Brazil Espirito Santo & Minas Gerais

Transcription

1 Brazil Espirito Santo & Minas Gerais 15 th to 30 th October 2020 (16 days) Brazilian Merganser by Dubi Shapiro When most people think of Brazil they think of Rio, Carnivale, Sugarloaf Mountain and endless beaches. When birders think of Brazil, they think ENDEMICS. Amongst other claims to fame, Brazil hosts a spectacular array of endemic flora and fauna, including more than a reasonable share of stunning endemics. The Central East of Brazil is a fabulous transition region. It is home to habitats and corresponding fauna endemic to the northeast, as well as hosting many of the endemic species farther south. Furthermore, two of the most sought-after and dazzling of Brazil s birds (and perhaps the entire continent s) are only found on this tour: Brazilian Merganser and Cherry-throated Tanager. Those two species alone are enough to merit a trip to this fabulous region, but add in Hyacinth Visorbearer, Horned

2 RBL Brazil Espirito Santo & Minas Gerais 2 Sungem, Black-headed Berryeater, Swallow-tailed Cotinga and a whole host of Manakins, Hummingbirds and Tanagers, and this becomes one of the premier tours to the country that we can offer. With the most striking and memorable scenery in Brazil, delightful accommodations and cuisine, and a mammal list to make anyone drool (Maned Wolf, Giant Anteater and more endangered primates than one is likely to recall), this tour is enjoyable for hardcore birders and nature-enthusiasts alike. THE ITINERARY Day 1 THE TOUR AT A GLANCE Arrival in Vitoria and transfer to Linhares Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Days 5 & 6 Day 7 Day 8 Day 9 Day 10 Day 11 Day 12 Days 13 & 14 Day 15 Day 16 Linhares Linhares to Aracruz Aracruz to Vargem Alta Vargem Alta Vargem Alta to Caparaó Caparaó Caparaó to Santuario do Caraca Santuario do Caraca to Serra do Cipó Serra do Cipó Serra do Cipó to Serra de Canastra Serra de Canastra Serra de Canastra to Belo Horizonte Final departure

3 RBL Brazil Espirito Santo & Minas Gerais 3 TOUR MAP THE TOUR IN DETAIL Day 1: Arrival in Vitoria and transfer to Linhares. Guests will arrive today into the 550-year-old beachfront capitol city of Vitoria, in Espiritu Santo state. Though a beautiful, historical significant city, our birding adventure beings about 2 hours north of Vitoria, at Linhares. Guests are encouraged to arrive early into Vitoria should they wish to enjoy some cultural highlights, as all guests will be transferred today to our accommodations in Linhares. Black-headed Berryeater by Colin Valentine Day 2: Linhares. Today will be spent exploring the largest contiguous tract of northeast Atlantic Rainforest left on Earth. The state-owned Sooretama Biological Reserve and adjacent, privately-managed Reserva Natural Vale do Rio Doce are home to some of the rarest and most sought-after Brazilian endemic species, and this is where we will get our first exposure really an inundation to the amazing birds of the coastal rainforests of Brazil! This region is a transition zone between the northern and southern Atlantic forest biomes and we can see some of the best of both. The star species here is undoubtedly the Red-

