REGUA News

Recent sightings on excursions

Thu, 19 Aug 2010 11:00:00 GMT

We've had some fantastic sightings on our excursions recently.

Cabo Frio: Great looks at the Critically Endangered Restinga Antwren in the restinga habitat around the town, with Hook-billed Kite, Sooretama Slaty Antshrike, Hangnest Tody-Tyrant and Tawny-crowned Pygmy-Tyrant also seen. The mangroves and coastal lagoons nearby have also been very productive, with White-cheeked Pintail, Brown Booby, Little Blue Heron, Roseate Spoonbill, Clapper Rail, Semipalmated and Collared Plovers, Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs, Ruddy Turnstone, Sanderling, Western Sandpiper, Royal, Yellow-billed and Cayenne Terns and Grey-hooded Gull amongst the species seen.

Macaé de Cima: A White-bearded Antshrike (photo below) has been uncharacteristically obliging, giving incredible views! Other highlights at this montane site include Dusky-legged Guan, Golden-tailed Parrotlets seen very well, Scale-throated Hermit, Plovercrest, White-throated Hummingbird, Brazilian Ruby, Amethyst Woodstar, Yellow-browed Woodpecker, Giant Antshrike, Rufous-backed Antvireo, Rufous Gnateater, Rufous-tailed Antthrush, White-throated and Planalto Woodcreepers, Rufous-capped and Pallid Spinetails, White-browed and White-collared Foliage-gleaners, Grey-capped Tyrannulet, Hooded Berryeater, Bare-throated Bellbird, Black-and-gold Cotinga, Sharpbill, Chestnut-headed Tanager, Hepatic Tanager and Bay-chested Warbling-Finch.

White-bearded Antshrike, Macaé de Cima © Adilei Carvalho da Cunha

Pico da Caledônia: Highlights include Rufous-backed Antvireo, Rufous-tailed Antbird, Mouse-coloured Tapaculo, Rufous-tailed Antthrush, Red-eyed Thornbird, Serra do Mar Tyrannulet, Black-and-gold Cotinga (photo below), Grey-winged Cotinga, Brassy-breasted Tanager and Bay-chested Warbling-Finch.

Black-and-gold Cotinga, Pico da Caledônia © Leonardo Pimentel

Sumidouro: We've had some excellent views of the threatened Three-toed Jacamar on this excursion, along with very close encounters with Blue-winged Macaws. Other species seen include White-eyed Parakeet, Common Barn Owl, Sapphire-spangled Emerald, Rufous-backed Antvireo, Serra Antwren, Hangnest Tody-Tyrant, Eared Pygmy-Tyrant, Crested Black-Tyrant, White-rumped Monjita, Streamer-tailed Tyrant, Gilt-edged Tanager and Crested Oropendola.

British Birdfair 2010

Tue, 10 Aug 2010 07:00:00 GMT

REGUA volunteers Lee Dingain and Rachel Walls will once again be representing REGUA at the British Birdwatching Fair this year. Come and visit us on the World Land Trust stand (marquee 4, stand nos. 14 and 15) and find out about birding at REGUA, the latest sightings, the improvements to the lodge and progress our crucial conservation work. The Birdfair will be held at Egleton Nature Reserve in Rutland from the 20 to 22 August.

Recent sightings

Mon, 09 Aug 2010 11:30:00 GMT

June and July saw some excellent birds recorded around the reserve including a new species for REGUA - Grey-bellied Spinetail. Highlights include:

4x4 Track to Casa Anibal: Black Hawk-Eagle, Black-and-white Hawk-Eagle, Bat Falcon, Saw-billed Hermit, Crescent-chested Puffbird, Blond-crested Woodpecker, Spot-backed Antshrike, Sooretama Slaty Antshrike, Unicoloured Antwren, Rufous-winged Antwren, Scaled Antbird, Black-cheeked Gnateater, Eye-ringed Tody-Tyrant, Bare-throated Bellbird, Red-necked Tanager, Gilt-edged Tanager (a very good record for such a low altitude), Rufous-headed Tanager and Yellow-green Grosbeak.

