Though by this time we had already clocked round 100 species after a day and a half in Guyana, we had been understandably desirous to discover the well-known rugged inside of the nation. The vastness of the place means not solely that one is unable to go to in a single day – however getting there’s a day in itself. Except, in fact, a small plane is concerned. Our small celebration was on 4 wheels, nonetheless, so we departed in darkness, hit the city of Linden by dawn, and after a fast breakfast there we had been on our approach south.
Tyres had been de-pressurised for the journey that didn’t contain any paved roads, and earlier than lengthy we had been acclimatising to the reddish clay of the roadway bordered by countless stands of forest. The forest right here erupts out of white sand, and helps all kinds of habitat-specific creatures. Most outstanding had been many Swallow-winged Puffbirds, as quickly as we entered this habitat they’d be dotting the treetops. At occasions, we’d see them dart from their perches, make flycatcher-like sallies to then return to the identical perch. Fairly not like the idea of a puffbird, I assumed. It was solely after studying up on the species I realised that it was not solely me who thought this fashion.
Crossing the highway was a small flock of Cayenne Jays, whereas not my first corvids, they had been my first jay species – and a radical pleasure to observe. Attractiveness at them confirmed baby-blue eyes set towards jet black dotted with a white paintbrush. What a magnificence.
Cayenne Jay
On a brief cease to stretch and collect our senses for the rest of the drive, we picked up just a few different birds together with Inexperienced-backed Trogon and Variable Chachalaca.
Variable Chachalaca
Not too lengthy later, round one other bend we caught a pair of Swallow-winged Puffbirds at eye stage. They’re depending on the sandy soil for nesting; these are tunnel-nesters.
We didn’t make many extra stops throughout the drive, as distance coated was barely extra necessary than birds seen – we didn’t need to miss lunch or the river crossing! As an islander, the river crossing was really exceptional. On Trinidad, the banks of the most important rivers are by no means greater than a stone’s throw aside. Right here, the mighty Essequibo River may solely be crossed by way of barge, on the hour, each hour.
The Essequibo River flows by way of a prehistoric panorama.
By now, it was mid-afternoon, and luckily our lodge was just a few minutes from the disembarkation level after the crossing. Driving slowly alongside the doorway highway to the lodge we stumbled on a lone Marail Guan dabbling within the leaf litter close by.
Marail Guan
On the grounds of the Iwokrama River Lodge the place we had been settled in for the night time, there have been a number of feathered distractions that detracted from courtesy conversations. A flock of Painted Parakeet as an example routinely disrupted any relative peace and quiet as they flew from one finish of the property to a different. I missed the photograph on this afternoon, however I set it as a objective for the next day…
Many different passerines dotted the timber, although. We noticed Crimson-capped Cardinal, Chestnut-bellied Seedeater, along with the standard cadre of Tropical Kingbirds and Nice Kiskadees.
Chestnut-bellied Seedeater
Silver-beaked Tanager, a well-known face for me!
Leon instructed that we enter the forest to test for the enigmatic Capuchinbird earlier than it bought too late. The solar was already threatening to dip past the treeline, and there was not a lot time. Strolling by way of the forest we had been keen about the setting greater than the creatures – it was invigorating to stroll amongst big timber, mossy vines, and gentle leaf litter. A motion within the distance turned out to be the primary of many LBJ’s of the journey.
Dusky-throated Antshrike
Sadly, it turned out to truly be too late for any Capuchinbird sightings, however on our approach again we had been stunned by an exceptionally musical vocalisation. One thing so intricately patterned round auditory consonance may solely imply a single species: the a lot sought-after Musician Wren!
Now, I hadn’t a glimmer of hope of seeing this species earlier than attending to Guyana. I knew it existed, and certainly I needed to see it – however I by no means thought it might occur. The species doesn’t attend to mixed-species flocks and is usually as much as likelihood encounters, like this one. Fortuitously, this particular person was singing, we wouldn’t have had a clue had it not been vocal.
Musician Wren
Again on the lodge the solar had already disappeared and the sky was starting to showcase the breadth of the visible spectrum. A whole lot of Band-rumped Swifts gathered, and Leon knowledgeable me that they had been about to move into their roost – an enormous tree stump simply on the forest edge. It was certainly large, and hole; and as predicted the swifts started funnelling themselves into the stump because the sky darkened.
A portion of the flock of Band-rumped Swift earlier than they disappeared for the night time.
Iwokrama River Lodge, settled in alongside the banks of the Essequibo, nestled in virtually a million acres of protected forest.
In fact, after a gruelling all-day drive, what will we do after dinner? Go owling, naturally! We took a brief stroll that solely turned up a single species – however an unbelievable owl nonetheless.
Tawny-bellied Screech-Owl
With a full stomach and sleep starting to knock on my door, we referred to as it an evening.