Jardim Botanico, Sao Paulo, Sept 2014

This week’s visit to Brazil started at the Jardim Botanico, but had to wait until the afternoon before kick-off. Boat-billed Flycatchers were evident here today as never before.

The jardim was full of excited children again on school trips. Keen to be out of the classroom the kids screamed and squealed and the teachers had to shout over the top to maintain any semblance of order. Luckily, the gardens are big enough to find a quiet area and I banked to the right from the entrance (which can be seen by cutting and pasting the Google Earth coordinates; 23 38 21.71S 46 37 38.07W) onto a small lawn which played host to Rufous-bellied Thrush, Pale-breasted Thrush and Shiny Cowbird. 

The lake was quiet, but a few Neotropic Cormorants perched with wings out while a House Wren picked through the lichen on a tree and a Social Flycatcher watched on.

The hot-spot of the day came behind one of the administrative buildings where 15 species were ticked as I leaned against a corner of the structure. Posers included the Streaked Flycatcher and Bananaquit, with Orange-headed Tanager and Green-winged Saltator being slightly more stand-offish.

From the green houses, a set of steps lead up to the right into the forest. There was not much happening here today except for the Red Howler Monkeys which began howling as I reached the trees and kept up the din for over an hour.

The small seep has grown over since my last visit three years ago. The bathing birds that I had hoped for were not there, but a Rufous-bellied Thrush was feeding a tiny chick in a nest. In the forest edge above the lawns, Sayaca Tanagers screeched and Golden-crowned Warblers called.

I caught a quick glimpse of a chicken-sized bird in the small marsh above the top pond and crept round to get a decent view of the Slaty-breasted Rail that can often be seen skulking around the gardens.

The boardwalk featured more monkeys and a couple of Dusky-legged Guan which is always a target bird on a visit to the gardens. Red-bellied Toucans flew over and a Yellow-legged Thrush poked its head out from a tangle.

Ruddy Ground-Dove

Bird list for Jardim Botanico, Sao Paulo

Dusky-legged Guan (Penelope obscura) 2, Neotropic Cormorant (Phalacrocorax brasilianus) 4, Great Egret  (Ardea alba) 2, Black Vulture (Coragyps atratus) 20, Slaty-breasted Wood-Rail (Aramides saracura) 1, Common Gallinule (Gallinula galeata) 4, Southern Lapwing (Vanellus chilensis) 3, Picazuro Pigeon (Patagioenas picazuro) 6, Ruddy Ground-dove (Columbina talpacoti) 5, Plain Parakeet (Brotogeris tirica) 6, Squirrel Cuckoo (Piaya cayana) 2, Sapphire-spangled Emerald (Amazilia lactea) 1, Red-breasted Toucan (Ramphastos dicolorus) 1, Cattle Tyrant (Machetornis rixosa) 3, Great Kiskadee (Pitangus sulphuratus) 8, Boat-billed Flycatcher (Megarynchus pitangua)   6, Social Flycatcher (Myiozetetes similis) 5, Streaked Flycatcher (Myiodynastes maculatus) 2, Piratic Flycatcher (Legatus leucophaius) 1, Blue-and-white Swallow (Pygochelidon cyanoleuca) 25, House Wren (Troglodytes aedon) 7, Yellow-legged Thrush (Turdus flavipes) 4, Pale-breasted Thrush (Turdus leucomelas) 8, Rufous-bellied Thrush (Turdus rufiventris) 60, Creamy-bellied Thrush (Turdus amaurochalinus) 1, Golden-crowned Warbler (Basileuterus culicivorus) 8, Bananaquit (Coereba flaveola) 15, Orange-headed Tanager (Thlypopsis sordida) 2, Ruby-crowned Tanager (Tachyphonus coronatus) 3, Sayaca Tanager (Thraupis sayaca) 20, Palm Tanager (Thraupis palmarum) 4, Green-winged Saltator (Saltator similis) 1, Rufous-collared Sparrow (Zonotrichia capensis) 5, Shiny Cowbird (Molothrus bonariensis) 5.

To get to there, take the Metro to Conceicao (just before Jabaquara at the end of Linha 1 or Azul (Blue) Line). Take a taxi from here to Jardim Botanico, Parque do Estado, Cursino (10 mins, Reas15 (@ 2.60 = £1)). The gardens are open daily from 09.00 until 17.00, but are closed on Mondays.