Elfin Forest and Grey Trails: Least Pygmy-Owl, Buff-bellied Puffbird, Saffron Toucanet, Giant Antshrike, Tufted Antshrike, Ferruginous Antbird, White-bibbed Antbird, Slaty Bristlefront, Rufous-breasted Leaftosser, White-browed, Ochre-breasted, Black-capped, Buff-fronted and White-eyed Foliage-gleaners, Pale-browed Treehunter, Russet-winged Spadebill and Brown Tanager.

Lodge garden: Rusty-margined Guan, Collared Forest-Falcon, Blue-winged Parrotlet, Orange-winged Parrot, Biscutate Swift, Rufous-breasted Hermit, Reddish Hermit, Brazilian Ruby, Crescent-chested Puffbird, Channel-billed Toucan, White Woodpecker and Black-legged Dacnis. Crab-eating Foxes also continue to visit the garden (photo below).

Crab-eating Fox, lodge garden, REGUA, June 2010 © by Leonardo Pimentel

Onofre Cunha: Guests joining our pre-dawn excursions to this forest fragment have had excellent views of Tawny-browed Owl and Black-banded Owl, however, Giant Snipe continue to be elusive with birds only being heard. Limpkin, Striped Cuckoo, White-chinned Sapphire, Rufous-capped Motmot and Eye-ringed Tody-Tyrant are amongst the other birds seen here.

São José Trail: Shrike-like Cotinga are still present along the beginning of this trail, along with Giant Antshrike, Sooretama Slaty Antshrike, White-bibbed Antbird, Black-capped, Buff-fronted and White-collared Foliage-gleaners, Southern Antpipit, Bare-throated Bellbird and Red-ruffed Fruitcrow.

Waldenoor and Veludo Trail: White-necked and Mantled Hawks, Black Hawk-Eagle, Frilled Coquette, White-eared and Crescent-chested Puffbirds, Saffron Toucanet, Black-necked Aracari, Yellow-fronted and Blond-crested Woodpeckers, Tufted Antshrike, Unicoloured Antwren, White-bibbed Antbird, Rufous Gnateater, Spotted Bamboowren (showing regularly), Grey-bellied Spinetail (new for REGUA), Ochre-faced Tody-Flycatcher, White-crested Tyrannulet (first photo below), Euler's Flycatcher, Tropical Pewee, Dusky-capped Flycatcher, Bare-throated Bellbird, Green-backed Becard, Chestnut-crowned Becard, Black-capped Becard (second photo below), Olive-green Tanager, Azure-shouldered Tanager, Brassy-breasted Tanager, Uniform Finch and Yellow-green Grosbeak.

Black-capped Becard, REGUA, June 2010 © by Leonardo Pimentel

Waterfall Trail: Brown Tinamou, White-necked Hawk, Black Hawk-Eagle, White-eyed Parakeet, Least Pygmy-Owl, Saw-billed Hermit, Rufous-capped Motmot, Rufous-tailed Jacamar, Crescent-chested Puffbird, Spot-billed Toucanet, Spot-backed Antshrike, Sooretama Slaty Antshrike, Spot-breasted Antvireo, Salvadori's Antwren, Unicoloured Antwren, Scaled Antbird, Black-cheeked Gnateater, Rufous-capped Antthrush, Swallow-tailed Cotinga, Grey-hooded Attila, Bare-throated Bellbird, Pin-tailed Manakin, White-thighed Swallow and Gilt-edged Tanager.

Wetland and adjacent forest trails: 6 Black-bellied Whistling-Duck, Masked Duck, Rusty-margined Guan, Rufescent Tiger-Heron, Pinnated Bittern (first photo below), Capped Heron (second photo below), Great Black-Hawk (the third record for REGUA), Russet-crowned Crake, Rufous-sided Crake, Ash-throated Crake, Blackish Rail, Orange-winged Parrot, Striped Cuckoo, Biscutate Swift, Rufous-breasted Hermit, White-chinned Sapphire, Brazilian Ruby, Rufous-tailed Jacamar, Channel-billed Toucan, Black-necked Aracari (the second record for REGUA - third photo below), White Woodpecker, Yellow-eared Woodpecker, Rufous-capped Antshrike, White-flanked Antwren, Wing-banded Hornero, Greenish Elaenia, White-crested Tyrannulet, Bran-coloured Flycatcher, Rusty-margined Flycatcher, Lemon-chested Greenlet, Moustached and Long-billed Wrens, Black-capped Donacobius, Yellow-legged Thrush, Fawn-breasted, Green-headed and Rufous-headed Tanagers, Black-legged Dacnis and Hooded Siskin (forth photo below).

