Brazil; Serra da Canastra 19.03.2020 - 21.03.2020

Day 35 19.03.2020

As a result of the developing Coronavirus situation we had to decide our next steps carefully. In the end we continued with our original plan of trying to see the Brazilian Merganser in the Serra de Canastra national park. Unfortunately the park itself closed due to the virus but the duck should be possible to see outside the park according to our guide. We arrived at the park late afternoon and birded a small marsh near the town we were staying in. We managed a long list but it was mainly common birds, except that I finally, FINALLY, connected with the stunning Streamer-tailed Tyrant when a pair of birds showed extremely well close to us displaying. It was a fantastic end to a day that was otherwise just driving.

-Streamer-tailed Tyrant

Species List:

São Roque de Minas Marsh: Pale-vented Pigeon, Picazuro Pigeon, Ruddy Ground Dove, Smooth-billed Ani, Sick's Swift, Grey-necked Wood Rail, Buff-necked Ibis, Black Vulture, Rufous-tailed Jacamar, Toco Toucan, Southern Crested Caracara, Aplomado Falcon, Yellow-chevroned Parakeet, Blue-winged Parrotlet, Peach-fronted Parakeet, White-eyed Parakeet, Rufous Hornero, Rufous-fronted Thornbird, Spix's Spinetail, Yellow-bellied Elaenia, Crested Black Tyrant, Streamer-tailed Tyrant, Long-tailed Tyrant, Great Kiskadee, Social Flycatcher, Piratic Flycatcher, Tropical Kingbird, Blue-and-white Swallow, Chalk-browed Mockingbird, Pale-breasted Thrush, Rufous-bellied Thrush, Creamy-bellied Thrush, Crested Oropendola, Giant Cowbird, Chopi Blackbird, Golden-crowned Warbler, Sayaca Tanager, Palm Tanager, Burnished-buff Tanager, Blue Dacnis, Saffron Finch, Blue-black Grassquit, Bananaquit, Green-winged Saltator,

Brazil Day 36 20.03.2020

We had one full day in Canastra to try and find the critically endangered Brazilian Merganser. We hired a local guide who monitors the birds for a living, and set off to scan the lower courses of the Sao Francisco river. Heavy rainfall overnight had put something of a dampener on the whole day, as cloudy water would mean it would be harder to find the birds. Still we drove up and down the river checking various access points hoping that a duck might be showing. Alas it was not to be. Even with our guide leading us to former nest sites and usual locations for sightings we were unable to find any Mergansers.

The birding along the river was still fun and we saw a few nice species along the way. Black-throated Saltator, Plush-crested Jay, Sooty Tyrannulet and Green-billed Toucan were all highlights for me. It was just unfortunate that we could not find a Merganser to round the day off nicely.

-Green-billed and Toco Toucan

-Red-legged Seriema

-Rufous-tailed Jacamar

Species List:

Sao Francisco River: Rusty-margined Guan, Pale-vented Pigeon, Picazuro Pigeon, Ruddy Ground Dove, Scaled Dove, Guira Cuckoo, Smooth-billed Ani, Squirrel Cuckoo, White-collared Swift, Black Vulture, Turkey Vulture, Savanna Hawk, Roadside Hawk, Ringed Kingfisher, Amazon Kingfisher, Rufous-tailed Jacamar, Toco Toucan, Green-billed Toucan, Red-legged Seriema, Southern Crested Caracara, Yellow-headed Caracara, Aplomado Falcon, Peach-fronted Parakeet, Pale-legged Hornero, White-bearded Manakin, Sepia-capped Flycatcher, Sooty Tyrannulet, Crested Black Tyrant, White-rumped Monjita, Streamer-tailed Tyrant, Masked Water Tyrant, Social Flycatcher, Tropical Kingbird, Plush-crested Jay, Blue-and-white Swallow, Southern Rough-winged Swallow, House Wren, Rufous-collared Sparrow, Crested Oropendola, Chestnut-capped Blackbird, Yellow-rumped Marshbird, Sayaca Tanager, Blue Dacnis, Saffron Finch, Blue-black Grassquit, Yellow-bellied Seedeater, Black-throated Saltator,

Brazil Day 37 21.03.2020

We decided to spend our final morning in Canastra checking over the sections of river that we had visited the previous day. It would only be a quick check but since we were already here, we decided it was worth it. We had some hope, as the weather was nicer than it was supposed to be and the river seemed clearer but alas, once again we were unable to find the Merganser. The other birds in the area remained much the same as the previous day which helped make our post lunch departure easier, although an Armadillo that scuttled across the road was a nice surprise. From Canastra we headed back to Itatiba, where we would spend the last week of our trip safe from any potential lockdown or state closure.

