Sites visited


1. Pico Humboldt Trail, La Mucuy, Merida       18th-19th September, 2006

   This great site is easily accesible from Merida. I birded the trail on 2 day trips from the city. Staying in the park may also be an option. There are some dormitories and also a camp site. Bring your own food and a sleepingbag. Merida is a fairly big city and has many places to stay, eat and do internet. I found a cheap place to stay (15,000 for dormitory) near the cable car station. To get to Mucuy, first take a bus to Tabay (leaving regularly from 6am about 4 blocks west from Plaza Bolivar), about half an hour away. From the plaza in Tabay, there is a sign to the right to 'Parque la Mucuy'. It's about 7km up to the park entrance and the road is paved all the way. You can get a taxi up from the plaza in Tabay, try to hitch, or walk it. The lower entrance has a sign saying open at 8am, but I found it open before this. Up from here, the road runs along the river where you can see White-capped Dipper. Trees nearby have some tanager flocks and also Moustached Brush-Finch. There is an office higher up but no admission is charged. Further up is a fork, go to the right and up the hill, passed some buidlings and try and find the start of the trail. After the last building, walk up a grassy bank and look for a wooden archway that is the start of the trail. From here is is supposedly 9km up to Laguna Coromoto where you can camp. It took my about 4-5 hours up from the entrance and 2-3 hours back down. A sign said it was 3,000m here although I got it as about 3,100m.
   Good birds on the way up included Andean Guan, Emerald Toucanet, Grey-capped Hemispingus, Grey-naped & Undulated Antpittas, Longuemare's Sunangel, Plushcap and possibly Rusty-faced Parrot heard. The second half of the way to the lake is quite steep and changes in nature. I was here later on and it was fairly quiet. This would be worth exploring in the early morning. Around the lake at the top I saw, Tyrian Metaltail, Mountain Velvetbreast, Chestnut-breasted Chlorophonia, Blue-backed Conebill, Brown-backed Chat-Tyrant, Red-crested Cotinga and Slaty Brush-Finch.
I saw 89 species including 15 lifers

Black Vulture Coragyps atratus
Yellow-headed Caracara Milvago chimachima
American Kestrel Falco sparverius Photographed
Andean Guan Penelope montagnii Photographed Recorded
Rock Pigeon Columba livia Introduced species
Lined Quail-Dove Geotrygon linearis
Rose-headed Parakeet Pyrrhura rhodocephala Endemic Heard only
Rusty-faced Parrot Hapalopsittaca amazonina Endangered Heard only
Speckle-faced (White-capped) Parrot Pionus tumultuosus (seniloides)
Smooth-billed Ani Crotophaga ani
Lazuline Sabrewing Campylopterus falcatus
Green Violet-ear Colibri thalassinus
Sparkling Violet-ear Colibri coruscans
Blue-tailed Emerald Chlorostilbon mellisugus Possibly seen
Speckled Hummingbird Adelomyia melanogenys
Mountain Velvetbreast Lafresnaya lafresnayi
Longuemare's Sunangel Heliangelus clarisse Photographed
Tyrian Metaltail Metallura tyrianthina
Long-tailed Sylph Aglaiocercus kingi
Gorgeted Woodstar Chaetocercus heliodor Possibly seen
Masked Trogon Trogon personatus Possibly heard
Ringed Kingfisher Ceryle torquatus
Andean Toucanet Aulacorhynchus albivitta Photographed
Golden-olive Woodpecker Piculus rubiginosus
Rufous Spinetail Synallaxis unirufa
Spotted Barbtail Premnoplex brunnescens Possibly seen
Pearled Treerunner Margarornis squamiger
Streaked Xenops Xenops rutilans
Streaked Tuftedcheek Pseudocolaptes boissonneautii
Black-banded Woodcreeper Dendrocolaptes picumnus
Montane Woodcreeper Lepidocolaptes lacrymiger
Undulated Antpitta Grallaria squamigera
Chestnut-crowned Antpitta Grallaria ruficapilla Heard only
Gray-naped Antpitta Grallaria griseonucha Endemic Heard only
(Merida Tapaculo?) (Scytalopus meridanus?) Endemic Recorded
Red-crested Cotinga Ampelion rubrocristata
Green-and-black Fruiteater Pipreola riefferii
Barred Fruiteater Pipreola arcuata
Torrent Tyrannulet Serpophaga cinerea
Black-capped Tyrannulet Phyllomyias nigrocapillus
Venezuelan Tyrannulet Zimmerius improbus
White-throated Tyrannulet Mecocerculus leucophrys
White-banded Tyrannulet Mecocerculus stictopterus
Black Phoebe Sayornis nigricans Photographed
Brown-backed Chat-Tyrant Ochthoeca fumicolor Photographed
Cattle Tyrant Machetornis rixosus
Tropical Kingbird Tyrannus melancholicus
Barred Becard Pachyramphus versicolor
Gray-breasted Martin Progne chalybea
Blue-and-white Swallow Notiochelidon cyanoleuca
White-capped Dipper Cinclus leucocephalus Photographed
House Wren Troglodytes aedon
Gray-breasted Wood-Wren Henicorhina leucophrys
Tropical Mockingbird Mimus gilvus
Great Thrush Turdus fuscater
Chestnut-bellied Thrush Turdus fulviventris
Green Jay Cyanocorax yncas
Brown-capped Vireo Vireo leucophrys
Slate-throated Redstart Myioborus miniatus
White-fronted Redstart Myioborus albifrons Endemic Near-threatened Photographed Recorded
Black-crested Warbler Basileuterus nigrocristatus Photographed Recorded
Russet-crowned Warbler Basileuterus coronatus Photographed Recorded
Three-striped Warbler Basileuterus tristriatus
Bananaquit Coereba flaveola
Blue-backed Conebill Conirostrum sitticolor
Common Bush-Tanager Chlorospingus ophthalmicus
Gray-capped Hemispingus Hemispingus reyi Endemic Near-threatened Photographed
White-lined Tanager Tachyphonus rufus Possibly seen
Blue-gray Tanager Thraupis episcopus
Blue-capped Tanager Thraupis cyanocephala
Buff-breasted Mountain-Tanager Dubusia taeniata Possibly seen
Chestnut-breasted Chlorophonia Chlorophonia pyrrhophrys Photographed Recorded
Flame-faced Tanager Tangara parzudakii
Burnished-buff Tanager Tangara cayana
Beryl-spangled Tanager Tangara nigroviridis
Blue-and-black Tanager Tangara vassorii
Black-capped Tanager Tangara heinei
Black-headed Tanager Tangara cyanoptera
Plush-capped Finch Catamblyrhynchus diadema
White-sided Flowerpiercer Diglossa albilatera
Masked Flowerpiercer Diglossopis cyanea
Saffron Finch Sicalis flaveola
Slaty Brush-Finch Atlapetes schistaceus
Moustached Brush-Finch Atlapetes albofrenatus
Rufous-collared Sparrow Zonotrichia capensis
Carib Grackle Quiscalus lugubris
Yellow-billed Cacique Amblycercus holosericeus
Lesser Goldfinch Carduelis psaltria Photographed
Merida Tapaculo Scytalopus meridanus