Pinnated Bittern, REGUA wetland, June 2010 © by Adilei Carvalho da Cunha

Capped Heron, REGUA wetland, June 2010 © by Leonardo Pimentel

Black-necked Aracari, REGUA, June 2010 © by Adilei Carvalho da Cunha

Hooded Siskin, REGUA, June 2010 © by Adilei Carvalho da Cunha

REGUA receives generous wedding gift

Mon, 02 Aug 2010 23:35:00 GMT

Last November Dale and Helen visited REGUA and in July this year they became Mr and Mrs Middleton. Instead of handing out a wedding list they very generously asked for donations from their many birding friends to be given to REGUA to support our conservation work. We are delighted to report that the wedding went smoothly, a total of £530.00 was raised which will be put towards further land purchases in the Matumbo Gap area, and the message about REGUA's work has been spread wider in Yorkshire. Thank you both so much, and we look forward to your next visit.

First field ecology course takes place at REGUA

Tue, 06 Jul 2010 23:20:00 GMT

One of our main goals, besides habitat restoration, environmental education and research, is to attract the Brazilian university community to perform research, teaching, workshops and educational activities at REGUA, profiting from its diverse habitats, support logistics and a safe environment to work. During the weekend of 21 - 24 May, REGUA received for the first time a team of 23 graduate students, four teachers and a driver from UFRJ (Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro). The goal was to perform Entomologia I discipline field ecology classes, with some sampling techniques practical training in different types of habitat.

Initial contact was made through Dr. José Ricardo Mermudez, a specialist on Coleoptera (especially the Anthribidae family), who visited REGUA previously to see conditions in loco, support logistics and suitable local spots for the field activities with his students. For receiving this group, REGUA speeded up the acquisition of 23 chairs for the new Laboratory, and the UFRJ crew just brought in their gear for practical classes.

On the first day the students learned how to sample litter soil fauna. They sampled three different habitats: moist forest soil, open forest border and pasture. The following days, the group headed for the São José Trail, with its magnificent forest patches, to survey aquatic arthropods in the Rio do Gato waterfalls and rapids. That night, a Light Trap was set and the students made turns every hour during the night, counting the all the insects that landed on the sheath, attracted by the mercury vapor bulbs.

Food was plenty and widely appreciated (university students do eat a lot) and in the evening some talents showed up spontaneously - in a typical carioca setting - as a band of percussionist, cavaquinho and guitar for some samba and chorinho playing, quite appreciated by the volunteers that happily joined the band. Everybody went home quite satisfied and at least two students want to submit their research project for Md in REGUA, dealing with two Coleoptera families. This will be the first time this important insect order will be sampled in REGUA.

Group from Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro © Jorge Bizarro

The new laboratory at the REGUA Conservation Centre © Jorge Bizarro

April and May sightings

Sun, 13 Jun 2010 22:30:00 GMT

Although the last two months might have been quiet for guests at the lodge, it certainly hasn't been quiet for birds! Our guides Adilei and Leonardo have been busy birding the trails and although birds are much less vocal during our winter months, the birding is still excellent - just check out the species listed below!!

At this time of year large mixed-species flocks are roaming the forest in search of food and many trees are fruiting attracting a wide variety of species. Another bonus of winter is that it is also drier, cooler and bird activity often remains high throughout the day. Highlights in April and May were many, but some that stand out include Brown-backed Parrotlet, 2 Swallow-tailed Cotingas, at least 4 Shrike-like Cotingas (including 3 near the lodge), 4+ Salvadori's Antwrens on three trails, 4 Russet-winged Spadebills showing on three trails, good sightings of Black-legged Dacnis and some fantastic night-birding!

