We headed south from El Palmar towards the famous "KM88" at the foot of one of the best birding roads in South America. The Sierra de Lema hosts many "Tepui Endemics" and La Escalera (the road that climbs to the savannas of the Gran Sabana) is a wonderful place to search for them. Guianan Cock-of the Rock, Olive Manakin, Tepui Manakin, Scarlet-horned Manakin, White Bellbird, Ruddy Tody-Flycatcher, Rose-collared Piha, Red-banded Fruiteater, Streak-backed Antshrike, Tepui Foliage-Gleaner, Roraiman Warbler, Peacock Coquette, Velvet-browed Brilliant plus many others were seen in our five day stay in the area.The lowlands near Las Claritas are also worthy of inspection but no-one could have predicted the sightings of Black-throated Antshrike and Red & Black Grosbeak on the Guianan Trail near San Miguel. Photos above show one of the biggest Tarantulas I've ever see plus the superb Crimson Topaz on the feeders at Barqilla de Fresa on the edge of Las Claritas.
