REGUA, Atlantic Forest, Brazil: 15 July

Another day working on the Portuguese REGUA website. Spent a couple of hours in the lodge garden this morning where I managed some nice shots of a Rufous-tailed Jacamar that was taking out the moths leaving the moth wall, along with 2 Southern House Wren. 2 Giant Cowbirds perched in the eucalyptus on the edge of the lodge garden are my first record at the lodge, and 1m Purple-throated Euphonia visiting the feeders with 2 (1m, 1f) Blue Dacnis was the best of the other birds present.

Photographed some interesting moths at the moth wall, including some potential new additions to the REGUA moth list, but more on this is a later post.

Male Rufous-tailed Jacamar Galbula ruficauda, lodge garden, REGUA, 15 July 2016

Record of 1 of 2 Giant Cowbirds Molothrus oryzivorus together in the lodge garden, 15 July 2016

A few hours spotlighting around the wetland this evening produced an excellent but yet another frustrating avian find. While photographing tree frogs at the wetland (by post 650 of the Wetland Trail) a Stygian Owl started calling (approximately by post 850). I quickly moved towards it and got quite close before it moved across the lake to the roughly where the tapir pen is being built. Despite the bird calling for over 10 minutes it didn't respond to playback (although I didn't have speakers with me and so the playback was very quiet) and I didn't see it - the theme for this year it seems - finding good birds by sound only. This is only the 3rd record for Rio de Janeiro State and the 2nd for REGUA, following 1 seen well on 31 July 2011 at the REGUA wetland (just a few day after I flew home from a two week trip, grrrr).

Anyway, found 5 Hypsiboas semilineatus tree frogs in the vegetation around the edge of the water, showing an incredible diversity of colouration and size - check out the individuals below seen this evening and compare to the one in the lodge garden on 8 July.

Hypsiboas semilineatus, REGUA wetland, 15 July 2016

Hypsiboas semilineatus, REGUA wetland, 15 July 2016

Also noted while spot-lighting were 4 (2m, 1f, 1) Pauraque, 3H Tawny-browed Owl, 12 Broad-snouted Caiman, several Capybara, lots of Neotropical Cichlid Geophagus brasiliensis fishes, and 2 roosting Ghost Yellow Eurema albula sinoe butterflies (many thanks to Jorge Bizarro for the identification).

Ghost Yellow Eurema albula sinoe, REGUA wetland, 15 July 2016

REGUA, Atlantic Forest, Brazil: 8 July

Spent a couple of hours this morning paddling around the wetland in the research canoe checking out the progress of the replanted Tabebuia cassinoides - a slow growing swamp-loving climax tree species that once covered many lowland areas in the Atlantic Forest. The trees are doing very well but I am a little concerned that the Cattle Egret roost has partially moved to the tabebuia, which could threaten their survival.

From the canoe had nice views of the male Sungrebe (although it was not very tolerant of the canoe and so there is no chance using it to get close to photograph it), along with 2 (1 ad and 1 imm) Rufescent Tiger-Heron, 2+ Striated Heron, 1 Snowy Egret, 1-2 Anhinga, 3 Muscovy Duck, 1 Amazon Kingfisher, 1 Ringed Kingfisher, 2 Brazilian Teal, 2 Broad-snouted Caiman, and plenty of Capybara.

In the lodge garden a Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl posed nicely for photos late morning, and 3 (1m, 2f) Flame-crested Tanager, 3+ Chivi Vireo and 1m Yellow-backed Tanager showed at very close range from the lodge tower early morning.

Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl Glaucidium brasilianum, lodge grounds, REGUA, 8 July 2016

Spent a couple of hours after dark photographing at least 5-6 Bokermann's Nectar Bats Lonchophylla bokermanni that were drinking sugar water from the lodge hummingbird feeders. I'm quite pleased with these pics considering this was my first attempt.

Bokermann's Nectar Bat Lonchophylla bokermanni, lodge garden, REGUA, 8 July 2016 (taken using a torch - no flash)

Bokermann's Nectar Bat Lonchophylla bokermanni, lodge garden, REGUA, 8 July 2016 (taken using a torch - no flash)

Also found a nice Hypsiboas semilineatus tree frog hoping around on the veranda. Amazingly variable this species - compare this individual to one I had at REGUA in 2014.

Hypsiboas semilineatus, lodge garden, REGUA, 8 July 2016

São Miguel, Azores: 9-13 June

Arrived on São Miguel in the Azores late on the 8th June for a few days chilling before joining An Introduction to the Natural History of the Azores tour, run by an Azores Nature. Spent the first three days pottering in and around the city of Ponta Delgada, the capital of the Azores, visiting the tourist sites and making numerous coffee and caipirinha stops, as well as squeezing in a little birding.