4 RBL Brazil Espirito Santo & Minas Gerais 4 billed Curassow. With a global population teetering around 250 individuals, the only reason it is not considered Critically Endangered is due to the efforts across many protected areas to maintain and propagate the species. This will be one of our main targets today, along with other headline species including White-necked Hawk, Ochre-marked Parakeet, Redbrowed Amazon and Black-headed Berryeater! Some of the more wideranging, though no-less exciting birds Itatiaia Spinetail by Dubi Shapiro that we might find here include Solitary and Variegated Tinamous, East Brazilian Chachalaca, Spot-winged Wood Quail, Grey-headed Kite, Black Hawk-Eagle, Black-capped Screech Owl, Tawny-browed Owl, Least Pygmy Owl, Whitewinged Potoo (rare), Minute Hermit, Violet-capped Woodnymph, Rufous-throated and White-chinned Sapphires, Black-necked Aracari, White-barred Piculet, White, Yellow-fronted, Ringed, Robust (rare) and Blond-crested Woodpeckers, Plain and Maroon-faced Parakeets, Scaly-headed Parrot, Blue-winged Macaw, Sooretama Slaty Antshrike, Plumbeous Antvireo, Silvery-flanked Antwren, Black-cheeked Gnateater, Plain-winged Woodcreeper, Black-capped, Ochre-breasted and White-eyed Foliage-gleaners, Eared Pygmy Tyrant, White-crowned and Red-headed Manakins, Brazilian Tanager and Yellow-green Grosbeak amongst even more! Amazing possibilities, and an impressive introduction into Brazilian avifauna. Day 3: Linhares to Santa Teresa. This morning we will head back to one of these special preserves for the morning, given the amazing breadth of species possible. While we have a chance for some of these lowland rainforest species at the next two sites, we will quickly be moving inland and uphill, changing habitats. This afternoon we will find ourselves at the Augusto Ruschi Biological Reserve, higher up the mountain slopes and home to some of the best hummingbird watching in the region! The longstanding feeder array attracts a great number of birds, while the trails themselves also yield a good many birds. We will spend this afternoon enjoying the spectacle, and a stroll down one of the trails. Swallow-tailed Cotinga by Adam Riley Hummingbirds possible this afternoon may include Black Jacobin, Rufous-breasted, Minute, Planalto, and Scale-throated Hermits,

5 RBL Brazil Espirito Santo & Minas Gerais 5 Frilled Coquette, Brazilian Ruby, Amethyst Woodstar, Swallow-tailed Hummingbird, Sombre and White-throated Hummingbirds and more. The trails might yield Spot-billed Toucanet, Yellow-eared Woodpecker, Spotbacked and Variable Antshrikes, Spot-crowned Antvireo, Ferruginous and White-bibbed Antbirds, White-shouldered Fire-eye, Rufous Gnateater, Short-tailed and Such s Antthrushes, White-throated, Lesser and Scaled Woodcreepers, Hangnest Tody-Tyrant, Greyheaded Tody-Flycatcher, Sharpbill, Hooded Berryeater, Bare-throated Bellbird, Swallowtailed and Pin-tailed Manakins, Greenish Schiffornis, Wied s Tyrant-Manakin (!!), Cinnamon, Black-goggled, Ruby-crowned, Red-necked and Gilt-edged Tanagers, Greenwinged Saltator and Chestnut-bellied Euphonia. Hyacinth Visorbearer by Dubi Shapiro Day 4: Santa Teresa to Vargem Alta. We can spend the better part of today birding the trails at Ruschi Biological Reserve, before we depart for one of, if not THE most exciting destination of this portion of the tour Vargem Alta. Vargem Alta is small village in the mountains of Espírito Santo. The majority of properties in this village are based on agriculture, even so there are still s ignificant remnants of Atlantic Forest. We will head to a private area (Mata de Caetés) with a marvelous Atlantic Forest patch in a great state of preservation, full with bromeliads, orchids, epiphytes and towering emergent trees. The star here and our main target will be the Cherry-throated Tanager. Days 5 & 6: Vargem Alta. Until February of 1998, The enigmatic Cherry-throated Tanager was known only by one specimen deposited in a museum in Berlin, and a handful of anecdotal observations, before its official rediscovery at Conceição do Castelo (Espírito Santo). After the rediscovery, this species was found at Mata dos Caetés in The expected population of this species is less than 50 individuals, and the majority of them are in Mata dos Caetés. All of the recent records for the species have also been in Mata dos Caetés. The probabilities of seeing this species aren t particularly high. The few remaining birds seem to occupy large territories. Encountering this critically endangered, iconic species is a privilege few have enjoyed. Serra do Mar Tyrant-Manakin by Forrest Rowland We will do our best over the following two days to find the Cherry-throated Tanager, and with luck obtain views. However, more than 300 other Atlantic Forest bird species reside in this area and we will come across many

