Latest News
Here is the latest news from REGUA and Guapi Assu Bird Lodge. For older news see the news archive page.
18 January 2010
New birds for REGUA in 2009
Five new birds were added to the REGUA list in 2009, taking the total number of bird species recorded on the reserve to an amazing 440! The first of these was a pair of Peach-fronted Parakeets found at the wetland on 27th May by our guide Adilei (top photo). Peach-fronted Parakeet is common in the Cerrado but the Serra do Mar mountains form the southern limit of their range. It wasn't until October that the second new bird was found - a Rufous-capped Antshrike behind the nursery, again found by sharp-eyed Adilei. November saw the next two additions - on the 1st, 6 Black-necked Aracaris flew across the road at the entrance to the reserve. These birds were seen by tour guide and photographer Edson Endrigo and his group, together with Adilei, and a pair was even seen copulating! Then on the 16th, Alan Martin found a pair of Black-bellied Whisting-Ducks at the wetland (bottom photo) where they looked instantly at home and have been seen regularly since. Black-bellied Whistling-Duck is expanding and may well become established alongside the resident White-faced Whistling-Ducks. Finally a Scaled Dove at the wetland on 29 December, seen by Adilei, Leonardo and Nicholas (see December sightings below for a photo), was the last new bird of the year. Scaled Dove is most commonly found in dry habitats such as Cerrado and it is thought that deforestation of the Cerrado is forcing them to move to new areas.
02 January 2010
December sightings
We are now well into our summer here at REGUA. The weather continues to be hot and humid and many species of bird now have recently fledged chicks, providing some excellent birding for our guests. December also saw another new species added to the REGUA list! Sightings from around the reserve include:
4x4 Track to Casa Anibal: Hook-billed Kite, Slaty Bristlefront and Eastern Striped Manakin.
Elfin Forest Trail: Blue-bellied Parrot, Least Pygmy-Owl, Buff-bellied Puffbird, Saffron Toucanet, Black-billed Scythebill and Russet-winged Spadebill.
Waldenoor: Mantled Hawk, Maroon-bellied Parakeet, Plain Parakeet, Saw-billed Hermit, Frilled Coquette, Rufous-tailed Jacamar and Green-chinned Euphonia.
Waterfall Trail: White-necked Hawk, Black Hawk-Eagle, Pileated Parrot, Black-capped Screech-Owl, Least Pygmy-Owl, Long-tailed Potoo - still present at its roost site, Saw-billed Hermit, Rufous-capped Motmot, Rufous-tailed Jacamar, Crescent-chested Puffbird, Spot-billed Toucanet, Yellow-eared Woodpecker, Yellow-throated Woodpecker, Spot-backed Antshrike, Sooretama Slaty Antshrike, Spot-breasted Antvireo, Salvadori's Antwren, Ferruginous Antbird, Scaled Antbird, Streak-capped Antwren, White-bibbed Antbird, Rufous-breasted Leaftosser, Plain-winged, White-throated, Planalto and Lesser Woodcreepers, Black-capped, Buff-fronted and White-eyed Foliage-gleaners, Sharp-tailed Streamcreeper, Plain and Streaked Xenops, Eared Pygmy-Tyrant, White-throated Spadebill, Greyish Mourner, Large-headed Flatbill, Grey-hooded Attila, Pin-tailed Manakin, Thrush-like Schiffornis, White-necked Thrush, Olive-green Tanager, Yellow-green and Black-throated Grosbeaks.