2. Altamira, near Barinas       20th September, 2006

   This is a nice road to bird in the morning. I stayed in Barinitas which is a lot nicer than Barinas and much safer. There seems to be only 1 place to stay here, Hotel El Jardin. It's more like a motel and has about 100 rooms. A room cost me 20,000B. Barinitas has a few hot dog stands and an internet cafe. In the morning, a bus leaves the plaza for Altamira on the way up to another town. A good plan is to get off at the junction on the main road and walk down the hill towards Altamira. I saw some good flocks of tanagers and some nice hummingbirds along here. There are many other areas worth exploring in the Santa Domingo valley too.
I saw 52 species including 6 lifers

Black Vulture Coragyps atratus
Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura
Gray Hawk Asturina nitida Recorded
Roadside Hawk Buteo magnirostris Recorded
Scaled Dove Columbina squammata
White-tipped Dove Leptotila verreauxi
Brown-throated Parakeet Aratinga pertinax Seen in Barinitas
Green-rumped Parrotlet Forpus passerinus
Orange-chinned Parakeet Brotogeris jugularis
Fork-tailed Palm-Swift Tachornis squamata Seen in Barinitas
Pale-bellied Hermit Phaethornis anthophilus Possibly seen
Gray-chinned Hermit Phaethornis griseogularis
Blue-chinned Sapphire Chlorostilbon notatus Photographed?
Blue-tailed Emerald Chlorostilbon mellisugus
Violet-crowned Woodnymph Thalurania colombica
White-vented Plumeleteer Chalybura buffonii
Violet-fronted Brilliant Heliodoxa leadbeateri Possibly seen
Black-mandibled Toucan Ramphastos ambiguus Possibly seen
Scaled Piculet Picumnus squamulatus
Red-crowned Woodpecker Melanerpes rubricapillus
Crimson-crested Woodpecker Campephilus melanoleucos Photographed
Plain-brown Woodcreeper Dendrocincla fuliginosa
Streak-headed Woodcreeper Lepidocolaptes souleyetii
Slaty-capped Flycatcher Leptopogon superciliaris
Yellow-olive Flycatcher Tolmomyias sulphurescens
Dusky-capped Flycatcher Myiarchus tuberculifer Heard only
Great Kiskadee Pitangus sulphuratus
Rusty-margined Flycatcher Myiozetetes cayanensis
Tropical Kingbird Tyrannus melancholicus
Blue-and-white Swallow Notiochelidon cyanoleuca
Southern Rough-winged Swallow Stelgidopteryx ruficollis
Pale-breasted Thrush Turdus leucomelas
Black-billed Thrush Turdus ignobilis Photographed
Scrub Greenlet Hylophilus flavipes Possibly seen
Rufous-browed Peppershrike Cyclarhis gujanensis
American Redstart Setophaga ruticilla
Guira Tanager Hemithraupis guira
Gray-headed Tanager Eucometis penicillata
White-lined Tanager Tachyphonus rufus
Red-crowned Ant-Tanager Habia rubica
Silver-beaked Tanager Ramphocelus carbo
Blue-gray Tanager Thraupis episcopus
Blue-necked Tanager Tangara cyanicollis
Gray Seedeater Sporophila intermedia
Yellow-bellied Seedeater Sporophila nigricollis
Saffron Finch Sicalis flaveola Seen in Barinitas
Pectoral Sparrow Arremon taciturnus
Buff-throated Saltator Saltator maximus
Shiny Cowbird Molothrus bonariensis
Yellow-backed Oriole Icterus chrysater
Venezuelan Troupial Icterus icterus Seen in Barinitas
Crested Oropendola Psarocolius decumanus Photographed


3. Yacambu National Park, near Sanare, Barquisemeto       21st-22nd Sptember, 2006

   This national park is accessed from the small town of Sanare. Sanare is reached from Barquisemeto. Buses leave irregularly from this dangerous city. I was told it is dangerous even inside the terminal although I didn't find it too bad. I was told a bus left for Sanare at 6pm but it finally left at 6:30 and took about an hour and a half. Sanare has a hotel charging 30,000B. I found a slightly cheaper Posada for 25,000B. There are a few shops and hot dog stands around and even internet. There is no public transport to the national park. You have to hitch, or hire a taxi. The taxi driver quoted me 20,000. It's about 30 minutes to get there. Maybe about 15km. From the plaza follow the signs to El Blanquito. If you are hitching, find the stop after the last junction and try to flag down a car. I got a ride as far as the junction for Caspo. Here the forest starts and good birding. Just after here in the morning I saw a flock of Blood-eared Parakeets. A little further on is a sign reading 'La Cima'. Here is an only derelict building where I saw Long-tailed sylph feeding on flowers in the garden. The run goes up and down a couple of times, and after the last pass look out for a small grass-covered lay-by on a right turn just before a hairpin left turn. The forest there (around 1,900m) supposedly has Great Antpitta although I was unable to find them. Further down at 1,800m I had Band-tailed Guan, at 1,740m Scaled Fruiteater in a mixed flock and 1,620m Red-headed Barbet. The road continues down and there is a turning for A small lake called 'El Blanquito. Here I had Caribbean Coot and Rusty-flanked Crake. The later is responsive to Playback. I had good views by cutting down to the lakes far edge from the entrance road and using playback at a little boggy area behind the long grass.
  