4x4 Track to Casa Anibal: White-necked Hawk, Black-and-white Hawk-Eagle, Reddish Hermit, Surucua and Black-throated Trogons, Crescent-chested Puffbird, Channel-billed Toucan, Yellow-fronted, Yellow-eared, Yellow-throated and Blond-crested Woodpeckers, Spot-backed Antshrike, Spot-breasted Antvireo, Star-throated Antwren, Unicoloured Antwren, White-bibbed Antbird, Black-cheeked Gnateater, 2 Slaty Bristlefront, White-collared Foliage-gleaner, Eared Pygmy-Tyrant, Long-tailed Tyrant, Large-headed Flatbill, White-thighed Swallow, White-necked Thrush, Olive-green Tanager, Azure-shouldered Tanager, Fawn-breasted Tanager, 2 Brassy-breasted Tanagers, Rufous-headed Tanager, over 50 Blue Dacnis in one fruiting tree and Sooty Grassquit. Fruiting trees at the top of the trail have been attracting cotingas including 2 Swallow-tailed Cotinga (photo below), a Hooded Berryeater and several Bare-throated Bellbirds.

Swallow-tailed Cotinga, REGUA, May 2010 © Lee Dingain

Elfin Forest Trail: Spot-winged Wood-Quail, Blue-bellied Parrot, Least Pygmy-Owl, Buff-bellied Puffbird, Saffron Toucanet, Spot-backed Antshrike, a pair of Salvadori's Antwren, White-shouldered Fire-eye, Black-cheeked Gnateater, Slaty Bristlefront, Such's Antthrush, Rufous-breasted Leaftosser, White-throated Woodcreeper, Black-billed Scythebill, Russet-winged Spadebill and Grey-hooded Attila.

Grey Trail: Golden-tailed Parrotlet, Rufous-capped Motmot, Spot-billed Toucanet, Star-throated Antwren, Short-tailed Antthrush, White-throated Woodcreeper, White-eyed Foliage-gleaner, 2 Russet-winged Spadebills, Pin-tailed Manakin, Sharpbill, Olive-green Tanager, Azure-shouldered Tanager and Black-throated Grosbeak.

Onofre Cunha: The trail here has been amazing for night-birding, especially in the early morning. 2 Black-banded Owls have been showing very well (photo below), along with Mottled Owl, Tawny-browed Owl and Long-tailed Potoo. Other birds recorded here include Collared Forest-Falcon, Rufous-capped Motmot, Giant Cowbird and a striking partial albino Sayaca Tanager.

Black-banded Owl, REGUA, May 2010 © Lee Dingain

São José Trail: Least Pygmy-Owl, Surucua Trogon, Rufous-capped Motmot, Buff-bellied Puffbird, Salvadori's Antwren, Ferruginous Antbird, White-bibbed Antbird, Black-capped, Buff-fronted and White-eyed Foliage-gleaners, Southern Antpipit, Eared Pygmy-Tyrant, Greyish Mourner, Grey-hooded Attila and 3 Shrike-like Cotinga at the regular winter site (photo below).

Shrike-like Cotinga, REGUA, May 2010 © Lee Dingain

Waldenoor and our new Veludo Trail: Spot-winged Wood-Quail, Mantled Hawk, Black Hawk-Eagle, Plain Parakeet, Golden-tailed Parrotlet, Scaly-headed Parrot, Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl, Frilled Coquette, Black-throated Trogon, Rufous-tailed Jacamar, Crescent-chested Puffbird, Yellow-fronted Woodpecker, Spot-backed Antshrike, Tufted Antshrike, Variable Antshrike, White-shouldered Fire-eye, Rufous Gnateater, Spotted Bamboowren (photo below), Scaled Woodcreeper, Rufous-capped Spinetail, Hangnest Tody-Tyrant, Velvety Black-Tyrant, Sharpbill, Green-backed Becard, Olive-green Tanager, Brassy-breasted Tanager, Rufous-headed Tanager, Uniform Finch, Yellow-green and Black-throated Grosbeaks, Green-winged Saltator, Green-chinned Euphonia and Blue-naped Chlorophonia.