The pre-tour avian highlight was a Common Cuckoo heard singing in misty conditions for about a minute or two at the east end of Rua João de Lemos, just west of Relva, on 11th. Apparently only the 11th record for the Azores and the 1st for São Miguel, this made the fact that Sue Healey and I only heard it, and couldn't locate it in an hour and a half of searching, very frustrating.

Also caught up with many of the Azorean endemic subspecies - Chaffinch, Eurasian Blackcap, Blackbird, Woodpigeon, Common Quail, Common Starling, Grey Wagtail, Common Buzzard and Yellow-legged Gull. Although not currently considered a subspecies, the local European Robins look more different than some of the other subspecies.

The tour itself started on the 12th with a visit to native laurel forest (Laurissilva) on the east side of the island in search of the Azores Bullfinch. Saw at least 13 birds and heard another (although this is a very conservative count and we probably saw a lot more than this), with a nice flock of 7+ birds feeding together at close range in the mist near Pico do Canário.

Azores Bullfinch Pyrrhula murina, near Pico do Canário, 12 June 2016. This bird was feeding on the seeds of the introduced Pink
Knotweed Persicaria capitata.

Azores Bullfinch Pyrrhula murina, near Pico do Canário, 12 June 2016. This bird was feeding on the seeds of the introduced Pink
Knotweed Persicaria capitata.

The Azores Bullfinch was once so common that it was considered a pest by fruit growers, and along with several other bird species, the government placed a bounty on the head of every bullfinch during the 19th century. But since the 1920s both their numbers and range have reduced to a tiny remnant population of approximately 1000 birds today. Collection for museums has been a significant contributor to their decline. However, the main cause has been the removal of the native floral habitat for pasture and agriculture, as well as the planting of non-native plants, particularly Japanese Cedar Cryptomeria japonica (used for boxes to export oranges), Sweet Pittosporum Pittosporum undulatum (which is now covering 49% of the forested area in the Azores) and Kahli Ginger Lily Hedychium gardnerianum, that together form a vegetation cover far too dense for the Azores Bullfinch feeding habits.

Conservation efforts are concentrating on removing non-native invasive plants along with growing and replanting native species to restore the native laurel forest, although some non-invasive non-native plants that the bullfinches feed on, such as Pink Knotweed Persicaria capitata are allowed to persist. After seeing several bullfinches along the road, we an area within the Pico da Vara/Ribeira do Guilherme Special Protection Area (SPA) and saw how the Laurissilva is slowly being restored by the Sustainable Laurassilva Project specifically for the Azores Bullfinch (and funded by the European Commission LIFE fund I might add - money well spent if you ask me). There's an interesting paper on the history of the Azores Bullfinch here.

Also here we I managed to find a few Azorean Smaller Orchid Platanthera micrantha - an indicator that the natural vegetation is recovering.

Azorean Smaller Orchid Platanthera micrantha, 12 June 2016

On the 13th we took a tour to find out about the geology of the Azores, visiting a number of dramatic geological features including the Caldeira das Sete Cidades, the Gruta do Carvão lava tube in Ponta Delgada, the excavated fountain at Ribeira Grande and the hot springs at Caldeiras da Ribeira Grande.

Male Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs of Azorean subspecies moreletti, at Lagoa das Sete Cidades (Lagos Azul), 13 June 2016

Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla, of Azorean subspecies gularis, José do Canto Botanical Garden, 10 June 2016

European Robin Erithacus rubecula, just west of Relva, 11 June 2016. Robins on the Azores are not considered a
subspecies but I've no idea why - for starters, note the lack of blueish border to the side of the red breast.

Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus, Lagoa das Sete Cidades (Lagos Azul), 12 June 2016 - a vagrant to the Azores

Iberian Water Frog Pelophylax perezi, José do Canto Botanical Garden, 10 June 2016 - introduced to the Azores

Clouded Yellow Colias croceus, Sete Cidades (Lagoa Azul), São Miguel, 13 June 2016