-Cliff Flycatcher

Species List:

Sao Francisco River: Picazuro Pigeon, Ruddy Ground Dove, Scaled Dove, White-tipped Dove, Guira Cuckoo, Smooth-billed Ani, Planalto Hermit, Blackish Rail, Grey-necked Wood Rail, Southern Lapwing, Black Vulture, Turkey Vulture, Roadside Hawk, Ringed Kingfisher, Toco Toucan, Red-legged Seriema, Southern Crested Caracara, Yellow-headed Caracara, Blue-winged Parrotlet, Peach-fronted Parakeet, Rufous Hornero, White-bearded Manakin, Cliff Flycatcher, Crested Black Tyrant, Yellow-browed Tyrant, White-rumped Monjita, Masked Water Tyrant, Brown-crested Flycatcher, Social Flycatcher, Tropical Kingbird, Curl-crested Jay, Chalk-browed Mockingbird, Variable Oriole, Flavescent Warbler, Sayaca Tanager, Burnished-buff Tanager, Saffron Finch, Blue-black Grassquit, Yellow-bellied Seedeater, Bananaquit, Black-throated Saltator,

Brazil; PE Intervales Part 2 17.03.2020 - 18.03.2020

Day 33 17.03.2020

Without a guide, and therefore access to a number of the best trails, we took today a bit easier than the previous two days. We walked a trail up to a watchtower on top of one of the hills overlooking the pousada complex. Our plan was to hopefully watch out for any raptors flying around, but sadly in the hour we spent at the top we only saw a few vultures. The trail had some nice birds, including our first Tityra of the trip with Black-capped Tityra. We also have Brown-breasted Bamboo-Tyrant and a selection of the species we had got used to over the past few days.

-Hangnest Tody-Tyrant

-Brown-breasted Bamboo-Tyrant

-Short-tailed Antthrush

-Black-capped Tityra

-Hooded Berryeater

-Rufous-breasted Leaftosser

In the afternoon we birded from the road near our pousada. Although the woods were generally quiet I had a fantastic surprise when I spotted a Brown Tinamou foraging in the undergrowth at extremely close range. It moved just as I tried to get Lia onto the bird, and we failed to get it out of the undergrowth. In the evening we went out looking for owls but had very limited results with just Rusty-barred Owl for our efforts. Although the bird showed well, we were optimistic of a number of other species that did not materialize.

Species List:

PE Intervales: Brown Tinamou, Dusky-legged Guan, Spot-winged Wood Quail, Picazuro Pigeon, Ruddy Ground Dove, White-tipped Dove, Eared Dove, Squirrel Cuckoo, White-collared Swift, Grey-rumped Swift, Black Jacobin, Dusky-throated Hermit, Black-throated Mango, Violet-capped Woodnymph, Slaty-breasted Wood Rail, Common Gallinule, Southern Lapwing, Wattled Jacana, Striated Heron, Black Vulture, Grey-headed Kite, Roadside Hawk, Rusty-barred Owl, Black-throated Trogon, Green-billed Toucan, Yellow-fronted Woodpecker, Campo Flicker, Yellow-headed Caracara, Plain Parakeet, Pileated Parrot, Scaly-headed Parrot, Blue-winged Parrotlet, Maroon-bellied Parakeet, Spot-backed Antshrike, Variable Antshrike, Bertoni's Antbird, Dusky-tailed Antbird, Rufous Gnateater, Short-tailed Antthrush, Rufous-breasted Leaftosser, Rufous Hornero, Buff-fronted Foliage-gleaner, White-eyed Foliage-gleaner, Hooded Berryeater, Black-tailed Tityra, Black-crowned Tityra, Greenish Schiffornis, Chestnut-crowned Becard, White-winged Becard, Sharpbill, White-throated Spadebill, Grey-hooded Flycatcher, Brown-breasted Bamboo Tyrant, Hangnest Tody-Tyrant, Cliff Flycatcher, Southern Beardless Tyrannulet, Masked Water Tyrant, Swainson's Flycatcher, Cattle Tyrant, Social Flycatcher, Streaked Flycatcher, Tropical Kingbird, Chivi Vireo, Blue-and-white Swallow, Grey-breasted Martin, House Wren, Chalk-browed Mockingbird, Pale-breasted Thrush, Rufous-bellied Thrush, Rufous-collared Sparrow, Golden-winged Cacique, Chestnut-capped Blackbird, Tropical Parula, Golden-crowned Warbler, White-rimmed Warbler, Riverbank Warbler, Red-crowned Ant Tanager, Ruby-crowned Tanager, Azure-shouldered Tanager, Palm Tanager, Green-headed Tanager, Saffron Finch, Blue-black Grassquit, Lined Seedeater, Double-collared Seedeater, Bananaquit, Green-winged Saltator,

