Rick Simpson Birding Services

This weekend I had the pleasure of the company of Paul Varney, a birder from the UK. Although we didn’t actually, consciously, meet at the time, our UK twitching days, and a number of our acquaintances coincided. Apart from the great birding we had, we spent many hours talking about the ‘good old days’ and about birds we saw and how we must have been at the same twitch on the same day many a time. It is highly likely that I served him beer in one or other of the pubs on Scilly, I worked in a few of them during my many stays there, and certainly in the Porthcressa bar, where the nightly log was held. Oh well, less of the nostalgia, and back to present day birding. Paul has been to Brazil a few times and has got a good percentage of the Atlantic Forest species, so he came to me with a ’shopping’ list.

Paul and me at Salesópolis, a far cry from windswept Norfolk after a Little Whimbrel!

Male Festive Coquette.

Our first day together was a bit of a wash out. I picked him up at the airport, and took him straight to Biritiba Mirim, where it started to rain. We managed to get good views of a Rufous-sided Crake, before the rain got so hard that we had to return to the car. It continued to rain very heavily, so we by-passed all the Salesópolis sites and the São Paulo Antwren site, it just wasn’t possible to get out of the car! We headed down the Serra to the coast. Here at least the rain was less heavy and we headed straight for Folha Seca, here we notched up a few birds for him, Festive Coquette, White-chinned Sapphire at the feeders and a very obliging (eventually) Spotted Bamboowren.

From there we moved on to the Ubatuba Birdwatching Centre, currently located at Rancho Pica Pau. We were after the purpletufts naturally, but they were being awkward, so we spent some time looking around. Doing so we uncovered some goodies such as the Fork-tailed Tody-Tyrant and good views of a Spot-backed Antshrike.

Buff-throated Purpletuft.

Walking back to the feeders, I happened to glance over my shoulder and caught sight of two Buff-throated Purpletufts landing in the top of a tree, we scoped them and got good views, the male singing a couple of times and showing off his purple tufts. At the observation area we were treated to a male Blond-crested Woodpecker and a Lemon-chested Greenlet. Leaving the site for town we stopped to admire a bedraggled Aplomado Falcon and on the sea a couple of Brown Boobies.

Male Squamate Antbird © Rafael Fortes.

Day two saw Paul and me arriving at Fazenda Angelim with his ’shopping’ list in my hand. The first to fall was the Chestnut-capped Antthrush, which sat up obligingly on a fallen branch in the forest. This was followed swiftly by a pair of Orange-eyed Thornbirds. Next came the White-bearded Manakins, fine males displaying at the usual lek site. Along the back trail we notched up Large-headed Flatbill, White-tailed Trogon, Reddish Hermit and, to Pauls great delight, great views of a pair of Squamate Antbirds. Some fly-over  Red-rumped Caciques would have been a tick for Paul, but his strict rules didn’t allow him to count them, he didn’t see the red rump!

We went then back to the UBWC, stopping en route to tick off Long-billed Wren. We looked again for the purpletufts, but time was short and we didn’t catch up with them this time. We did however notch up Grey Elaenia for Paul. We returned to town to pick up Paul’s gear and Elis and ticked off Cliff Flycatcher on the wires outside our apartment building.

Firewood Gatherers at nest site.

So now we headed for Salesópolis again, this time in good sunshine. First stop, Firewood Gatherer, three together at the nest site. Next stop the lake, here Paul scored some more ticks; Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture; Chestnut-capped Spinetail; Brazilian Teal; Southern Pochard and Sooty Tyrannulet.

Although not a tick, we were treated to great views of an Osprey flying over the lake.

From here we moved on to Biritiba Mirim and the, for me, new São Paulo Antwren site. A pair performed well for us giving views down to about 6 feet! We then moved on to the old site and picked up Red-eyed Thornbird, Rufous-capped Antshrike and Bran-coloured Flycatcher. Our last stop was the marshy pools near Mogi das Cruzes to try to get another look at the crakes. This we did with the added bonus of another tick for Paul, Yellow-rumped Marshbird. As it was getting dark I said it was time to get him back to São Paulo and his hotel, as we were packing up, a last minute tick showed up in the form of 13 Nacunda Nighthawks that flew right over our heads. This last bird was particulaly pleasing to Paul, a bird that was top of his wish list, that I had given him little hope of seeing. Talk about going out on a high!

Osprey over Salesópolis lake..

Southern Pochard. A fine male at Salesópolis.

Singing Rufous-capped Antshrike at Biritiba Mirim.