6 RBL Brazil Espirito Santo & Minas Gerais 6 of them in our search for the tanager. The elevation is around 1000 meters and is full of many species that will be new for us! Brown Tinamou, Surucua and Black-throated Trogons, Channel-billed and Redbreasted Toucans, Yellow-eared, White-browed and Robust Woodpeckers, Crescent-chested Puffbird, Golden-tailed Parrotlet, Giant and Rufous-capped Antshrikes, Streak-capped and Star-throated Antwrens, Spot-breasted Antvireo, Ferruginous, Ochre-rumped, Rio de Janeiro and White-bibbed Antbirds, Spotted Bamboowren, White-breasted and Mouse-colored Tapaculo, Such s Antthrush, Rufousbreasted Leaftosser, Black-billed Scythebill, Sharptailed Streamcreeper, White-collared Foliage-gleaner, Pale-browed Treehunter, Pallid Spinetail, Rufouscapped Spinetail, Mottle-cheeked, Oustalet s, Roughlegged, Greenish, and Planalto Tyrannulets, Drabbreasted Pygmy Tyrant, Ochre-faced Tody- Green-crowned Plovercrest by Forrest Rowland Flycatcher, Blue-billed Black Tyrant, Shear-tailed Grey Tyrant, Sharpbill, Hooded Berryeater, Swallowtailed Cotinga, Cinnamon-vented Piha, Bare-throated Bellbird, Swallow-tailed and Pin-tailed Manakins, Greenish Schiffornis, Brazilian Laniisoma, Brown, Magpie, Ruby-crowned, Azure-shouldered, Goldenchevroned, Brassy-breasted and Rufous-headed Tanagers, Temminck s and Buffy-fronted Seedeaters and more are possible for us here. Day 7: Vargem Alta to Caparaó. After a final morning s birding in this wonderful area, we will make our way to Pedro Meninha and the high altitude forests of the Caparao Mountain. The Caparaó National Park encompasses amazing montane landscapes straddling the border between Espírito Santo and Minas Gerais States. Gorgeous waterfalls, distinct flora and diverse fauna are contained within 62,000 hectares of protected areas. The diversity of environments, from mountain Atlantic Forest to high altitude grasslands in an elevation of 1,000 meters to almost 3,000 meters contribute to the high biodiversity in this area. There are more than 350 species in this area, with many special birds here endemic to high altitude grasslands and bamboo stands, such as Itatiaia Spinetail. This Brazilian endemic is restricted to but a few mountaintops in southeast Atlantic Forest. We will be based in a quaint mountain town pousada, with nice food and spectacular scenery to make this brief visit a most enjoyable one! Grey-backed Tachuri by Dubi Shapiro Day 8: Caparaó. Most of today will be devoted to seeking out the high elevation endemics found at this special site. Some hiking will be required to reach a few sites, though at birding pace it is always pleasant. Some of the main targets include the stunning Green-crowned Plovercrest, White-throated Hummingbird, Vinaceous-

