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Atlantic Coast Forest Tour Nov. 12 - 22 from Rio de Janeiro |
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BRAZILIAN
SOUTHEAST RAINFOREST & HIGHLANDS – Serra
Dos Tucanos Lodge |
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| 1st. Day: Nov. 12 :Arrival from home at the International Airport of Rio. Transfer to the Serra Dos Tucanos Lodge, our base for the 10 days.. Check in. Lunch. Optional Siesta. PM: Dedicated to watch fantastic birds in the gardens of the Hotel & its feeders - Possible Birds: Brazilian Ruby, Dusky-legged Guan, Saffron Toucanet, Green-headed Tanager...just to mention a few...200 species have been recorded here. On the nearby Cedae Trail we will search for tanagers, parakeets, parrots, Crescent-chested Puffbird, toucans and toucanets, woodpeckers and woodcreepers. We shall stay long enough to watch the sunset & try some owling, which would include chances of seeing the Semi-collared Nighthawk and the Tawny-browed Owl. Dinner. Overnight at Serra Dos Tucanos Lodge (all 10 days). |
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| 2nd. Day:
Nov.13 :On this day, we will bird
the hotel grounds. A 3-4 hour guided walk with a local guide will give
us a chance to see Swallow-tailed and Sombre hummingbirds, Surucua
Trogon, Blond-crested Woodpecker, Thrush-like and Olivaceous
woodcreepers, several Antshrikes and Antvireos, Black-cheeked Gnateater,
Blue Manakin, Yellow-lored Tody Flycatcher, Rufous-headed,
Flame-crested, Ruby-crowned, Brazilian, Golden-chevroned, Green-headed,
Red-necked and Burnished-buff tanagers and many more. Afternoon free for feeder - watching at the lodge, swimming or relaxing. Dinner. |
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| 3rd Day:
Nov. 14 :On this day we will be exploring trails
in a high altitude region. At 1800 metres in height, we will search for
endemic birds such as Bay-chested Warbling-Finch, Blue-billed Black
Tyrant, Rufous-tailed Antbird, Grey-winged Cotinga, Black and gold
Cotinga, Serra do Mar Tyrannulet, Diademed Tanager, Brazilian Antthrush
and Mouse-colored Tapaculo. At the summit we will try for the endemic Itatiaia Thistletail, recently discovered here. The day involves a long walk from the bus with a local guide. Some terrain is quite steep. Those wishing to stay at the hotel and bird the grounds at leisure on their own may do so. Dinner.
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| 4th. Day:
Nov. 15 :Breakfast.
We then visit a local nature reserve, Reserva Ecologica de Guapi Acu.
Established in 2002, this restored wetland attracts many species to its
waters and surrounding forest. Targets include Whistling and Capped herons, Brazilian Teal, Masked Duck, Crane and Savannah hawks, yellowish Pipit, Chestnut-capped Blackbird and White-headed Marsh Tyrant. In the forest we may find Reddish hermit, Rufous-capped Motmot, Rufous-tailed Jacamar, unicolored Antwren, Shrike-like Cotinga and Long-billed Wren. The main part of the afternoon will be free for relaxing, swimming or feeder-watching. Dinner. |
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| 5th.Day:
Nov. 16 :We will be exploring
the superb area of Serra dos Orgaos National Park, a 45-minute ride from
the hotel. We begin at the lower levels, then drive up to the higher
parts of the park. We have good chances of seeing the following
birds: Bare-throated Bellbird, Swallow-tailed Cotinga, Hooded Berryeater,
Brown Tinamou, Surucua and Black-throated Trogon, Saffron Toucanet,
White-necked Hawk, several woodpeckers, Pale-browed Treehunter,
Gray-hooded Attila, Yellow-backed and Olive-green tanagers, Tawny-throated
Leaftosser, Pallid Spinetail,
Black-billed Scythebill, Giant Antshrike, Tufted Antshrike, Bertonis,
Rufous-tailed and Ochre-rumped Antbird, Plovercrest, Pin-tailed Manakin,
Mantled Hawk, White-rimmed