Spotted Bamboowren, REGUA, May 2010 © Adilei Carvalho da Cunha

Waterfall Trail: Brown Tinamou, Dusky-legged Guan, White-necked Hawk, Black Hawk-Eagle, Black-and-white Hawk-Eagle, Barred Forest-Falcon, Brown-backed Parrotlet, Pileated Parrot, Blue-bellied Parrot, Black-capped Screech-Owl, Least Pygmy-Owl, Long-tailed Potoo (at its roost site), Pauraque, Saw-billed, Dusky-throated and Scale-throated Hermits, Black-throated Trogon, Rufous-capped Motmot, Rufous-tailed Jacamar, Crescent-chested Puffbird, Channel-billed Toucan, Spot-billed Toucanet, Yellow-eared and Yellow-throated Woodpeckers, Spot-backed Antshrike, Sooretama Slaty Antshrike, Spot-breasted Antvireo, Star-throated Antwren, Salvadori's Antwren, Unicoloured Antwren, Ferruginous Antbird, Scaled Antbird, White-bibbed Antbird, Black-cheeked Gnateater, Rufous-capped Antthrush, Short-tailed Antthrush, Rufous-breasted Leaftosser, Plain-winged, White-throated, Planalto and Lesser Woodcreepers, Black-capped, Buff-fronted and White-eyed Foliage-gleaners, Sharp-tailed Streamcreeper (at the waterfall), Eye-ringed Tody-Tyrant, Eared Pygmy-Tyrant, Rough-legged Tyrannulet, Oustalet's Tyrannulet, White-throated and Russet-winged Spadebills, Greyish Mourner, Large-headed Flatbill, Grey-hooded Attila, Pin-tailed Manakin (photo below), Sharpbill, Thrush-like Schiffornis, Shrike-like Cotinga, White-thighed Swallow, White-necked Thrush, Olive-green Tanager, Red-crowned Ant-Tanager, Azure-shouldered Tanager, Rufous-headed Tanager, Black-throated Grosbeak and Chestnut-bellied Euphonia.

Pin-tailed Manakin, REGUA, May 2010 © Alan Martin

Wetland, adjacent forest trails and Lodge garden: 2 adult and 3 immature Black-bellied Whistling-Duck, 5 Muscovy Duck, 1 Masked Duck (where they go at this time of year is still a mystery), 3 Rusty-margined Guan (visiting the lodge feeders daily), Rufescent Tiger-Heron, Pinnated Bittern (from the hide), 2 Cocoi Heron, Capped Heron, Black-and-white Hawk-Eagle, Laughing and Aplomado Falcons, Limpkin, some excellent rail encounters including Slaty-breasted Wood-Rail, Russet-crowned Crake, Rufous-sided Crake, Ash-throated Crake and some bold Blackish Rails, Solitary Sandpiper, Scaled Dove, Maroon-bellied Parakeet (large numbers around the wetland and lodge feeders daily), Blue-winged Parrotlet, 2 Orange-winged Parrot, Dark-billed Cuckoo, Greater Ani, Striped Cuckoo, Barn Owl, 2 Tropical Screech-Owl (at the usual roost site), 2 Tawny-browed Owl showing well around the conservation centre, Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl, Biscutate Swift, Lesser Swallow-tailed Swift, Rufous-breasted Hermit, Reddish Hermit, White-chinned Sapphire, a Brazilian Ruby (the male still present defending its feeders in the lodge garden), Rufous-capped Motmot (including 2 birds seen regularly in the lodge garden), Rufous-tailed Jacamar, Channel-billed Toucan, White, Yellow-throated and Blond-crested Woodpeckers (in the lodge garden), Giant Antshrike, Rufous-capped Antshrike, Sooretama Slaty Antshrike, White-flanked Antwren, Unicoloured Antwren, Scaled Antbird, Black-cheeked Gnateater, Hangnest Tody-Tyrant, Ochre-faced Tody-Flycatcher, 2 Planalto Tyrannulet in the lodge garden, Greenish Elaenia (the first for Rio State still present around the lodge!), White-crested Tyrannulet, Green-backed and Crested Becards, Rufous-browed Peppershrike (including a bird in the lodge garden), Lemon-chested Greenlet, Long-billed Wren, Black-capped Donacobius, Yellow-legged Thrush (first ever record on the lodge feeders), 12 species of tanager in the lodge garden including Hooded, Flame-crested, Ruby-crowned, Brazilian, Golden-chevroned, Green-headed, Red-necked, Burnished-buff and Yellow-backed Tanagers, Swallow-Tanager, Azure-shouldered Tanager, Fawn-breasted Tanager, Brassy-breasted Tanager (at the wetland - very low altitude for this species), at least 5 Black-legged Dacnis around the wetland (a winter migrant at REGUA - second photo below), Wedge-tailed Grass-Finch, Black-throated Grosbeak, Masked Yellowthroat, at least 50 Red-rumped Caciques feeding in the lodge garden, Hooded Siskin, Purple-throated Euphonia and Chestnut-bellied Euphonia.