7 RBL Brazil Espirito Santo & Minas Gerais 7 breasted Parrot, spectacular Large-tailed Antshrike, Rufous-tailed Antbird, Itatiaia Spinetail, Blue-billed Black Tyrant, Swallow-tailed Cotinga, Hooded Berryeater, Buff-throated Warbling Finch, Diademed Tanager and Long-tailed Reed Finch. In the evening we might venture out to look for Long-trained Nightjar and America Barn Owl or others. Day 9: Caparaó to Santuario do Caraca. This morning we leave the rolling hills and forests of Espirito Santo for the high country and dramatic scenery of Minas Gerais! The journey to our destination today, the Santuario de Caraca is one of the most impressive drives in the entire Cipo Canastero by Dubi Shapiro country. Huge dome monoliths, massive mesas, deep canyons, and lovely rural countryside will take up our time this morning. The 5-6 hours drive will be broken by a birding stop here and there, though we will plan to make it to the monastery in time to get settled in for the show this site is most famous for the Maned Wolf feeding. This monastery founded more than 400 years ago, is an active home to monks and devout catholics gathered from around the world for remote prayer and simplicity. The area of land it sits on is a complex of properties some 22,000 hectares in extent run as part a patrimonial heritage village and wildlife conservation property - home to more than 300 species and one spectacular mammal in particular Maned Wolf. For decades, the monks of the sanctuary viewed the wolves as their neighbours, and long ago began leaving some food out for them. Though wild, the wolves continue to come to the monastery in the evenings for a snack, before heading back out to hunt. This site is undoubtedly the best place in the world to view this magnificent animal. Horned Sungem by Dubi Shapiro There are plenty of nice birds we will enjoy here, as well as good food and beautiful views! Duskylegged Guan, Slaty-breasted Wood Rail, Blackish Rail, Biscutate Swift, the stunning Hyacinth Visorbearer, White-vented Violetear, Glitteringbellied and Sapphire-spangled Emeralds, Blackcapped and Serra Antwrens, Ochre-rumped and Dusky-tailed Antbirds, White-shouldered Fireeye, Rufous Gnateater, Rock Tapaculo, Buffbrowed Foliage-gleaner, Rufous-fronted and Orange-eyed Thornbirds, Grey-bellied and Spix s Spinetails, Olivaceous and Highland Elaenias, Cliff Flycatcher, Velvety Black Tyrant, Yellowbrowed Tyrant, White-rumped Monjita, Long-

8 RBL Brazil Espirito Santo & Minas Gerais 8 tailed Tyrant, Serra do Mar Tyrant- Manakin, White-browed Warbler and Pale-throated Pampa Finch are all possibilities this afternoon and the following morning. Day 10: Santuario do Caraca to Serra do Cipó. After some morning birding, we will transfer to the famed Serra do Cipo National Park. This will be a pretty obvious change in habitats, as we headed even farther inland towards the cerrado and rocky savannah habitats of the interior. Often desert-like in places, with lush streams and high mountains, the Serra do Cipo is home to many unique endemics. The Cipó National Park includes 83,000 acres of designated parklands being acquired to preserve the highly endemic plant and animal life of this serra (mountain) system. A remarkable place; this is a place you could not miss on a visit to the state of Minas Gerais. Buff-fronted Owl by Dušan Brinkhuizen Day 11: Serra do Cipó. There are two main species we will target here, as this small mountain range is the only place on Earth to see Cipo Canastero and Cipo Cinclodes. Each inhabits a special niche in this island ecosystem of rocky outcrops and peaks amidst a sea of low cerrado and grasslands. Many of the species we can encounter we might have seen at the previous site, as Serra do Caraca is a sort of gateway to these mountain island chains. In turn, some of the species found at Serra do Cipo might be found at our final destination of the tour Serra de Canastra. However, there are several important species most readily found here, and nowhere else on our tour. So our full day here will be a busy one, despite only having two main targets. Some of the other interesting species that can be found on the drives and trails of this park include Red-winged Tinamou, Spotted Nothura, Scaled Dove, Guira Cuckoo, Hyacinth Visorbearer, Horned Sungem, Whiteeared and Chaco Puffbirds, Campo Flicker, Red-legged Seriema, Rufous-winged Antshrike, Firewood-gatherer, Sooty-fronted Spinetail, Grey-backed Tachuri, Crested Black Tyrant, Grey Monjita, Sharp-tailed Tyrant, Curl-crested Jay, Cinereous Warbling Finch, Stripe-tailed Yellow Finch, Black-throated Saltator and Yellow-rumped Marshbird. Collared Crescentchest by Adam Riley Day 12: Serra do Cipó to Serra de Canastra. Today we will have a bit of a drive. The Serra

