Magical day at REGUA

Today we birded the 4x4 Track to Casa Anibel and what a day it was! 2 Rufous-crowned Motmots at the lodge got things off to a great start and the 4x4 Track itself was just dripping with birds! Fruiting trees at the trail head produced a large flock that included around 50 Blue Dacnis, Fawn-breasted, Brassy-breasted, Red-necked, Green-headed, Golden-chevroned, Rufous-headed and Yellow-backed Tanagers, as well as my first lifer of the day - a Sooty Grassquit. It was hard to tear ourselves away but walking up the trail we logged Channel-billed Toucan, Rufous-browed Peppershrike, Black-capped and White-collared Foliage-Gleaners, 2 Spot-backed Antshrikes, Black-goggled Tanager, 2 Blonde-crested Woodpeckers, Black-cheeked Gnateater, 2 Crescent-chested Puffbirds, Long-tailed Tyrant, Slaty Bristlefront and my second lifer of the day - a Large-headed Flatbill (first photo). The strangler figs at the top of the trail are currently fruiting and these proved to be the highlight of the day. Birds were everywhere but 3 Bare-throated Bellbirds (second photo) busy gorging themselves on fruit were particularly notable as this is a difficult bird at this time of year. However, the 'cherry on the Pecan and Mapel Slice' came in the form of 2 Swallow-tailed Cotingas (third photo) that flew in to rest for a few minutes before heading off into the forest. There have been very few records of this beautiful species at REGUA and this was certainly one of my favourite moments on the reserve. As if this wasn't enough, the day was then finished off with a superb Boa Constrictor on the road back to the lodge (forth photo).