Me and Mary Alice at Sítio Cachoeira Birdwatching
Between the weekends of June 9th, 10th and 15th I had the pleasure of guiding the first client who booked my services through the SERPA Birdwatching website. Mary Alice, from the United States, first birded with me in the Rio de Janeiro Botanical Garden on the morning of Saturday, June 9th, and then we headed towards Sítio Cachoeira Birdwatching, at the foothills of the Itatiaia National Park, where we stayed until Sunday, June 10th.
Mary Alice taking pictures of a Plain-winged Woodcreeper (Dendrocincla turdina) in the Botanical Garden of Rio
Slaty-breasted Woodrail (Aramides saracura) in the Botanical Garden of Rio de Janeiro.
Sítio Cachoeira Birdwatching is a new birdwatching hotspot in the state of Rio de Janeiro that I had the pleasure of exploring now. Highlights include the feeders that are very popular with the most different species of tanagers and hummingbirds, the good food and accommodation. And of course, an excellent trail for observing forest species, such as the Slaty Bristlefront (Merulaxis ater), as well as many juçara palm trees that attract fruit-eating birds. I will definitely be back on new tours!
Mary Alice birdwatching at the Sítio Cachoeira Birdwatching trail.
Slaty Bristlefront (Merulaxis ater) at the Sítio Cachoeira Birdwatching trail.
Brazilian Ruby (Heliodoxa rubricauda), regular at the feeders of Sítio Cachoeira Birdwatching.
Mary Alice photographing the Dedo de Deus (God's Finger), at the Serra dos Órgãos.
The following Saturday, June 15th, we went in a different direction, this time towards Serra dos Órgãos. We were at the headquarters of the National Park in Teresópolis and Guapimirim, and also at the Três Picos State Park, at the headquarters of Vale da Revolta, in Teresópolis.
Spot-billed Toucanet (Selenidera maculirostris) on the suspended trail of the Serra dos Órgãos National Park in Teresópolis, now reopened to the public.
Mary returns to the United States with almost 150 new birds in her lifelist, including species observed and photographed. Thank you very much for your trust, Mary, and I look forward to your return to introduce you to other destinations and birds in Rio de Janeiro state!