Wetland and adjacent forest trails: Black-bellied Whistling-Duck, Brazilian Teal with young, Masked Duck, Rusty-margined Guan, Rufescent Tiger-Heron, Capped Heron, Grey-headed Kite, Snail Kite, Rufous-thighed Kite, Black-and-white Hawk-Eagle, Laughing Falcon, Rufous-sided Crake, Ash-throated Crake, Blackish Rail, Solitary Sandpiper, Scaled Dove - the first record for REGUA (see top photo below), Grey-fronted Dove, Dark-billed Cuckoo, Striped Cuckoo, Tropical Screech-Owl - the pair at the office have bred producing 2 young (see bottom photo below), Tawny-browed Owl, Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl, Striped Owl, Reddish Hermit, Violet-capped Woodnymph, White-chinned Sapphire, Rufous-tailed Jacamar, Channel-billed Toucan, nesting Blond-crested Woodpeckers, Sooretama Slaty Antshrike, White-flanked Antwren, Unicoloured Antwren, Rufous-winged Antwren, Scaled Antbird, Streak-capped Antwren, Black-cheeked Gnateater, Plain Xenops, Grey-hooded Flycatcher, Sepia-capped Flycatcher, Southern Antpipit, Yellow-breasted Flycatcher, Euler's Flycatcher, Greyish Mourner, Moustached Wren, Long-billed Wren, Black-capped Donacobius, Ruby-crowned Tanager, Swallow-Tanager and Wedge-tailed Grass-Finch.
11 December 2009
November sightings
November has been very hot and humid with a lot of rain, but this hasn't stopped us seeing some great birds! Highlights from around the reserve include: 2 Black-bellied Whistling-Duck (new for REGUA), Muscovy Duck with 6, reducing to 4 chicks, Masked Duck, Rusty-margined Guan visiting the lodge feeders, Rufescent Tiger-Heron, Rufous-thighed Kite, Crane Hawk, White-necked Hawk, 2 Crowned Eagles over the wetland, 2 American Kestrel, Rufous-sided Crake, 2 Giant Snipe at a new feeding site found by our guide Adilei, Solitary Sandpiper, Plain-breasted Ground-Dove, Blue Ground-Dove, Blue-winged Parrotlet, Blue-bellied Parrot, 6 Greater Ani, Striped Cuckoo, Tropical Screech-Owl, Black-capped Screech-Owl, Tawny-browed Owl, 2 Striped Owl, Long-tailed Potoo roosting on the Waterfall Trail (see photo below), Common Potoo, Short-tailed Nighthawk, Pauraque, Lesser Swallow-tailed Swift, Reddish Hermit, Black-throated Mango still visiting the lodge feeders, White-chinned Sapphire, Black-throated Trogon, Crescent-chested Puffbird, Spot-billed and Saffron Toucanets, 6 Black-necked Aracari, Chestnut-backed Antshrike showing on the nest, Spot-breasted and Plain Antvireos, Star-throated Antwren, 2 White-flanked Antwren in the lodge garden, Salvadori's Antwren, Rufous-capped Antthrush, Rufous-breasted Leaftosser, Sharp-tailed Streamcreeper with young, Southern Antpipit, Greenish Elaenia, lots of Yellow Tyrannulets, White-rumped Monjita, good numbers of Piratic, Streaked and Fork-tailed Flycatchers, Pin-tailed Manakin, Greenish Schiffornis, Shrike-like Cotinga on the Elfin Forest Trail, Black-capped Donacobius, Wedge-tailed Grass-Finch, Lined Seedeater, Sooty Grassquit, Yellow-green Grosbeak, Purple-throated Euphonia at the lodge feeders, Chestnut-bellied Euphonia (see photo below) and Blue-naped Chlorophonia.
The best mammal sighting was a Puma seen by one of our rangers! Other mammals seen include Brown-throated Three-toed Sloth, Greater Grison (see photo below) and Red-rumped Agouti.
07 December 2009
2009/10 tree planting season begins
In November we planted the first 3,000 of the 30,000 trees that we plan to plant over the next few months. Tree planting around the wetland is now complete and so we have begun reforesting other parts of the reserve. 20,000 saplings of pioneer tree species will be planted on the recently purchased Matumbo Gap land (top photo below) and 10,000 around the Small Wetland, and much of this work will take place in December and January. Most of these saplings have been grown from seeds collected from the forest throughout the year by our rangers and volunteers. Preparing the ground, planting and care of the saplings is hard work in the summer heat and humidity (bottom photo below), but necessary to ensure a high success rate. This important planting has been funded by the World Land Trust and SOS Mata Atlântica.
