30 new birds today! Having arrived at the wonderful lodge of REGUA yesterday (www.regua.co.uk) and added 5 new birds in the immediate vicinity of the lodge, today we enjoyed our first full day in this fantastic area. We teamed up with Dutch birders Roy and Anja and local guide Leonardo and headed out pre-dawn to the Pico de Caledonia area. We first birded the lower slopes (still 1300m high!) and quickly got into some great birds. Within yards of the car, White-throated Hummingbird and Brassy-breasted Tanagers were showing off right in front of us. The track contoured around the hillside allowing wonderful views across to distant tree-covered hills. More importantly, new birds came thick and fast. Brazilian Ruby hummingbird, White-shouldered Fire-eye, Ruby-crowned Tanager and Dusky-tailed Antbird all showed in the scrub alongside the track. Next we staked out two spinetails and eventually enjoyed good views of both Gray-bellied and Rufous-capped Spinetail. These were quickly followed by Mottle-cheeked Tyrannulet and Ochre-faced Tody-Flycatcher. Next came probably our bird of the day: Plovercrest. A tiny hummingbird with a distinctive Lapwing-like crest, just perfect. Rivalling this however was Bay-chested Warbling-finch, a colourful seedeater. On the return leg, best birds were Rufous Gnateater and Diademed Tanager. We enjoyed a late picnic lunch in the sunshine, accompanied by a beautiful Aplomado Falcon. The late afternoon was spent at even higher altitude: 1800m, after a hair-raising drive up a steep cobbled track in search of Gray-winged Cotinga. Sadly no sign of our target bird but we did add Black-and-gold Cotinga and Large-tailed Antshrike, all while enjoying the most amazing panoramic vista. Back at the comfort of the lodge at REGUA, Nicholas greeted us on the terrace with welcome cocktails and we joined him and Kelly from the World Land Trust admiring the bats visiting the hummingbird feeders. Kelly is here to research the environmental education programme based at REGUA which includes the Young Rangers. This is a group of some 20 local teenagers aged between 11 and 15 who come from families which have connections with hunting in the area. They visit REGUA on a weekly basis to learn more about the environment and the importance of conservation. Through this, REGUA hopes they’ll take this appreciation of their local habitat and the wildlife on their doorstep back home to their families. Sounds a great idea, and one we wish every success. Bird species list: 2700 Posted 9th July, REGUA, Brazil