Black-legged Dacnis, REGUA, May 2010 © Alan Martin

There have also been some fantastic mammals seen around the reserve including: Common Grey Four-eyed Opossum, Brown-throated Three-toed Sloth, Yellow Armadillo (in the lodge garden - photo below), Common (Tufted-ear) Marmoset, Crab-eating Fox (visiting the lodge garden), Greater Grison, Orange-spined Hairy Dwarf Porcupine, at least 40 Capybara at the wetland and Red-rumped Agouti.

Yellow Armadillo © Lee Dingain

For more bird sightings and photos taken at REGUA in May see Lee's Birding Blog (you will need to scroll down to see older posts).

Two year hummingbird survey begins at REGUA

Fri, 11 Jun 2010 13:57:00 GMT

Luciana Barcante, a masters student at Rio de Janeiro State University, has began a two year survey of hummingbirds at REGUA. The aim of the survey is to study hummingbird diversity from sea level up to 1,800 m, at 400-500 m altitudinal intervals. Lucinana and her team will be visiting REGUA once a month, using mist nets to identify and take measurements of hummingbirds caught. REGUA guide, Leonardo, is assisting with identification and banding. The first visit took place at the end of May on the Waterfall Trail and revealed some interesting records. Saw-billed Hermits were abundant, 2 Dusky-throated Hermits were caught (a very difficult species to see - 1st photo) and a Scale-throated Hermit was found at only 400 m (a very low altitude for this species).

Dusky-throated Hermit, Waterfall Trail, May 2010 © Leonardo Pimentel

Other species caught in the nets included Barred Forest-Falcon (2nd photo), Rufous-capped Motmot (3rd photo), Star-throated Antwren, Rufous-breasted Leaftosser (4th photo), Planalto Woodcreeper (5th photo) and White-browed Foliage-gleaner.

Barred Forest-Falcon, Waterfall Trail, May 2010 © Leonardo Pimentel

Rufous-capped Motmot, Waterfall Trail, May 2010 © Leonardo Pimentel

Rufous-breasted Leaftosser, Waterfall Trail, May 2010 © Leonardo Pimentel

Planalto Woodcreeper, Waterfall Trail, May 2010 © Leonardo Pimentel

Rufous-capped Antshrike at REGUA

Fri, 04 Jun 2010 09:20:00 GMT

Great news for birders visiting REGUA, a male Rufous-capped Antshrike has been found!! On April 22 a single male bird was first heard and then observed by lodge guide Adilei and resident volunteer Scott Watson at the wetland. This great bird responded well to playback where we were able to record its vocalizations as well as take a few photos (below). This widespread South American species is usually a bird of much higher elevations in montane scrubland further to the south, and in the São Paulo area. There are 5 sub-species distributed from Andean Peru eastward towards Argentina. The bird observed at REGUA is of the nominate sub-species Thamnophilus ruficapillus ruficapillus, and the observation of this bird (for the second time at REGUA) may indicate a range expansion or a yet unknown yearly movement to lower elevations. This bird was observed 3 more times in the following week at the newly planted hill on the South side of the wetlands, mimicking its favoured scrub-like, open habitat.

REGUA streamed live to the Chelsea Flower Show

Sat, 29 May 2010 11:20:00 GMT

REGUA partners, the World Land Trust, have been at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show in London this week, highlighting the plight of the Atlantic Forest with their award winning Saving the Atlantic Rainforest exhibit. REGUA volunteers, Rachel Walls and Lee Dingain, helped out on the stand today and received much interest in the Atlantic Forest and REGUA, including some potential visitors and volunteers. The exhibit featured a webcam streaming live action from the bird feeders at REGUA which proved to be a big success, with bird activity being almost constant for the first four hours or so of the day. 15 species were noted including 3 Rusty-margined Guans, small flocks of Green-headed Tanagers, Red-necked Tanager and a surprise first for the Lodge garden - a male Yellow-legged Thrush! Happy 21st birthday to the World Land Trust!