If you are unable to find a taxi for the return, there is a bus stop just outside the main gate. Most buses pass close to a Metro station. Make yourself familiar with the Metro Logo and look for it on the side of the bus. Better still bring the number of a recommended taxi firm.

For previous posts from Sao Paulo Botanical Gardens, follow the links below;

http://redgannet.blogspot.co.uk/2009/08/sao-paulo-august-2009.html

http://redgannet.blogspot.co.uk/2011/10/botanical-gardens-sao-paulo-sep-2011.html

Visit the dedicated Central and South America page for more posts from Sao Paulo, including Ibirapuera Park Parque Ecologico do Tiete and Cantareira.

Birding, Birdwatching, Sao Paulo, Brazil

Ibirapuera Park, Sao Paulo, Brazil, May 2014

It was very pleasing to catch up with the Blonde-crested Woodpecker again in Ibirapuera Park this morning. The park is perfect for an easy stroll when home time comes before lunch time and the common species are reliable and easy to find here.

Most of the birds below can be expected, but the Squirrel Cuckoo and the woodpecker might not show up on every list. The mixed forest at the southern section of the park may prove to be the most likely place to find the woodpecker whereas the lower lobe of the second lake, below the bridge, has been the most successful area for the cuckoo.

Ibirapuera Park is visibly policed with static as well as mobile patrols throughout the site. It is not well served by the metro system, the nearest station being Paraiso. From Paraiso Metro Station, it is 1.6kms southwest on Rua Estella. A taxi from Avenue Paulista costs around R15 (@R3.5 = £1).

For a more descriptive walk round of the park, visit one of the links below which give a better idea of the layout and more detail of the birds and the habitats.

 Bird list for Ibirapuera Park;

White-faced Whistling-Duck 45, Pied-billed Grebe 3, Neotropic Cormorant 80, Great Egret 5, Snowy Egret 15, Striated Heron 5, Black Vulture 25, Common Gallinule 20, Southern Lapwing 8, Picazuro Pigeon 5, Plain Parakeet 8, Squirrel Cuckoo 1, Blond-crested Woodpecker 1, Rufous Hornero 10, Masked Water-tyrant 1, Cattle Tyrant 1, Great Kiskadee 20, Rusty-margined Flycatcher 1, Rufous-browed Peppershrike 1, Blue-and-white Swallow 20, House Wren 1, Rufous-bellied Thrush 35, Creamy-bellied Thrush 2, Chalk-browed Mockingbird 1, Bananaquit 8, Ruby-crowned Tanager 3, Sayaca Tanager 15, Rufous-collared Sparrow 7.

For previous posts from Ibirapuera Park, follow the links below;

http://redgannet.blogspot.co.uk/2009/08/sao-paulo-august-2009.html

http://redgannet.blogspot.co.uk/2012/11/ibirapure-park-sao-paulo-november-2012.html

http://redgannet.blogspot.co.uk/2012/11/ibirapure-park-sao-paulo-november-2012.html

Visit the dedicated Central and SouthAmerica page for more posts from Sao Paulo, including; Cantareira, ParqueEcologico do Tiete and Jardim Botanico, Sao Paulo.

Birding, Birdwatching, Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Parque Ecologico do Tiete, Sao Paulo, May2014

If you travel from the airport into Sao Paulo, you may well pass the Parque Ecologico do Tiete. From the road it appears to be an unremarkable wasteland from which oozes the stinking Rio Tiete, like a seeping wound. On a hot day, the river is apparent as soon as one steps from the train and the air carries its essence for the duration of a visit. On a cooler day such as this one during May, the river is no less rancid at close quarters, but does not force its unwelcome presence on passers-by. There are poor neighbourhoods close to the park and personal security does prey on my mind during a visit to PE Tiete. I would like to take a scope, but would feel a little indiscreet, carrying big optics and a tripod.

Having painted a less than perfect picture of the reserve, I must acknowledge its status as one of Sao Paulo’s prime bird-watching sites. The birding is easy and varied and the site is relatively secure with security presence on the gate and regular patrols. After 3 visits, I have not had, nor witnessed or heard tell of, any unpleasantness. Indeed, most of the Paulistas that crossed my path smiled and wished me a jolly “Bom dia”.