01 December 2009
REGUA becomes haven for rescued wildlife
The reputation of REGUA as a safe place for wildlife is spreading within the local community. When faced with a caiman (top photo) in a drainage ditch on a building site in the town of Cachoeiras de Macacu, instead of shooting the unfortunate creature the site manager called the Fire Brigade who called the Três Picos Park office, who trapped it and brought it to REGUA for release. The wetlands already have over 30 caiman that have arrived by themselves without help, but there is always room for a few more.
A few days later a Brown-throated Three-toed Sloth (bottom photo) was found beside the main road heading away from the forest towards some houses. With some difficulty the sloth was loaded into a sack and driven to the Reserve where it was released in the Lodge garden. Over the course of the next hour before dusk this sloth posed for numerous photographs, but by the next morning had disappeared into the forest.
27 November 2009
Common Potoo nest
This year we have been treated to some excellent views of a Common Potoo which has nested on a bamboo tree stake beside the wetlands. The first photo (left), taken on 9th November, shows the tiny chick being incubated by the adult soon after hatching. On 15th November the chick had already grown rapidly in size (middle photo) and by the 20th November it was too big to be sat on by the adult (right photo). This chick was particularly lucky as it faced at least two life-threatening events. Several days after first discovery, our guide Adilei was disappointed to find the egg on the ground beside the stake, but carefully replaced it and the bird fortunately returned to incubate and hatch the chick. The second near fatal event was on the 20th November, several hours after the last photo was taken, when a freak storm with winds of over 100 mph swept through the wetlands and Lodge garden blowing over trees and snapping branches. When the winds subsided we found the chick on the ground again, soaking wet and looking very miserable. Once again it was returned to the stake after a good drying, and seemed none the worse when checked the next day.
19 November 2009
Recent sightings on excursions
Birds seen on our excursions over the last couple of months include:
Macaé de Cima: Spot-winged Wood-Quail, Scale-throated Hermit, Plovercrest, White-throated Hummingbird, Brazilian Ruby, Amethyst Woodstar, Saffron Toucanet, Yellow-browed and Green-barred Woodpeckers, Giant Antshrike, Rufous-backed Antvireo, Ochre-rumped Antbird, Rufous Gnateater, Rufous-tailed (Brazilian) Antthrush, Planalto Woodcreeper, Red-eyed Thornbird, White-collared Foliage-gleaner, Pale-browed and Sharp-billed Treehunters, Swallow-tailed Cotinga, Hooded Berryeater, Bare-throated Bellbird, Black-and-gold Cotinga, Sharpbill, Shrike-like Cotinga, Brown Tanager, Bay-chested Warbling-Finch and White-browed (White-rimmed) Warbler.
Pico da Caledônia: Large-tailed Antshrike (see photo below taken last year), Rufous-capped Antshrike, Dusky-tailed Antbird, Mouse-coloured Tapaculo, Rufous-capped, Grey-bellied and Spix's Spinetails, Sharp-tailed Streamcreeper, Rough-legged, Planalto and Grey-capped Tyrannulets, Highland Elaenia, Blue-billed and Velvety Black-Tyrants, Shear-tailed Grey Tyrant, Swallow-tailed, Black-and-gold and Grey-winged Cotingas, Serra do Mar Tyrant-Manakin, Rufous-browed Peppershrike, Cinnamon, Diademed and Brassy-breasted Tanagers.
Sumidouro: Red-legged Seriema, White-eyed Parakeet, Three-toed Jacamar, Serra Antwren, Narrow-billed Woodcreeper, Hangnest Tody-Tyrant and Streamer-tailed Tyrant.
