Birding Hacienda Jacana: September/October

The most recent count that took place at Hacienda Jacana just slid in under the door as October drew to a close. With all the flooding that went on in October, we almost didn’t make it. But with a little faith and a lot of desire to be immersed in the forest, we made the journey into the heart of the island for yet another installment of this series.

The timing of our arrival couldn’t have been  more perfect. Once we unpacked our stuff, I followed my inner voice that was directing me to a copse of tall trees just beyond the cottages. Somehow I knew exactly where to look; my eyes fell very swiftly on a new bird for the year – a Giant Cowbird!

 

 

 

 

 

 

That area is perfect for woodpeckers, woodcreepers and even the odd Xenops – dry branches house a complete buffet of grubs for any diner that is willing to search for a meal. Sure enough, within a few moments the typical tap, tap, tap of a woodpecker led me to this Lineated Woodpecker. This species is perhaps the most common species of woodpecker on the island, and its stereotypical woodpecker coloration makes it a favourite among many.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Close by, a fruiting tree yielded some of the usual suspects: Spectacled and Cocoa Thrushes, Palm, Silver-beaked and White-lined Tanagers as well as a couple Golden-headed Manakins. As I was observing these, a small flock of Turquoise Tanagers flew in. I was lucky to be there at the right time, as these birds tend to be rather nomadic in their movements – they never feed on a single tree for too long. And as was expected, they departed just as frantically as they arrived.

 

 

 

 

 

 

A walk to the ponds on the property allowed me to add the hotel’s namesake to the list. Wattled Jacanas were in numbers as per norm, as well as Purple Gallinules and a single Striated Heron, sounding the alarm as I approached. Grey-necked Wood-Rails called to each other from the dim undergrowth and the ever-skittish Grey-fronted Dove rocketed into the forest.

The sun had already dipped below the treeline, and although the light wasn’t perfect, there was just enough to make the iridescence pop on the shoulder of this Southern Lapwing. These large, noisy birds have recently claimed their own patch of the garden and even if you don’t initially see them, they will definitely let you that they’re around. Don’t say I didn’t warn you!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Just as I got up from photographing the lapwing, the familiar sound of Lilac-tailed Parrotlets echoed between the trees. It was much louder than I was accustomed to – and for good reason – I looked up just in time to see a flock of about fifteen birds zooming between the trees, low down. Excited, I illogically attempted to locate them in the rapidly advancing darkness. Needless to say, I don’t have to explicitly state how that turned out.

Almost every night at Hacienda Jacana, we have recorded Common Parauques as the staple nightbird. Although I saw them in January, the birds were way too far away for any decent opportunities. This time, getting a safe shot of one of these birds was a definite priority. Fortunately, they habitually return to the same spots along the roadway each night – what’s even better is that they always gravitate to directly under a streetlight. The concept is basic: light brings insects, insects bring the Parauque. Locally called the “who-you” in reference to its call, it’s a gorgeous species of nightjar that is a definite must-see. A vehicle was used for off-camera lighting

 

 

 

 

 

While on the hunt for the Parauques, we recorded a nearby Tropical Screech-owl calling. No pygmies though. Still a good night!

The rains came shortly after, and continued into the following morning. The sound of water on leaves masked most birds’ calls, but if it’s one song that will cut through the din of falling water – it’s the call of the Channel-billed Toucan. In the bluish-grey light of the early morning, I managed to locate the culprit a fair distance away. Always a pleasant sight.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Across the waterway, I observed this female Green Kingfisher slowly give up on drying off. She eventually decided to fluff her feathers and enjoy the shower, it seemed.

 

 

 

 

 

Very soon, everything was rather waterlogged. Even this Purple Gallinule seemed to be questioning the downpour.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Returning to the cottage for a mid-morning cup of coffee reminded me why Hacienda Jacana is just perfect. Wooden cabins are extra cozy in rainy weather, and having a warm cup of brewed coffee without ever having to leave the forest can bring out the philosopher in anyone. As I sat there on the verandah, sipping coffee and pondering life’s mysteries, the rain stopped, the clouds parted and the sun shot his rays of white hot light everywhere. Before I had a chance to return to reality, a Squirrel Cuckoo materialized on the trema tree no more than fifteen feet away.

