'Rock' Around the 'Cock' - Bill Haley and the Comets

Having found yesterday that the

OLD PORT is blocked on 3 sides by Mangroves, I made an
early start and taking the scenic route to see if any birds were to be found.

Reaching the sea wall a small flock of Sanderling, in company

with a Yellowlegs Sp, were spotted

along with these c3 ROSEATE SPOONBILL

perched in the bushes. What I hadn't realised was that I too had 

been 'spotted' by

 JEAN FRANCOIS OZOUX

 and his lovely wife ROONG

Now, before continuing, there are a number of factors that need considering when concluding what sort of a 'quirk of fate' this was! Having stated earlier that I am not on this adventure as a 'twitcher', but there are certain birds I will put in the extra mile for, Blood-coloured Woodpecker, Guianan Cock-of-the-Rock and  Capuchinbird, being 'the' 3 quoted before leaving England. Secondly, that I am now a few days behind the 'flexible itinerary', so had things followed the sketchy plan I wouldn't even be in French Guyana now, and finally, that Jean Francois and Roong live in Thailand it was 'inevitable' that we were to meet and the following table of events follow? I will now attempt to relate the conversation verbatim as it had me back on my heels. As I removed the camera from the bag and pointed in the direction of the Herons, Jean Francois approached and asked "are you a bird watcher". You know the reply to that, but the very next question was, "have you seen Guianan Cock-of-the-Rock", you also know the answer to that (it ain't in red!). Here I digress slightly to say I did, before setting out, have contact with FG Birding Pal Nial de Pradontal who said it unlikely that he could guide me, gave me a location to find this bird and "do not hesitate if more information is needed". Back to Jean next asking, "would you like to"? I'll give a moment here for you to 'catch up', while I finish 'punching the air' and grimacing like a Lottery Winner, if you are finding the answer to this one a little difficult.

 

Golden-headed Manakin

Next thing I know, I'm in their car heading for their apartment where they had 10 minutes worth of things to do, while I flicked through Jean's 'excellent' water-colour portfolio, and then back on the road for the 80Km drive south.

I remember thinking to myself,

this could be heaven or this could be Hell!

Hotel California

It was about 10:00 when we crossed into the Parc Naturel,

before which I had been briefed that mid-afternoon would be best 

for the 'target bird' and a stopped at another site should be productive.

Well, some may consider the word 'productive' to be appropriate

but we had to stand about for a full minute and a half before the 

appearance of this adult male

GOLDEN-HEADED MANAKIN,

coinciding with the only photo I had taken of

Jean's entire etchings, not an addition to the World List

but the first 'male' I had ever clapped eyes on!

Once again, stood there waiting patiently, it was easily gone 10:08 as a

male WHITE-BEARDED MANAKIN

appeared out of the jungle, accompanied by a female.

Departing the location some long while after it was decided, around noon, on another stop where a picnic of salad, pate, crab, prawns, fresh baked baguette, fromage, jambon etc, etc. I was only glad that my contribution, the drinks (oh, you may have noticed the beer) , was accepted.

Our eating took place while watching

at least c17 SWALLOW-TAILED KITE swirling across a blue sky

and the occasional inquisitive

GOLDEN-HANDED TAMARIN

peered out of the foliage.

SWALLOW-TAILED KITE

 

 Photo-Call for the Humans as we entered 

TRÉSOR NP

The steep down-hill path to the site was not an easy one, although on volcanic rock underfoot continuous flowing water, root-stock, fallen trees and the

lack of light all added to the hazards

as we arrived at the viewing area overlooking the Lek!

Heard well before they were seen

the first male

GUIANAN COCK-of-the-ROCK

was tantalisingly close but obscured by undergrowth.

with silent patience the views got nearer and clearer

and I think it can be left at that.

In all we reckoned there were somewhere in the region
 of 20 individuals, including just a single female.
The 30 minutes walk back up the steep incline was a bit of a ball breaker,

but the continuing thoughts of what we had just witnessed

would have spurred anyone on.

 Stopping briefly at the Manakin site on the way back,

we were lucky to 'pick-up' on this male

PURPLE HONEYCREEPER

unfortunately the light was now poor.

As this is

SLATY-CAPPED SHRIKE VIREO

it makes the fifth 'World Lifer' of the day as

c2 RED-BILLED PIED TANAGER were also seen. 

A Golden-headed Manakin was also still there.

In the

there were some good views from the hilltops across the Rain Forest Canopy as we wended our way back to Cayenne. A HUGE THANK YOU goes out to Jean Francois and Roong for their grand hospitality!

A Space In Time - Ten Years After

 Alvin Lee Dies

I feel fortunate that there isn't a lot brings me to tears, but do have to admit to something of a blub this morning when I received news from my dear friend Andy Lindsay that Alvin Lee had passed away. 'Front Man' for the seminal 60' blues band 'Ten Years After' for Lee the word LEGEND was not out of place. My first experience of him, along with the full line up of TYA,

Alvin Lee – guitar, vocals
Leo Lyons – bass
Chick Churchill – keyboards
Ric Lee – drums

was at the 1970 Isle of Wight Festival where I also found out that he was a 'townie' of mine, having been born in Nottingham in 1944 just 18 months earlier than myself. Subsequently, I enjoyed a number of the bands gigs around the country, along with all their albums and along with everyone else will simply remember Alvin

 complete with signature 'Band the Bomb' guitar

strutting it with his mates

Ten Years After

After a lifetime of sensational Blues, for me his finest hour was in later life on the release of Pure Blues which brought to the masses the track - The Bluest Blues click the link for a real treat!

During my final couple of days in French Guyana the plan is to take it easy, give the readership a flavour of the capital Cayenne and consider any bird-life a bonus. I already know that didn't last for long - keep tuning in!

Having had my friend SOOTY STOCKLEY

to drive me from Kourou to Cayenne was a bonus,

'n if that ain't you John I'll have to ask for the taxi fare back.

Starting at the BOTANICAL GARDENS was thought best with 

maybe a chance of adding all 3 elements.

Unfortunately, apart from a few very interesting plants

the whole place was a little run down with only c6 birds recorded.

Ever onward to the center of town

which was in parts a little run-down, but in other fairly modern.

With a lifetime fascination of the subject the

FISH MARKET

was always going to be a winner.

The MULLET (silver) were of most interesting with

many estimated at being well over the 10lb mark.

That's a 'huge' Mullet by GB standards, the last time I looked the

British Rod Caught Record stood at 10lb 10oz.

Other species were of interest with a few 'small' Sharks.

and finally, a couple of interesting Links via the e-Mails, first from Steve Smith who like many of us is still determined to help 'Save the Planet'. To SIGN and Make a Difference will take a matter of seconds Cockatoos NOT Coal

News from Panama - Conclusive proof that once I leave a country things go to Rat S**t! Thanks to Janet Read