Day 34 18.03.2020

For our last morning we birded the road next to our Pousada again. The birding was once again excellent with a number of mixed flocks passing through and the constant background noise of Furnarids and Tanagers. We saw the Brown Tinamou again as it wandered across the road, and it was nice to see another Wing-barred Piprites, this time part of a mixed flock and singing. We tried again for the Purple-crowned Plovercrest to try and get some better photos but once again only the unspectuacular young male would show in the open. We headed off after lunch in order to make as much progress as possible to our destination for the night of Campinas north of Sao Paulo.

-Star-throated Antwren

-Spot-billed Toucanette

-Pin-tailed Manakin

-Purple-crowned Plovercrest

Species List:

PE Intervales: Brown Tinamou, Picazuro Pigeon, White-tipped Dove, Dusky-throated Hermit, Brazilian Ruby, Purple-crowned Plovercrest, Violet-capped Woodnymph, Versicolored Emerald, Southern Lapwing, Black Vulture, Surucua Trogon, Spot-billed Toucanet, Scaly-headed Parrot, Blue-winged Parrotlet, Star-throated Antwren, Spot-breasted Antvireo, Dusky-tailed Antbird, Olivaceous Woodcreeper, Lesser Woodcreeper, White-collared Foliage-gleaner, Buff-fronted Foliage-gleaner, Rufous-capped Spinetail, Blue Manakin, Pin-tailed Manakin, Wing-barred Piprites, Oustalet's Tyrannulet, Drab-breasted Bamboo Tyrant, Small-headed Elaenia, Planalto Tyrannulet, Sibilant Sirystes, Great Kiskadee, Streaked Flycatcher, Tropical Kingbird, Chivi Vireo, Blue-and-white Swallow, Grey-breasted Martin, House Wren, Yellow-legged Thrush, Rufous-bellied Thrush, Rufous-collared Sparrow, Tropical Parula, Golden-crowned Warbler, Olive-green Tanager, Black-goggled Tanager, Azure-shouldered Tanager, Golden-chevroned Tanager, Palm Tanager, Green-headed Tanager, Red-necked Tanager, Brassy-breasted Tanager, Rufous-headed Tanager, Blue-black Grassquit, Double-collared Seedeater,

Brazil; PE Intervales Part 1 14.03.2020 - 16.03.2020

Brazil Day 30 14.03.2020

The previous evening we had headed out to a university party and got absolutely wrecked. As a result, we had something of a slow start, but since we only had to travel today it was not a great loss. We were travelling to the legendary park of Intervales, the flagship park of the Atlantic forest with an incredible array of species. We did not arrive until dusk, but that meant plenty of time for owls. Although we were knackered we still managed to get ourselves Rusty-barred Owl, which is the last of the endemic Atlantic Forest owls that we had not seen. It made us work for it, but in the end it showed extremely well in an open cecropia tree. We also saw a deer, Grey Brocket, on the drive up, which is my first in Brazil.

-Rusty-barred Owl

Species List:

PE Intervales: Pauraque, Southern Lapwing, Rusty-barred Owl, Lineated Woodpecker, Grey Brocket,

Brazil Day 31 15.03.2020

Intervales is a magical place. Before we had heard so much about it but now having experienced a full day it is safe to say that there is no exaggeration when describing this place. We had a guide with us to allow us access onto the trails and show us the feeding sites, but he was so sharp and without him we may not have seen half the species that we did.

Our morning walk took us down Carmo road, a famous track in the reserve. The mixed flocks were incredible and seemingly never ending for the first few hours, although it took some time for the fog to clear. Its hard to pick out highlights from a morning with over 80 species but two encounters stand out in particular. One, we found a pair of Streaked Flycatchers in great distress, and when we peered through the vegetation we found an amazing Tiny Hawk with an obviously fresh kill. It sat for some time staring at us with the most insane eyes, before it flew off into the forest with the flycatchers in tow. And second, our guide spotted a Bare-faced Bellbird in a cecropia next to the track. Even when these birds are vocal they are difficult to see, and even then often distantly. At the moment they are silent so finding one was not even considered a possibility, never mind one feeding happily at the side of the track. Other crazy birds included Black-fronted Piping Guan, Blue-bellied Parrot, Ochre-rumped Antbird, White-bearded Antshrike and Saffron Toucanette.