09 November 2009
Recent sightings
Bird sightings from around the reserve in September and October include:
4x4 Track to Casa Anibal: Brown Tinamou, Variable Screech-Owl (first record for this trail), Frilled Coquette, Crescent-chested Puffbird, Channel-billed Toucan, Spot-billed Toucanet, Yellow-fronted Woodpecker, Yellow-eared Woodpecker, Yellow-throated Woodpecker (the race found here, P. f. erythropis, actually has a red throat - see photo below), Blond-crested Woodpecker, Spot-backed Antshrike, Sooretama Slaty Antshrike, Spot-breasted Antvireo, White-bibbed Antbird, Black-cheeked Gnateater, Slaty Bristlefront, Rufous-breasted Leaftosser, Plain-winged, White-throated and Lesser Woodcreepers, Eye-ringed Tody-Tyrant, Eared Pygmy-Tyrant, Greyish Mourner, Grey-hooded Attila, Eastern Striped Manakin and Turquoise Tanager.
Elfin Forest Trail: Black Hawk-Eagle, Black-and-white Hawk-Eagle, Blue-bellied Parrot, Least Pygmy-Owl, Buff-bellied Puffbird, Salvadori's Antwren, Rufous-capped Antthrush, Short-tailed Antthrush, Rufous-breasted Leaftosser and Shrike-like Cotinga.
Waldenoor: Mantled Hawk, White-eared Puffbird, Slaty Bristlefront, Rufous-breasted Leaftosser, Blue Manakin, Green-backed, Chestnut-crowned and Crested Becards and Rufous-headed Tanager.
Waterfall Trail: White-necked Hawk, Blue-bellied Parrot, Variable Screech-Owl (at the usual roost site), Saw-billed Hermit, Reddish Hermit, Rufous-capped Motmot, Crescent-chested Puffbird, Spot-billed Toucanet, Star-throated, White-flanked (including one a ringed/banded bird), Unicoloured, Rufous-winged and Streak-capped Antwrens, Scaled Antbird, Black-cheeked Gnateater, Slaty Bristlefront, Rufous-breasted Leaftosser, Black-capped and White-eyed Foliage-gleaners, Southern Antpipit, Grey-hooded Attila, Pin-tailed Manakin, Thrush-like Schiffornis, White-thighed Swallow, White-necked Thrush and Yellow-green Grosbeak.
Wetland and adjacent forest trails: Tataupa Tinamou, Muscovy Duck (with six young), up to 25 Masked Duck, Rufescent Tiger-Heron, Capped Heron, Whistling Heron, Osprey, Grey-headed, Snail and Plumbeous Kites, Bicoloured, White-necked and Short-tailed Hawks, Laughing and Aplomado Falcons, Limpkin, Rufous-sided Crake, Ash-throated Crake, Giant Snipe, Solitary Sandpiper, Blue Ground-Dove, Blue-winged Parrotlet, Scaly-headed Parrot, Dark-billed Cuckoo, Greater Ani, Striped Cuckoo (including a juvenile being feed by Yellow-chinned Spinetails), Barn Owl, Tropical Screech-Owl, Tawny-browed Owl, Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl, Striped Owl, Common Potoo (an adult with a chick), Short-tailed Nighthawk, Pauraque, Spot-tailed Nightjar, Scissor-tailed Nightjar, Reddish Hermit, White-chinned Sapphire, Rufous-capped Motmot, Rufous-tailed Jacamar, Crescent-chested Puffbird, Channel-billed Toucan, White-barred Piculet, White, Yellow-eared and Blond-crested Woodpeckers, Rufous-capped Antshrike (new for REGUA), Chestnut-backed Antshrike, Sooretama Slaty Antshrike, White-flanked and Unicoloured Antwrens, Scaled and White-bibbed Antbirds, Black-cheeked Gnateater, Southern Antpipit, Eye-ringed Tody-Tyrant, Ochre-faced, Yellow-lored and Common Tody-Flycatchers, Greenish Elaenia, Southern Beardless-Tyrannulet, Whiskered Flycatcher, Yellow-browed Tyrant, Lemon-chested Greenlet, Moustached Wren, Long-billed Wren, Black-capped Donacobius, Hooded, Flame-crested, Brazilian and Yellow-backed Tanagers, Red-legged Honeycreeper, Chestnut-vented Conebill and Pileated Finch.