High altitude survey reveals news birds for REGUA

Fri, 28 May 2010 11:00:00 GMT

REGUA bird guide, Leonardo Pimentel, has recently been exploring the forest in some of the highest and least visited parts of the Reserve. These areas are very remote and difficult to reach, but Leonardo's efforts were well rewarded with eight new birds for REGUA being found: Plovercrest, Glittering-bellied Emerald, Red-eyed Thornbird (photo below), Sharp-billed Treehunter, Greenish Tyrannulet, Mottle-cheeked Tyrannulet, Shear-tailed Grey Tyrant and Hellmayr's Pipit. This brings the total number of bird species recorded at REGUA to 449 and the number of Atlantic Forest endemics to 116! What will be number 450?

Bill Oddie visits REGUA

Thu, 27 May 2010 09:40:00 GMT

At the end of April, REGUA received a three day visit from television presenter and writer Bill Oddie. Bill was part of a group led by World Land Trust CEO John Burton, who travelled to REGUA and then on to Missiones to learn more about the wonderful pioneering conservation work in the Atlantic Rainforest of Brazil in preparation for the Chelsea Flower Show. Bill had agreed to help on the WLT stand at Chelsea on the press day. This was his first visit to Brazil and although most of his time was spent around the newly restored wetlands and reforested areas, he did find time to walk the Green Trail to the waterfall and see a few of the reserve's speciality birds. He was immensely impressed with REGUA, especially at the habitat restoration work and was amazed by the speed of tree growth.

More about Bill's visit and a short film clip made at the wetlands can be viewed at the WLT website.

World Land Trust win gold medal at Chelsea Flower Show

Tue, 25 May 2010 09:00:00 GMT

REGUA partner, the World Land Trust, has been awarded a gold medal for its Saving the Atlantic Rainforest exhibit at this years RHS Chelsea Flower Show. The exhibit, located in the Continuous Learning section, was also awarded "Best in Section" as well! The exhibit recreates a small patch of the Atlantic Forest and features a representation of a tree nursery and live streaming via webcam of the action from the bird feeders at REGUA. The Chelsea Flower Show runs until Saturday 29th May, when two REGUA volunteers, Rachel Walls and Lee Dingain, will also be helping to man the stand. For further details and to view the webcam click here

Winter birding at REGUA

Sat, 22 May 2010 19:00:00 GMT

REGUA webmaster and birder, Lee Dingain, has recently revisited us to see how the Reserve has been developing and gather updates for the website. Most birders visit REGUA between July and November (the austral spring, when birds are more vocal), but Lee has been keen to experience what the birding is like at this time of year and has had a lot of success. To find out what he has seen check out his blog at http://leedingain.blogspot.com/ (you will need to scroll down for older posts).

March sightings

Thu, 22 Apr 2010 14:00:00 GMT

Another great month for bird sightings with many guests seeing over 100 species a day!

4x4 Track to Casa Anibal: Guests enjoyed excellent views of a Hook-billed Kite (a rare bird here) as well as Saw-billed Hermit, Crescent-chested Puffbird, Spot-breasted Antvireo, Unicoloured Antwren, Rufous-winged Antwren, Black-cheeked Gnateater, Shrike-like Cotinga, Red-necked Tanager, Rufous-headed Tanager and Yellow-green Grosbeak.

Elfin Forest Trail: Least Pygmy-Owl, Buff-bellied Puffbird, Saffron Toucanet, Giant Antshrike, Tufted Antshrike, White-bearded Antshrike, Ferruginous Antbird, White-bibbed Antbird, Slaty Bristlefront, Rufous-breasted Leaftosser, White-browed, Ochre-breasted, Black-capped, Buff-fronted and White-eyed Foliage-gleaners, Pale-browed Treehunter and Brown Tanager.

Onofre Cunha: Limpkin, Striped Cuckoo, Tawny-browed Owl, Black-banded Owl, Saw-billed Hermit, Reddish Hermit, White-chinned Sapphire, Rufous-capped Motmot, Eye-ringed Tody-Tyrant, White-rumped Monjita, Long-billed Wren and Orange-bellied Euphonia.