I saw 101 species including 13 lifers

Little Tinamou Crypturellus soui
Least Grebe Tachybaptus dominicus
Neotropic Cormorant Phalacrocorax brasilianus Photographed
Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis
Black Vulture Coragyps atratus
Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura
Yellow-headed Caracara Milvago chimachima Photographed
Rufous-vented Chachalaca Ortalis ruficauda
Band-tailed Guan Penelope argyrotis Photographed
Rusty-flanked Crake Laterallus levraudi Endemic Endangered
Caribbean Coot Fulica caribaea Near-threatened Photographed Recorded
Southern Lapwing Vanellus chilensis
Ruddy Pigeon Patagioenas subvinacea
Ruddy Ground-Dove Columbina talpacoti
Scaled Dove Columbina squammata
White-tipped Dove Leptotila verreauxi
Scarlet-fronted Parakeet Aratinga wagleri Photographed Recorded
Red(Blood)-eared Parakeet Pyrrhura hoematotis Endemic
Smooth-billed Ani Crotophaga ani
Chestnut-collared Swift Streptoprocne rutila Possibly seen
Gray-rumped Swift Chaetura cinereiventris
Green-tailed Emerald Chlorostilbon alice Endemic Photographed
Violet-crowned Woodnymph Thalurania colombica
Speckled Hummingbird Adelomyia melanogenys
Booted Racket-tail Ocreatus underwoodii Heard only
Long-tailed Sylph Aglaiocercus kingi
Rufous-shafted Woodstar Chaetocercus jourdanii Photographed Recorded
Collared Trogon Trogon collaris
Masked Trogon Trogon personatus Photographed
Red-headed Barbet Eubucco bourcierii
Scaled Piculet Picumnus squamulatus
Golden-olive Woodpecker Piculus rubiginosus
Stripe-breasted Spinetail Synallaxis cinnamomea Possibly seen
Crested Spinetail Cranioleuca subcristata
Pearled Treerunner Margarornis squamiger
Montane Foliage-gleaner Anabacerthia striaticollis
Buff-fronted Foliage-gleaner Philydor rufus Photographed
Plain-brown Woodcreeper Dendrocincla fuliginosa Photographed Recorded
Streak-headed Woodcreeper Lepidocolaptes souleyetii
Plain Antvireo Dysithamnus mentalis
Immaculate Antbird Myrmeciza immaculata Photographed Recorded
(Merida Tapaculo) (Scytalopus meridanus) Endemic Recorded
Scaled Fruiteater Ampelioides tschudii
Golden-faced Tyrannulet Zimmerius chrysops
Scale-crested Pygmy-Tyrant Lophotriccus pileatus Heard only Recorded
Cinnamon Flycatcher Pyrrhomyias cinnamomea
Smoke-colored Pewee Contopus fumigatus
Black Phoebe Sayornis nigricans
Cattle Tyrant Machetornis rixosus
Great Kiskadee Pitangus sulphuratus
Rusty-margined Flycatcher Myiozetetes cayanensis
Social Flycatcher Myiozetetes similis
Golden-crowned Flycatcher Myiodynastes chrysocephalus
Variegated Flycatcher Empidonomus varius
Tropical Kingbird Tyrannus melancholicus
Chestnut-crowned Becard Pachyramphus castaneus
Blue-and-white Swallow Notiochelidon cyanoleuca
Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica
Black-capped Donacobius Donacobius atricapilla
House Wren Troglodytes aedon
Gray-breasted Wood-Wren Henicorhina leucophrys
Scaly-breasted Wren Microcerculus marginatus Possibly heard
Tropical Mockingbird Mimus gilvus
Andean Solitaire Myadestes ralloides Heard only
Yellow-legged Thrush Platycichla flavipes
Black-billed Thrush Turdus ignobilis
Brown-capped Vireo Vireo leucophrys
Blackburnian Warbler Dendroica fusca
Black-and-white Warbler Mniotilta varia Photographed
American Redstart Setophaga ruticilla
Slate-throated Redstart Myioborus miniatus
Three-striped Warbler Basileuterus tristriatus
Bananaquit Coereba flaveola
Common Bush-Tanager Chlorospingus ophthalmicus
Fulvous-headed Tanager Thlypopsis fulviceps
Guira Tanager Hemithraupis guira
White-lined Tanager Tachyphonus rufus
Silver-beaked Tanager Ramphocelus carbo
Blue-gray Tanager Thraupis episcopus
Golden Tanager Tangara arthus Photographed
Saffron-crowned Tanager Tangara xanthocephala
Speckled Tanager Tangara guttata
Bay-headed Tanager Tangara gyrola
Burnished-buff Tanager Tangara cayana
Blue-necked Tanager Tangara cyanicollis
Black-capped Tanager Tangara heinei
Black-headed Tanager Tangara cyanoptera
Blue-black Grassquit Volatinia jacarina
Yellow-bellied Seedeater Sporophila nigricollis
Saffron Finch Sicalis flaveola Seen in Sanare
Ochre-breasted Brush-Finch Atlapetes semirufus Possibly seen
Chestnut-capped Brush-Finch Buarremon brunneinucha
Rufous-collared Sparrow Zonotrichia capensis
Streaked Saltator Saltator striatipectus
Buff-throated Saltator Saltator maximus
Golden-bellied Grosbeak Pheucticus chrysogaster
Carib Grackle Quiscalus lugubris
Yellow-backed Oriole Icterus chrysater Recorded
Russet-backed Oropendola Psarocolius angustifrons Photographed Recorded
Oriole Blackbird Gymnomystax mexicanus Photographed
Yellow-bellied Siskin Carduelis xanthogastra