The first birds seen this morning were the Southern Caracaras in the children’s playground to the left of the gate. They have been noted in the playground during each of my previous visits. This time three adults were tending to an immature bird. Do Caracaras indulge in cooperative family behaviour?

I continued on to the picnic area on the lakeside which usually proves to be a hotspot for mammals as well as birds. The Coatis were there and a Capybara was seen on the far bank. The forest edge here is usually very productive, but there was not much to see today.

Rufous-bellied Thrushes were joined by Pale-breasted Thrushes and Masked Water-tyrants chased insects on the short grass. By the water’s edge I flushed an Amazon Kingfisher, but a Striated Heron stayed absolutely still, hoping that I had'nt seen it.

From here, I returned to the road and started an anticlockwise walk around the reserve. I make this mistake each time. In order not to walk back on myself, I continue on, forgetting that I am about to turn back into the sun. By returning to the gate and making a clockwise journey, I will have a better position in relation to the sun for more of the day.

The marsh areas along the river were quite busy, but the species count was fairly low. White-cheeked Pintail, Brazilian Teal, Limpkin and Wattled Jacana appeared in good numbers, but the birds which are usually easy to find were less common. Rufous Hornero and Bananaquit for example eluded me until after midday.

Yellow-chinned Spinetails called with a descending rattle through the day all along the path and a Spix’s Spinetail sat up for my best look at this species. I was particularly pleased to hear it call and see the full cap and the dark mark on its neck to help confirm this identification which has always felt a bit stringy up ‘til now.

I followed a Capybara track down to the river and found a Solitary Sandpiper there. As usual there were plenty of Common Gallinules, but not much else apart from a few Greater Kiskadees flying over.

A few flycatchers were sent to tease me. 

One I am taking as a Southern Beardless Tyrannulet and another satisfied the criteria for Bran-colored Flycatcher. A third shall, forevermore, remain nameless.

The last stretch back to the gate brought an identification challenge that shouldn’t have taxed me so. A warbler-like bird flicked through the trees and I was able to get a record shot for reference. It did not appear in my field guide however and I felt aggrieved to have missed a warbler when I was supposed to be in New York this week soaking up the passing migration. After much flicking through books on my return, I found it to be the female Chestnut-vented Conebill. I should have considered this, having just seen the male on the other side of the path and remarking on his warbler-like look and behaviour.

The final section also brought Orange-headed Tanager, Sapphire-spangled Emerald and plenty of Bananaquits in the banks of Hibiscus.

Bird list for Parque Ecologico do Tiete; 56

White-faced Whistling Duck 4, Brazilian Teal 30, White-cheeked Pintail 30, Pied-billed Grebe 8, Neotropic Cormorant 30, Anhinga 2, Cocoi Heron1, Great Egret 6, Snowy Egret 14, Striated Heron 2, Black-crowned Night-Heron 2, Black Vulture 150, Sharp-shinned Hawk 1, Roadside Hawk 1, Southern Caracara 8, Common Gallinule 60, Limpkin 7, Southern Lapwing 20, Wattled Jacana 8, Solitary Sandpiper 1, Picazuro Pigeon 1, Ruddy Ground-dove 22, Blue-winged Parrotlet 1, Plain Parakeet 2, Squirrel Cuckoo 1, Guira Cuckoo 6, Smooth-billed Ani 15, Swallow-tailed Hummingbird 5, Sapphire-spangled Emerald 1, Amazon Kingfisher 4, Campo Flicker 3, Rufous Hornero 3, Spix’s Spinetail 2, Yellow-chinned Spinetail 12, Southern Beardless-Tyrannulet 1, Bran-colored Flycatcher 1, Vermillion Flycatcher 2, Masked Water-tyrant 15, White-headed Marsh Tyrant 1, Great Kiskadee 6, Social Flycatcher 2, Blue-and-white Swallow 150, Pale-breasted Thrush 4, Rufous-breasted Thrush 8, Masked Yellowthroat 1, White-browed Warbler 1, Bananaquit 15, Orange-headed Tanager 3, Chestnut-vented Conebill 2, Sayaca Tanager 8, Palm Tanager 3, Fawn-breasted Tanager 3, Red-crested Cardinal 5, Rufous-collared Sparrow 5, House Sparrow 12, Common Waxbill 8.