All photographs, except where indicated otherwise, © Rick and Elis Simpson.

Had a run up to Biritiba Mirim today, recently the São Paulo Antwrens have been absent from my regular site, so I went to check it out. I found that the site has been even more degraded than before, there is work being carried out on the road, and a digger has made huge holes in the ground where I always used to enter the site. Although it wasn’t impossible to find another way in, I went instead to a site the other side of Biritiba Mirim where I have not visited before, having had no necessity to do so.

Female São Paulo Antwren.

Female São Paulo Antwren.

Female SãoPaulo Antwren.

We found two seperate female birds, they responded to playback, but did not call at all, instead they came in silently. No males were seen on this occasion.

Photographs on this page © Rick and Elis Simpson.

Our wintering Spotted Sandpipers are getting ready to head north. For most of the southern Summer they remain spotless, but for these last few weeks before they set forth they gain their dapper spotty uniform. We have a very small window of opportunity to see these birds in this plumage, but it is well worth the wait.

Photograph © Rick and Elis Simpson.

Looking through my apartment list the other day I realised that I had somehow forgotten to add Plain Parakeet! This cheerful, endemic, little parrot is a common bird here and I see or hear it almost every day, an incredible omission. So, having realised I didn’t have it on the list I thought I’d wait until I next saw one, typically I had to wait three days, but now the blighter is on my list. The list now stands at 86.

Plain Parakeet.

Photograph © Rafael Fortes.

Anyone familiar with Brazilian birds will know that the Rufous Hornero is a common enough bird over much of its range in the southern half of Brazil. Not so in our part of the world. It seems that few have made it onto our stretch of coast. There are a few open areas like Cambucá where they can be found along with the even less common Wing-banded Hornero, but here in Ubatuba itself they are, or rather were, absent.

The other day I thought I heard one calling but couldn’t find it, nor did it call again. Assuming I was hearing things I forgot about it; until today that is. Whilst looking at a pod of dolphins in the bay from the balcony, I heard the unmistakeable sound of the hornero again. This time I employed playback, and sure enough the Rufous Hornero flew into view, the first I have seen in nearly three years here! Maybe every telegraph pole in Ubatuba will soon have its own pair of horneros with their distinctive mud nests. On the other hand, if there is only one, maybe he’ll be out of luck and move on leaving us bereft of their noisy presence again.

Clearly this is a new bird for the apartment list, whizzing me on to 85.

Rufous Hornero.

Photograph © Tommy Pedersen.

Finally a long overdue species hits the apartment list. Saffron Finch, a common enough bird around here and I have often seen it here in town very close to the apartment block, but never within the rules of the list. The other day as I was driving out of the garage there in front of me, on the grassy square was a fine male with a whole bunch of females and immatures. So now the list stands at 84.

Male Saffron Finch. Copyright Arthur Grosset.

I received an e-mail a short time ago from my friend Dimitri who runs the Itamambuca Eco Resort. One of his guests, none other than the illustrious Fernando Pacheco, found a new bird for the Ubatuba list; Orange-winged Parrot. This was good news for Ubatuba as the list just keeps growing.

This morning as I was lying in bed, it was about 06.30 so you could say I was having a lay-in, I heard a hell of a commotion coming from the roof of our apartment. As I became fully conscious I realised it was an Orange-winged Parrot, squawking away for all it was worth! Leaping forth I tried all angles to get a look at the beast, but failed miserably, the bird finally flew off and away in the one direction I can’t see from the apartment.

Still, this does constitute apartment tick number 83 depsite being heard only and incredibly, the second record for Ubatuba.

Orange-winged Parrot. Photo copyright Arthur Macarrão.

January:

Nacunda Nighthhawk, New year’s day 00.15hrs. Ubatuba, São Paulo.

Grey-bellied Goshawk, 16th at Horto Florestal Campos do Jordão, São Paulo.

February:

Brown-backed Parrotlet, 5th, found by Jeremy Minns at Praia Vermelha, Ubatuba, São Paulo.

Brown-backed Parrotlet - photo Rick and Elis Simpson.

April:

Unicoloured Blackbird, 11th, found at the São Paulo Antwren site at Biritiba Mirim, São Paulo.

White-rumped Hawk, 4th, Agulhas Negras Road, Itatiaia, Minas Gerais.

Rufous-breasted Hermit, 15th at Folha Seca, Ubatuba, São Paulo.

Rufus-breasted Hermit - photo Flavio Guglielmino.

May:

Blue-naped Chlorophonia, 10th at Toninhas, Ubatuba, São Paulo.