4. Coro and Sierra San Luis       23rd-24th September, 2006

   Near to Coro there is some nice dry forest and scrub with some localised species endemic to the NW of Venezuala and NE Colombia. There is also a strange isolated mountain range nearby with some nice birds. The beautiful city of Coro makes a good base. Coro is easily accessed from Valencia. I came from Barquisemeto but had to change cars once. Coro has many places to stay, eat and do internet. I stayed at the Posada El Gallo near the San Clemente church which was nice and only B15,000 for a single room. The couple that own it don�t like to wake up before 7am though which is not great for early mornings. From the centre take a bus back to the terminal and from there buses but more often Por Puestos leave for the town of Curimaguas (about 1 hour away) in the Sierra San Luis. Take this to where the road starts to rise up. Here I found an excellent area for dry forest species. Look out for where the road goes over a dip before starting the climb. Walk along this dry valley. Here I had White-whiskered Spinetail, Orinocan Saltator, Vermillion Cardinal, Buffy Hummingbird, Crested Bobwhite and many other species. If you carry on along this road, you reach La Cumbre (the peak). The coro side of this has a bit of forest with some interesting birds. This area might also be good at dawn and dusk for Yellow-shouldered Parrots. I only heard this species flying over the city in the early morning.
I saw 82 species including 10 lifers

Little Tinamou Crypturellus soui Heard only
Black Vulture Coragyps atratus
Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura
Pearl Kite Gampsonyx swainsonii Photographed
Harris's Hawk Parabuteo unicinctus
Black Hawk-Eagle Spizaetus tyrannus
Crested Caracara Caracara cheriway Photographed
Yellow-headed Caracara Milvago chimachima
American Kestrel Falco sparverius
Rufous-vented Chachalaca Ortalis ruficauda
Crested Bobwhite Colinus cristatus
Rock Pigeon Columba livia Introduced species
Common Ground-Dove Columbina passerina Photographed
Scaled Dove Columbina squammata
White-tipped Dove Leptotila verreauxi
Brown-throated Parakeet Aratinga pertinax
Green-rumped Parrotlet Forpus passerinus
Red-billed Parrot Pionus sordidus Recorded
Yellow-shouldered Parrot Amazona barbadensis Vulnerable Heard only
Squirrel Cuckoo Piaya cayana
Smooth-billed Ani Crotophaga ani
Sooty-capped Hermit Phaethornis augusti Photographed
White-necked Jacobin Florisuga mellivora
Black-throated Mango Anthracothorax nigricollis
Blue-tailed Emerald Chlorostilbon mellisugus Possibly seen
Golden-tailed Sapphire Chrysuronia oenone
Buffy Hummingbird Leucippus fallax Photographed
Copper-rumped Hummingbird Saucerottia tobaci Possibly seen
White-vented Plumeleteer Chalybura buffonii
Red-crowned Woodpecker Melanerpes rubricapillus
Pale-legged Hornero Furnarius leucopus Possibly seen
White-whiskered Spinetail Synallaxis candei Photographed Recorded
Pale-breasted Spinetail Synallaxis albescens
Crested Spinetail Cranioleuca subcristata
Straight-billed Woodcreeper Dendroplex picus Photographed
Black-crested Antshrike Sakesphorus canadensis
Barred Antshrike Thamnophilus doliatus Heard only
Southern Beardless-Tyrannulet Camptostoma obsoletum
Marble-faced Bristle-Tyrant Pogonotriccus ophthalmicus Photographed
Northern Scrub-Flycatcher Sublegatus arenarum Photographed
Slender-billed Tyrannulet Inezia tenuirostris Photographed
Vermilion Flycatcher Pyrocephalus rubinus
Dusky-capped Flycatcher Myiarchus tuberculifer
Boat-billed Flycatcher Megarynchus pitangua
Rusty-margined Flycatcher Myiozetetes cayanensis Recorded
Social Flycatcher Myiozetetes similis Possibly seen
Tropical Kingbird Tyrannus melancholicus
Chestnut-crowned Becard Pachyramphus castaneus
Gray-breasted Martin Progne chalybea Photographed
Blue-and-white Swallow Notiochelidon cyanoleuca
Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica Photographed
Bicolored Wren Campylorhynchus griseus
House Wren Troglodytes aedon
Tropical Mockingbird Mimus gilvus
Tropical Gnatcatcher Polioptila plumbea
Black-chested Jay Cyanocorax affinis Recorded
Green Jay Cyanocorax yncas Heard only
Black-and-white Warbler Mniotilta varia
American Redstart Setophaga ruticilla
Bananaquit Coereba flaveola
Black-faced Tanager Schistochlamys melanopis Photographed
Common Bush-Tanager Chlorospingus ophthalmicus
Rosy Thrush-Tanager Rhodinocichla rosea
White-lined Tanager Tachyphonus rufus
Silver-beaked Tanager Ramphocelus carbo
Blue-gray Tanager Thraupis episcopus
Palm Tanager Thraupis palmarum
Thick-billed Euphonia Euphonia laniirostris
Orange-bellied Euphonia Euphonia xanthogaster
Golden Tanager Tangara arthus
Purple Honeycreeper Cyanerpes caeruleus
Blue-black Grassquit Volatinia jacarina Possibly seen
Yellow-bellied Seedeater Sporophila nigricollis
Saffron Finch Sicalis flaveola
Streaked Saltator Saltator striatipectus
Buff-throated Saltator Saltator maximus
Orinocan Saltator Saltator orenocensis Photographed
Vermilion Cardinal Cardinalis phoeniceus Photographed Recorded
Carib Grackle Quiscalus lugubris
Yellow Oriole Icterus nigrogularis
Crested Oropendola Psarocolius decumanus
Lesser Goldfinch Carduelis psaltria


5. Morrocoy Nacional Park and Cuare Wildlife Refuge, Falcon       25th & 27th September, 2006

   These are 2 wonderful protected areas especially for waterbirds. The entrance for Morrocoy is just 10 minutes drive from Tucacas, a popular beach town with several places to stay, the cheapest I could find being B30,000. Cuare is closer to another beach town called Chichiriviche, which is smaller, cheaper and probable safer at night. I found a place to stay here for B15,000 called �Morena�s Place� (good luck in trying to find it). There are restaurants and internet in both towns. Tucaras is on the main Valencia to Coro highway but to get to Chichiriviche you need to tell the driver to let you off at the �cruce� near Sanare and change buses. There are also direct buses for Tucacas to Chichiriviche. It takes about half an hour and costs B3,000.
   To get to the Morrocoy Nacional Park, take any bus heading from Tucaras towards Coro and get dropped off at �Morrocoy�, �entrada� or �puesto Parque Nacional�. I had drivers telling they know where it was and then passing it. Don�t trust them. From the stop in Tucaras, it takes about 6-7 mins to get there. Look out for the mountains on the peninsular to your right. You must get off befote this where the road curves to the left and there are a few houses. There is a small sign with �Parque Nacional� on it and a road goes to the right. From here you can walk. There also maybe yellow camionetas that go all the way along although I didn�t find out where these left from.
   The first part of the road has dry forest on both sides which is good in the morning (Glaucous Tanager), the right side then opens out and you can walked along the water�s edge. This area is excellent for waders in season. Carribean Flamingoes and Scarlet Ibit are also very common along here. Soon you pass an entrance arch and then a land bridge on the right to a marina. Just alter this, there is an area of young mangroves where I heard many Plain-flanked Rails calling.
  
