Serra Dos Tucanos Lodge
Atlantic Rainforest - Southeast Brazil
Day 1: Arrival and Serra dos Tucanos grounds
After approximately 2 hours drive from Rio we will arrive at Serra dos Tucanos Lodge, the gardens around the lodge are surrounded by forest, there are several feeding stations located in front of the verandas, birding couldn’t be easier! The rest of the day will be spent birding the grounds of the lodge, some of the species we hope to see include the following:
Target Species: Maroon-bellied Parakeet, Blue-winged Parrotlet, Plain Parakeet, Scaly-headed Parrot, Saw-billed Hermit, Sombre Hummingbird, Swallow-tailed Hummingbird, Black Jacobin, Violet-capped Woodnymph, Surucua Trogon, Spot-billed Toucanet, Channel-billed Toucan, White-barred Piculet, Yellow-eared Woodpecker, Blond-crested Woodpecker, Streaked Xenops, Black-capped Foliage-Gleaner, White-eyed Foliage-Gleaner, Thrush-Like Woodcreeper, Olivaceous Woodcreeper, Spot-Backed Antshrike, Spot-breasted Antvireo, Plain Antvireo, Star-throated Antwren, Ferruginous Antbird, Streak-capped Antwren, Rufous-capped Antthrush, Black-cheeked Gnateater, Blue Manakin, Eye-ringed Tody-Tyrant, Yellow-lored Tody Flycatcher White-throated Spadebill, Gray-hooded Attila, Chestnut-crowned Becard, Rufous-headed, Flame-crested, Ruby-crowned, Brazilian, Golden-chevroned, Green-headed, Red necked and Burnished-buff Tanagers, Violaceous, Orange-bellied and Chestnut-bellied Euphonias, Buff-throated Saltator and Black-throated Grosbeak.
Day 2: High Altitude Excursion full day
On this excursion we head off towards Nova Friburgo for a 50 minute drive towards the higher reaches of the Serra do Mar Mountains. Upon arrival we leave the minibus and start our days walk at an altitude of approximately 1600 metres. We will spend the remainder of the day on this trail where we hope to see amongst others:
Target Species: White-tailed Hawk, Aplomado Falcon, Plumbeous Pigeon, Plovercrest, Glittering-bellied Emerald, White-throated Hummingbird, Brazilian Ruby, White Woodpecker, Yellow-browed Woodpecker, Rufous-capped Spinetail, Pallid Spinetail, Red-eyed Thornbird, Sharp-billed Treehunter, Black-billed Scythebill, Giant Antshrike, Large-tailed Antshrike, Variable Antshrike Rufous-capped Antshrike, Rufous-backed Antvireo, Rufous-tailed Antbird, Dusky-tailed Antbird, White-shouldered Fire-eye, Mouse-colored Tapaculo, the rare and endemic Grey-winged Cotinga, Swallow-tailed Cotinga, Black and Gold Cotinga, Serra do Mar Tyrant Manakin, Olivaceous Elaenia, Ochre-faced Tody-Flycatcher, Blue-billed Black-Tyrant, Velvety Black-Tyrant, Shear-tailed Gray-Tyrant, Yellow-legged Thrush, White-rimmed Warbler, Cinamon Tanager, Chestnut-headed Tanager, Azure-shouldered Tanager, Diademed Tanager, Fawn-breasted Tanager, Brassy-breasted Tanager, Bay-chested Warbling Finch, Green-winged and Thick-billed Saltator. At the very top of the trail and weather permitting we will gain access to the final area where we will look for the rare and endemic Itatiaia Thistletail.
Day 3: Wetlands excursion and Serra dos Tucanos Trails
Today we will visit a local nature reserve - Reserva Ecologica de Guapi Acu. Established in 2002 this large wetland restoration project has been very successful in the amount of species that it has attracted over the past year. The reserve also protects a large amount of forest within the local area and employs rangers to ensure that species on the reserve are safeguarded. Serra dos Tucanos donates money to this project each year through entrance fees. Species we expect to see here amongst others include:
Target Species: Least Grebe, Pied-billed Grebe, Whistling and Capped Heron, Brazilian Teal, Masked Duck, Grey-headed Kite, Crane Hawk, Savanna Hawk, Limpkin, Yellow-chinned Spinetail, White-headed Marsh Tyrant, Yellowish Pipit and Chestnut-capped Blackbird. Surrounding the wetland is lowland forest, a habitat very difficult to encounter as much of this habitat has been destroyed in the past, we venture into this forest in the hope of finding species such as Reddish Hermit, White-chinned Sapphire, Rufous-capped Motmot, Rufous-tailed Jacamar, Crescent-chested Puffbird, Yellow-throated Woodpecker, Chestnut-backed Antshrike, White-flanked Antwren, Unicolored Antwren, Shrike-like Cotinga and Long-billed Wren.
