After an excellent nights sleep and a hearty breakfast cooked by mine host Roberto, we took the 20 minute drive to the desert mainly covered by scrub and cactus vegetation. Here it had been decided the 3 'target' birds for the area would be Troupial (an Oriole with prominent white wing bars), Vermilion Cardinal (both had eluded us in Colombia) and the 'endemic' Yellow-shouldered Parrot. We arrived on site at 05-30 and already the birds were begining to sing, which included both of the smaller ones mentioned. Before the last star had faded from the sky we had seen both, but unfortunately the Cardinal remained ellusive and didn't allow a photograph. We gave this area a full two hours, during which time we gave a healthy start to our day list, but then decided to seek a little altitude.
At close to 2000 meters there was plenty of activity to keep us busy, with personal 'lifers' coming thick and fast for me. Of these Shining Green Hummingbird, Maracaibo Tody-Flycatcher, plus Pale-breasted, Striped, White-whiskered & Crested Spinetail were all added to the 'endemics' list. About an hour before dusk we returned to a different part of the desert hoping of a chance to catch up with the Parrot, effectively saving us time tomorrow. As we drove along David suddenly shouted "Parrot", and sure enough there were 2 perched in a tree close to the roadside. As if this were not addiquate finale to an exceptional day, a few more were heard screeching in the distance and soon arrived at the same pre-roost perch. Another, then another then a samall group and so it went on, during which time I counted over 500, but there were many more besides. The Yellow-shouldered is the most endangered in Venezuela, but form this evenings experience they seem to be thriving - let's hope so!
On the way back we called into the same family rum cafe we had eaten in last night, and while our driver Danial and David opted for the pizza, I went for the roast half chicken but just on its own. It is now 22-00 and i'm sat in the open courtyard of the lodge with a temperature somewhere around 68F, all that wonderful wildlife, great fun, lovely people etc, etc - its a difficult job, but somebodies got to do it!!
At close to 2000 meters there was plenty of activity to keep us busy, with personal 'lifers' coming thick and fast for me. Of these Shining Green Hummingbird, Maracaibo Tody-Flycatcher, plus Pale-breasted, Striped, White-whiskered & Crested Spinetail were all added to the 'endemics' list. About an hour before dusk we returned to a different part of the desert hoping of a chance to catch up with the Parrot, effectively saving us time tomorrow. As we drove along David suddenly shouted "Parrot", and sure enough there were 2 perched in a tree close to the roadside. As if this were not addiquate finale to an exceptional day, a few more were heard screeching in the distance and soon arrived at the same pre-roost perch. Another, then another then a samall group and so it went on, during which time I counted over 500, but there were many more besides. The Yellow-shouldered is the most endangered in Venezuela, but form this evenings experience they seem to be thriving - let's hope so!
On the way back we called into the same family rum cafe we had eaten in last night, and while our driver Danial and David opted for the pizza, I went for the roast half chicken but just on its own. It is now 22-00 and i'm sat in the open courtyard of the lodge with a temperature somewhere around 68F, all that wonderful wildlife, great fun, lovely people etc, etc - its a difficult job, but somebodies got to do it!!
PS - a message for Daragh, if you don't want to know the results it's best you don't look at the photographs so maybe make a cup of tea.
Coro Township from 1750 meters. In the background the Caribbean Sea, then Sand Dunes, the towns main water supply and the desert scrub
Moi, Danial (the Driver) and my Guide David Ascanio
American Kestrel
Tropical Parula
Grey Kingbird
Yellow Oriole
acrobatic Yellow Oriole
Yellow-headed Caracara (juvenile)
Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks
Venezuelan Troupial
Crested Bobwhite Quail
Tropical Gnatcather (female)
Brown-crested Flycatcher
Brown-throated Parakeet
Yellow-shouldered Parrot en-mass
Yellow-shouldered Parrot
With a little imagination, there is more than a resemblance to Dave (The Parrot Lad) Penney and our driver Danial!
well here you are Daragh, I knew this would make you smile? White-tailed HawkAdditions to the Trip List
CRESTED BOBWHITE QUAIL*
CHESTNUT-FRONTED MACAW*
LILAC-TAILED PARROTLET*
YELLOW-SHOULDERED PARROT* (E)
GROOVE-BILLED ANI
STRIPED CUCKOO*
GREY-CHINNED HERMIT*
BLUE-CHINNED SAPHIRE*
BLUE-TAILED EMERALD*
SHINING-GREEN HUMMINGBIRD* (E)
COPPER-RUMPED HUMMINGBIRD
GROOVE-BILLED TOUCANET*
PALE-BREASTED SPINETAIL* (E)
STRIPE-BREASTED SPINETAIL* (E)
CRESTED SPINETAIL* (E)
BARRED ANTSHRIKE
GREAT ANTSHRIKE*
WHITE-FRINGED ANTWREN*
LONG-TAILED ANTBIRD*
WHITE-BELLIED ANTBIRD
BLACK-FACED ANTTHRUSH*
SOUTHERN BEARDED TYRANNULET*
TAWNY-CRESTED PYGMY-TYRANT*
MARACAIBO TODY-FLYCATCHER* (E)
GREY KINGBIRD
CHESTNUT-CROWNED BECARD*
SCALED FRUITEATER*
ROSY THRUSH-TANAGER
SILVER-BEAKED TANAGER*
GLAUCOUS TANAGER*
SPECKLED TANAGER*
VERMILION CARDINAL*
ORIOLE BLACKBIRD*
VENEZUELA TROUPIAL*
OCHRE-BREASTED BRUSH-FINCH*
Day Total - 113 Lifers - 29
and finally one for the Family Album, a view from Australia
Bernie, Lisa & Fred at the babies baptism
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