Elsewhere on the reserve, Russet-winged Spadebill have been showing on the Grey Trail and Rusty-margined Guans have been visiting the lodge feeders. Hummers at the lodge feeders have included Rufous-breasted Hermit, Swallow-tailed Hummingbird, Black Jacobin, Violet-capped Woodnymph, Glittering-throated Emerald and Amethyst Woodstar, and a Black-throated Mango also put in a appearance. Lastly, on the Onofre Cunha land, 6 Black-necked Aracari were seen - a new species for the reserve!
Mammal sightings include Brown-throated Three-toed Sloth, Greater Grison and good numbers of Capybara (see photo below), and we have also found prints of Margay and Paca at the new wetland.-lp.jpg)
06 November 2009
Wetland extension flooded
We have long had the ambition to restore the wetlands that once existed around the lodge. Last month this ambition became one step nearer to becoming reality, when after months of hard work the final area to be restored was flooded. The original wetland - drained in the 1980s to make way for agriculture and pasture - was largely wooded swamp covered with water-loving trees (Tabebuia cassinoides) and palms (Bactris spp.), dripping with orchids and bromeliads. The restored wetland looks very different and includes a wider range of habitats such as small lakes, Typha reedbeds and wet grassland, as well as areas of replanted Tabebuia. Since restoration began in 2005, the wetland has been maturing quickly and biodiversity increasing rapidly. Over 200 species of birds have now been recorded, caiman and Capybara have moved in, and in a short while it is planned to replant the first Cattleya harrisonia orchids that existed long ago. The latest phase differs from the others in that it has been designed so that the water level can be raised and lowered to attract wading birds, and migrant Solitary Sandpipers (a scarce migrant at REGUA) have already been seen. One tower hide already exists and a new hide will be ready by March 2010. The addition of the new flooded area, some 3 hectares in size, has increased the total area flooded at REGUA to around 15 hectares. Many thanks to everyone who has supported us on this exciting project.
15 October 2009
New lizard found for Rio State
In September 2007, a research team based at REGUA found a new species of lizard for Rio State in a small patch of lowland forest partly owned by REGUA, just outside the core reserve. The Slender Anole Anolis fuscoauratus is a common species in the Amazon basin but poorly known in the Atlantic Forest (see photo below by Davor Vrcibradic). This record represents a large range extension for this species. To read more click here.
25 September 2009
REGUA in Royal Entomological Society magazine
The summer 2009 issue of Antenna - the bulletin of the Royal Entomological Society - features an excellent article by John Feltwell, a trustee of the Brazilian Atlantic Rainforest Trust, highlighting the huge diveristy of moths found at REGUA and inviting anyone with an interest in moths to help us identify the large number of unidentified moths that we have photographed at the reserve.
If you would like to get involved then please see our unidentifed moths page. Antenna is available free to Royal Entomological Society members - please visit their website for details.
14 September 2009
New Photo of the Month web page!
Over the years, guests staying at the lodge, and our guides, have taken many amazing bird photos at REGUA. To showcase some of these images we have set up a Photo of the Month feature on our website, starting off with Steve Blain's beautiful shot of a Swallow-tailed Cotinga. To take a look click on this link - http://www.guapiassubirdlodge.com/.
10 September 2009
August sightings
We are now entering early spring and many birds are preparing to breed. Different species are at different stages of nesting, with many only just starting to form territories but some already have well-grown chicks (see below)! August sightings from around the reserve include:
4x4 Track to Casa Anibal: Maroon-bellied Parakeet, Scaly-headed Parrot, Crescent-chested Puffbird, Spot-backed Antshrike, Sooretama Slaty Antshrike, Spot-breasted Antvireo, Rufous-winged Antwren, White-bibbed Antbird, Black-cheeked Gnateater, Rufous-breasted Leaftosser, Lesser Woodcreeper, White-eyed Foliage-gleaner, Eye-ringed Tody-Tyrant, Eared Pygmy-Tyrant, Russet-winged Spadebill (the first record on this trail), Blue-billed Black-Tyrant, Rusty-margined Flycatcher, Greyish Mourner, Grey-hooded Attila, Eastern Striped Manakin, Shrike-like Cotinga, White-winged Becard, Black-capped Becard, Turquoise Tanager, Brassy-breasted Tanager and Blue-naped Chlorophonia.