We will return to the comfort of the Lodge for lunch and spend the afternoon birding the trails within the lodge grounds hoping to see:
Target Species: Surucua Trogon, Spot-billed Toucanet, Saffron Toucanet, Channel-billed Toucan, White-barred Piculet, Yellow-eared Woodpecker, Blond-crested Woodpecker, Streaked Xenops, Black-capped Foliage-Gleaner, White-eyed Foliage-Gleaner, Thrush-Like Woodcreeper, Olivaceous Woodcreeper, Spot-Backed Antshrike, Spot-breasted Antvireo, Plain Antvireo, Star-throated Antwren, Ferruginous Antbird, Streak-capped Antwren, Rufous-capped Antthrush, Black-cheeked Gnateater, Blue Manakin, Eye-ringed Tody-Tyrant, Yellow-lored Tody Flycatcher White-throated Spadebill, Rufous-headed, Flame-crested, Ruby-crowned, Brazilian, Golden-chevroned, Green-headed, Red necked and Burnished-buff Tanagers, Violaceous, Orange-bellied and Chestnut-bellied Euphonias, Buff-throated Saltator and Black-throated Grosbeak.
Day 4: Portao Azul and Macae de Cima trails full day
We depart after breakfast and head towards Nova Friburgo. After approximately 1 hour we arrive at our destination and leave the minibus to walk a trail for the remainder of the morning. What makes this excursion so good is the mixture of habitats that this area offers, it is also a stronghold for the endemic Half-collared Sparrow, sometimes difficult to see in other areas this species is abundant here. Other birds that we expect to see during the morning include:
Target Species: Dusky-legged Guan, Scale-throated Hermit, Glittering-bellied Emerald, White-throated Hummingbird, Saffron Toucanet, Rufous-capped Spinetail, Grey-bellied Spinetail, Pallid Spinetail, White-collared Foliage Gleaner, Black-billed Scythebill, Giant Antshrike, White-bearded Antshrike, Rufous-backed Antvireo, Bertonis Antbird, Azure-shouldered Tanager, Brassy-breasted Tanager, Gilt-edged Tanager, Buffy-fronted Seedeater and Uniform Finch. After a packed lunch we will take a 30 minute drive back towards the lodge and turn onto a dirt road towards Macae de Cima. Depending upon weather conditions we may leave the minibus and take a gentle walk or the minibus will accompany us for the next few hours. Birds we hope to see include Barred Forest-Falcon, Plumbeous Pigeon, Scale-throated Hermit, Plovercrest, White-throated Hummingbird, Brazilian Ruby, Yellow-browed Woodpecker, Rufous-capped Spinetail, Pallid Spinetail, Red-eyed Thornbird, White-collared Foliage-Gleaner, Giant Antshrike, Tufted Antshrike, Bertonis Antbird, Ochre-rumped Antbird, Rufous Gnateater, Black and Gold Cotinga, Bare-throated Bellbird, Pin-tailed Manakin, Saffron-crested Tyrant-Manakin, Drab-breasted Bamboo-Tyrant, White-rimmed Warbler, Chestnut-headed Tanager, Azure-shouldered Tanager, Brassy-breasted Tanager and Green-winged Saltator.
Day 5: Serra dos Orgaos National Park full day
The drive to this National Park in Teresopolis takes approximately 1 hour. The National Park is split into two sections, the lower and upper. We begin at the lower park where we will spend an hour or so and hope to see:
Target Species: White-necked Hawk, Violet-capped Woodnymph, Rufous-capped Motmot, Spot-billed Toucanet, Yellow-fronted, Yellow-eared and Yellow-throated Woodpeckers, Pale-browed Treehunter, Buff-fronted Foliage-Gleaner, White-eyed Foliage-Gleaner, White-throated Woodcreeper, Plain and Spot-breasted Antvireo, Rufous-capped Antthrush, Blue Manakin, Ochre-bellied Flycatcher, Gray-hooded Atilla, Rufous-headed, Yellow-backed, Olive-green, Flame-crested and Golden-chevroned Tanagers and Red-rumped Cacique.
We then return back to the vehicle and drive for a further 20 minutes to the upper section of the park. We will spend the rest of the day birding along a fantastic newly constructed boardwalk. The boardwalk is a solid fixed structure (in other words it doesn’t sway from side to side!), some parts of it are at canopy level and other parts run through some great patches of bamboo. Some of the birds we aim to see include:
Target Species: Brown Tinamou, Mantled Hawk, Dusky-legged Guan, Spot-winged Wood-Quail, Plumbeous Pigeon, Plovercrest, White-throated Hummingbird, Brazilian Ruby, Surucua and Black-throated Trogon, Saffron Toucanet, Yellow-eared and Yellow-browed Woodpecker, Pallid Spinetail, Sharp-billed Treehunter, Lesser and Scaled Woodcreeper, Tawny-throated Leaftosser, Black-billed Scythebill, Giant and Tufted Antshrike, Rufous-backed Antvireo, Bertonis and Ochre-rumped Antbird, Brazilian Antthrush, Rufous Gnateater, Mouse-colored Tapaculo, Swallow-tailed Cotinga, Black and Gold Cotinga, Hooded Berryeater, Bare-throated Bellbird, Blue and Pin-tailed Manakin, Rufous-crowned Greenlet, White-rimmed Warbler, Azure-shouldered, Fawn-breasted and Brassy-breasted Tanagers and Green-winged Saltator.