Please be aware of the poverty that exists close to this site. Violent robbery is not uncommon in Sao Paulo and it would be wise to make personal security a prime consideration when visiting Parque Ecologico Do Tiete and at any time on public transport. A taxi would be safer, but there is no taxi rank close to the parque. A pick up for return must be arranged in advance.

It is possible to get back to the city by train from Eng Goulart station nearby. This is for information only in case of emergency only or taxi failing to show.

From the security gate at the parque, pass through the tunnel under the main road and turn right. Turn left after 400m. After 100m pass through the tunnel under the tracks. Turn left and the station, Eng Goulart, is 300m. There is not a taxi rank here. The line runs into the city and terminates at Bras Metro Station.

For previous posts from PE Tiete, follow the links below;
http://redgannet.blogspot.co.uk/2009/08/sao-paulo-august-2009.html
http://redgannet.blogspot.co.uk/2012/11/parque-ecologico-do-tiete-sao-paulo.html

Visit the dedicated Central and South America Page for more posts from Sao Paulo, including; Jardim Botanico, Cantereira and Ibirapuera Park.
Birding, Birdwatching, Sao Paulo, Brazil

Parque Estudial Cantereira - Nuleo Pedra Grande, Sao Paulo, May 2014.

Serro do Cantareira can be seen to the north of Sao Paulo during the journey into town from the airport. The ridge of forested hills has been protected and designated as a State Reserve. My issue today was that it is only open to the public on weekends and public holidays, so this morning, Sunday, was my only opportunity to visit and I had to get changed and go straight from the flight. It was already 10.00 by the time I reached the entrance gate and the forest was disappointingly quiet.

A main road leads from the gate to the two main focus points of the park; Pedra Grande and Lago das Carpas. To walk to Carp Lake and back, taking in the view from The Big Stone is about 9kms through wonderful forest scenery, but as the park’s opening times are restrictive, the roads can sometimes be quite busy. The public are allowed into the forest on foot and the only motorised traffic is from the park administration.

I was struggling to find birds and the only one that I had seen well so far did not appear in my field guide. Even after returning home and consulting heavier, less portable tomes, it still remains a mystery despite half a dozen good sightings during the day.

As is so often the case while forest birding, long periods of nothing are dotted with sudden moments of frenzied activity. It was nearing midday when a party of foliage-gleaners and woodcreepers sent me into an identification tizzy; so many browns and buffs, chestnut, russet and rust. There were a couple of familiar faces, but more to the point, an astonishing 4 red-letter birds came from this first wave of the day. White-collared Foilage-gleaner and Buff-browed Foliage-gleaner stood out with easily recogniseable features and a White-barred Piculet and a couple of Spot-backed Antvireo broke up the monopoly of browns. Photographs were impossible in the circumstances. The forest was gloomy, the birds were moving quickly and I was trying to pick out salient features to identify them while juggling the field guide. Trying to use the camera would have been a thankless task. Note to self; a working familiarity with spinetails, woodcreepers, xenops, foliage-gleaners etc., would be useful before stepping into the forest.

Close to the first turn-off for Pedra Grande a flock of Brassy-breasted Tanagers were seen high in a tree. A couple stopped to enjoy them with me and as we chatted, a Surucua Trogon flew in above us. It was horribly silhouetted high in the tree, but was restless and kept moving around until it found a large grub and sat still for long enough to get the camera on him.

Strangely, the forest began to give up its birds during the early afternoon. Shorter days in the southern hemisphere bring cooler temperatures and perhaps the insects are slow to move in these conditions. In just a shirt, I had felt slightly cold in the forest’s shade during this May day and perhaps the birds felt the same sluggish chill and took a while to get going.

A few parties were feeding now that the sun had passed its height and a large Spot-backed Antshrike featured in one group along the road.

I turned left onto the Pedra Grande loop and found that this is the route less travelled. Most people pass this turn and go on to the next junction before joining the loop. Then, having taken their view of the city, return the same way. This leaves the bottom part of the loop with much less traffic. The birding here was more productive and I put this down to less disturbance. Golden-crowned Warbler, Rufous-crowned Geenlet, Olivaceous Woodcreeper and Masked Yellow-throat were seen along here in small parties as well as more Brassy-breasted Tanagers and the ubiquitous Black Vulture which is a constant presence in the skies above.