Notebook entries

Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus: 1 at Lagoa das Sete Cidades (Lagos Azul) on 13th.
Common Moorhen: 3 at Lagoa das Sete Cidades (Lagos Azul) on 13th.
Eurasian Coot Fulica atra: 2-3 at Lagoa das Sete Cidades (Lagos Azul) on 13th.
Common (Azores) Quail Coturnix coturnix conturbans: 2m seen in flight (and about another 3 heard) over fields at the east end of Rua João de Lemos, just west of Relva on 11th, 2H by the picnic area along Rua João de Lemos, just west of Relva on 12th.
Cory's Shearwater Calonectris diomedea borealis: Thousands in rafts offshore just west of Relva in the evening of 12th.
Yellow-legged Gull Larus michahellis atlantis: Seen daily. Several around Ponta Delgada harbour on 9th, 2ad. at Lagoa das Sete Cidades (Lagos Azul) on 13th.
Common Tern Sterna hirundo: 2+ in Ponta Delgada harbour on 9th.
Roseate Tern Sterna dougallii: 3+ at a breeding site with many Common Tern on 12th.
Azores Bullfinch Pyrrhula murina: c. 14(1H) on 12th, including 7-9 watched and photographed feeding together in misty conditions along the road near Pico do Canário.
Grey Heron: 1 beside the road near Ponta Delgada on 12th, 2 over Caldeira das Sete Cidades on 13th.
Goldcrest Regulus regulus azoricus: 1+ seen briefly at the Sustainable Laurassilva Project site on 12th, and another seen briefly near Planalto dos Graminhais on 12th.
Common Buzzard Buteo buteo rothschildi: 1 over José do Canto Botanical Garden on 10th, 1 along Rua João de Lemos, just west of Relva on 11th, 2 along track to Rocha da Relva on 11th, 1 Rua João de Lemos, just west of Relva on 12th, 3+ at Lagoa das Sete Cidades (Lagos Azul) on 13th, 1 very pale bird S over King's View (Vista do Rei) on 13th.
Common Cuckoo Cuculus canorus: 1m heard singing in misty conditions for about a minute or two at the east end of Rua João de Lemos, just west of Relva, on 11th (looked for again on 12th but no sign).
Woodpigeon Columba palumbus azorica: 1 at José do Canto Botanical Garden, Ponta Delgada on 10th, 1 at Beco Jardim António Borges, Ponta Delgada on 10th, a few along the track to Rocha da Relva on 11th.
Feral Pigeon Columba livia: Common. Many around Ponta Delgada on 9th, many on the cliffs near Rocha da Relva on 11th.
Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea patriciae: 1m at José do Canto Botanical Garden, Ponta Delgada on 10th, 1m near a nest near Planalto dos Graminhais on 12th.
Eurasian Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla gularis: Common with singing males even in small isolated bottlebrush trees along the sea front in Ponta Delgada. Several males seen very well at José do Canto Botanical Garden on 10th, where also the only female of the trip was seen.
Blackbird Turdus merula azorensis: Common. 1f feeding a recently fledged juvenile at the University of the Azores Ponta Delgada campus on 10th, several males and a female at Lagoa das Sete Cidades (Lagos Azul) on 13th (including one possibly nesting under the decking outside the cafe).
European Robin Erithacus rubecula: 3 at José do Canto Botanical Garden on 10th, 1 at Beco Jardim António Borges, Ponta Delgada on 10th, 2 just west of Relva on 11th, 1 juv. along track to Rocha da Relva on 11th, 1 at Lagoa das Sete Cidades (Lagos Azul) on 13th.
Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs moreletti: Common (except in towns). 2(1H) at José do Canto Botanical Garden, Ponta Delgada on 9th, 1 just west of Relva on 11th, 1m at the Furnas viewpoint just west of the M521/M1042 junction on 12th, and several along the M1042 from the M521 to the bullfinch site near Pico do Canário on 12th. Many very tame birds (both sexes) at Lagoa das Sete Cidades (Lagos Azul) on 13th.
Atlantic Canary Serinus canaria: An abundant Macronesian endemic. Good views of 3m and 1f at José do Canto Botanical Garden on 10th, lots just west of Relva on 11th.
European Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis: 1H along track to Rocha da Relva on 11th, 2 along the EN9-1A about midway between Sete Cidades and the King's View (Vista do Rei) on 13th.
House Sparrow Passer domesticus: Abundant. Everywhere in Ponta Delgada and seen daily. Also lots around the cliffs along track to Rocha da Relva on 11th. Amazing that they were only introduced (to Terceira) in 1960-61!
Common Waxbill Estrilda astrild: 1 at the Sustainable Laurassilva Project site on 12th, 2 at Lagoa das Sete Cidades (Lagos Azul) on 13th.
Azores Grayling Hipparchia azorina: 1 of the São Miguel subspecies miguelensis seen and photographed near Planalto dos Graminhais on 12th.
Clouded Yellow Colias croceus: Fairly common. Several at Lagoa das Sete Cidades (Lagos Azul) on 13th.
Red Admiral Vanessa atalanta: 1 beside track near Rocha da Relva on 11th.
Red-veined Darter Sympetrum fonscolombii: Several at Lagoa das Sete Cidades (Lagos Azul) on 13th.
Iberian Water Frog Pelophylax perezi: 4+ at José do Canto Botanical Garden, Ponta Delgada on 10th.
Madeira Wall Lizard Teira dugesii: An abundant introduction. Good numbers on stone walls along the track to Rocha da Relva on 11th.
Bottlenose Dolphin Tursiops truncatus: 4+ scoped heading west just offshore just west of Relva on 12th.
Azorean Smaller Orchid Platanthera micrantha: Several at the Sustainable Laurassilva Project site on 12th.

