I had a SP tick in the form of Blue-naped Chlorophonia, with a male and female showing very nicely on the side of the road. Although I have seen many of these birds in Colombia, this was only the second time I have seen one in Brazil. It was also nice to see Dusky-tailed Antbird, another species that I have seen on only a couple of occasions before at PE Intervales. A nice mixed flock at the end had some good views of Eared Pygmy Tyrant among the commoner tanagers in the field.
  But the absolute highlight of the morning was a White-necked Hawk which we spotted soaring distantly over the mountains. This endangered hawk is the same species we searched for in Ubatuba, but only I was able to find and see very briefly and poorly. Here, so far inland, it is incredibly rare, being not only the first record for the municipality but also for the Serra do Japi mountain range. It was also a lifer for Lia, meaning she got this species back on me. It certainly was an exciting end to the morning. We were able to watch it for about ten minutes soaring before it flew off south. Frustratingly we did not recognize the species in the field, thinking instead that it was a Mantled Hawk instead. Helpfully the photos we were able to get clearly showed the black tail band that are diagnostic for the White-necked Hawk.

-White-necked Hawk

-Sostrata cronion

-Pallid Spinetail

-Blue-naped Chlorophonia

 
Species List:
Serra do Japi: Dusky-legged Guan, Picazuro Pigeon, Plumbeous Pigeon, White-tipped Dove, Black Jacobin, Glittering-bellied Emerald, Violet-capped Woodnymph, White-throated Hummingbird, Versicolored Emerald, Turkey Vulture, White-necked Hawk, Ochre-collared Piculet, White-spotted Woodpecker, Lineated Woodpecker, Scaly-headed Parrot, White-eyed Parakeet, Spot-backed Antshrike, Variable Antshrike, Rufous-winged Antwren, Dusky-tailed Antbird, White-shouldered Fire-eye, Rufous Gnateater, Olivaceous Woodcreeper, Streaked Xenops, Black-capped Foliage-gleaner, White-eyed Foliage-gleaner, Blue Manakin, White-bearded Manakin, Greenish Schiffornis, White-winged Becard, White-throated Spadebill, Grey-hooded Flycatcher, Eared Pygmy Tyrant, Ochre-faced Tody-Flycatcher, Yellow-olive Flatbill, Southern Beardless Tyrannulet, Olivaceous Elaenia, Rufous-browed Peppershrike, Pale-breasted Thrush, Rufous-bellied Thrush, Blue-naped Chlorophonia, Rufous-collared Sparrow, Golden-crowned Warbler, White-rimmed Warbler, Black-goggled Tanager, Ruby-crowned Tanager, Sayaca Tanager, Golden-chevroned Tanager, Brassy-breasted Tanager, Bananaquit, Green-winged Saltator,

Brazil; Avenida Silvestre Pires de Freitas

  Lia could not enter her lab today due to other students using the facilities. As a result, we had the day to head out birding. Our original plans quickly fell apart and as a result we made a last-minute decision to bird an area of public road that ran adjacent to two areas of protected Atlantic Forest. There were no eBird hotspots in the area, so we were going in blind as to what we might find.
  As it happened, we had an excellent morning birding, with some nice species among the commoner Atlantic Forest birds. Perhaps the standout was a pair of Black-backed Tanager which were high up in the canopy, forming a mixed flock with Brassy-breasted Tanager. This species is rare, and normally restricted to the coastal plain. I personally have only seen it once previously, when I saw a female/immature male in Vilha Velha in 2019, which is the very northern limit of its wintering range.
  There were other nice species on offer too. This was only the second time I have seen Eye-ringed Tody-Tyrant, and the first time I have photographed it. The bird showed exceptionally well, perching still for a few minutes at a time, rather than the usual erratic movements of Hemitriccus. There were also a few Eared Pygmy-Tyrant as well. This tiny bird is another that I have seen only a few times before, so it was a pleasure to catch up with them again here.
  In total we wrapped up with just short of 50 species, which is an excellent total for an area that we visited based purely on chance. 