Day 6: Theodoro Trail and Cedae Trail
After a 20 minute drive from the lodge we arrive at the beginning of the Theodoro Trail. Commencing at 1100m asl, this path offers superb birding. The entire length of this gradually descending trail used to be part of the old Cachoeiras - Nova Friburgo railway line and in places still remains surfaced with asphalt. Birds that we hope to see include:
Target Species: Brown Tinamou, Mantled Hawk, Maroon-bellied Parakeet, Plain Parakeet, Scale-throated Hermit, White-throated Hummingbird, Brazilian Ruby, Black-throated and Surucua Trogon, Spot-billed Toucanet, White-barred Piculet, Yellow-eared Woodpecker, Yellow-browed Woodpecker, Rufous-capped Spinetail, Streaked Xenops, White-browed Foliage Gleaner, Buff-fronted Foliage Gleaner, Black-capped Foliage Gleaner, White-eyed Foliage Gleaner, Sharp-tailed Streamcreeper, White-throated Woodcreeper, Lesser Woodcreeper, Scaled Woodcreeper, Variable Antshrike, Star-throated Antwren, White-shouldered Fire-eye, Brazilian Antthrush, Variegated Antpitta, Bare-throated Bellbird, Blue and Pin-tailed Manakin, Gray-hooded Atilla, Greenish Schiffornis and Brassy-breasted Tanager.
We will return to the lodge for lunch and then head out again for just a 10 minute drive to the beginning of the Cedae Trail where we will spend the rest of the afternoon. Birds we hope to see amongst others include:
Target Species: Maroon-bellied Parakeet, Plain Parakeet, Saw-billed Hermit, Black-throated and Surucua Trogon, Rufous-capped Motmot, Buff-bellied Puffbird, Crescent-chested Puffbird, Saffron and Spot-billed Toucanet, Channel-billed Toucan, White-barred Piculet, Yellow-eared Woodpecker, Yellow-browed Woodpecker, Rufous-capped Spinetail, White-browed Foliage Gleaner, Pale-browed Treehunter, Black-capped Foliage Gleaner, White-eyed Foliage Gleaner, Lesser and Scaled Woodcreeper, Black-billed Scythebill, Spot-backed Antshrike, Spot-breasted and Plain Antvireo, Star-throated Antwren, Ferruginous Antbird, Streak-capped Antwren, White-shouldered Fire-Eye, Black-cheeked Gnateater, Blue Manakin, Pin-tailed Manakin, Gray-hooded Flycatcher, Oustalet's Tyrannulet, Eared Pygmy-Tyrant, Black-tailed Tityra, Sharpbill, Rufous-headed, Yellow-backed, Olive-green, Flame-crested, Ruby-crowned, Black-goggled, Green-headed, Red-necked and Brassy-breasted Tanagers and Black-throated Grosbeak.
Day 7: Three-toed Jacamar Excursion full day
Many birders who visit south-east Brazil go in search of the endemic Three-toed Jacamar. On this full day excursion we visit several sites where this bird is regularly found. Along the way we pass through a variety of habitats and cover a fair distance (200 km) stopping regularly en-route to look for other species. Our target bird is the Three-toed Jacamar (!), however... other birds we could encounter include:
Target Species: Three-toed Jacamar, Whistling and Capped Heron, Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture, Plumbeous Kite, Savanna Hawk, White-tailed Hawk, Laughing Falcon, Aplomado Falcon, Bat Falcon, Red-legged Seriema, Blue-winged Macaw, White-eyed Parakeet, Blue-winged Parrotlet, Striped Cuckoo, Common Barn Owl, Planalto Hermit, Glittering-bellied Emerald, Sapphire-spangled Emerald, Amethyst Woodstar, White-eared Puffbird, Crescent-chested Puffbird, Black-necked Aracari, White Woodpecker, Tail-banded Hornero, Red-eyed Thornbird, Narrow-billed Woodcreeper, Ochre-faced Tody-Flycatcher, Gray and White-rumped Monjita, Streamer-tailed Tyrant, Yellow-browed Tyrant, Long-tailed Tyrant, White-rumped and Tawny-headed Swallow, Black-capped Donacobius, Long-billed Wren, Curl-crested Jay, Magpie, Orange-headed, Hooded, Hepatic, Brazilian and Gilt-edged Tanagers and Hooded Siskin.
If time permits we will stop briefly at the entrance to the Portao Azul trail to see what we can find!
Day 8: Departure day
Any spare time in the morning can be spent watching the feeders or heading up on the lodge trails for the final time before departure back to Rio.
With the above itinerary you can expect to see approximately 240 – 280 species of birds, of which around 70+ will be Atlantic forest endemics.
The price for 2012 based on 2 people sharing will be £900.00 per person, this includes the following:
Return transfers from Rio de Janeiro
Full board accommodation (breakfast, lunch and dinner)
Mineral water throughout your stay, Juice drinks at meals, Tea and coffee, Brasilian rum
Access to our photo hide and the lodge trails
WiFi internet access
Bi-lingual bird guide
Transportation in an air conditioned minibus
All entrance fees to National Parks and Reserves where applicable
Bird list call each evening of the days sightings
October 2011