Thursday 13 June 2013

The wetlands at REGUA

I have been at REGUA (Reserva Ecológica de Guapiaçu) for 2 weeks now and have settled in well and have been busy helping to show visitors to the Guapi Assu Bird Lodge the birds and wildlife around the reserve.





The main habitat that I am spending most time in is the restored wetlands close to the conservation centre. The habitat is mostly open lakes with islands, causeways and reed fringed edges to create a suitable nichies for a mix of species.

The bird life around these wetlands is fantastic and a great place to introduce yourself to many of the South American bird families.

Some of the regular species include; white-faced whistling duck, Muscovy duck, Brazilian teal, purple gallinule, capped, striated, cocoi and rufescent tiger herons, great and snowy egrets, wattled jacanas, white-headed marsh and masked water tyrants, wing-banded horneros, social flycatchers, smooth-billed and greater anis, creamy-bellied thrush and tropical kingbird.

I am starting to learn good spots to find certain species such as yellow-lored and common tody flycatchers, chestnut backed antshrike, slaty-breasted wood rail and rufous-sided crake.

There is also an impressive cattle egret roost on the main lake every evening with around 400 birds jostling for the best positions amongst the branches of the islands.

There is a group of around 30 capybara regularly around the wetland and there are currently several youngsters amongst the group. Broad-snouted caiman are more difficult to find around the wetland but I usually see at least 2 every visit. This species was new for me as it only occurs in Eastern and southern south America. It can grow to around 3 meters but most of the individuals here are about 1-2 meters long. 

I have started a special set of pictures on Flicker for my time at REGUA.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ian_loyd_wildlife/sets/72157634100644789/

Or alternatively scroll through the various Overseas albums to see some new pictures.

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