Happy New Year to all our readers…
…both of you!
Here are some statistics about my year that may or may not (probably not) interest you.
My world list rose by 50 to 2086 (+ 10 heard 2096), due mainly to a couple of trips, one to Rio Grande do Sul, the other to Bahia.
My Brazil list rose by 60 ticks to 799 (+6 heard only 805).
The apartment list rose by 8 to 87 (+3 heard only 90 [includes one species that Elis saw and photographed that I haven't seen]).
During the year RSBS carried out 26 trips (including for the first time 3 trips led by Carlos Henrique Almeida) involving 34 individuals from 9 countries (UK, US, Canada, Sweden, New Zealand, France, Holland, Taiwan and Finland) we saw in total 401 species (+ 8 heard only 409).
My Ubatuba list rose by 28 to 355 (+6 heard only 361).
Some birding highlights:
March’s Brown Noddy, found by Lars Olausson and Hans-Erik Persson at Praia do Cedro.
Brown Noddy © Elis Simpson
May’s Shrike-like Cotinga (Brazilian Lanisoma) found by Rafael Fortes and Luiz-Carlos Ribenboim at Fazenda Angelim.
Shrike-like Cotinga © Rafael Fortes
The trip to Rio Grande do Sul, the smartest bird being Many-coloured Rush-Tyrant.
Many-coloured Rush-Tyrant © Elis Simpson
Elis finding this Half-collared Sparrow at Cambucá, the first record for Ubatuba.
Half-collared Sparrow © Elis Simpson
Finding Bertoni’s Antbird in Ubatuba at the top of the Serra.
Bertoni's Antbird © Elis Simpson
The Pectoral Sandpiper that dropped in on an outing with local kids at Palmito na Brasa.
Pectoral Sandpiper © Elis Simpson
Trip to Bahia, the star bird being the Sincora Antwren.
Sincora Antwren © Elis Simpson
Finally ticking off Speckle-breasted Antpitta at Santa Virginia, again at the top of the Serra.
Speckle-breasted Antpitta © Demis Bucci
Catching up with Elis’ Blue Ground-Dove at Fazenda Angelim.
Blue Ground-Dove © Elis Simpson
Finally, two excellent birds in my neighbourhood, the White-necked Hawk in the neighbour’s garden…
White-necked Hawk © Elis Simpson
…and the Stygian Owl just around the corner.
Stygian Owl © Elis Simpson
To finish off, photos of our special antwrens, the São Paulo Antwren…
São Paulo Antwren © Elis Simpson
and the Black-hooded Antwren, no year would be complete without visits to see these two little gems…
Black-hooded Antwren © Elis Simpson
… plus our own very special Buff-throated Purpletuft.
Buff-throated Purpletuft © Elis Simpson