Elfin Forest Trail: Mantled Hawk, Black Hawk-Eagle, Black-and-white Hawk-Eagle, Golden-tailed Parrotlet, Blue-bellied Parrot, Least Pygmy-Owl, Buff-bellied Puffbird, Giant Antshrike, Salvadori's Antwren and Variegated Antpitta.
Waldenoor: White-necked Hawk, Mantled Hawk (this is the most reliable area on the reserve for this species), Plain Parakeet, Scaly-headed Parrot, Reddish Hermit, Frilled Coquette, White-eared Puffbird, Yellow-fronted Woodpecker, Star-throated Antwren, Slaty Bristlefront, Lesser Woodcreeper, Black-capped Foliage-gleaner, Buff-fronted Foliage-gleaner, White-eyed Foliage-gleaner, Grey-hooded Flycatcher, Rough-legged Tyrannulet, Whiskered Flycatcher, Long-tailed Tyrant, Green-backed Becard, Olive-green Tanager, Golden-chevroned Tanager, a pair of Green-chinned Euphonia (see photo below) and Chestnut-bellied Euphonia.
Waterfall Trail: White-necked Hawk, Maroon-bellied Parakeet, Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl, Saw-billed Hermit, Reddish Hermit, Black-throated Trogon, Rufous-capped Motmot, Crescent-chested Puffbird, Spot-billed Toucanet, Yellow-eared Woodpecker, Spot-breasted Antvireo, Star-throated Antwren, Unicoloured Antwren, Scaled Antbird, Black-cheeked Gnateater, Slaty Bristlefront, White-throated Woodcreeper, Black-capped Foliage-gleaner, Buff-fronted Foliage-gleaner, White-eyed Foliage-gleaner, Sharp-tailed Streamcreeper (at the waterfall), Southern Antpipit, White-throated Spadebill, Whiskered Flycatcher, Pin-tailed Manakin, White-thighed Swallow, Red-crowned Ant-Tanager, Azure-shouldered Tanager, Fawn-breasted Tanager, Turquoise Tanager and Yellow-green Grosbeak.
Wetland and adjacent forest trails: Muscovy Duck, Masked Duck, Rusty-margined Guan, Rufescent Tiger-Heron, Whistling Heron, Capped Heron, Grey-headed Kite, Snail Kite, Great Black-Hawk (the second record for REGUA), Laughing Falcon, Limpkin, Slaty-breasted Wood-Rail, Rufous-sided Crake, Ash-throated Crake, Blackish Rail, excellent views of Giant Snipe, Barn Owl, 2 Tropical Screech-Owls (at the usual roost site), Tawny-browed Owl, Striped Owl - including these 2 juveniles (see photo below), Scissor-tailed Nightjar, White-chinned Sapphire, White Woodpecker, Spot-backed Antshrike, Tufted Antshrike, Sooretama Slaty Antshrike, Black-cheeked Gnateater, White-throated Woodcreeper, Wing-banded Hornero, Moustached Wren, Long-billed Wren, Black-capped Donacobius, Brazilian Tanager and Wedge-tailed Grass-Finch.
Highlights on our excursions include:
Macaé de Cima: Dusky-legged Guan, Aplomado Falcon, Scale-throated Hermit, White-throated Hummingbird, Brazilian Ruby, Channel-billed Toucan, Saffron Toucanet, Rufous-backed Antvireo, Bertoni's Antbird, Rufous-tailed Antthrush, Slaty Bristlefront, Mottle-cheeked Tyrannulet, Bare-throated Bellbird, Brassy-breasted Tanager and Uniform Finch.