-Eared Pygmy Tyrant

-Eye-ringed Tody-Tyrant

-Red-bellied Surucua Trogon

-Black-backed Tanager

-Doxocopa laurentia

-Doxocopa agathina

Species List:
Avenida Silvestre Pires de Freitas: Sick's Swift, Violet-capped Woodnymph, Black Vulture, Roadside Hawk, Surucua Trogon, Green-billed Toucan, White-barred Piculet, White-spotted Woodpecker, Scaly-headed Parrot, Spot-backed Antshrike, Plain Antvireo, Rufous-winged Antwren, White-shouldered Fire-eye, Olivaceous Woodcreeper, Lesser Woodcreeper, Streaked Xenops, Buff-fronted Foliage-gleaner, White-eyed Foliage-gleaner, Rufous-capped Spinetail, Blue Manakin, Pin-tailed Manakin, Red-ruffed Fruitcrow, Greenish Schiffornis, Grey-hooded Flycatcher, Sepia-capped Flycatcher, Eared Pygmy Tyrant, Eye-ringed Tody-Tyrant, Yellow-olive Flatbill, Southern Beardless Tyrannulet, Olivaceous Elaenia, Euler's Flycatcher, Rufous-browed Peppershrike, Rufous-crowned Greenlet, Chivi Vireo, Blue-and-white Swallow, Grey-breasted Martin, Trilling Gnatwren, Violaceous Euphonia, Golden-crowned Warbler, White-rimmed Warbler, Black-goggled Tanager, Ruby-crowned Tanager, Black-backed Tanager, Red-necked Tanager, Brassy-breasted Tanager, Blue Dacnis, Bananaquit, 

Brazil; Estrada Mogi das Cruzes

  Lia had a day away from the lab so we decided to try a new site just to the south of Sao Paulo where we hoped to find some interesting finch species. Alas, that is not how things transpired but that does not mean that there was not good birding. The site is little more than a road on the northern edge of the Serra do Marr national park, passing a large reservoir with some interesting marshes along the water margin.
  The forests were quite low, so there were not many true forest species that would be more equipped to canopy habitat. There were at least two Giant Antshrike in the area, but they were typically shy. A single female showed in a dense thicket but that was the only views I was able to get. Still, this is one of my favourite Atlantic Forest species, and I have only been able to see it once before.
  The reservoir had a few more interesting species, such as Pied-billed Grebe and Aplomado Falcon, but the highlight was a pair of Lesser Yellow-headed Vultures which were perched on the shoreline. This was a Sao Paulo tick for me, but I have never before seen them so well as when they took off an began circling low over us. A pair of Yellowish Pipit was also a nice surprise, as they trotted along the edge of the reservoir.
  Sadly, we than ran into the local rangers who informed us that prior authorisation was required to go off the road, which we had not obtained, as such it seems unlikely that we will be returning any time soon.

-Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture

-Sharp-tailed Streamcreeper

-Giant Antshrike

Species List:
Estrada Mogi das Cruzes: Brown Tinamou, White-faced Whistling Duck, Brazilian Teal, Dusky-legged Guan, Pied-billed Grebe, Feral Pigeon, Picazuro Pigeon, Ruddy Ground Dove, Squirrel Cuckoo, Sick's Swift, Violet-capped Woodnymph, Slaty-breasted Wood Rail, Southern Lapwing, Neotropic Cormorant, Great Egret, Snowy Egret, Whistling Heron, Black Vulture, Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture, White Woodpecker, White-spotted Woodpecker, Campo Flicker, Southern Crested Caracara, Yellow-headed Caracara, Aplomado Falcon, Giant Antshrike, Variable Antshrike, White-shouldered Fire-eye, Sharp-tailed Streamcreeper, Spix's Spinetail, Blue Manakin, Hooded Berryeater, Ochre-faced Tody-Flycatcher, Southern Beardless Tyrannulet, White-rumped Monjita, Great Kiskadee, Rufous-browed Peppershrike, Chivi Vireo, House Wren, Yellowish Pipit, Purple-throated Euphonia, Rufous-collared Sparrow, Golden-winged Cacique, Southern Yellowthroat, Tropical Parula, Golden-crowned Warbler, White-rimmed Warbler, Ruby-crowned Tanager, Sayaca Tanager, Bananaquit, Green-winged Saltator,