São José Trail: Least Pygmy-Owl, Long-tailed Potoo, Saffron Toucanet, Tufted Antshrike, Salvadori's Antwren, White-bibbed Antbird, Rufous-breasted Leaftosser, Black-billed Scythebill, Ochre-breasted, Black-capped, Buff-fronted and White-collared Foliage-gleaners and Shrike-like Cotinga.

Waldenoor: Black Hawk-Eagle, Crescent-chested Puffbird, Saffron Toucanet, Yellow-fronted Woodpecker, Blond-crested Woodpecker, White-bibbed Antbird, Bare-throated Bellbird, Shrike-like Cotinga, Azure-shouldered Tanager and Yellow-green Grosbeak.

Waterfall Trail: Brown Tinamou, White-necked Hawk, Black Hawk-Eagle, Saw-billed Hermit, Rufous-capped Motmot, Rufous-tailed Jacamar, Crescent-chested Puffbird, Spot-billed Toucanet, Yellow-eared Woodpecker, Spot-breasted Antvireo, Unicoloured Antwren, Rufous-winged Antwren, Black-cheeked Gnateater, Eye-ringed Tody-Tyrant, Pin-tailed Manakin, White-thighed Swallow, Red-necked Tanager, Rufous-headed Tanager and Yellow-green Grosbeak.

Wetland, adjacent forest trails and Lodge garden: Black-bellied Whistling-Duck, Masked Duck, Rusty-margined Guan, Pied-billed Grebe, Rufescent Tiger-Heron, Russet-crowned Crake, Rufous-sided Crake, Ash-throated Crake, Blackish Rail, Plain-breasted Ground-Dove, 2 Scaled Dove (hot on the heals of REGUA's first record back in December), Blue Ground-Dove, Pale-vented Pigeon, White-eyed Parakeet, Maroon-bellied Parakeet, Blue-winged Parrotlet, Orange-winged Parrot, Dark-billed Cuckoo, Biscutate Swift, Rufous-breasted Hermit, Reddish Hermit, Swallow-tailed Hummingbird, Violet-capped Woodnymph, White-chinned Sapphire, Glittering-throated Emerald, Brazilian Ruby at the Lodge feeders, Rufous-tailed Jacamar, Crescent-chested Puffbird (in the Lodge garden), White Woodpecker, White-flanked Antwren, Hangnest Tody-Tyrant, Greenish Elaenia, Small-billed Elaenia, Bran-coloured Flycatcher, Lemon-chested Greenlet, Moustached Wren, Long-billed Wren, Black-capped Donacobius, Brazilian Tanager, an unusual (at this altitude) record of Brassy-breasted Tanager, Black-legged Dacnis (showing well in the Lodge garden) and Chestnut-vented Conebill.

Sightings on our excursions have included:

Macaé de Cima: Several Brown-backed Parrotlets, Pileated Parrot, Plovercrest, Brazilian Ruby, Black-throated Trogon, Saffron Toucanet, Giant Antshrike, Rufous-capped Antshrike, White-shouldered Fire-eye, White-throated Woodcreeper, Planalto Woodcreeper, Bare-throated Bellbird, Black-and-gold Cotinga, Sharpbill, Chestnut-headed Tanager, Fawn-breasted and Brassy-breasted Tanagers.

Pico da Caledônia: Dusky-legged Guan, Black Hawk-Eagle, Red-legged Seriema, Pale-vented Pigeon, Pileated Parrot, Plovercrest, White-eared Puffbird, Yellow-browed Woodpecker, Large-tailed Antshrike, Rufous-backed Antvireo, Rufous-tailed Antbird, Rufous Gnateater, Mouse-coloured Tapaculo, Rufous-capped Spinetail, Pallid Spinetail, White-collared Foliage-gleaner, Sharp-tailed Streamcreeper, Grey-capped Tyrannulet, Highland Elaenia, Serra do Mar Tyrannulet, Grey-winged Cotinga (see photo below), Saffron-crested Tyrant-Manakin, Pin-tailed Manakin, Cinnamon, Chestnut-headed, Diademed and Brassy-breasted Tanagers and Bay-chested Warbling-Finch.