Fabrice Schmitt on his recently concluded tour to Guyana

The 2015 WINGS tour to Guyana was a great success! Even though this year was drier than average with extremely low water levels on the Rupununi savanna, we managed to see a stunning number of our “Guianan targets”, including excellent views of Guianan Cock-of-the-rock (below), Capuchinbird, Blood-colored Woodpecker (below), Rufous Crab-Hawk, Spotted Antpita, White-winged Potoo, White-bellied Piculet, Black Curassow, several groups of Grey-winged Trumpeter, Red-fan Parrot, and Todd’s Antwren (just to name a few).

Of course, our trip wasn’t solely focused on the regional specialties. We won’t soon forget our fantastic encounters with more widespread species, such as the Black Hawk-eagle perched on the roadside, two Pinnated Bittern in the reeds at Karanambu, the Great Jacamar at Surama, a Long-tailed Potoo on its day roost (below), several splendid Swallow-tailed Kites hunting insects in the canopy at Atta Lodge, an Ornate Hawk-eagle soaring just above the Essequibo River, and a stunning Agami Heron near Iwokrama River Lodge (below).

We also had fantastic sightings of other wildlife including repeated views of Giant River Otters, a Brazilian Tapir swimming in the Essequibo River (below), four species of Monkeys, and several species of amphibians and reptiles including a beautiful Yellow-bellied Rat Snake capturing a frog (also below).

Though Guyana is still far down the list of frequently-visited countries by tourists, more and more birders are coming here to experience the incredible wildlife and extensive untouched forests. The fact that we saw up to 12 different curassows in a single morning shows how wild and protected the forests of Guyana are. 

A beautiful male Guianan Cock-of-the-rock seen on his lek.         photo: Karen Clarke

A striking male Blood-colored Woodpecker at the Georgetown Botanical Garden. 
photo: Fabrice Schmitt

Long-tailed Potoo on a day roost.                                              photo: Fabrice Schmitt

Agami Heron is arguably the most beautiful Heron in South America.
photo: Richard Greenhalgh

A Brazilian Tapir crossed the Essequibo river in front of our boats.   photo: Fabrice Schmitt

An attractive Yellow-bellied Rat Snake or Chironius multiventris.    photo: Fabrice Schmitt

A happy group pleased by a wonderful trip!