El Nino ('The Boy', named after the young Jesus Christ) only occurs every 7 years, so why did it have to strike just as I decide to visit the sub-Continent? Luckily, we had a 2 hour drive back towards Caracas to 'bird' the areas of Mission Road, Cuare and the mangrove strewn waters of the Las Lapas National Park. By our standards we enjoyed a lie-in, not rising until 05-00, and while at breakfast noted that the star studded sky of the previous evening was now heavily cloud laden. We said our farewells to Roberto Stiuv, our host for the last 2 nights, as a Barn Owl called on the roof, thought to be a good omen for the day. I said 'luckily' about the drive as soon after we left Corro 'The Lad' dropped the heaviest rain I have seen since Malasia in 2002. As we approached our first stop the weather abated and for all the time we were on site there was glorious sunshine. This only lasted until we returned to the car, when the rain started again and proved to be the pattern throughout the day, we never got wet!
The day started with another look at Red-breasted Blackbird, but unlike the first back in Colombia this was at close quarters. Later a Peregrine flew over, adding to the list, but coupled with the Owl making it a little like being at home. We fell a little short of yesterday's total, with a final day count of 96, but among then some 'pure quality'. I totted up 11 more 'lifers' plus a further 3 additions to the list, of which one is an 'endemic'. Pride of place had to go to Red & Green Macaw, the third of the genus I have seen, closer looks at Chestnut-fronted Macaw and finally securing Scarlet Ibis a long awaited 'tick'.
It should be noted there are a number of amendments to yesterdays Trip List Update, as I didn't have my notebook or Field Guide to hand. It should now be accurate. Apart from those cock-ups, I'm sure Daragh is still wondering what the hell I was on about yesterday when trying to 'grip him off' with our sighting of White-tailed Hawk. Well mate, once again I'm having to whipe egg from my face as I mistook that for the White-rumped Hawk you so desperately wanted to see.
Today's Additions to the Trip List
AMERICAN FLAMINGO*
SCARLET IBIS*
PEREGRINE
PLAIN-FLANKED RAIL* (E)
PURPLE GALINULE
CAYENNE TERN* (about to be 're-lumped' with Sandwich Tern as I understand it?)
BARN OWLThe day started with another look at Red-breasted Blackbird, but unlike the first back in Colombia this was at close quarters. Later a Peregrine flew over, adding to the list, but coupled with the Owl making it a little like being at home. We fell a little short of yesterday's total, with a final day count of 96, but among then some 'pure quality'. I totted up 11 more 'lifers' plus a further 3 additions to the list, of which one is an 'endemic'. Pride of place had to go to Red & Green Macaw, the third of the genus I have seen, closer looks at Chestnut-fronted Macaw and finally securing Scarlet Ibis a long awaited 'tick'.
It should be noted there are a number of amendments to yesterdays Trip List Update, as I didn't have my notebook or Field Guide to hand. It should now be accurate. Apart from those cock-ups, I'm sure Daragh is still wondering what the hell I was on about yesterday when trying to 'grip him off' with our sighting of White-tailed Hawk. Well mate, once again I'm having to whipe egg from my face as I mistook that for the White-rumped Hawk you so desperately wanted to see.
Today's Additions to the Trip List
AMERICAN FLAMINGO*
SCARLET IBIS*
PEREGRINE
PLAIN-FLANKED RAIL* (E)
PURPLE GALINULE
CAYENNE TERN* (about to be 're-lumped' with Sandwich Tern as I understand it?)
SCALED PICULET*
CARIB HORNERO*
FOREST ELAENIA*
PALE-TIPPED TYRANNULET*
GOLDEN-FRONTED GREENLET*
LANCE-TAILED MANAKIN
GOLDEN WARBLER*
NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH
BICOLOURED CONEBILL*
Day Total - 96 Lifers - 40
Red-breasted Blackbird
White Ibis
Red & Green Macaw - Certainly not posted for its photographic value, but what an addition to the World List, even if only at 'scoping range.
Groove-billed Ani
Savannah Hawk
Bare-faced Ibis
American Flamingos
Common Black Hawk - all fluffed up
Common Black Hawk - straightened out
Oriole Blackbird
Scarlet Ibis colony
Scarlet Ibis feeding
Scarlet Ibis in flight
Capuchin Monkey
Scaled Piculet
Pied Water-Tyrant
Plain-flanked Rail - another poor shot of a 'fabulous' bird. This endemic 'Rail' was lost to the world for many years before being re-found by my guide, David Ascanio in year 2000. While not desperately rare it is, like most of its kind, elusive hence the satisfaction of this shot.
Golden Warbler (juvenile) recently 'split' from Yellow Warbler.
Carib Grackle