Pico da Caledônia: White-tailed Hawk, Red-legged Seriema, Plovercrest, Glittering-bellied Emerald, White-throated Hummingbird, Brazilian Ruby, Yellow-browed Woodpecker, Large-tailed Antshrike, Variable Antshrike, Ochre-rumped Antbird, Rufous Gnateater, Mouse-coloured Tapaculo, Scaled Woodcreeper, Black-billed Scythebill, Rufous-capped Spinetail, Sharp-tailed Streamcreeper, Ochre-faced Tody-Flycatcher, Grey-capped Tyrannulet, Blue-billed Black-Tyrant, Velvety Black-Tyrant, Black-and-gold Cotinga, Grey-winged Cotinga, Pin-tailed Manakin, Rufous-crowned Greenlet, Cinnamon Tanager, Azure-shouldered Tanager, Diademed Tanager, Brassy-breasted Tanager, Bay-chested Warbling-Finch, Green-winged Saltator and White-browed Warbler.
Serra dos Órgãos National Park: Spot-winged Wood-Quail, Saffron Toucanet, Yellow-browed Woodpecker, Green-barred Woodpecker, Giant Antshrike, Rufous-backed Antvireo, Ochre-rumped Antbird, Rufous Gnateater, Rufous-tailed Antthrush, Swallow-tailed Cotinga, Hooded Berryeater, Brown Tanager, Half-collared Sparrow and White-browed Warbler.
Sumidouro: Black-and-white Hawk-Eagle, American Kestrel, White-eyed Parakeet, Striped Cuckoo, Barn Owl, Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl, White-vented Violet-ear, Sapphire-spangled Emerald, 5+ Three-toed Jacamars seen on a single trip, Giant Antshrike, Crested Black-Tyrant, Streamer-tailed Tyrant, Uniform Finch and Blue-naped Chlorophonia.
Mammal sightings in August have included: Brown-throated Three-toed Sloth, Greater Fishing Bat, Tufted-ear Marmoset, Brown Howler Monkey, Brazilian Squirrel, Orange-spined Hairy Dwarf Porcupine, Capybara and Red-rumped Agouti. Finally, an intriguing record is that of a dead Southern Tamandua found in the forest behind the wetland, indicating that these animals are still present in the area.
09 August 2009
Another major land purchase for REGUA
On the 17th July contracts were signed with Carlos and Anna Lemgruber to purchase an area of about 1,700 acres of wonderful forest that adjoins the recently purchased Matumbo Gap properties. This purchase takes the land owned by REGUA to over 11,000 acres, with a further 7,000 acres under a management agreement. The purchase has been made possible by the generous support of the World Land Trust, and especially BIAZA (the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums) who are raising funds through a number of their member zoos. However, although the contract has been signed, only half the money has been raised to date and we have been able to go ahead with the purchase thanks to an interest-free loan from one of our long-term supporters. The WLT and BIAZA will be working hard over the next year to pay this loan back, but if you would like to help please visit http://www.worldlandtrust.org/projects/brazil.htm#donation. 
06 August 2009
Latest sightings
Highlights from around the reserve in June and July include:
4x4 Track to Casa Anibal: White-necked Hawk, Yellow-fronted Woodpecker, Slaty Bristlefront, Eared Pygmy-Tyrant, Bare-throated Bellbird, Eastern Striped Manakin and Shrike-like Cotinga.
São José Trail: Rufous-capped Motmot, Blond-crested Woodpecker, White-bibbed Antbird, Plain-winged Woodcreeper, White-throated Woodcreeper, Lesser Woodcreeper, Black-capped Foliage-gleaner, White-eyed Foliage-gleaner, Greyish Mourner and Shrike-like Cotinga.
Waterfall Trail: White-necked Hawk, Least Pygmy-Owl, Buff-bellied Puffbird, Channel-billed Toucan, Spot-billed Toucanet, Spot-breasted Antvireo, Star-throated Antwren, Salvadori's Antwren, Unicoloured Antwren, Rufous-capped Antthrush, Rufous-breasted Leaftosser (with young), Scaled Woodcreeper, Southern Antpipit, Eared Pygmy-Tyrant, Eye-ringed Tody-Tyrant, Greyish Mourner, Bare-throated Bellbird, Shrike-like Cotinga, Pin-tailed Manakin, Thrush-like Schiffornis, Azure-shouldered Tanager, Rufous-headed Tanager and Yellow-green Grosbeak.