9 RBL Brazil Espirito Santo & Minas Gerais 9 da Canastra region in southwest Minas Gerais, has some of the most breathtaking and undiscovered landscapes in Brazil. For a long time, it was isolated by precarious dirt roads. Only a few years ago it entered the travel itineraries as a privileged place for practicing extreme sports and ecological tourism. The touristic area of Serra da Canastra covers more than hectares and 6 municipalities: São Roque de Minas, Vargem Bonita, Sacramento, Delfinópolis, São João Batista do Glória and Capitólio. The biggest attraction is the Serra da Canastra National Park, created in 1972 to protect the sources of the São Francisco River. Inside the National Park Giant Anteater by Adam Riley one finds stunning features, such as the Casca D'Anta waterfall. Almost 200 meters high, it is the first great fall on the São Francisco river. The region is the cradle of many rivers that help form the São Francisco and Paraná River basins. The landscape alternates between rocky fields full of delicate flowers, typical cerrado mixed woodland savannah, and gallery forests with lusher forest vegetation. It is in this environment that endangered animals such as Giant Anteater, Maned Wolf, Giant Armadillo and the Critically Endangered Brazilian Merganser are protected. Days 13 & 14: Serra de Canastra. In addition to having great chances of seeing Brazilian Merganser, there are several other species that live in this habitat of high altitude cerrado and grasslands. Amongst the headline species we will look for over the next two full days in this gorgeous region are such rarities as the Campo Miner, Cock-tailed Tyrant, Streamer-tailed Tyrant and Black-masked Finch. We have great chances of finding the endemic Brasilia Tapaculo in high altitude mountain streams. Searching patches of gallery forest, we should find the beautiful Helmeted Manakin. We will have plenty of time to enjoy walks through the different habitats here, as well as enjoy fantastic lodgings and food. Helmeted Manakin by Dubi Shapiro A more complete list of hoped-for species includes Greater Rhea, Small-billed and Dwarf (rare) Tinamous, Lesser and Spotted Nothura, Rusty-margined Guan, Black-chested Buzzard-Eagle, Great Horned, Burrowing, Striped and Bufffronted Owls, Least Nighthawk, Band-winged, Sicklewinged (rare) and Scissor-tailed Nightjars, Sooty and Great Dusky Swifts, Stripe-breasted Starthroat, Swallow-tailed Hummingbird, Rufous-capped Motmot, Toco Toucan,

10 RBL Brazil Espirito Santo & Minas Gerais 10 White, Little and Green-barred Woodpeckers, Campo Flicker, Red-legged Seriema, Aplomado Falcon, Peach-fronted and Golden-capped Parakeets, Collared Crescentchest, Narrow-billed Woodcreeper, Suiriri and Chapada Flycatchers, Sooty Tyrannulet, Southern Antpipit, Curl-crested and Plush-crested Jays, Tawny-headed and White-rumped Swallows, Ochre-breasted and Hellmayr s Pipits, Cinnamon, White-banded, and White-rumped Tanagers, Blue Finch, Pampa Finch, Copper, Pearly-bellied, Tawnybellied, Yellow-bellied, Dubois s, Double-collared and Plumbeous Seedeaters, Black-masked and Pileated Finches, Chestnut-capped Blackbird and Yellow-rumped Marshbird among several other fine possibilities. Day 15: Serra de Canastra to Belo Horizonte. We will bird our back east to the bustling metropolis of Cock-tailed Tyrant by Dubi Shapiro Belo Horizonte. The Capitol of Minas Gerais and the sixth largest city in Brazil, Belo has become one of the economic hubs of the country. Home to more than 5 million inhabitants, there is little to behold from a natural perspective, but this exit port for us will provide an interesting juxtaposition to the past two weeks spent entirely in the rural countryside. Some guests may embark in overnight flights home, while others may stay for a farewell dinner and rest, before embarking on their journey home the following day. Day 16: Final departure. After breakfast this morning we will transfer to Belo Horizonte airport where the tour will conclude. FINANCIAL ARRANGEMENTS: Tour dates, prices, single supplement rates, approximate flight costs and spaces available for this tour are displayed on our website. Please see under IMPORTANT INFORMATION below. The tour fee includes: All meals from donner on day 1 to breakfast on day 16; Bottled drinking water; All lodgings; Ground transportation; Reserve entrance fees; and All guiding services (including tips for local guides and services.) The tour fee does not include: Visa fees; ANY flights; Any drinks; Special gratuities; and Telephone calls, laundry and other items of a personal nature.