I stopped for a while on the Big Stone lookout (Google Earth ref; 23 26 11.13S 46 38 7.18W) and warmed myself in the sun. A Squirrel Cuckoo flashed past as I flicked through my field guide, trying to get to grips with some of the brown birds that I had seen along the way. The view back over Sao Paulo is very impressive and Pedra Grande also offers a good opportunity to scan the canopy of the lower slopes, but nothing was moving in the treetops as I watched.

I had tried to get a shot of the astonishingly coloured Brassy-breasted Tanager earlier and had nearly succeeded, but the light was so poor that this was the best attempt. Taken just beyond the viewpoint where a bit of light filters through, I still had to bump the ISO up to 1250 and open the aperture as far as it would go to get it at 1/10^th sec. handheld.

I did not make it to Lago do Carpas. By the time I had completed the loop around the stone, I would not have had sufficient time to get there and back by 17.00 when the gates are closed, so I took my time to mosey back down the hill noting Red-ruffed Fruitcrow, more Olivaceous Woodcreepers and some Spot-winged Wood-Quail. I was stopped by a sustained, harsh “ch-ch-ch” alarm which I stopped to investigate. It proved to be my sixth life bird of the day in the form of a pair of Star-throated Antwrens.

Close to the entrance are some trails leading from the main road into the forest. If you wish to maximise your time in the forest without being late for closing time at the gate, these trails make for a useful diversion at the end of the day. The park illustration shown below is not to scale, but is a better representation than given on Google Earth which has incorrectly shown the route of the main road.

Figueros Trail is quite long and may take an hour or so. Bugio is only a few hundred meters and loops back onto the road. Bica starts and finishes immediately inside the gate. To time your departure to the second, it is also possible to waste a few final minutes checking the forest edge at the small clearing inside the gate. On my first visit to Cantareira, I found 12 species here whilst waiting for my guide to show up.

Bird list for Cantareira;

Spot-winged Wood-Quail 4, Black Vulture 8, Squirrel Cuckoo 1, Surucua Trogon 1, White-barred Piculet 1, Rufous-capped Spinetail 1, Buff-browed Foliage-gleaner 1, White-collared Foliage-gleaner 1, Olivaceous Woodcreeper 6, Planalto Woodcreeper 1, Lesser Woodcreeper 1, Spot-backed Antshrike 2, Spot-breasted Antvireo 2, Star-throated Antwren 2, Red-ruffed Fruitcrow 1, Rufous-crowned Greenlet 3, Rufous-bellied Thrush 3, Masked Yellow-throat 2, Golden-crowned Warbler 4, Bananaquit 1, Green-headed Tanager 3, Brassy-breasted Tanager 25, Blue-Dacnis 2, Red-crowned Ant-tanager 2, Violaceous Euphonia 1, Chestnut-bellied Euphonia 1.

Cantareira Nucleo Pedra Grande can be found in the hills to the north of Sao Paulo. Actually it is a mountain by virtue of reacing 1010m at the big stone.

Public visitors are usually only allowed entry from 08.00 until 17.00 at weekends and private vehicles are not allowed. The entry fee of 9 Reas is paid at the gate.

To walk to Lago das Carpas and complete the return by way of Pedra Grande on the mostly paved road is a distance of 9.5kms.

It may be possible to gain special entry to the park outside of the normal public hours with a park employee/guide. Previously I have been able to visit the park at 06.00 on a weekday, but Diego, my guide on this occasion, has moved on to a different section. He has sent me a link to his friend and colleague who may be able guide you at a time more conducive to birding.

Contact Daniel at;

danielsilvaindio@gmail.com

Mobile phone; 011985962043

Take the Metro to Tucuruvi. Take a taxi from here and show the following address to the driver to make sure that you are going to the right place;

Rua do Horto, 1799 – Tremembe – Parque Estudial da Cantareira – Nucleo Perda Grande.

From the small open area in front of Alberto Lofgren Park, keep right and continue to the top of Rua do Horto where you will see the park gates at Google Earth ref; 23 27 17.41S 46 38 8.27W.

On return, it may not be possible to find a cab, so make your way back down the hill to the small open area in front of Alberto Lofgren Park. Here you will find a stop for bus number 2470 which returns to its terminal at Metro Station - Parada Inglesa for 3 Reas.

If your only time in Sao Paulo does not coincide with a weekend, Alberto Lofgren Park, (Google Earth ref; 23 27 31.90S 46 38 2.52W ) is adjacent to Cantareira and a small area of forest and forest edge is accessible through the large wrought iron gates in the small square at the bottom of the hill. 