Waldenoor: Mantled Hawk, Yellow-fronted Woodpecker, White-shouldered Fire-eye, Thrush-like Schiffornis, Green-backed Becard, Buffy-fronted and Temminck's Seedeaters and Green-chinned Euphonia.
Wetland and adjacent forest trails: Up to 8 Masked Duck, Rufescent Tiger-Heron, Pinnated Bittern, Whistling Heron, Black-and-white Hawk-Eagle, Collared Forest-Falcon, Limpkin, Blackish Rail, Giant Snipe, White-eyed and Maroon-bellied Parakeets (in the Lodge garden), Orange-winged Parrot, Tropical Screech-Owl (still at the usual roost site), Rufous-tailed Jacamar, Crescent-chested Puffbird, Channel-billed Toucan, Tufted Antshrike, White-bibbed Antbird, Southern Antpipit, Bran-coloured Flycatcher (see photo below), Yellow-browed Tyrant, a female Swallow-tailed Cotinga (a very unusual record, seen by the Rio de Janeiro Bird Club), Shrike-like Cotinga, Brazilian Tanager, a female Black-legged Dacnis, Wedge-tailed Grass-Finch and Pileated Finch.
Elsewhere, Russet-winged Spadebill has been showing on the Elfin Forest Trail and just outside the reserve our guide Adilei has seen Black-banded Owl in his garden. Mammal sightings around the reserve include four Brown-throated Three-toed Sloths seen in a day, Tayra, Common Grey Four-eyed Opossum and Tufted-ear Marmosets on the Lodge feeders (see photo below).
31 July 2009
Wetland extended
The final phase of the wetlands restoration project, which will double its size, is nearing completion at REGUA. During the last few months Nicholas has had a team of labourers building the new dam and carving out the various pools and channels (see top photo below). All that remains is to finish the overflow channel (see bottom photo below) to take any flood water and block the stream which will allow the new wetlands to fill. Based on our experience of the previous phases it will only be a matter of weeks before the birds and caiman start to move in. Nicholas also has plans to build a new observation tower behind the volunteers' accommodation which will provide wonderful views across this new wetland and the mountains behind.
28 July 2009
Biodiversity increases in the Lodge garden
As the Lodge garden matures, the number and variety of species visiting the feeders is increasing. A large flock of Maroon-bellied Parakeets (see photo below) have become daily visitors, along with eight species of tanagers, several Tufted-ear Marmosets and even a Black-legged Dacnis. Perhaps even better, a pair of the reintroduced Red-billed Curassows have taken up residency around the Lodge area.
23 July 2009
Guapi Assu Bird Lodge expanded
Improvements to the Lodge are now almost complete, ready for the busiest time of year for visitors. An excellent new bedroom with its own private balcony has been built and two single rooms have been created. The Lodge can now accommodate a maximum of 18 people in six double, two twin and two single rooms and all rooms have their own en-suite bathrooms. Three of the double rooms (the premier rooms) are larger and have their own balconies with views across the mountains. Whilst this building work was in progress we also improved the water supply and replaced the solar heating system to ensure a more reliable supply of hot water for the increasing number of visitors. In addition, extra volunteer accommodation has also been built, with the old stable block near the office now converted into two comfortable units for longer-staying volunteers.
11 July 2009
REGUA at the British Birdwatching Fair 2009
REGUA will once again be represented at the British Birdwatching Fair at Rutland in the UK - 21 to 23 August. Volunteers Lee Dingain, John Harris, Martin Smart and Rachel Walls will be on the World Land Trust stand (marquee 4, stand nos. 14 and 15) with the very latest information on our conservation work, birding at REGUA, visiting the reserve and volunteering opportunities. Please come by and see us. For information about the Birdfair click here.