REGUA, Atlantic Forest, Brazil: 13 March

Another day wandering the trails around the lodge at REGUA. My personal highlight was a beautiful bright yellow frog - a Hypsiboas semilineatus, resting on a heliconia leaf on the Forest Trail. Also had some great butterflies, moths and other inverts along the trail and unmarked side-trails, including several elusive and crepuscular Lamia Pierella Pierella lamia butterflies - a member of the Haeterini tribe of the Neotropics that fly only in forest interiors just above the leaf litter.

Hypsiboas semilineatus, Forest Trail - check out those eyelids!

Lamia Pierella Pierella lamia, unmarked trail off Forest Trail

A type of shield bug perhaps?

Birds seen on the Wetland Trail today include: 1 Brassy-breasted Tanager at the wetland near Amanda's Hide (a very unusual record at this low altitude and in this habitat), 1 Green Kingfisher in front of Amanda's Hide, 16 Greater Ani, 1+m White-bearded Manakin, 1f Swallow Tanager, 1 Muscovy Duck, 1m Brazilian Tanager and 1 Pale-vented Pigeon. Also, a Broad-snouted Caiman Caiman latirostris was noted, and 2 Cattle Tyrant on the football field were probably yesterday's birds.

Photographed many species of moth at the moth wall this morning, to add REGUA's library of unidentified moths. A few hawkmoths were also attracted overnight.

Female Erinnyis ello ello, moth wall, REGUA

My Atlantic Forest birthday

Had a brilliant 42nd birthday on 20th September with some memorable wildlife experiences including a bird lifer, a new butterfly for REGUA, one of the best amphibians I've ever seen, and an up close and personal look at a potoo nest.

The day got off to a great start with this superb Burmeister's leaf frog Phyllomedusa burmeisteri, found by Rachel on the lodge veranda. Confined to south-east Brazil (distribution map), this species is mainly found in the Atlantic Forest and was first recorded at REGUA only last November. After taking some photos I placed it in a tree in the garden. What a cool looking frog!

Burmeister's leaf frog Phyllomedusa burmeisteri, lodge garden, REGUA,
20 September 2012

Burmeister's leaf frog Phyllomedusa burmeisteri, lodge garden, REGUA,
20 September 2012

We spent the rest of the morning at a small lowland forest fragment known as Onofre Cunha, which is part of REGUA but separated from the rest of the reserve by farmland. Onofre Cunha is becoming well known as an excellent site for night-birding, but has also been turning up a lot of scarce butterflies and odonata during the day. Alexandre Soares, and entomologist at the National Museum in Rio de Janeiro, decided to drive up and meet us, but in the end the weather closed in and all plans to spend the day looking for butterflies were dashed before Alex had arrived.

However, in the few hours before the rain started we did manage to find some good butterflies, including an Meliboeus Stripestreak Arawacus meliboeus (found by Alan Martin) - a new species of hairstreak butterfly for REGUA. Other butterflies seen include a Caulonia Groundstreak Calycopis caulonia, and an Astarte Eighty-eight Callicore astarte codomannus - a very rare species at REGUA that has only been recorded here a few times.

Meliboeus Stripestreak Arawacus meliboeus, Onofre Cunha, 20 September
2012. A first for REGUA!

Caulonia Groundstreak Calycopis caulonia, Onofre Cunha, 20 September 2012

Astarte Eighty-eight Callicore astarte codomannus, Onofre Cunha, 20
September 2012. A rubbish photo I know, but this rare butterfly really didn't
want it's picture taken.

In addition to butterflies there were also a few other critters I pointed the macro lens at.

Stenopola dorsalis, Onofre Cunha, 20 September 2012

Bird activity was very low in the heavily overcast conditions, with very few species seen. Highlights were a superb Black-necked Aracari, a lifer for me, calling from the top a tree before being displaced by a Laughing Falcon, a showy Channel-billed Toucan, and a Saw-billed Hermit, perched for once.

Back at the conservation centre a Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl showed well, and in the afternoon we decided to take the blue Toyota pickup and check out the Common Potoo that Adilei had found nesting on a fencepost near the village of Matumbo. Both the adult and chick were completely unperturbed by our presence.

Common Potoo Nyctibius griseus, Matumbo,
near REGUA, 20 September 2012

As if all this wasn't enough, a gift from Nicholas and Raquel of a penknife and pair of wellies from the Machete Shop, a bottle of Chilean wine from Adilei, and not one but two birthday cakes, made by Sandra, the head cook at the lodge, made a great end to a really superb birthday. Many thanks everyone for a memorable day!