Brazil; Campos do Jordao

  We finally made it out birding again after nearly three weeks. Our chosen destination was the picturesque town of Campos do Jordão, a location we have visited before with a number of interesting species found in the higher altitude Araucaria forests there. Because the site is three hours from Sao Paulo we decided to head over the night before so that we could be on site early in the morning.

  As opposed to our last visit, the weather was glorious with only a few clouds in the sky, so our birding was far more pleasant than on our previous visit. We birded along a road which cut through numerous areas of forest and grassland, offering us a good variety of the species that can be found here. Both Buff-throated Warbling Finch and Bay-chested Warbling Finch were common, and we were able to find a number of species with ranges limited to these mountains; Rufous-backed Antvireo, Cinnamon Tanager, Green-crowned Plovercrest, Mottle-cheeked Tyrannulet and Sharp-billed Treehunter. On our drive up to the birding location we also spotted three Vinaceous-breasted Parrots perched in the Araucaria trees, this species being rare and local to this habitat, a key target on our last visit here.

  Both Lia and I had two lifers during our mornings birding. First of all was Shear-tailed Grey-Tyrant, which we spotted perched from a roadside vantage point from where we could scan the canopy tops. The birds were initially distant but then came closer in the early morning sun. Our second lifer was the one we really wanted; Black-capped Piprites. This small relative of the manakins had eluded us on our last visit and was our main target for the day. It took the best part of the morning but in the end we had a fantastic male showing exceptionally well, sometimes even coming down to eye level. Frustratingly for photography, when it descended to eye level it chose to remain obscured by the vegetation. 

-Green-crowned Plovercrest

-Mottle-cheeked Tyrannulet

-Shear-tailed Grey-Tyrant

-Cinnamon Tanager

-Black-capped Piprites

-Sharp-billed Treehunter

-Theagenes dichrous

-Scaly-headed Parrot

Species List:
Campos do Jordão - Estrada da Romaria: Brown Tinamou, Dusky-legged Guan, Pale-vented Pigeon, Picazuro Pigeon, Plumbeous Pigeon, White-collared Swift, Grey-rumped Swift, Glittering-bellied Emerald, Green-crowned Plovercrest, Southern Lapwing, Black Vulture, Turkey Vulture, White-tailed Kite, White-tailed Hawk, Short-tailed Hawk, Surucua Trogon, White-spotted Woodpecker, Campo Flicker, Southern Crested Caracara, Yellow-headed Caracara, Pileated Parrot, Vinaceous-breasted Amazon, Maroon-bellied Parakeet, Variable Antshrike, Rufous-backed Antvireo, Rufous-tailed Antbird, Olivaceous Woodcreeper, Streaked Xenops, Sharp-billed Treehunter, Spix's Spinetail, Blue Manakin, Red-ruffed Fruitcrow, Black-and-gold Cotinga, Greenish Schiffornis, Black-capped Piprites, Mottle-cheeked Tyrannulet, Serra do Mar Tyrannulet, Cliff Flycatcher, Southern Beardless Tyrannulet, Olivaceous Elaenia, Planalto Tyrannulet, Velvety Black Tyrant, White-rumped Monjita, Shear-tailed Grey Tyrant, Rufous-browed Peppershrike, Rufous-crowned Greenlet, Blue-and-white Swallow, Rufous-collared Sparrow, Golden-winged Cacique, White-rimmed Warbler, Cinnamon Tanager, Buff-throated Warbling Finch, Diademed Tanager, Brassy-breasted Tanager, Bay-chested Warbling Finch,