GUYANA - DAY 5 - JANUARY 19TH 2014

 

TRANSFER TO SURAMA ECO LODGE BY ROAD

WEATHER - WARM AND SUNNY ALL DAY

Our transfer to Surama Eco Lodge was made by road, it is only 18 miles but we took our time getting there with plenty of birding stops along the way. Our transport was a modified Bedford, the ex-army troop transporter, it was fantastic we sat some 10 Ft off the ground.

DISEMBARKING AT SURAMA ECO LODGE





As we passed through Savannah habitat we noted Southern Lapwing, Double-lined Thick-knee, Fork-tailed Flycatcher, Savannah Hawk and many more. The star find on this trip was Finsch’s Euphoria a real little gem.

A couple of stops were made as we eventually passed through forest there we added a host of new species, elaenias, woodcreepers, tanager and greenlets. A couple of goodies were Guiana Streaked Antwren, Forest Elaenia, Bay-headed Tanager and White-barred Piculet.



 

We reached Surama lodge just after lunch time so we immediately sat down to eat a lovely meal set out by the superb staff. After a short walk around the grounds we had a siesta before resuming our birding. Next to our cabins there was a large nesting colony of noisy Yellow-rumped Caciques, we also found lots of Common Ground Doves they are no bigger than a sparrow.

SMOOTH-BILLED ANI

 

For the rest of the day we walked down to the river through dense forest with the local guide Gary, he was excellent. One excellent find was the Red-legged Tinamou, this bird simple walked slowly across the track in front of us giving us great views. Listed as locally uncommon with a restricted range it was a find indeed!

A number of ‘lifers´ we had by all: Purple-throated Fruitcrow, Red-necked Woodpecker, Red-billed Toucan (our first toucan of the trip). However, it was at the end of the walk that we saw most species, we spent a fascinating hour in an open clearing at the side of the river.

Parrots, parakeets, macaws, oropendolas, jays and tanagers held us spell-bound it was truly amazing. The Red-fan Parrot was most unusual, it has an extended collar which can be raised like an Elizabethan ruff, the bird obviously supports ASTON VILLA as the collar is a beautiful claret and blue. We also had great views of Blue-throated Piping Guan, Cayenne Jay, Squirrel Cuckoo, Epaulet Oriole and plenty of tanagers.
 

ONE OF THE MOST COMMON SPECIES - TROPICAL MOCKINGBIRD

We headed back as it got dark and saw an Agouti on the track and a little later a Common Pauraque flew up in front of us.

Another lovely meal was washed down by a cold beer, the stars were showing so brightly as we made our way to our rooms.