Napo Wildlife Center
Forest Trails
Sunday, July 13, 2008: Today we headed up a small side creek to the Tiputini trailhead. It is often not possible to paddle all of the way to trailhead, but with the current high water, it was not a problem. There's a trail along the creekside (partially inundated) that is used when the water is lower.
Lifers along the trail incuded Golden-collared Toucanet, Plumbeous Pigeon, Plain-brown Woodcreeper, and Lunulated Antbird. The antbird was the only species that I saw well enough to count, but several others were in the area. Needless to say, there were army ants there too! We also encountered leafcutters along the trail. Sometime today we saw an Amazon Dwarf Squirrel (Microsciurus flaviventer), which may have been in this area. Due to the low light conditions I didn't attempt to take any photos here. Between low light and foggy glasses, I was having enough trouble just seeing the birds.
Lodge Birding
In the afternoon, we lazed about the lodge. I finally got a look at one of the Southern House-Wrens that had been noisily calling near the cabin. Other new birds included Black Caracara, and Short-tailed Swift. Although not a lifer, a Bat Falcon was often seen on a nearby snag (we would see it there repeatedly during our stay).
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| Smooth-billed Anis | White-winged Swallow |
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Looking for Zigzag
Later in the day we went out along the Cariañangu and Añanguyacu creeks, planning to hunt for the Zigzag Heron when dusk approached. I got another lifer, White-vented Euphonia, and took some photos. We heard but did not see the Zigzag. Fortunately, we have more days here. We did see (and smell!) quite a few Bulldog or Fishing Bats (Noctilio sp.).
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| Bromeliad | Black-headed Parrot | Red Howler Monkey |
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| Creek View | Flowering Tree | White-chinned Jacamar |
Today's totals were 42 species with 8 lifers, making a grand total of 138 bird species including 81 lifers.
Napo Wildlife Center