FAUNA PARAGUAY PREVIOUS TOUR REPORTS

Results - We managed to record 14 of the 18 Chaco endemic species including four of the "Big 5" - the Spot-winged Falconet, Quebracho Crested-tinamou, Chaco Owl and Black-legged Seriema. Andy managed to get some superb photos of hard to see species such as the Pantanal endemic White-lored Spinetail and White-bellied Nothura. A visit to the spectacular viewpoint at Cerro León delivered a flock of Golden-collared Macaws, a range extension of almost 100km west. Mammals however were the big draw, with a total of 21 species recorded in 10 days including Conover´s Tuco-tuco, Crab-eating Raccoon, Grey Brocket Deer, Lowland Tapir and two armadillo species (Andy was particularly happy when we managed to find a globally threatened Three-banded Armadillo which posed for photos!). Overshadowing everything else though were four species of feline, Jaguar and Puma (seen on consecutive days!), several Geoffroy´s Cat and a brief glimpse of a Jaguarundi crossing a path in front of Paula.

20-DAY WHOLE OF PARAGUAY TOUR 6-26 SEPTEMBER 2006

Group - Richard Smith (USA), Professor Kirti Chaudhuri (UK)
Route - An ambitious route tracing a huge figure of 8 over the country with a circuit of the Chaco and a circuit of the Oriental region. Chaco Leg - The Chaco leg of the route took us from Asuncion, birding the Trans-Chaco Highwayto the Central Chaco Lagoons Area, on to Fuerte Olimpo and Bahia Negra (in the Paraguayan Pantanal), Parque Nacional Defensores del Chaco and Parque Nacional Teniente Enciso. Oriental Leg - From Asuncion we headed via Asuncion Bay and Arroyos and Esteros to Laguna Blanca, on to Mbaracayu Forest Reserve, Itabo Itaipu Reserve and Parque Nacional San Rafael.
Aims - Richard is an adventurous travelling birder who, having birded such remote destinations as New Guinea, Madagascar and Sri Lanka in the past decided that he was ready to take on Paraguay. He is a keen photographer and in addition to increasing his life list was hoping to get some memorable shots along the way. Kirti is another well-travelled person with previous trips including unlikely destinations such as the Yemen and Philippines. Kirti was researching his new novel "Jaguar of Chaco" a semi-autobiographical account set partly in Paraguay and in addition to getting to know its wildlife Kirti was interested in getting to know the country.
Results - We recorded total of 396 bird species (of which just 23 were recorded by voice alone), almost two-thirds of the regularly occurring species in Paraguay - including a new species for Paraguay!!. A total of 11 species of conservation concern were recorded (1 EN, 5 VU, 5 NT). We also saw a total of 21 macro mammals including two species of cat, a tapir with young, two types of peccary and four armadillo species. Among the 16 species of reptiles and amphibians of interest were Green Iguana, Black Caiman and the secretive forest lizard Stenocercus caducus.
CHACO LEG - We recorded a total of 14 of the 18 Chaco endemic species, and 1 of the 2 Pantanal endemic species known in Paraguay.
Central Chaco Lagoons - With many of the lagoons dry most of the wintering waterfowl had departed and very few passage waders were observed. Only 19 Chilean Flamingo were present at Campo Maria, alongside flocks of White-cheeked Pintail and odd Ringed Teals. Records of interest included Greater Rhea, White-bellied Nothura, several Laughing Falcon, Black-chested Buzzard-eagle, 50+ Wilsons Phalarope, one Baird´s and one Stilt Sandpiper, Black-legged Seriema, a male Blue-crowned Trogon, Golden-green Woodpecker, Great Rufous and Scimitar-billed Woodcreeper, Chaco Earthcreeper, numerous Little Thornbird, Stripe-backed Antbird, 50+ Chilean Swallow, White-lined and Lowland Hepatic Tanagers. Fuerte Olimpo - Pearl Kite, Bat Falcon and Crane Hawk were amongst the most interesting raptors en route to Fuerte Olimpo. Local specialities included Grey-crested Cacholote, Mato Grosso Antbird and Golden-collared Macaw. We also recorded several Grey-necked Wood Rail, Peach-fronted Parakeet and Fulvous Whistling-duck amongst clouds of waterbirds. Bahia Negra - Night drives brought a host of new mammal species such as Tayra, Azaras Agouti, Lowland Tapir and Coati. Bird wise there were some interesting local specialities with an isolated range in Paraguay including Pale-legged Hornero, Band-winged Nighthawk, Crested Oropendola, Common