Blue-naped Chlorophonia - photo Elsie Rotenberg.

June:

Dark-billed Cuckoo, 21st at the Ubatuba Birdwatching Centre, Pancho Pica Pau, Ubatuba, São Paulo.

July:

Unicoloured Blackbird, 13th at Cambucá, first record for Ubatuba, São Paulo.

Unicoloured Blackbird - photo Markus Lagerqvist.

Black-backed Tanager, 22nd at Toninhas, Ubatuba, São Paulo.

Black-backed Tanager - photo Elsie Rotenberg.

Barred Forest Falcon, 25th at Fazenda Angelim, Ubatuba, São Paulo.

Crowned Eagle, 29th, a pair at Agulhas Negras, Itatiaia, Minas Gerais.

August:

Brassy-breasted Tanager, 2nd, normally a highland bird, near Rancho Pica Pau, Ubatuba, São Paulo.

Red and White Crake, 7th at Intervales, São Paulo.

Ruby Topaz Hummingbird, 11th at Folha seca, Ubatuba, São Paulo.

Ruby Topaz Hummingbird - Marnick Vanelslander.

September:

White-rumped Sandpiper, 16th on Itaguá beach, Ubatuba, São Paulo.

White-rumped Sandpiper - photo Rick and Elis Simpson.

American Golden Plover, 21st on Itaguá beach, Ubatuba, São Paulo.

Rufous Crab-Hawk, 22nd at Fazenda Angelim, Ubatuba, São Paulo.

Semipalmated Plover, 22nd, 2 at Perequê Açu, Ubatuba, São Paulo.

Black-faced Piping-Guan and Blackish-blue Seedeater, 28th at Intervales, São Paulo.

Pavonine Cuckoo, 29th at Intervales, São Paulo.

October 2009:

Buff-breasted Sandpiper, 4th – 6th at Itaguá beach, Ubatuba, São Paulo.

Buff-breasted Sandpiper - photo Rick and Elis simpson.

Brazilian Merganser, 9th, 6 together Serra da Canastra, Minas Gerais.

Brazilian Mergansers - photo Tommy Pedersen.

Grey-headed Tanager, 17th at Serra do Cipó National Park, Minas Gerais.

Grey-headed Tanager - photo Tommy Pedersen.

Hook-billed Kite, 20th at Folha Seca, Ubatuba, São Paulo.

Hook-billed Kite - photo Knut Hansen.

American Golden Plover, 28th, 2 on Itaguá beach, Ubatuba, São Paulo.

Juvenile (left) and adult winter American Golden Plovers - photo Rick and Elis Simpson.

November:

Chestnut-bellied Seedeater, 4th at Manaus, Amazonas.

Chestnut-bellied Seedeater - photo Rick and Elis Simpson.

Pied Puffbird, 5th at Manaus, Amazonas.

Pied Puffbird - photo Rick and Elis Simpson.

Bronzy Jacamar, 6th at Presidente Figureido, Amazonas.

Bronzy Jacamar - photo Rick and Elis Simpson.

Guianan Cock-of-the-rock, 7th at presidente Figureido, Amazonas.

Guianan Cock-of-the-rock - photo Rick and Elis Simpson.

Capped Heron, 18th at the Ubatuba Birdwatching Centre, Rancho Pica Pau, Ubatuba, São Paulo.

Capped Heron - photo Rick and Elis Simpson.

December:

Stygian Owl, 10th, São Sebastião, São Paulo.

Stygian Owl - photo Rick and Elis Simpson.

Scarlet Ibis, 13th, Ilha Comprida, São Paulo.

Scarlet Ibis - photo Rick and Elis Simpson.

Restinga Tyrannulet, 14th, Ilha Comprida, São Paulo.

Restinga Tyrannulet - photo Rick and Elis Simpson.

All photographs depict the actual bird recorded.

In all photographs on this page, copyright belongs to the photographer(s) named.

The beginning of 2009 was really tough with the world financial crisis hitting hard on travellers confidence, I think this is why numbers were down in 2009, the first six months were really quiet, but as confidence grew again, especially in the US, the second half of the year was hectic.

Last trip of the year with Barry, and old friend from England, Phil also from England, and Jan a Dutchman residing in England.

Species seen on all RSBS trips 502 (465 in 2008) at 30 sites (24 in 2008) In São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro and Minas Gerais.

This year’s Minas Triangle tour was an excellent trip. 236 species were seen at the three sites (175 in 2008 but with restricted time at each site).

One of the highlights of any Minas trip, the Maned Wolves at Caraça.