I saw 95 species including 6 lifers

Brown Pelican Pelecanus occidentalis Photographed
Neotropic Cormorant Phalacrocorax brasilianus
Magnificent Frigatebird Fregata magnificens Photographed
Great Blue Heron Ardea herodias
Great Egret Ardea alba Photographed
Reddish Egret Egretta rufescens Photographed
Tricolored Heron Egretta tricolor Photographed
Little Blue Heron Egretta caerulea Photographed
Snowy Egret Egretta thula
Striated Heron Butorides striata Photographed Recorded
White Ibis Eudocimus albus Photographed
Scarlet Ibis Eudocimus ruber Photographed
Caribbean Flamingo Phoenicopterus ruber Photographed Recorded
Blue-winged Teal Anas discors Photographed
Black Vulture Coragyps atratus
Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura
Common Black-Hawk Buteogallus anthracinus Photographed
Crested Caracara Caracara cheriway Photographed
Yellow-headed Caracara Milvago chimachima Photographed
American Kestrel Falco sparverius Photographed
Rufous-vented Chachalaca Ortalis ruficauda Heard only Recorded
Plain-flanked Rail Rallus wetmorei Endemic Endangered Recorded
Wattled Jacana Jacana jacana
Black-necked Stilt Himantopus mexicanus Photographed Recorded
Southern Lapwing Vanellus chilensis Photographed
Black-bellied Plover Pluvialis squatarola
Semipalmated Plover Charadrius semipalmatus Photographed
Wilson's Plover Charadrius wilsonia Photographed
Collared Plover Charadrius collaris Photographed
Short-billed Dowitcher Limnodromus griseus Photographed
Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus Photographed
Greater Yellowlegs Tringa melanoleuca Photographed
Lesser Yellowlegs Tringa flavipes Photographed Recorded
Spotted Sandpiper Actitis macularia Photographed Recorded
Willet Catoptrophorus semipalmatus
Red Knot Calidris canutus
Semipalmated Sandpiper Calidris pusilla Photographed
Western Sandpiper Calidris mauri Photographed
Least Sandpiper Calidris minutilla Photographed
White-rumped Sandpiper Calidris fuscicollis Photographed
Stilt Sandpiper Calidris himantopus Photographed
Gull-billed Tern Sterna nilotica
Royal Tern Sterna maxima
Large-billed Tern Phaetusa simplex Photographed
Black Skimmer Rynchops niger Photographed
Rock Pigeon Columba livia Introduced species
Pale-vented Pigeon Patagioenas cayennensis
Eared Dove Zenaida auriculata
Common Ground-Dove Columbina passerina
Scaled Dove Columbina squammata
White-tipped Dove Leptotila verreauxi
Brown-throated Parakeet Aratinga pertinax
Green-rumped Parrotlet Forpus passerinus
Squirrel Cuckoo Piaya cayana Heard only
Greater Ani Crotophaga major Possibly seen
Smooth-billed Ani Crotophaga ani
Burrowing Owl Athene cunicularia Photographed
Lesser Nighthawk Chordeiles acutipennis Possibly seen
Ringed Kingfisher Ceryle torquatus
Green Kingfisher Chloroceryle americana
Red-crowned Woodpecker Melanerpes rubricapillus
Pale-legged Hornero Furnarius leucopus
Pale-breasted Spinetail Synallaxis albescens
White-fringed Antwren Formicivora grisea
Northern Scrub-Flycatcher Sublegatus arenarum
Vermilion Flycatcher Pyrocephalus rubinus
Pied Water-Tyrant Fluvicola pica Photographed
Great Kiskadee Pitangus sulphuratus
Boat-billed Flycatcher Megarynchus pitangua Heard only
Rusty-margined Flycatcher Myiozetetes cayanensis Heard only
Social Flycatcher Myiozetetes similis
Tropical Kingbird Tyrannus melancholicus
Fork-tailed Flycatcher Tyrannus savana Possibly seen
Gray-breasted Martin Progne chalybea
White-winged Swallow Tachycineta albiventer Photographed Recorded
Southern Rough-winged Swallow Stelgidopteryx ruficollis
Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica
House Wren Troglodytes aedon Recorded
Tropical Mockingbird Mimus gilvus
Bare-eyed Thrush Turdus nudigenis
Tropical Gnatcatcher Polioptila plumbea
Scrub Greenlet Hylophilus flavipes
Bananaquit Coereba flaveola
Bicolored Conebill Conirostrum bicolor
Blue-gray Tanager Thraupis episcopus
Glaucous Tanager Thraupis glaucocolpa
Palm Tanager Thraupis palmarum
Thick-billed Euphonia Euphonia laniirostris
Gray Seedeater Sporophila intermedia Possibly seen
Saffron Finch Sicalis flaveola
Red-breasted Blackbird Sturnella militaris
Eastern Meadowlark Sturnella magna Photographed Recorded
Carib Grackle Quiscalus lugubris
Oriole Blackbird Gymnomystax mexicanus
House Sparrow Passer domesticus