Too close to fit its entire body into the frame, with a view that was mostly obscured by branches, I almost didn’t take a single shot. I knew I had to forego autofocus given the environment – my time using solely manual focus has served me well, it seems.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common but difficult to properly render on a camera, a male Silver-beaked Tanager decided to sit in the open for a while.

 

 

 

 

 

 

One of the benefits of being out after a shower of rain is that many birds tend to spend some time in the open like this, drying their feathers before resuming their regular schedule. This Smooth-billed Ani is more or less dry – but still remained soaking up some sunlight.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Down at the ponds we had another new bird for the year – a ridiculously tame White-headed Marsh Tyrant. I sat observing this bird for some time, and I was able to witness him divebomb this dragonfly and quickly consume it. Not too long after I made this image, he flew toward me and perched about ten feet away. We shared a moment as a flash of bright green whizzed past – a male Green Honeycreeper – and startled both of us.

 

 

 

 

 

Hummingbirds were there in their usual number, Copper-rumped Hummingbirds were busy chasing all other species away from the feeders as is typical of these tiny bullies. But looking further revealed a regal looking White-necked Jacobin calling from a high branch.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lily flowers along the waterway heading into the forest proved to be a preferred meal for a Little Hermit, who returned again and again to the same patch.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kept at bay for the most part of the day by the Copper-rumped Hummingbirds, a few White-chested Emeralds stole a drink now and then.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Following my ears, I came upon a banana tree with a ton of ripe fruit. Bananaquits, tanagers and Violaceous Euphonias were darting in and out, but nothing new. A movement above me distracted me soon enough, it turned out to be a pair of Streak-headed Woodcreepers. I’ve always known this species to be uncommon – however they are residents at Hacienda Jacana and can be regularly and easily seen. This one deftly picked out a tiny spider from the bark.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Checking another trema tree on the other side of the compound gave me a surprise. Apart from the usual Green-rumped Parrotlets that I have photographed in this very tree earlier this year, I saw a Turquoise Tanager fly in together with a female Blue Dacnis. Interestingly enough, they flew off together as well. Not sure if this is just mixed flock feeding, but Blue Dacnis is a species that tends to move in pairs, while Turquoise Tanagers tend to move in small groups. On another occasion, I’ve noticed a male Blue Dacnis with a female Green Honeycreeper. Of course, no evidence – but the latter pair have been known to hybridize in the past. Something to investigate, that’s for sure.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Before long, it was getting dark again. On the walk back to the cottage, it was pleasing to record a returning migrant from the north – a charismatic, tail-bobbing Northern Waterthrush.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Back on the verandah of our cottage, a single female and two male Blue-chinned Sapphires took turns at the feeder. As the sun set, it lit an overhead cloud and washed the entire scene with a beautiful salmon colour.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After dinner, I took another walk to listen out for any other nightbirds. Standing in the complete darkness, I had something fly very close, but it was most likely a bat. For the second night in a row, I didn’t hear a single Pygmy-owl. Time passed, and I decided to stroll back inside to get some rest – although the silent darkness of the forest was begging me to stay. Just as I was walking off, I heard a lone Mottled Owl call in the distance. I smiled, and returned to the cottage feeling accomplished.

The following morning we had a real treat that came in the form of a perched Common Black Hawk. Any perched raptor is a favourable situation!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Even though we were in the middle of the island, Magnificent Frigatebirds are seen on occasion. On this visit, we had a single bird pass by, then a small group of about six individuals wheeled across the sky. Something told me to look up just in time to snare a record shot, in the event that a report of a seabird inland is too unbelievable.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Eventually I made my way back to the area where I had seen the Green Honeycreeper on the previous day. Sure enough, birds are creatures of habit, and I was not disappointed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It, along with numerous other tanagers and thrushes was busy feeding from a tree that was bearing fruit close to one of the ponds. Another migrant was spotted here, a Yellow Warbler flitted among the branches. What caught my eye was much bigger than any warbler though – also much more colourful – a Guianan Trogon.

