More new birds, more new trails. By now we are back in the game of target birding in this area, and with that in mind we took the Caja trail at first light this morning. Cream-coloured Woodpecker got us off to a good start, quickly followed by White-capped, Snow-capped and Flame-crested Manakins, Long-tailed Woodcreeper and Chestnut-belted Gnateater. We came across a swarm of army ants, and choosing our spot with care to make sure we weren’t in the way of the marching ants, we crouched down to watch the feeding frenzy that ensued. We were treated to great views of Bare-eyed Antbird, Black-spotted Bare-eye, White-backed Fire-eye, Scale-backed Antbird, and causing concern amongst the other birds with its sudden arrival, the recently-described Cryptic Forest Falcon. What a show! In the afternoon we took a boat up the River Cristalino to look for more target birds. Number one was Musician Wren who entertained us with not only his very musical song but also extremely close views. Birding the more open area of a deserted farmstead, we added Sooty Swift and Chapman’s Swift as they hawked for insects overhead, while an Amazonian Oropendola displayed from the top of a cecropia tree. Last birds to be added as we headed for home back downstream were Long-billed Woodcreeper and Pheasant Cuckoo.
Bird species total: 2562
Posted 26th June, Cristalino Jungle Lodge, Alta Floresta, Brazil