Warbler, Dusky-legged Guan, Spot-winged Wood-Quail. Dinner. |
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6th. Day :
Nov. 17 :Breakfast. AM: A short drive from the lodge will
bring us to the Theodoro Trail, formerly an old rail line. Here we hope
to find Brown Tinamou, Scale-throated Hermit, White-barred Piculet,
Streaked Xenops, White-browed Foliage-Gleaner, Black-capped
Foliage-Gleaner, Sharp-tailed Streamcreeper, Lesser Woodcreeper,
Star-throated Antwren, White-shouldered Fire-eye, Brazilian Antthrush,
Variegated Antpitta, and Greenish Schiffornis amongst many others. |
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| 7th Day : Nov. 18 : A.M. : Portao Azul
: about an hour's drive from the hotel is Nova Friburgo, where we take a
walking trail for the remainder of the morning. We should find the
endemic Half-collared Sparrow as well as hummingbirds, spinetails,
White-bearded Antshrike, Rufous-backed Antvireo, Azure-shouldered
Tanager, Gilt-edged Tanager, Buffy-fronted Seedeater and Uniform Finch. In the afternoon we will bird the nearby track towards Macae de Cima. Hoped-for birds include Barred Forest-Falcon, Plumbeous Pigeon, Red-eyed Thornbird, White-collared Foliage-Gleaner, Rufous Gnateater, Saffron-crested Tyrant-Manakin, Drab-breasted Bamboo-Tyrant, Brassy-breasted Tanager and Green-winged Saltator. Dinner. |
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| 8th Day : Nov. 19 : This morning
after breakfast we head towards Nova Friburgo for a 50-minute drive
before our first stop where we hope to find Hepatic and Cinnamon
tanagers. We drive a little further to walk the rest of the day searching at an altitude of 1600 metres for Aplomado Falcon, Glittering-bellied Emerald, White Woodpecker, Sharp-billed Treehunter, Large-tailed Antshrike, Rufous-tailed and Dusky-tailed antbirds, Olivaceous Elaenia, Shear-tailed Gray Tyrant, etc. Dinner. |
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| 9th Day : Nov. 20 : After breakfast,
there will be an optional hike on the nearby Bamboo Trail for the rest
of the morning. This trail runs through an expanse of native bamboo and
leads gradually up to an altitude of 1450 m. This provides a great
opportunity to go into some good primary forest. Possible birds include Slaty-breasted Wood-Rail, Yellow-browed and Green-barred woodpeckers, Scaled Woodcreeper, White-bearded Antshrike, Ochre-rumped Antbird, Slaty Bristlefront, Gray-hooded Flycatcher, Sharpbill and Rufous-crowned Greenlet. Afternoon after lunch is free. There will be an optional hike in the grounds at dusk. Dinner. |
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| 10th Day :Nov. 21 : On today's full-day excursion, we will search for the endemic Three-toed Jacamar in various suitable habitat and may drive up to 200 kms. altogether. Other good birds to be seen are Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture, Plumbeous Kite, Laughing and Bat falcons, Blue-winged Macaw, Striped Cuckoo, White-eared Puffbird, Common Barn Owl, Planalto Hermit, Black-necked Aracari, Tail-banded Hornero, Streamer-tailed Tyrant, Black-capped Donacobius, Curl-crested Jay, Magpie and Orange-headed tanagers, and Hooded Siskin. We could easily find 100 species today ! Dinner. | |
| 11th Day : Nov. 22 : After
breakfast, we will again bird the grounds before we have to depart for
Rio de Janeiro. Optional 1 or 2 - day extensions are possible in Rio. City tours can be arranged from the hotel. Flights home Nov. 22 or at a later date. |
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| COST : US $ 1985 from Rio. This includes airport transfers, full board accommodation (breakfast, lunch, dinner), bottled water daily, juice drinks at meals, tea, coffee, Brazilian rum, experienced Brazilian bird guide, transportation in air conditioned minibus, all entrance fees, bird list and evening log, services of Canadian guide throughout.