6. Henri Pittier Nacional Park, near Maracay, Araguas       28th-30th September, 2006

   This is a wonderful Nacional Park very close to Caracas (an hour and a half to Maracay). Buses leave the terminal in Maracay hourly for Ocumare on the coast which pass the Rancho Grande Biological Station run by UCV. It only takes about half an hour to get to the entrante but you must pay the full fare to Ocumare of B5,000. The drivers know it but it is just befote the pass, so if the bus starts going back down again. You�ve missed it. Normally there is probable no need to make a reservation as there is ample space in the dormitorios, but when I arrived, there were many entomology students on a field course and space was tight.
   Dormitorios are a bit dingy but you are provided with a sheet and pillowcase. Bring a sleeping bag. Plus your food for the stay. You can use the kitchen here and the water is fine to drink. It costs B10,000 per night to stay. The building is gigantic and mush is derelict and out of use. Still, from the top you have an amazing view over some trees and the best way to Start the day was to bird the terrace for an hour or 2. They have a feeding station which is popular with several manager species, Russet-backed Oropendolas and Red-crowned Woodpeckers (there is even a leucastic one). The fruit goes very quick, so bring a few of your own might be a good idea. Other birds seen from the terrace were Blood-eared Parakeets (very common), Lilac-tailed Parrotlet, Crested Spinetail, Buff-fronted Foliagegleaner, Swallow manager and Brown-capped Vireo.
   There are trails leading from the side building. There is a sign saying not to enter without a guide. This may not be necessary but check with the staff upstairs. Juan is a good guy to check with. Follow the trail up and you reach a fork. Turn right, past a tree fall and then left onto a loop through nice forest. This brings you back to the first fork. Instead of turning left onto the loop trail, continue onto another fork, signed to �Guacamayo� to the left and �La Toma� straight on. The �Guacamayo� trail winds up steeply and has many forks. Also it is not well marked and posible to get lost but if you keep going up you should reach the peak which I had as over 1500m. Near the top I saw a posible Schwartz�s AntthrushAbout 100m below the to is the only place I saw Venezuelan Word-Quail. A large group of about 20 including some juveniles. They seemed unresposive to playback. �La Toma� trail I found best for general birding. Near the fork, I saw a few good groups including 2 Marble-faced and Venezuelan Bristle-Tyrants, Guttulated Foliagegleaner, Red-billed Scythebill. The trail bends round to the left ando n the other side there was an ant swarm with many woodcreepers, Grey-headed Manager and Black-face Antthrush. Early in the morning you can often hear
   Plain-backed Antpitta and Short-tailed Antthrush.    From late September to late March, The Audobon Society of Venezuela and Miguel Lentino from the Phelp�s Collection run a Banding station at the pass, just near Rancho Grande. I was allowed to join in for a couple of days and volonteering for the month here might be posible. It is an important pasaje point for boreal migrants as it is the lowest point in the cordillera.
I saw 83 species including 15 lifers

Little Tinamou Crypturellus soui Heard only
Black Hawk-Eagle Spizaetus tyrannus Recorded
Venezuelan Wood-Quail Odontophorus columbianus Endemic Near-threatened Photographed
Ruddy Pigeon Patagioenas subvinacea Heard only
White-tipped Dove Leptotila verreauxi
Ruddy Quail-Dove Geotrygon montana
Red(Blood)-eared Parakeet Pyrrhura hoematotis Endemic Photographed Recorded
Lilac-tailed Parrotlet Touit batavica Photographed
Red-billed Parrot Pionus sordidus
White-collared Swift Streptoprocne zonaris Photographed
Gray-rumped Swift Chaetura cinereiventris Photographed
Vaux's Swift Chaetura vauxi Photographed
White-tipped Swift Aeronautes montivagus Photographed Recorded
Lazuline Sabrewing Campylopterus falcatus Photographed
Golden-tailed Sapphire Chrysuronia oenone
Violet-fronted Brilliant Heliodoxa leadbeateri Photographed
Violet-chested Hummingbird Sternoclyta cyanopectus Endemic Photographed
Long-tailed Sylph Aglaiocercus kingi Photographed
Groove-billed Toucanet Aulacorhynchus sulcatus Endemic Photographed
Scaled Piculet Picumnus squamulatus
Red-crowned Woodpecker Melanerpes rubricapillus Recorded
Golden-olive Woodpecker Piculus rubiginosus
Crested Spinetail Cranioleuca subcristata Recorded
Montane Foliage-gleaner Anabacerthia striaticollis Photographed
Guttulated Foliage-gleaner Syndactyla guttulata Endemic Photographed
Buff-fronted Foliage-gleaner Philydor rufus
Gray-throated Leaftosser Sclerurus albigularis
Plain-brown Woodcreeper Dendrocincla fuliginosa Photographed
Olivaceous Woodcreeper Sittasomus griseicapillus
Strong-billed Woodcreeper Xiphocolaptes promeropirhynchus Photographed
Cocoa Woodcreeper Xiphorhynchus susurrans Photographed
Red-billed Scythebill Campylorhamphus trochilirostris Photographed
Plain Antvireo Dysithamnus mentalis
White-streaked (Venezuelan) Antvireo Dysithamnus leucostictus
Slaty Antwren Myrmotherula schisticolor Recorded?
Black-faced Antthrush Formicarius analis Recorded
Short-tailed Antthrush Chamaeza campanisona Heard only Recorded
Schwartz's Antthrush Chamaeza turdina Photographed
Plain-backed Antpitta Grallaria haplonota Heard only
Handsome Fruiteater Pipreola formosa Endemic Photographed
Olive-striped Flycatcher Mionectes olivaceus Photographed
Marble-faced Bristle-Tyrant Pogonotriccus ophthalmicus Photographed
Venezuelan Bristle-Tyrant Pogonotriccus venezuelanus Endemic Near-threatened Recorded
Scale-crested Pygmy-Tyrant Lophotriccus pileatus Recorded
Cinnamon Flycatcher Pyrrhomyias cinnamomea Photographed
Smoke-colored Pewee Contopus fumigatus Recorded
Pale-edged Flycatcher Myiarchus cephalotes Photographed
Golden-crowned Flycatcher Myiodynastes chrysocephalus Photographed
Streaked Flycatcher Myiodynastes maculatus
Southern Rough-winged Swallow Stelgidopteryx ruficollis
Rufous-breasted Wren Thryothorus rutilus Possibly heard
Gray-breasted Wood-Wren Henicorhina leucophrys Photographed Recorded
Scaly-breasted Wren Microcerculus marginatus Photographed Recorded
Yellow-legged Thrush Platycichla flavipes
Pale-breasted Thrush Turdus leucomelas
White-necked Thrush Turdus albicollis Photographed
Green Jay Cyanocorax yncas Recorded
Brown-capped Vireo Vireo leucophrys Photographed
Golden-fronted Greenlet Hylophilus aurantiifrons Possibly seen
Rufous-browed Peppershrike Cyclarhis gujanensis
Tropical Parula Parula pitiayumi
American Redstart Setophaga ruticilla
Northern Waterthrush Seiurus noveboracensis Photographed
Slate-throated Redstart Myioborus miniatus Photographed Recorded
Three-striped Warbler Basileuterus tristriatus Photographed
Bananaquit Coereba flaveola
Common Bush-Tanager Chlorospingus ophthalmicus Photographed
Gray-headed Tanager Eucometis penicillata Photographed
White-lined Tanager Tachyphonus rufus Photographed?
Silver-beaked Tanager Ramphocelus carbo
Blue-gray Tanager Thraupis episcopus Photographed
Palm Tanager Thraupis palmarum
Blue-winged Mountain-Tanager Anisognathus somptuosus
Orange-bellied Euphonia Euphonia xanthogaster Photographed
Blue-naped Chlorophonia Chlorophonia cyanea Photographed
Golden Tanager Tangara arthus Photographed
Speckled Tanager Tangara guttata
Bay-headed Tanager Tangara gyrola Photographed
Black-headed Tanager Tangara cyanoptera
Swallow-Tanager Tersina viridis
Chestnut-capped Brush-Finch Buarremon brunneinucha Photographed Recorded
Blue-black Grosbeak Cyanocompsa cyanoides Photographed
Russet-backed Oropendola Psarocolius angustifrons Recorded