 

 

 

 

 

 

All the while I lay flat on the ground with binoculars in the trees, I was hearing a Black-crested Antshrike calling louder and louder. After much encouragement from this antbird, I gave in to the pressure and went searching for it in an adjacent tree.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The highlight of the trip was, undoubtedly, securing excellent views of both male and female Tufted Coquette – albeit on different sides of the property. They don’t seem to share too well! The female fed consistently on a patch of vervine (porterweed) next to the pond.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The resplendent male was seen briefly feeding on the vervine at the entrance to the property. I saw him for about a minute, then he darted off – supposedly to return again. I waited for a bit for him to return, but regrettably it was time to wrap up the count and head out. As this species was already on the list, the sighting was purely aesthetic.

 

 

 

 

 

 

While packing up, that inner voice that led me to the Giant Cowbird two days prior instructed me to go outside and take a look around. Some rainy weather was coming in, and the winds had begun to gust. Almost as if on cue, a large raptor loomed behind the trees. I only got a clear view for at most two seconds – but that was all it took to recognize the distinctive hulk and plumage of a White Hawk. What a way to end the count!

The list:

1. Little Tinamou
2. Magnificent Frigatebird
3. Striated Heron
4. Turkey Vulture
5. Black Vulture
6. Common Black Hawk
7. White Hawk
8. Grey-lined Hawk
9. Grey-necked Wood-Rail
10. Purple Gallinule
11. Southern Lapwing
12. Wattled Jacana
13. Scaled Pigeon
14. Pale-vented Pigeon
15. Grey-fronted Dove
16. Ruddy Ground Dove
17. Smooth-billed Ani
18. Squirrel Cuckoo
19. Tropical Screech-owl
20. Mottled Owl
21. Common Pauraque
22. Grey-rumped Swift
23. White-necked Jacobin
24. Rufous-breasted Hermit
25. Little Hermit
26. Green Hermit
27. Tufted Coquette
28. Long-billed Starthroat
29. Blue-chinned Sapphire
30. White-chested Emerald
31. Copper-rumped Hummingbird
32. Green-backed Trogon
33. Guianan Trogon
34. Green Kingfisher
35. Rufous-tailed Jacamar
36. Channel-billed Toucan
37. Golden-olive Woodpecker
38. Lineated Woodpecker
39. Lilac-tailed Parrotlet
40. Blue-headed Parrot
41. Orange-winged Parrot
42. Green-rumped Parrotlet
43. Red-bellied Macaw
44. Black-crested Antshrike
45. Barred Antshrike
46. Plain-brown Woodcreeper
47. Streak-headed Woodcreeper
48. Forest Elaenia
49. Yellow-bellied Elaenia
50. Southern Beardless Tyrannulet
51. Ochre-bellied Flycatcher
52. Yellow-breasted Flycatcher
53. Tropical Pewee
54. White-headed Marsh Tyrant
55. Great Kiskadee
56. Boat-billed Flycatcher
57. Tropical Kingbird
58. White-bearded Manakin
59. Golden-headed Manakin
60. Black-tailed Tityra
61. Rufous-browed Peppershrike
62. Southern Rough-winged Swallow
63. Grey-breasted Martin
64. House Wren
65. Rufous-breasted Wren
66. Long-billed Gnatwren
67. Cocoa Thrush
68. Spectacled Thrush
69. Tropical Mockingbird
70. White-lined Tanager
71. Silver-beaked Tanager
72. Blue-grey Tanager
73. Palm Tanager
74. Turquoise Tanager
75. Blue Dacnis
76. Purple Honeycreeper
77. Green Honeycreeper
78. Blue-black Grassquit
79. Bananaquit
80. Northern Waterthrush
81. Yellow Warbler
82. Crested Oropendola
83. Yellow-rumped Cacique
84. Giant Cowbird
85. Shiny Cowbird
86. Trinidad Euphonia
87. Violaceous Euphonia 

Previous counts can be accessed if so desired, of course.

Jan/Feb

Mar/Apr

May/Jun

Jul/Aug