APRIL 28th
Sjouke and I continued carrying out census work in the
Cerradon Cerrado this morning. This has been the most productive area so far
and was keeping us both busy with our alternative method counts. Three quarters
of the way round we encountered a snake which whizzed past me within a meter. I shouted “Snake!” as Sjouke was a couple of meters ahead and I
didn’t want him turning around and stepping into the serpent. It turns out the
snake was non poisonous but again it was not interested in our presence which
is a relief as I think it would have outpaced both of us!
Rusty Margined Guan’s were being seen daily and close to the
base as well. This species was becoming a bit of a bug bird for me with the
added twist that I had heard one in the Atlantic Forest but could not count it
as the bird was a lifer at the time and I also like to see the first species
recorded on a site I am watching.
I helped Annie and Sjouke prepare lunch and Sean announced
that the Guan’s had been seen earlier in the morning along the Arroyito trail
which is at the back of the house. There was no time to waste I was off! I added
that I wasn’t coming back until I had found them and so close to lunch time
too!! This could turn out to be a long afternoon!
I walked into the trail and could hear Jays causing a
commotion. This either means snake or raptor so I proceeded with care and within
30 metres there they were two Guan’s crashing about along the branches. At last
and I could show my face for dinner!
Three Ash tailed Swift were seen passing over the trail and
with the cloud this could mean a storm was brewing! Well the storm front came
and went leaving about ten drops of rain behind and some impressive flashes of
lightning but little else!
The Guan’s bring my Laguna Blanca total to 160 species of
which 27 are lifers!
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