Tody-flycatcher, Silver-beaked Tanager. Cinereous-breasted Spinetail was heard but not seen. Other interesting birds included Sungrebe, great views of a perched Muscovy Duck, Great Horned Owl, Green-winged Saltator. A Rufous-tailed Jacamar and an Orange-backed Troupial were seen on the Brazilian side of the river facing Paraguay. Defensores del Chaco and Enciso NPs - A last chance to pick up Chaco birds before heading off to eastern Paraguay. En route we were watching a flock of Golden-collared Macaws when they were suddenly scattered by a Bicoloured Hawk that remained perched for several minutes after failing to catch one of them. In an adjacent tree we were surprised to find a pair of Grey-headed Kite sitting quietly. Within the NPs we managed to find Chaco species that had previously evaded us such as Greater Wagtail-tyrant, Southern Scrub-flycatcher, Pale-crested Woodpecker, White-lored Spinetail, Stripe-crowned Spinetail, Short-billed Canastero, Bolivian Slaty Antshrike and Black-crested Finch. Highlights included Chaco Owl, a Zone-tailed Hawk eating a lizard in flight and a male White-winged Black-tyrant. Quebracho Crested-tinamou was heard but could not be found in the dense vegetation.
ORIENT LEG - We recorded 4 of the 11 cerrado endemic species and 43 of 79 Atlantic forest endemic species known in Paraguay. Asuncion Bay and Arroyos and Esteros - Not much activity at either location but we did find a threatened Strange-tailed Tyrant at the latter, alongside flocks of Jabiru and egrets. Laguna Blanca - Laguna Blanca had been subjected to a recent extensive burning that had left much of the cerrado charred and a colourful carpet of regenerating plants were not attractive for birds. We did locate local specialities such as Masked Tityra, White-rumped Monjita, Rusty-backed Antwren, White-banded and White-rumped Tanagers, Red-legged Seriema, and Black-throated Saltator. However we had to search neighbouring properties for the big ticks, finding Cock-tailed Tyrant, Sharp-tailed Grass-tyrant, Rufous and White-winged Nightjar and Lesser Nothura after scouring suitable areas of habitat. Perhaps the highlight of the visit though was a winter adult Common Tern, a new species for Paraguay!!! Mbaracayu - Highlights were two singing male Bare-necked Bellbirds, several Saffron Toucanets and Green-billed Toucans, a pair of Blond-crested Woodpecker, Riverside Warbler, a co-operative flock of Scaled Pigeon, a pair of Black-fronted Piping-guan, an approachable Nacunda Nighthawk roosting on the grass in front of the accommodation and a roosting Black-capped Screech-owl. In the forest mixed flocks contained some interesting species such as Streak-capped Antwren and Chestnut-bellied Euphonia. In the cerrado remarkable species included Burnished-buff Tanager, Planalto Hermit and Lesser Seedfinch. Itabo - Highlights included a mixed flock with species such as Wing-barred Piprites and Black-crowned Tityra, a Slaty-breasted Wood-rail, Long-tailed Tyrant, several pairs of Spot-billed Toucanet which reacted strongly to recordings of their call, noisy pairs of Buff-bellied Puffbird and Robust Woodpecker. A pair of Ruddy Quali-dove hung around to give fantastic views and a King Vulture was so heavy that it snapped a canopy branch that it tried to land on and had to pump its wings audibly to remain airborne. San Rafael - As usual there was plenty to see in the forest with activity continuing throughout the day, Highlights included several Pileated Parrot, Grey-rumped Swift, Yellow-fronted Woodpecker and Scaled Woodcreeper. We obtained great views of hard to see species such as Spot-backed, Tufted and Large-tailed Antshrikes, and shy canopy birds like Creamy-bellied Gnatcatcher, Blue-naped Chlorophonia and Sharpbill. At Estancia Kanguery a single Giant Snipe was seen in flight just after sundown and several more were heard calling, in addition to local specialities such as Lesser Grassfinch and Sedge Wren.
Client comments Richard Smith - "All of the habitats were explored from the Chaco and the Paraguay River to the forests of the East. We encountered almost 400 species of birds and 21 macro animals as well as various reptiles. My personal favourites were close-up views of a male and a female Spot-billed Toucanet. For anyone wishing to really experience the country of Paraguay this is the ultimate trip. I thoroughly enjoyed my experience in Paraguay."