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| TOUR #
2 Southern Amazon Oct. 20 - 28, 2012 from Campo Grande Cristalino Jungle Lodge |
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| 1st. Day: Oct. 20 : Arrival at the International Airport in
Campo Grande and
immediate transfer to the lodge. Field observation and birdwatching on
route. While crossing the area down the Transpantaneira dirt road,
spectacular chances to spot many birdlife such a Jabiru, Wood Stork,
Roseate Spoonbill, Southern Screamer, Plumbeous, Buff-necked, Bare-faced
& Green Ibises, Sunbittern, Long-tailed Ground-Dove, Black-collared,
Great Black & Savanna Hawks, Snail Kite, Chaco Chachalaca and many
others. Arrival at the hotel at the end of the day. Check in. Sunset and
Nighthawks watch, followed by some Owling. Dinner. Overnight : Cristalino
Jungle Lodge for entire week. |
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| 2nd. Day: Oct. 21 : Early morning breakfast and birding on the gallery
forest of the Cristalino river, good chances to spot the Helmeted Manakin,
Rufous-tailed Jacamar, White-lored and Rusty-backed Spinetail, Mato Grosso
and Band-tailed Antbird, Red-billed Scythebill, Flavescent Warbler,
Moustached and Buff-bellied Wrens, Purplish Jay, Troupial, Crested
Oropendola, Solitary Black-Cacique, Blue-crowned Trogon, Black-fronted
Nunbird, Silver-beaked Tanager, Rusty-collared and White-bellied
Seedeaters, Lesser Seed-Finch and many others. Return for lunch. PM: Boat
ride, with chances to spot Anhinga, Rufescent-tiger, Striated and
Boat-billed Herons, Gray-necked Wood-Rail, Sungrebe, Southern Lapwing,
Lesser Kiskadee, Black-capped Donacobius. All the five South American
Kingfishers, Band-tailed Nighthawk and many others. After dinner night
tour to owling and spot nocturnal wildlife, including Ocelots. |
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| 3rd. Day: Oct. 22 : After Breakfast, we bird along a northern route with chances for Maguari Stork,
Laughing Falcon, Whistling Heron, White-faced, Black-bellied & Muscovy
Ducks, Bare-faced Curassow, Blue-throated Piping-Guan, Bay-winged &
Giant Cowbird. We will search for a daytime roost for Great Potoo. This area is also "literally"
packed with a great number of other birds. Lunch. Siesta. PM:
Bird walk with chances to spot Rufous Cacholote, Red-crested &
Yellow-billed Cardinal, Grayish & Buff-throated Saltator, White-rumped
Monjita, Nacunda Nighthawk, Greater & Rufous-fronted Thornbird, Masked
Gnatcatcher. Capped Heron, Toco Toucan, Chesnut-eared Aracari,
Peach-fronted, Monk & Golden-chevroned Parakeets, Golden-collared
Macaw, Striped Cuckoo, Scarlet-headed, Unicolored & Chopi Blackbirds,
followed by some owling. Dinner. |
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| 4th. Day: Oct. 23 :
Breakfast. Field observation and
birdwatching in nearby area. Chances to spot Gray Hawk, Yellow-tufted Woodpecker,
Warbling Antbird, Magpie Tanager and many others. Lunch. Bird around
lodge. Dinner. Night outing to look
for: Least Nighthawk, Scissor-tailed Nightjar and Pauraque. Dinner. |
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5th. Day: Oct. 24 :
Breakfast. Early Birding with spectacular chances to
spot many birds such as King Vulture, Red-shouldered Macaw,
Dusky-headed Parakeet, Sharpbill, White-flanked and Black-throated
Antbirds, White-eyed Attila, Turquoise and White-shouldered Tanagers, and
many others. Lunch. Afternoon great birding such as: Blue-winged
and Red-and-Green Macaw, Curl-crested Jay, Gray Monjita, Crested
Black-Tyrant, Cliff Flycatcher and many others. Dinner. |
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| 6th Day: Oct. 25 :
Breakfast. Today our targets will be: Rufous-sided
Pygmy-Tyrant, and cerrado specialties such as: Red-legged Seriema,
Small-billed Tinamou, White-eared Puffbird, Collared Crescentchest, Horned
Sungem, Yellow-billed Blue Finch, Rufous-winged Antshrike, Black-faced
Tanager, White-eared Puffbird, White-rumped and
White-banded Tanagers, Coal-crested Finch, Plumbeous Seedeater,
Black-throated Saltator and many others. Lunch with some siesta break at
our hotel. PM: Birdwatching at semi-deciduous forest, cerrado, canyons
with chances to spot Yellow-ridged Toucan, Lettered Aracari,
White-collared and Biscutate Swift, Blue-crowned Motmot, White-lined and
Guira Tanager, Ochre-cheeked Spinetail, Plain Antvireo, Wedge-tailed
Grass-Finch, and many others. Return to the lodge. Owling. Dinner. |
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| 7th. Day: Oct. 26 : Breakfast. AM: Full morning birding - Superb Special
Targets: Band-tailed and Fire-Crowned Manakins and Southern Antpipit.
Return to the Lodge. Lunch. Siesta. Visit canopy tower again in p.m.
Dinner. |
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| 8th Day
: Oct. 27 : Breakfast. Rio Cristalino boat trip. Lunch. Siesta. Try new lodge
trail in p.m. Dinner. |
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| 9th Day
: Oct. 28 : Breakfast. Short walk, then transfer to Campo Grande for flights back
to Rio de Janeiro. International flights home, or stay additional
1 or 2 days in Rio. City tours can be arranged from the hotel. |
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| For more photos, click here. | |