11 RBL Brazil Espirito Santo & Minas Gerais 11 Single Supplement: The single supplement cost for this tour will be charged if you wish to have single accommodation. If RBL cannot provide you with a rooming partner for these nights although you choose to share, the single supplement will become applicable. We will make all reasonable efforts to ensure that a rooming partner is found if you do wish to share. IMPORTANT NOTES: a) Due to constantly fluctuating exchange rates, we quote our tours in 4 currencies. The tour price is however fixed only in the currency printed in bold, and the actual cost in the other currencies listed will be adjusted according to prevailing exchange rates at the time of final invoicing (usually 4 months before the tour.) The same applies to approximate flight and single supplement rates, which are also quoted in the respective fixed currency. b) Rates are based upon group tariffs; if the tour does not have sufficient registration a small party supplement will have to be charged. c) Furthermore, these costs are subject to unforeseen increases in tour related costs and may have to be adjusted as a result. d) Lastly, we may be forced to change or alter the itinerary and / or the designated Rockjumper leader/s at short or no notice due to unforeseen circumstances; please be aware that we will attempt to adhere as close to the original program as possible. Tipping: As noted above, gratuities (drivers, hotel staff, restaurants etc.) are included on this tour. However, this does NOT include your Rockjumper leader. If, therefore, you feel that he has given you excellent service, it is entirely appropriate to tip him. Special Notes: We have timed our visit to coincide with the dry season and we can expect the weather conditions to be favourable, mostly dry and sunny. However, it is generally hot and very humid in the lowlands and foothills. At higher altitudes, daytime temperatures are pleasant, but it can get quite cold at night or when it rains. On most mornings, we will be up and out early to take advantage of the cooler temperatures and wildlife activity. This Brazil tour does not require a high level of fitness, but participants should be in good general health as some of the forest birding will be done on foot and may require walking for several hours at a time. Should you have any physical limitations or medical conditions please notify us in advance of departure. The vehicles we use are comfortable. Most roads are of a good standard, although we should expect some bumpy conditions when leaving the paved road. Accommodation is mostly of good to medium standard. ARRIVAL & DEPARTURE DETAILS: This tour does not include ANY airfares. The tour will depart from Vitoria before lunch in the morning of day 1. Please do arrive in Vitoria the previous day if possible. The tour will conclude at Belo Horizonte after breakfast on day 16. The above information in respect of arrivals and departures is a guide only. Precise arrival and departure information will be sent to you in your Tour Confirmation package once the tour has been officially confirmed. If you wish to arrive early and/or depart late and would like assistance in this regard, kindly contact the Rockjumper office.

12 RBL Brazil Espirito Santo & Minas Gerais 12 FLIGHTS: Eurico de Aguiar Salles Airport, Vitoria (IATA: VIX) is the primary port of entry for this tour and is well serviced by several Brazilian internal airlines via the airport hubs of São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. Tancredo Neves/Confins International Airport, Belo Horizonte (IATA: CNG), is the primary port of departure for this tour and is well serviced by a number of major international carriers. Please DO NOT book any flights until you have consulted the Rockjumper office for confirmation on the status of the tour.