REGUA, Atlantic Forest, Brazil: 4 June

It is unusually hot and humid at REGUA at the moment and birding around the wetland was very quiet. The new hide produced 11 Muscovy Duck perched up in a secropia tree, 3 Rufescent Tiger-Heron, just 3 Black-crowned Night-Heron, 1 White-tipped Dove (these are difficult to see here), 16+ Greater Ani, 1 White-chinned Sapphire, 2-3 Ringed Kingfisher, 1 Wing-banded Hornero, 2 Yellow-chinned Spinetail, a pair of Southern House Wren feeding young at a nest in the hide and 10 Red-rumped Cacique. 10 Blue-winged Parrotlet feeding on fruiting trees along the Wetland Trail gave incredible views but there were few other birds of note, with 7 Capped Heron, 1 Yellow-browed Tyrant, 1 Yellow-lored Tody-Flycatcher, 1 Yellow-bellied Elaenia and just a single Least Grebe being about the highlights.

Blue-winged Parrotlet

Another White-tipped Dove, 2 Flame-crested Tanager and a Yellow-backed Tanager were noted along a very quiet Forest Trail, and by the time I reached the Canopy Loop there was even less activity, but 2 Fawn-breasted Tanager, 3 Flame-crested Tanager, 1 Tropical Parula, 1 Yellow-throated Woodpecker and a Chestnut-backed Antshrike were seen and a Shrike-like Cotinga was heard calling but didn't show. A Red-rumped Agouti Dasyprocta leporina paused briefly on the trail before noticing me and scarpering. It's good to be now seeing these mammals, a main quary of hunters, regularly around the reserve.

The new canopy tower is now open and the view from this sturdy concrete structure across the forest canopy to the Guapiaçu valley is stunning. The only birds of note seen from the tower were a Surucua Trogon and a Grey-rumped Swift, but then it was the quietest time of day. I can't wait to experience a flock from the top!

This quiet day finished with a surprising and long overdue lifer in the form of a immature male Blue Ground-Dove along the Forest Trail on the way back to the lodge.

Blue Ground-Dove

Dawn at REGUA