Ibirapuera Park, Sao Paulo, Brazil, December 2013

Ibirapura Park in Sao Paulo offered the chance to acclimatise my eye and ear (one good one of each) to the common birds of Brazil. It was very busy on a Friday afternoon between Christmas and New Year with lots of families, cyclists, walkers, runners, picnickers and skateboarders. Judging by the number of canoodlers, there will be even more families next year. All were well policed and the park had a friendly, safe feel to it.

There are two lakes. I was dropped by the taxi near the first where the fountains were giving their interpretation of the water dance. The second lake is severely pinched at the middle where a bridge crosses (Google Earth ref; 23 35 13.52S 46 39 34.70W). The rest of the park is given over to lawns with scattered trees and woodland and a complex of cultural buildings. There is not much in the way of low vegetation, but this adds to the reassuring air in a city where violent crime is a major consideration.

The Rufous-bellied Thrush is usually the most easily seen bird of the park and was first on the list for this evening’s quick visit. Bananaquit, Chalk-browed Mockingbird and Social Flycatcher joined it as I made my way through the museums and art foundation buildings towards the bridge.

I usually follow a distorted figure-of-eight around the second lake. Starting from the bridge, the walk around the lower lobe is often quite productive, bringing the more interesting birds. A surprise came today in the shape of a Blonde-crested Woodpecker which stooped beside me for a clear, but all too brief look. House Wrens, Amazon Kingfisher and Sayaca Tanager were also seen along this section.

 I don’t recall seeing Masked Water Tyrant in the park before, but it likes water margins, so I shouldn’t have been surprised. Anywhere in the park near water, the Greater Kiskadee is likely to be seen or heard. The other constant is the ever-present Black Vultures circling overhead. As I re-crossed the bridge and took a few moments in the shade, a vulture swooped down to some stinking bags which had been left by the groundsmen and found a dead rat.

The banks of the upper lobe to the west of the bridge can be productive too with Cattle Tyrants, Rufous-browed Peppershrike and Creamy-bellied Thrush seen today. An American Great Egret posed on a bank-side snag.

On the far side of the lake is a spot favoured by the exotic wildfowl collection. A Black-crowned Night Heron had joined them. Suddenly the heron shot out its neck and grabbed a young Common Moorhen. It flew off to gobble down the chick, leaving the parent birds running frantically up and down the bank.

In the circumstances, the Southern Lapwings gave their offspring a long leash, allowing it to wander as it would. The chick seemed oblivious to threats, but the adults raised a raucous noise whenever it roamed too far from them, or too close to danger.

I had expected to see more flowering trees in bloom at this time of year, but in fact there were very few. This might explain why there were so few Plain Parakeets and Bananaquits and no hummingbirds.

Birds seen; 31

Pied-billed Grebe 5, Neotropic Cormorant 24, Great Egret 2,  Striated Heron 3, Black-crowned Night-Heron 2, Black Vulture 40, Yellow-headed Caracara , Common Gallinule 8, Southern Lapwing 3, Picazuro Pigeon 4, Eared Dove 1, Plain Parakeet 3, Amazon Kingfisher 2, Blond-crested Woodpecker 1, Rufous Hornero 12,    Masked Water-tyrant 3, Cattle Tyrant 5, Great Kiskadee 15, Social Flycatcher 1, Tropical Kingbird 2, Rufous browed Peppershrike 1, Blue-and-white Swallow 35,House Wren 2, Rufous-bellied Thrush 40 Creamy-bellied Thrush 4, Chalk-browed Mockingbird 6, Bananaquit 1, Sayaca Tanager 6, Palm Tanager 4, Rufous-collared Sparrow 2, Epaulet Oriole 1.

Ibirapuera Park is visibly policed with static as well as mobile patrols throughout the site. It is not well served by the metro system, the nearest station being Paraiso. From Paraiso Metro Station, it is 1.6kms southwest on Rua Estella. A taxi from Avenue Paulista costs around R15 (@R3.5 = £1).
Oh, and Happy New Year!

Previous posts from Ibirapuera Park can be seen at the following links;

http://redgannet.blogspot.co.uk/2009/08/sao-paulo-august-2009.html

http://redgannet.blogspot.co.uk/2012/11/ibirapure-park-sao-paulo-november-2012.html

Visit the dedicated South AmericanPage to see more posts from Sao Paulo, including Parque Ecologico do Tiete and Jardim Botanico, Sao Paulo.