Statistics aside, and passing over the lean first half of the year, I have really enjoyed this year, meeting so many great people and birders, meeting some old friends from the past and repeat clients, always gratifying.

Birding isn't always easy, and it's not all in the canopy. Here Tommy Pedersen, a regular with RSBS, is getting 'in-your-face' views of a White-breasted Tapaculo at Intervales.

Away from RSBS this year has been busy aswell. I have done a couple of birding trips in Brazil with Elis to new sites, to Amazonas and Ilha Comprida in São Paulo, there was of course the usual month in the UK catching up with old friends, family and attending the British Bird Fair. One of the highlights of the trip was a visit to the British Natural History Museum at Tring to look at some specimens from our region.

At Tring Museum 'boning up' on the differences between Scalloped and Scaled Woodcreepers.

The end of the year became even more hectic for us when we opened the Ubatuba Birdwatching Centre at the Rancho Pica Pau, now every day that I am not guiding I am at the centre for at least part of the day, it is great fun and I hope that it will prove to be successful too in the future. Our aim is to provide visiting birders with as much up to date information as we can to help them find birds, obviously if they want a guide and I am available, we can provide that too, or for those confident in Portuguese a local guide. We are building a good library for reference purposes, hopefully visiting birders will become increasingly aware of its existance, and will feel they can come and check any ID problems they may have, or range queries etc and even discuss their thoughts with me or whoever is attending the centre at the time.

Inside the Ubatuba Birdwatching Centre, showing the growing library and items for sale.

The underlying reason for creating the centre however was to provide a focus for conservation and environmental education. This is to try and combat, the still significant, misuse of the local Atlantic Forest. We hope that birders visiting the area will want to help us preserve the region so that future birders will have something to come here for. Please see the Ubatuba Birdwatching Centre website www.ubwc.info

Talking to a group of local children about the importance of birds and the forest.

So it just leaves me to say, a very happy and successful 2010 to all my past clients and to my (hopefully) many future ones. I have enjoyed meeting you all without exception, and hope to see many of you again. To those of you who I have not yet met, I look forward to meeting you all and making new friends.

Happy New Year to you all.

All photos on this page copyright Rick and Elis Simpson.

Recently an old mate, Barry from Hertfordshire in the UK, came to Ubatuba bringing a couple of his current birding pals, Phil and Jan.

Me, Phil, Jan and Barry in the field at Folha Seca.

They only stayed one afternoon, a full day and a morning before moving on to Intervales. The first afternoon, was spent at the Ubatuba Birdwatching Centre, specifically looking for Buff-throated Purpletufts, they kept us going for a while, but as ever they showed well in the end. On the Manioc trail, we clocked up Reddish Hermit, Scaled Antbird, Rufous-capped Antthrush, Fork-tailed Tody-Tyrant and Yellow Tyrannulet. On the approach road we had Long-billed Wren, Spix Spinetail and Sooty Grassquit, however the Orange-eyed Thornbirds didn’t show despite responding to the playback.

Male Scaled Antbird.

The full day was spent at Fazenda Angelim, the Spotted Bamboowren was obviously a target, and when we came across Marcelo Padua, a friend and guide from the Pantanal with a client, we teamed up and got superb views of it singing and moving around a thinly leaved shrub. Where are all the photographers when you need them? Other good birds here were Blonde-crested Woodpecker, Squamate Antbird, Star-throated Antwren, Lemon-chested Greenlet, São Paulo Tyrannulet, another pair of purpletufts and Black-throated Grosbeak.

Black-throated Grosbeak by Luiz Carlos Ribenboim.

When the heavens opened we took to the car and headed for the rivermouth at Perequê Açu, here a couple of Spotted Sandpipers are ‘wintering’, and of course we picked up some Kelp Gulls for the list. However the most exciting bird there was undoubtedly a fly-by Capped Heron, a rare bird in Ubatuba.

Capped heron (taken at the Ubatuba Birdwatching Centre a few weeks ago).

Last morning saw us at Folha Seca. Although we had seen Slaty Bristlefront the day before the views were not good, so it was our main quarry. On the track along the way we saw a Common Potoo protecting its chick, Black-cheeked Gnateater, Scale-throated Hermit (not a regular) Rufous-capped Motmot, and a Fuscous Flycatcher pair obviously collecting food for nestlings.

Common Potoo with chick.

Eventually we caught up with the bristlefronts as this series of photos shows.

The male played hard to get at first...

...but he finally came into view...

...and then the female came out too!

All photos on this page, except where indicated,  copyright Rick and Elis Simpson.