Bolivia 2nd Day

After a great night’s sleep everyone assembled for a 4.30am breakfast (well we were in bed before 9pm last night!) before driving jus a few minutes away and spending most of the morning birding from a sandy track through some good forest. It was great to get excellent scope views of a Gilded Hummingbird perched on a telegraph wire for several minutes after yesterdays brief show. As we watched this little gem, a pair of Lettered Aracaris flew into a nearby Cecropia tree and again the scope came in handy. Just behind us a narrow trail led into a clearing in the forest and we eventually lured in a stunning male Band-tailed Manakin. The same spot was also good for White-backed Fire-eye, with one bird circling us several times before giving himself up! As we returned to the main path a pair of White-eyed Parakeets showed well in a tree close by, although we’d get even better views later in the morning. Another side trail just ahead produced Blue-crowned Trogon and Amazonian Motmot, Golden-crowned Warbler, and a tricky Flammulated Pygmy-tyrant. By now the temperature was beginning to soar and with that the raptors appeared, with a nice close trio of Hook-billed Kite, Grey-headed Kite and Plumbeous Kite all passing overhead in quick succession. Beside us in a scrubby patch a pair of Chivi (Red-eyed) Vireos were feeding on berries and Silver-beaked Tanager and Blue Dacnis also put in an appearance. Continuing along another path a Reddish Hermit didn’t really show at all, but Creamy-bellied Thrush, Masked Tityra and more Grey-crowned Warblers were all crowd pleasers. 

Golden-crowned Warbler

So eventually we reached the coach and set off along a bumpy, dirt road for the next couple of hours and stopped when we saw something. First up was a pair of Blue-winged Parrotlets perched on some telegraph wires which allowed a close approach as they may have had a nest in a termite mound at the top of a telegraph post. 

Blue-winged Parrotlet

A Thrush-like Wren was then found just across the road  and a Roseate Spoonbill flew over. 

Thrush-like Wren

A fluke finding of a Common Potoo by Miguel was possibly the highlight of the morning and what stunning views we were treated to! With Grey-necked Wood-rail, Solitary Sandpiper, American Swallow-tailed Kite, Cocoi Heron and an Osprey to finish off the morning session we headed back to the lodge for another nice meal and siesta.

Common Potoo

In the afternoon, we searched a different forested road and came up with a fine calling White-throated Toucan, Black-tailed Trogon, Buff-throated Woodcreeper, Black-fronted Nunbird and a Crowned Slaty-flycatcher.