Birding, Bird-watching, Bird watching in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Ibirapura Park bird list.

Parque Ecológico do Tietê, Sao Paulo, November 2012

Parque Ecológico do Tietê and a whole day were at my whim. A nagging feeling about my personal safety was the only thing that prevented me from actually skipping (that and the tripod-mounted camera). It is difficult to be discrete with a big lens and throughout the day I kept wondering whether it was worth carrying all my gear and making a potential target of myself. Seeing the results of my photographic endeavours, the answer must be a resounding “No!”

 

I turned left at the roundabout just inside the gate and headed for the picnic area by the boating lake at Google Earth ref; 23°29'32.04"S 46°31'23.56"W. On my last visit, this had been the hot-spot and it proved to be so again.

Agoutis, Coatis and Black Cappucchin Monkeys were found just behind the museum. At the forest edge, House Wren, Creamy-bellied Thrush and Crested Cardinal were quickly noted. On the ground, a pair of Masked Water Tyrants were collecting nesting materials and appeared to have chosen a spot to build in an bush overhanging the water.
 

Yellow-chinned Spinetails were further along with their project, but the materials they were using were much more rigid. The nest has a characteristic pattern and the birds use consistently sized twigs in its construction.
 

An emergent dead tree was popular with flycatchers. The distinctive silhouette of a Fork-tailed Flycatcher was easy, but a couple of other birds took a bit of looking at in the poor light. One was an Epaulet Oriole, another proved to be a Tropical Kingbird.

I recalled that a line of Bottlebrush Trees had been in flower on my previous visit (August 2009) and had been seething with Bananaquits and Swallow-tailed Hummingbirds. Without the blossoms, they were far fewer and further between.

 

 

Beyond the boating lake is an area of playing fields, mostly football pitches. Southern Lapwings were plentiful here and were joined in lesser numbers by Southern Caracara, Cattle Tyrants, Ruddy Ground-doves and a few Masked Water Tyrants. The trees between the pitches held another Fork-tailed Flycatcher and Tropical Kingbird. A small browny-yellowy-greyy, finchy bird, managed to evade identification.
 

The furthest pitch had lights and a small stand of concrete seating. It looked as if it doubled as a running track. The woods at the top end turned out to be another hot-spot. My first lifer of the day came in the shape of a Variegated Flycatcher. Campo Flicker, Smooth-billed Ani, House Wren Rufous-bellied Thrush and Orange-headed Tanager were also seen.

 

 

From here, it is possible to cut through to the marshy edges of the river. I was disappointed to see that the grass had grown high and that it was difficult to make out anything at all. I moved along the road a short distance to the left and found an opening onto the Rio Tietê. Common Gallinules, Picazuro Pigeons and Southern Lapwings could be seen upstream on a bank of mud and detritus.
 

There are maps along the path that describe the circular route. They also recommend that an anti-clockwise direction is followed. I had started out going the wrong way and took the decision to continue.  A few joggers, walkers and cyclists were conforming, but the park was quiet. Mostly patrons were lone joggers with a few family groups or couples. None of them looked as if they would be a threat, but since I was going against the flow, I was able to size them up as they approached and no-one was following me from behind.
 

I had been disappointed not to be able to see anything in the marsh, but a patch opened out as I reached the intersection at 3.5kms (Google Earth ref; 23°29'23.22"S 46°31'31.25"W). White-faced Whistling Duck, Rufous Whistling Duck, Brazilian Teal, Wattled Jacana and plenty of Common Gallinule were easy to see here. Closer inspection brought Smooth-billed Ani in the higher vegetation behind and Ruddy Ground-doves on bare patches.
 

Passerines could still be found in the trees and bushes lining the road. Greater Kiskadee and Yellow-chinned Spinetail were especially common along this stretch. An opening to the river revealed a family of Capybaras wallowing and sunbathing on a mudbank. A couple of youngsters were playing in the filthy water.
 

One looked as if he was suffering from a gunshot wound, but he was still keen to chase a flirty female until she sought out a more senior male and he chased off the wounded animal. As he watched the smaller male retreat, the master of the mud-bank clicked his teeth together as a parting gesture. A startling red and black Brazilian Tanager flew through as I watched.
 