7. Cerro Humo, Paria National Park, Sucre       3rd & 5th October, 2006

   This excellent site is fairly easy to reach but may involve some walking or hitching if you don't have your own transport. From the terminal in Carupano, take a 'por puesto' to Irapa on the Paria Peninsular. This takes about an hour and a half and costs 14,000B. Cars leave for Guiria more often (17,000) and you could take one of those and get off at the junction. Irapa has 2 or 3 hotels charging about 30,000 but I found a small posada for just 10,000 2 blocks east from the church. There are plenty of shops to buy food and even 2places for internet although it is slow. If you have your own transport, staying in Irapa is your best bet as it only takes about 45 minutes to get to the forest.
   On public transport it takes longer and you arrive late. Ask people where camionetas leave for Rio Grande Arriba (not Abajo, this is a different place). There are 2 main streets in Irapa, the street in and the street out. Wait on a corner by the farmacia on the way out and ask people which camioneta goes to Rio Grande Arriba. This goes back along the road towards Carupano and then turns right and up into the village. From here, the road continues up to Las Melenas (another 25 minutes drive) but few vehicles go along here. I went up 2 days, getting a ride one day but not the other. It's about a 2 hour walk. Alternatively you can ask around in Rio Grande for someone to take you up. I was quoted 30,000B which seemed a bit pricey.
   Las Melenas is a little village on a steep road. There don't seem to be any shops or a place to stay. Towards the end of the road is a school, just after which is a small coffee plantation with many flowering plants on the other side. This was an excellent area for hummers (especially White-tailed Sabrewing) and parakeets (Venezualan and possily Golden-winged). Right at the end of the road is a white building that is the national park post. There was nobody there when I passed but I looked in the window and saw several beds and a kitchen. It might be worth asking around in town if you can stay here.
   From here, there is a trail up into the forest. It starts at about 800m and reaches the peak (not Cerro Humo) at about 1100m. The trail continues down the other side and ends in a stream with a nice waterfall at about 650m. I found the best area was after the peak at about 930m where I found a flowering tree full of Scissor-tailed Hummingbirds in the canopy. Paria Whitestart also seems more common on the other side although I even saw it next to the park building. Listen out for Ornate Hawk-eagle on the way up.    Lower down, there was a fork in the trail, the left leading downwards may have been the trail to Cerro Humo mentioned in Wheatley. I followed this along and passed a great area for White-tailed Sabrewings. The trail wasn't too clear though so I tunred back. To climb Cerro Humo, it might be a good idea to hire a local guide.
  
