Alarms rang at 4.30am for some of the group, whilst I eked out another 15 minutes in bed! Following breakfast we drove to El Habana and stopped along the way to seeRusty-collared Seedeater, Bay-winged Cowbird, Masked Gnatcatcher, Swallow-tailed Hummingbird, and White-rumped Monjita. Of course all the usual species were seen along the highway such as Jabiru, Rufescent Tiger-Heron, Whistling Heron, plus several Large-billed Terns.
Upon arrival we had a little look around the open area and saw Black-billed Thrush, Palm Tanager, and Blue-headed Parrot flew by, before walking into the gallery forest. First birds seen were Ruddy Pigeon and Olivaceous Woodcreeper, before the first of many Black-tailed Trogons appeared.
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| Band-tailed Manakin |
A male Band-tailed Manakin showed well, as did White-eyed Attila and Sulphur-bellied Tyrant-Manakin.
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| Sulphur-bellied Tyrant-Manakin |
A Hauxwell’s Thrush put in an appearance. High up in the canopy a pair of Guira Tanagers joined Plain Inezia, with Mouse-coloured Tyrannulet and Forest Elaenia, Narrow-billed Woodcreeper coming lower to check us out.
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| Forest Elaenia |
A Blue-tailed Emerald was next up with first a female seen, shortly followed by a fine male, then a Streaked Xenops flew in. Upon reaching the lake, we saw our first Anhinga but apart from that it was really quiet, so we took a side trail and found Black-fronted Nunbird, more Black-tailed Trogons including a party of three birds, Blue-throated Piping-Guan and Little Cuckoo.
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| Black-fronted Nunbird |
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| Black-tailed Trogon |
Walking back up the trail Jules found a Rufous Casiornis, an awesome Pale-crested Woodpecker gave walk away views, and a surprise find in the form of Ash-coloured Cuckoo was much appreciated by all. Driving back to our ranch a White Monjitawas spotted and our first Chalk-browed Mockingbird joined us for lunch.
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| Pale-crested Woodpecker |
After lunch we drove further into El Cutal ranch land seeing Great Pampa-Finch, Blue and Ruddy Ground Doves, White-tailed Hawk, and some more Jabiru.
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| Jabiru |
A small pool held White-backed Stilt,Greater Yellowlegs and Solitary Sandpiper. We also saw Green Ibis, Pale-vented Pigeon, White-bellied Seedeater, and Nacunda Nighthawk.
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| Nacunda Nighthawk |
We arrived at a large lake where several Velvet-fronted Grackles were seen – this is soon to be split as Bolivian Grackle.
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| Scissor-tailed Nightjar |
At dusk we drove back to the lodge and the number of nightjars was phenomenal with Little and Scissor-tailed Nightjars and a Common Pauraque seen.
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| Sunset at the lake |
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