Birding in Mato Grosso and Brazil

Cristalino Jungle Lodge - The Fiery-tailed Awlbill Twitch - 22 to 24 July 2006 
[MODIFIED FROM A POSTING TO NEOBIRD]

discovered at Cristalino at the newly-cut overlook on
the Serra trail by Giuliano Bernadon, a guide based in
Chapada dos Guimar�es. Giuliano observed the birds on
27 and 29 October 2005 feeding on the red flowers of
terrestrial bromeliads. There were no subsequent
records until a possible sighting in January 2006. The
bird was found again in mid-July by Scott Olmstead and
a tour group, a male bird, once again near the new
outlook. 

Scott, Alex and I spent from 0600 to 1615 atop the
rocky dome of the Serra trail on 23 July. We
concentrated mostly on the open area behind the new
overlook, but failed to find the bird despite closely
scrutinizing the numerous female Black-throated
Mangoes which were around. Very few flowers atop the
Serra. 

Alex and I resolved to return on the morning of 24
July to spend a couple of hours before returning to
Alta Floresta before lunch. At around 0800, Alex put
me on a small hummer patterned like a female Mango
with a short and straight bill that had a
"funny-looking" tip. Awlbill! Alex confirmed it in the
scope, as the awl bill is difficult to discern even at
close range. Unfortunately, we didn't manage any
photos or recordings. The bird didn't feed once,
though we observed it for approximately 5 minutes. It
appeared to be investigating the orange-red flowers of
a tree on the verge of blooming.

To the best of our knowledge, Cristalino is the first
site for Avocettula in Mato Grosso.

We also had an adult Harpy Eagle [Harpia harpyja]
perched alongside the Rio Cristalino at 1720 on 22
July; a WINGS birding tour saw Crested Eagle [Morphnus
guianensis] from the canopy tower, possibly the same
immature bird which has been seen on and off over the
past 12 months. 

The nesting Harpy Eagle pair in the town of Alta
Floresta are still present, with a 5-month old chick.
The chick is being seen without much difficulty,
though getting views of the adults is hit-or-miss. 

Long-tailed Potoo [Nyctibius aethereus] was also found
in the forest fragment in town in June, and has been
seen at least a dozen times since. A lone Dark-winged
Trumpeter [Psophia viridis] has also been roaming
around in the fragment for several months, but the
fact it is solitary raises questions as to its origin.
The resident Crested Owls are heard most nights at the
Floresta Amazonica Hotel, and can be seen with some
luck or patient (and sparing) use of playback.

good birding,

Bradley Davis
Alta Floresta, MT - Brasil