-Black-fronted Piping-Guan

-Collared Forest Falcon

-Saffron Toucanette

-Tiny Hawk

-Bare-throated Bellbird

-Plain Parakeet

-Argentine Black-and-white Tegu

In the afternoon we spent more time around the Pousada complex of the reserve, visiting the feeding sites. Sadly a number of the sites have become inactive due to the season or for other reasons but the Red-and-White Crake and Spot-winged Wood-Quails were still putting on a great show. And at the Wood-Quail feeder we managed to tape in a Short-tailed Antthrush, my last Atlantic Forest Antthrush. And to finish off, just before dark we had simply unbelievable views of Slaty Bristlefront crossing a grassy track. Absolutely outstanding birding.

-Blackish Rail

-Rufous-sided Crake

-Red-and-white Crake

-Spot-winged Wood-Quail

-Slaty Bristlefront

Species List:

PE Intervales: Dusky-legged Guan, Black-fronted Piping Guan, Spot-winged Wood Quail, Picazuro Pigeon, Eared Dove, White-collared Swift, Black Jacobin, Dusky-throated Hermit, Festive Coquette, Violet-capped Woodnymph, Versicolored Emerald, Blackish Rail, Slaty-breasted Wood Rail, Rufous-sided Crake, Red-and-white Crake, Southern Lapwing, Black Vulture, Turkey Vulture, Ornate Hawk-Eagle, Tiny Hawk, White-tailed Hawk, Surucua Trogon, Black-throated Trogon, Ringed Kingfisher, Saffron Toucanet, Spot-billed Toucanet, Yellow-fronted Woodpecker, White-spotted Woodpecker, Yellow-browed Woodpecker, Collared Forest Falcon, Southern Crested Caracara, Plain Parakeet, Blue-bellied Parrot, Blue-winged Parrotlet, Maroon-bellied Parakeet, Tufted Antshrike, White-bearded Antshrike, Plain Antvireo, Ferruginous Antbird, Ochre-rumped Antbird, Dusky-tailed Antbird, White-shouldered Fire-eye, Rufous Gnateater, Slaty Bristlefront, Short-tailed Antthrush, Rufous-breasted Leaftosser, Olivaceous Woodcreeper, Planalto Woodcreeper, Lesser Woodcreeper, Streaked Xenops, Rufous Hornero, White-collared Foliage-gleaner, Black-capped Foliage-gleaner, Buff-fronted Foliage-gleaner, Rufous-capped Spinetail, Red-ruffed Fruitcrow, Cinnamon-vented Piha, Bare-throated Bellbird, Greenish Schiffornis, Chestnut-crowned Becard, Sharpbill, Black-tailed Myiobius, White-throated Spadebill, Grey-hooded Flycatcher, Sepia-capped Flycatcher, Oustalet's Tyrannulet, Bay-ringed Tyrannulet, Eared Pygmy Tyrant, Ochre-faced Tody-Flycatcher, Yellow-olive Flatbill, Cliff Flycatcher, Grey Elaenia, Rough-legged Tyrannulet, Planalto Tyrannulet, Euler's Flycatcher, Masked Water Tyrant, Long-tailed Tyrant, Large-headed Flatbill, Swainson's Flycatcher, Short-crested Flycatcher, Cattle Tyrant, Great Kiskadee, Boat-billed Flycatcher, Streaked Flycatcher, Tropical Kingbird, Rufous-browed Peppershrike, Chivi Vireo, Blue-and-white Swallow, Southern Rough-winged Swallow, Grey-breasted Martin, Chalk-browed Mockingbird, Yellow-legged Thrush, White-necked Thrush, Rufous-bellied Thrush, Violaceous Euphonia, Rufous-collared Sparrow, Golden-winged Cacique, Red-rumped Cacique, Golden-crowned Warbler, White-rimmed Warbler, Olive-green Tanager, Brown Tanager, Magpie Tanager, Black-goggled Tanager, Ruby-crowned Tanager, Azure-shouldered Tanager, Golden-chevroned Tanager, Green-headed Tanager, Red-necked Tanager, Brassy-breasted Tanager, Blue Dacnis, Rufous-headed Tanager, Uniform Finch, Saffron Finch, Lined Seedeater, Double-collared Seedeater, Bananaquit, Black-throated Grosbeak, 

Brazil Day 32 16.03.2020

Intervales continued to be amazing today, with our second and final day with the guide, he decided to head down into the forest to the only site for Russet-winged Spadebill, an elusive and local species of the Atlantic Forest. While the track we went on was just, if not more, birdy than the previous day, most of the species we only heard. That said, I still gathered up a host of lifers including Sharp-billed Treehunter, Ruddy Quail Dove and Three-striped Flycatcher. It was also nice to see another Short-tailed Antthrush, this time waddling about in the undergrowth.