3-DAY VISIT TO ECOSARA, PN SAN RAFAEL 27-29 SEPTEMBER 2007

Group - Roger and Audre Newman (USA)
Route - This was a short trip to a single estancia at San Rafael National Park.
Aims - Roger and Audre were in the early stages of a four month trip across South America and were hoping to fit in as much birdwatching and eco-tourism along the way as they possibly could. This was their first visit to the Atlantic Forest and they were hoping for plenty of new species
Results - We recorded a total of 168 bird species (of which 18 were recorded by voice alone). In addition to the tonnes of Atlantic Forest endemics, we managed to record several species known from very few records in Paraguay including Highland Elaenia, Uniform Finch and Eastern Slaty-Thrush, whilst several Silky-tailed Nightjars were also heard vocalising. Amongst the more spectacular species we recorded were Black-throated Trogon, Saffron and Spot-billed Toucanets and Yellow-fronted and Robust Woodpeckers. Roger had particularly hoped to see Ochre-collared Piculet, but we went one better and found him a Piculet nest!! Mammals were thin on the ground, but we did see Capybara.
Client comments Audre Newman - "We had a wonderful time"

5-DAY CENTRAL CHACO TOUR 1-5 OCTOBER 2007
Group - Jerry and Sheila Cooper (UK)
Route - This short tour visited the IBAs of the Central Chaco with the focus on Chaco endemic species. It included a brief visit to Asunción Bay and the Botanical Gardens before departure into the Chaco. The Chaco was exceptionally dry during our visit (it had not rained since April!) and all of the salt water lagoons, traditionally excellent for migrants at this time of year, were completely dry. The trip included visits to Laguna Capitán, Fortín Toledo, Campo Maria and Laguna Bombacha, as well as leaving time for some cultural tourism with visits to the Mennonite colonies of Loma Plata and Filadelfia and the Chaco war site Fortín Boquerón.
Aims - Jerry and Sheila were visiting their daughter who has spent the last two years teaching in Asunción. Looking to try something a bit different, get off the beaten track and see plenty of animals along the way they booked this Chaco trip.
Results - We recorded a total of 175 bird species (of which just 5 were recorded by voice alone). Undoubtedly the highlight of the trip were a pair of Black-bodied Woodpeckers which hung around for half an hour and enabled Jerry to get some great video footage. We recorded 9 Chaco endemics including Brushland Tinamou, Cream-backed Woodpecker, Great Rufous and Scimitar-billed Woodcreepers and the gorgeous Many-coloured Chacofinch but did not go far north enough for most of the Chaco Big 5 species. A pair of singing Orange-backed Troupials added a splash of colour. Nine macromammals were recorded, most notably a Geoffroy´s Cat in broad daylight. We had a lot of success with reptiles and amphibian too, recording eight species including a blind snake Leptotyphlops albipunctus.
Client comments Jerry Cooper - "We enjoyed every day of the trip. It was a terrific way of seeing parts of the country we would otherwise not have got to. We also saw far more bird and animal life than we would ever have done on our own. Here's to the next time!"

7-DAY CHACO TOUR 7-13 OCTOBER 2007
Group - Marcel Bombaci (Uruguay) and Dorothe Larsen (Denmark)
Route - A week in the Chaco enabled us to visit the IBAs of the Central Chaco and then head up north almost to Bolivia to visit PN Tte Enciso and PN Médanos del Chaco - both great spots for the Chaco Big 5 bird species and large mammals. The Chaco was exceptionally dry during our visit (it had not rained since April!) and all of the salt water lagoons, traditionally excellent for migrants at this time of year, were completely dry. In the Central Chaco are we made visits to Laguna Capitán, Fortín Toledo, Campo Maria and Laguna Bombacha, as well as leaving time for some cultural tourism with visits to the Mennonite colonies of Loma Plata and Filadelfia, the Bolivian frontier and the Chaco war site Fortín Boquerón.
Aims - Marcelo and Dorothe are adventurous travellers who prefer to visit places that receive few tourists. Both have a keen interest in wildlife and Marcelo was particularly anxious to photograph the wildlife we encountered. Dorothe had just completed three weeks of Spanish classes in Asunción and both requested that we do the tour in Spanish to help her practice!
Results - We recorded a total of 184 bird species (of which 9 were recorded by voice alone). We recorded a total of 13 of the 18 Chaco endemic species including three of the Big 5 species Quebracho Crested-Tinamou, Chaco Owl and Black-legged Seriema. Other interesting bird species included Crested Gallito, Black-backed Grosbeak and displaying Red-billed Scythebills. Marcelo even managed to find a first record for Masked Yellothroat in a bone dry PN Tte Enciso! We recorded 9 large mammal species, and managed to find four Pumas, the highlight being when we sat and watched one drink from a watering hole from a distance of just 5m! We startled a Tapir but failed to see it as it ran through the brush, and a Plains Viscacha peered out at us from his burrow, unsure of what lay behind the light! Lots of reptiles and amphibians too including a handsome adult Red Tegu almost a metre long.
Client comment Marcelo Bombaci - "We´d like to thank you again for our Chaco tour. We had a great time with you and we love the enthusiasm you have for your work - I wish I had the same enthusiasm for my job!!"

SJEFF OLLERS MAMMAL WATCHING TOUR OCTOBER 2009 (Trip report in pdf written by client)

JONATHAN NEWMAN BIRDING TOUR OCTOBER 2009 (Trip report written by client)