Big tree, big nest and elusive Harpy Eagle.
Harpy Eagle, Carajas August 2008.
Harpy Eagle (my third in 8 months) was just one of many highlights of our stay at Carajas. This bird (approximately 6 months old) was not always present at the nest (we saw it on our first try and it was absent on two subsequent visits) but was a welcome site after a morning on the "Bridge Trail" on the Aguas Claras Road.
Happy Harpy watchers at Carajas, August 2008.
Black-chested Tyrant (one of the star birds of Carajas) was seen once again along the Rio Parauapebas Trail, just like last year. It inhabits dense vine tangles in the varzea forest here (see above), but with patience can be seen very well indeed. We managed to get great views of this bird on our second attempt after only glimpsing it on our first try one afternoon. Still never mind - I had kept everyone amused with some acrobatics and throwing myself onto a palm full of thorns the first time. This was my first ever personal rainforest casualty resulting in (an expensive) lunchtime in hospital having the thorns removed. Glossy Antshrike, Amazonian Antshrike, Ruddy Spinetail and Cinnamon Attila are fonder memories however.The forests kept us very busy indeed with Razor-billed Curassow, Bare-faced Curassow, Purple-breasted Cotinga, White Bellbird, Sharpbill, Black & White Tody-Tyrant, Great Jacamar, Slaty-capped Shrike-Vireo, Gould's Toucanet, Rose-breasted Chat and White-necked Puffbird all seen. Special mention to two memorable Gnateaters though. We worked hard to see Black-bellied and Chestnut-belted Gnateaters in the forest this year.
The Canga was productive too producing Natterer's Slaty-Antshrike, Pale-bellied Tyrant-Manakin, Ochre-cheeked and Sooty-fronted Spinetails, White-fringed Antwren and Rufous Nightjar by night. Transitional forest (drier and bordering the Canga) boosted our list with the incredible White-tailed Cotinga, White-naped Jay, the not so incredible (but still very welcome) Zimmer's Tody-Tyrant and overhead Jandaya Parakeets.
I look forward to returning to Carajas already. Please leave it all for me ..........
