REGUA, Atlantic Forest, Brazil: 19 July

An overcast day spent with Helen Cavilla (the newly appointed lodge manager), Rachel and Raquel Locke designing the trail network around the lodge. Now that the final phase of the wetland restoration at REGUA is complete, the trails can be formally marked and mapped. Once marked out we will create an accurate map of the wetland showing the trails and in addition produce leaflets for each of the main trails around the lodge, which will make it much easier for guests to bird the area without a guide. Birding opportunities today were limited but 35 White-faced Whistling-Duck (a good site count), 4 female Masked Duck, an adult Cocoi Heron (scarce at REGUA), 7 Snowy Egret (my highest site ever count), 1 Savanna Hawk, 1 Aplomado Falcon, 1 Squirrel Cuckoo, 10 Greater Ani and 1 Ringed Kingfisher were amongst the many birds noted while walking around the wetland. Up at the lodge a Reddish Hermit and a Purple-throated Euphonia were noted amongst the more common species.