I saw 87 species including 6 lifers

Little Tinamou Crypturellus soui Heard only Recorded
Magnificent Frigatebird Fregata magnificens
Black Vulture Coragyps atratus
Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura
Roadside Hawk Buteo magnirostris
Ornate Hawk-Eagle Spizaetus ornatus Heard only Recorded
Crested Caracara Caracara cheriway
Yellow-headed Caracara Milvago chimachima
Rufous-vented Chachalaca Ortalis ruficauda Heard in Irapa
Laughing Gull Larus atricilla Seen along the coast from Carupano
Ruddy Pigeon Patagioenas subvinacea Heard only
Common Ground-Dove Columbina passerina
Ruddy Ground-Dove Columbina talpacoti
White-tipped Dove Leptotila verreauxi Possibly heard
Gray-fronted Dove Leptotila rufaxilla
White-eared Parakeet Pyrrhura leucotis
Golden-winged Parakeet Brotogeris chrysopterus
Blue-headed Parrot Pionus menstruus
Squirrel Cuckoo Piaya cayana
Smooth-billed Ani Crotophaga ani
White-collared Swift Streptoprocne zonaris Possibly seen
Gray-rumped Swift Chaetura cinereiventris Possibly seen
Fork-tailed Palm-Swift Tachornis squamata
Rufous-breasted Hermit Glaucis hirsuta
Green Hermit Phaethornis guy
Little Hermit Phaethornis longuemareus Possibly seen
White-tailed Sabrewing Campylopterus ensipennis Near-threatened Recorded
Blue-chinned Sapphire Chlorostilbon notatus
Fork-tailed Woodnymph Thalurania furcata
Copper-rumped Hummingbird Saucerottia tobaci
Scissor-tailed Hummingbird Hylonympha macrocerca Endemic Vulnerable Recorded
Collared Trogon Trogon collaris Recorded
Red-billed Toucan Ramphastos tucanus
Red-crowned Woodpecker Melanerpes rubricapillus
Golden-olive Woodpecker Piculus rubiginosus
Chestnut Woodpecker Celeus elegans
Stripe-breasted Spinetail Synallaxis cinnamomea Heard only Recorded
Plain-brown Woodcreeper Dendrocincla fuliginosa
Olivaceous Woodcreeper Sittasomus griseicapillus
Black-banded Woodcreeper Dendrocolaptes picumnus
Great Antshrike Taraba major Heard only
Barred Antshrike Thamnophilus doliatus Recorded
Slaty Antwren Myrmotherula schisticolor
White-fringed Antwren Formicivora grisea
Black-faced Antthrush Formicarius analis
Slate-crowned Antpitta Grallaricula nana
Handsome Fruiteater Pipreola formosa Endemic
Forest Elaenia Myiopagis gaimardii
Yellow-bellied Elaenia Elaenia flavogaster
Slaty-capped Flycatcher Leptopogon superciliaris
Yellow-olive Flycatcher Tolmomyias sulphurescens
Cinnamon Flycatcher Pyrrhomyias cinnamomea
Great Kiskadee Pitangus sulphuratus
Boat-billed Flycatcher Megarynchus pitangua Heard only
Rusty-margined Flycatcher Myiozetetes cayanensis
Social Flycatcher Myiozetetes similis
Piratic Flycatcher Legatus leucophaius
Tropical Kingbird Tyrannus melancholicus
Gray-breasted Martin Progne chalybea
Southern Rough-winged Swallow Stelgidopteryx ruficollis
Rufous-breasted Wren Thryothorus rutilus Recorded
House Wren Troglodytes aedon
White-necked Thrush Turdus albicollis
Brown-capped Vireo Vireo leucophrys
Rufous-browed Peppershrike Cyclarhis gujanensis
Tropical Parula Parula pitiayumi
Cerulean Warbler Dendroica cerulea Possibly seen
Yellow-faced (Paria) Redstart Myioborus pariae Endemic Endangered
Three-striped Warbler Basileuterus tristriatus
Bananaquit Coereba flaveola
Oleaginous Hemispingus Hemispingus frontalis Possibly seen
White-lined Tanager Tachyphonus rufus
Silver-beaked Tanager Ramphocelus carbo
Blue-gray Tanager Thraupis episcopus
Blue-capped Tanager Thraupis cyanocephala
Palm Tanager Thraupis palmarum
Thick-billed Euphonia Euphonia laniirostris
Speckled Tanager Tangara guttata
Bay-headed Tanager Tangara gyrola
Blue-black Grassquit Volatinia jacarina
Yellow-bellied Seedeater Sporophila nigricollis
Grayish Saltator Saltator coerulescens
Blue-black Grosbeak Cyanocompsa cyanoides
Carib Grackle Quiscalus lugubris Seen in Irapa
Giant Cowbird Molothrus oryzivorus Possibly seen
Yellow Oriole Icterus nigrogularis
Orange-crowned Oriole Icterus auricapillus


8. Cueva del Guacharo National Park, Sucre       7rd October, 2006

   This park has the largest know oilbird cave with many thousands of birds roosting inside. You can take a bus or taxi to the entrance and join a tour of the cavern. This is very popular with Venezuelan tourists but the tours are mainly for looking at the formations. I used the town aos Caripe as a base where I managed to find a hotel for 20,000B. There are also a few places to eat (hot dogs) and do internet. I tried to find good forest on Cerro Negro at altitudes for some of the endemics such as Grey-headed Warbler and White-throated Barbtail. I found some after getting totally lost but none noteworthy. There is a nice trail accross from the cave entrance which goes up to a waterfall. This is at a lower elevation and is only good for general birding. I tried to climb up this to get to forest higher up without success. After talking to one of the cave guides, I found out a place to try is called Sabana de Piedra but I didnt have any more time. Ask locals about access. This is nearby and you can hike up from here to reach forest with interesting species.
  
I saw 46 species including 0 lifers

Black Vulture Coragyps atratus
Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura
Roadside Hawk Buteo magnirostris
Black Hawk-Eagle Spizaetus tyrannus Recorded
Rock Pigeon Columba livia Introduced species
Ruddy Ground-Dove Columbina talpacoti
Gray-fronted Dove Leptotila rufaxilla Possibly heard
Lined Quail-Dove Geotrygon linearis Possibly seen
Brown-throated Parakeet Aratinga pertinax Recorded
Green-rumped Parrotlet Forpus passerinus
Smooth-billed Ani Crotophaga ani
Oilbird Steatornis caripensis Photographed Recorded
Collared Trogon Trogon collaris Possibly heard
Groove-billed Toucanet Aulacorhynchus sulcatus Endemic
Red-crowned Woodpecker Melanerpes rubricapillus
Black-banded Woodcreeper Dendrocolaptes picumnus Possibly seen
Yellow-bellied Elaenia Elaenia flavogaster
Slaty-capped Flycatcher Leptopogon superciliaris
Black Phoebe Sayornis nigricans
Great Kiskadee Pitangus sulphuratus
Boat-billed Flycatcher Megarynchus pitangua Heard only
Tropical Kingbird Tyrannus melancholicus
Gray-breasted Martin Progne chalybea
Blue-and-white Swallow Notiochelidon cyanoleuca
Bicolored Wren Campylorhynchus griseus
House Wren Troglodytes aedon
Tropical Mockingbird Mimus gilvus
Green Jay Cyanocorax yncas Photographed
Tropical Parula Parula pitiayumi
American Redstart Setophaga ruticilla Recorded
Slate-throated Redstart Myioborus miniatus
Golden-crowned Warbler Basileuterus culicivorus
Bananaquit Coereba flaveola
White-lined Tanager Tachyphonus rufus
Blue-gray Tanager Thraupis episcopus
Palm Tanager Thraupis palmarum
Speckled Tanager Tangara guttata
Bay-headed Tanager Tangara gyrola
Blue-black Grassquit Volatinia jacarina
Yellow-bellied Seedeater Sporophila nigricollis
Ochre-breasted Brush-Finch Atlapetes semirufus
Grayish Saltator Saltator coerulescens
Carib Grackle Quiscalus lugubris
Orange-crowned Oriole Icterus auricapillus
Crested Oropendola Psarocolius decumanus
Oriole Blackbird Gymnomystax mexicanus


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