REGUA - my neotropical patch

In 2006, after two years of planning, Rachel and I quit our jobs, packed up our stuff, let out the house and set off on a trip around South America. We saw a lot of amazing wildlife, but one of the highlights was three months volunteering at REGUA (Reserva Ecológica de Guapiaçu) - an NGO protecting a large area of Atlantic Forest in south-east Brazil. We took on the task of developing the Reserve's tourism, set up to generate funds for their conservation work, and during our stay we fell in love with the place and made some life-long friends. Since our trip we've continued our work for REGUA, which has included building the website and representing REGUA at the Birdfair. REGUA is now becoming a top birding destination and we like to think we have helped put REGUA on the birding map. All income generated goes towards protecting the habitat the birds depend on and so tourism here helps conserve this highly threatened biome.

The Atlantic Forest is of the world's top five biodiversity hotspots and dripping with endemics! Over the last few years I've got to know the birds well and adopted REGUA as my foreign patch. Each year we try to return to see how the Reserve is developing and tomorrow we fly out for a three week trip. This time we'll be spending two weeks at REGUA before embarking on a mini tour to Caraça and I'm hoping to write the occassional post, internet access allowing. To find out more about birding in the Atlantic Forest and REGUA visit http://www.regua.org/.

Rachel and I in 2006 with Adilei (left) - one of REGUA's bird guides