Another open patch of marsh was found at the 2.5km mark as the road bends sharply. A Wattled Jacana came close. A loose gathering of dull-legged Lesser Yellowlegs fed with a side-swiping action that I had not noticed before, but I am reasonably confident of the ID. Masked Water Tyrants were common in this area.

 

There is an intersection here. I was travelling clockwise, so I kept to the right to stay on the main circular route. Most people conforming to the correct anti-clockwise direction would bear to the left. This took me southeast, away from the river. The trees were taller, in broader swathes and the birds became more foresty. A flock of Plush-crowned Jays passed through with Ruby-crowned Tanager, and a female Chestnut-vented Conebill. A bench gave me the chance to stop and watch White-spotted Woodpecker, Eared Dove and Chestnut–collared Sparrows feeding by the roadside.

A Neotropic Cormorant had caught a fish that would just not go down. Its neck was distorted by the meal but it didn’t seem at all concerned.

A daring foray down a side path brought a pair of Spix’s Spinetail and a second Furnariid that I was not able to reduce to species level. Smooth-billed Anis posed for the camera on a dead snag and at last gave me reason to be pleased that I had brought it with me.
 

A Snail Kite was perched on a dead tree in a roadside lake. I suspect that this may have been the bird of prey that had flown over earlier. Small pink blobs of snail eggs should have alerted me to the possibility.

I had now come full circle, but had perhaps an hour before I needed to head home, so I had another quick look at the hot-spot picnic area and added a few more species including Red-shouldered Macaw, Yellow-bellied Elaenia and Saffron Finch.

 

Black Capuchin Monkey

 

Birds seen; 54

 

White-faced Whistling Duck 11, Fulvous Whistling Duck 2, Brazilian Teal 30, Pied-billed Grebe 2, Neotropic Cormorant 20,Great Egret 5, Snowy Egret 5, Striated Heron 5, Black Vulture 60, Snail Kite 2, Southern Caracara 6, Common Gallinule 80, Southern Lapwing 60, Wattled Jacana 5, Lesser Yellowlegs 4, Picazuro Pigeon 30, Eared Dove 2, Ruddy Ground-dove 25, Red-shouldered Macaw 9, Guira Cuckoo 9, Smooth-billed Ani 25, Swallow-tailed Hummingbird 6, Amazon Kingfisher 1, Green Kingfisher 4, White-spotted Woodpecker 1, Campo Flicker 2, Rufous Hornero 10, Spix’s Spinetail 2, Yellow-chinned Spinetail 25, Yellow-billed Elaenia 3, Masked Water-tyrant 15, Cattle Tyrant 5, Great Kiskadee 20, Variegated Flycatcher 1, Tropical Kingbird 4, Fork-tailed Flycatcher 4, Plush-crested Jay 4, Blue-and-white Swallow 40, House Wren 8, Rufous-bellied Thrush 10, Creamy-bellied Thrush 7, Bananaquit 10, Orange-headed Tanager 3, Chestnut-vented Conebill 3, Ruby-crowned Tanager 3, Brazilian Tanager 3, Sayaca Tanager 30, Double-collared Seedeater 1, Saffron Finch 2, Red-crested Cardinal 6, Rufous-collared Sparrow 8, Shiny Cowbird 10, Epaulette Oriole 1, House Sparrow 6

 

 Coati

 

Please be aware of the poverty that exists close to this site. Violent robbery is not uncommon in Sao Paulo and it would be wise to make personal security a prime consideration when visiting Parque Ecologico Do Tiete and at any time on public transport. A taxi would be safer, but there is no taxi rank close to the parque. A pick up for return must be arranged in advance.

It is possible to get back to the city by train from Eng Goulart station nearby. This is for information only in case of emergency only or taxi failing to show.

From the security gate at the parque, pass through the tunnel under the main road and turn right. Turn left after 400m. After 100m pass through the tunnel under the tracks. Turn left and the station, Eng Goulart, is 300m. There is not a taxi rank here. The line runs into the city and terminates at Bras Metro Station.
 

 Guira Cuckoo

A previous post from Park Ecologico do Tiete can be found at the link below;

http://redgannet.blogspot.com/2009/08/sao-paulo-august-2009.html

 

Visit the dedicatedCentral and South America Page for more from Sao Paulo including IbirapueraPark and Sao Paulo Botanical Gardens.