REGUA

REGUA was completely different from Itororo Lodge, with a much lower altitude and much higher temperatures.  Unlike at the lodge it was necessary to take a break from birding in the early afternoon.
After arriving at REGUA mid-morning, we dropped our luggage in our rooms and went birding with our new guide Adilei.  It was not long before we started to find some good birds.  One of the first stops was a tree close to some of he reserve buildings where what was presumably a pair of Tropical Screech Owls were in a daytime roost.   A little later we came across two Brown-throated Sloths in different trees, thought to be a mother and youngster.  Adilei also found two Bahia Porcupines which were well hidden in thick undergrowth.

Tropical Screech Owl - Two birds in a daytime roost at REGUA.


Brown-throated Sloth  - A different species to  that seen in the mountains. 


Bahia Porcupine

Chestnut-backed Antshrike

White-barred Piculet

Nocturnal Birding 
The first evening at REGUA was a search for a few nocturnal species.  A large open field with long tufty grass and some bushes was a known site for Giant Snipe.  This species apparently is best seen at night and our guides eventually managed to locate a bird feeding in the grass.  Nearby a Common Potoo was perched on a post, giving a good view.
We then headed to some nearby woodland to look for Owls.  These proved much more difficult and we ended up finding our way through a boggy thicket to try and see one. We did manage some rather poor views of a Black-banded Owl and heard Rusty-barred and Mottled Owls.   Fortunately the only snake we saw was not venomous (at least that is what we were told)!!

Giant Snipe - Photograph by torchlight.

Common Potoo


REGUA - The Lakeside Areas
There were plenty of birds and other creatures to see on and around the lakes.  A selection are shown below.

Long-billed Wren -  This endemic species was only seen on two days during the trip.
White-headed Marsh Tyrant

Capybara  Common around the lakes.



Rufous-tailed Jacamar
 Rufous-tailed Jacamar



Higher Forest Trail
During our second day at REGUA Adilei took us to one of the higher trails through the forest which ended up at a rather nice waterfall.  This was a good place to have lunch and watch a White-thighed Swallow fly through the mist of the waterfall in search of a meal.  There were also plenty of White-collared Swifts flying higher up.
On the way up the trail we were lucky to find one of the more sought after birds at REGUA, a Shrike-like Cotinga.  It was moving around above our heads and difficult to photograph, but fortunately Rob did manage to get the photo below.
On the way down the trail we eventually managed to see a Blond-headed Woodpecker.  A stunning bird but not the best views.

This rather impressive waterfall was the end point of the trek on the last full day at REGUA.  We ate lunch here while watched White-thighed Swallows hunt for insects in the spray.


Shrike-like Cotinga - An endemic and difficult species to see.  We were fortunate that our guide picked this individual up by it's call on our last full days birding at REGUA.  Another group of birders missed this bird

Plain Parakeet - An endemic species restricted to a narrow band along the Atlantic rain forest.



Crescent-chested Puffbird  - Range restricted to S Brazil and into adjacent countries.
White-collared Swift

Blond-crested Woodpecker - This was the only view we got of this normally stunning bird.
This was on way back down from the waterfall.
Black-throated Trogan - It was our last day birding before we managed to see this species.



Tarantula Wasp -- Several of these rather scary insects were seen flying around.
See also short video below.

Goto Species List