Spent the day at the coast birding the restinga and coastal lagoons around the small town of Cabo Frio, about 2 hours east of REGUA. The main aim of the trip was to iron out a route and itinerary for the excursion here offered at REGUA's lodge, but I was also keen to finally see Restinga Antwren - split in 1990 from the very similar Serra Antwren. Restinga is comprised of low woodland, scrub and cacti on sandy soil and is found in a narrow strip along the Brazilian coastline. Urban development is the main threat to the restinga, and with so much of it now destroyed the Restinga Antwren, which is only found in this habitat, is classified as Critically Endangered. They are still easy to see at Cabo Frio and we had 2 males show well. Other highlights at the restinga today include 1 Hook-billed Kite, 3 Sooretama Slaty Antshrike, Hangnest Tody-Tyrant, 1 Plain-breasted Ground-Dove (not common at REGUA) and a Tropical Parula.
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| Male Restinga Antwren |
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| Tropical Parula |
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| Restinga |
Also nearby are several lagoons that held 8 Roseate Spoonbills, Little Blue Heron, Royal, Yellow-billed and Cayenne Terns, Grey-hooded Gull, Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs, Collared and Semi-palmated Plovers, Black-necked Stilt, a distant probable Western Sandpiper, lots of White-cheeked Pintails and a very obliging Clapper Rail.
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| Clapper Rail |
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| Clapper Rail |
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| Clapper Rail |
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| Little Blue Heron |
Just got back from 3 days at sea and you have destroyed me! Cherry on the Pecan and Maple Slice! Those TB Owls are starting to get on my nerves and that LT Ptoo is a real gripper! Well done and loving the new photos, particularly the Bellbird. Keep up the good work Dinger and say hi to the Mrs.
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