Today we were due to go along the Blanchiseusse Road over
the northern range (the very end of the Andes from when Trinidad and Venezuela
were connected some 11,000 years ago).
Along with the many species of lovely birds we might see according to
our UK itinerary we would also be stopping at a beach for a swim. However according to Guide Sharon the other day we
stop approx. 8 miles short of the beach as the road is very difficult to drive
and often washed away. Some others had
done the trip a few days before and said a lot of time was spent looking up into
the rainforest for birds. Ian’s neck has had enough of this already so when the amiable Mukesh arrived instead of the
expected Sharon (vehicle licence needed renewing) we were delighted and we
promptly changed things around and let him take us where he wanted and
suggested an earlier finish than the scheduled 5pm. This suited him extremely well as he was
supposed to be doing a Night Birding Tour at 4pm.
We drove back around the airport area looking in random
river ways, around a sewage farm, building site and various other random places
and then up into the hills for picnic lunch and a few special birds on the way.
Greater Yellowlegs
Collared Trogan
Green-backed Trogan
Greater Yellowlegs
Collared Trogan
The higher we drove the heavier the mist was (cloud forest)
and we were all tired so we suggested calling it a day and heading back to AWNC
about 2pm. Mukesh was thrilled as he
could have a bit of a rest before his next tour with his very demanding clients
(she warbles opera at all times and has her books spread around the dinner
table).
After a bit of a rest we spent the rest of the afternoon on
the veranda.