-Three-striped Flycatcher

Once we reached the Spadebill site, it looked as though the bird was not there and it took some time before a single individual did appear, silently arriving without warning. It then proceeded to show extremely well for a short while before scurrying back into the undergrowth. On the walk back to the car we tried with a known Variegated Antpitta. Although the bird was singing, it looked for a long time like it would not come in response to our playback. But then, once we entered the vegetation ourselves, we got insane views as it came walking extremely close. Our views were largely obscured by vegetation but they were still more than excellent.

-Russet-winged Spadebill

-Variegated Antpitta

With now almost all of our targets wrapped up, our guide decided to try for Violet-crowned Plovercrest at a lek site. Although it was not season and we were told the birds were almost certainly not there, we arrived to find two individuals singing, including an absolutely stunning male. Sadly the sun was hot and both birds were residing in the shadows, but it was excellent to connect with another of our wanted species. We then drove around other birdy sections of forest trying for a few of our targets a little further down the list. We were largely successful and were rewarded with excellent encounters with Serra do Marr Tyrant Manakin, Wing-barred Pipirites and Rufous-crowned Antshrike.

-Wing-barred Piprites

-Purple-crowned Plovercrest

-Serra-do-marr Tyrant-Manakin

-Black-throated Trogon

-Rufous-crowned Antshrike

And we still have almost two days left in the park and we already wrapped up our targets. The park is, without doubt, worthy of the hype.

Species List:

PE Intervales: Rusty-margined Guan, Dusky-legged Guan, Spot-winged Wood Quail, Picazuro Pigeon, Ruddy Quail-Dove, Short-tailed Nighthawk, Grey-rumped Swift, Black Jacobin, Dusky-throated Hermit, Brazilian Ruby, Glittering-bellied Emerald, Purple-crowned Plovercrest, Versicolored Emerald, Blackish Rail, Slaty-breasted Wood Rail, Southern Lapwing, Black Vulture, Turkey Vulture, Roadside Hawk, Tropical Screech Owl, Black-throated Trogon, Ochre-collared Piculet, Southern Crested Caracara, Scaly-headed Parrot, Maroon-bellied Parakeet, Rufous-capped Antshrike, Star-throated Antwren, Dusky-tailed Antbird, White-shouldered Fire-eye, Squamate Antbird, Black-cheeked Gnateater, Rufous Gnateater, Variegated Antpitta, Mouse-colored Tapaculo, Short-tailed Antthrush, Rufous-breasted Leaftosser, White-throated Woodcreeper, Lesser Woodcreeper, Scalloped Woodcreeper, Plain Xenops, Streaked Xenops, Rufous Hornero, Sharp-billed Treehunter, Buff-fronted Foliage-gleaner, White-eyed Foliage-gleaner, Pallid Spinetail, Grey-bellied Spinetail, Serra do Mar Tyrant-Manakin, Blue Manakin, Red-ruffed Fruitcrow, Green-backed Becard, Chestnut-crowned Becard, Sharpbill, Wing-barred Piprites, White-throated Spadebill, Russet-winged Spadebill, Oustalet's Tyrannulet, Hangnest Tody-Tyrant, Cliff Flycatcher, Planalto Tyrannulet, Sibilant Sirystes, Boat-billed Flycatcher, Social Flycatcher, Three-striped Flycatcher, Tropical Kingbird, Chivi Vireo, Blue-and-white Swallow, Southern Rough-winged Swallow, Grey-breasted Martin, Rufous-bellied Thrush, Blue-naped Chlorophonia, Rufous-collared Sparrow, Golden-winged Cacique, Golden-crowned Warbler, Brown Tanager, Black-goggled Tanager, Ruby-crowned Tanager, Azure-shouldered Tanager, Green-headed Tanager, Blue Dacnis, Rufous-headed Tanager, Saffron Finch, Blue-black Grassquit, Double-collared Seedeater,