Transfer to GUARAMIRANGA (+/-2hrs [120Km]) and birding the rest of the day. It is recommended that all participants arrive in Fortaleza before noon so that we can arrive at our destination before dark. For those who will not be able to do so should arrive the

previous day.

Area description: located 100km from Fortaleza, Maciço de Baturité has a remarkable humid Forest ranging from 600-1100 meters of altitude. This Forest is a kind of island in the middle of the Caatinga (dry) vegetation, that is predominant in the lower elevations (below 600 meters). Because of its unique habitat, this is the main refuge for several humid forest species in the state of Ceará. We will be birding nearby town in private properties with good trails and/or roads.

Targets: as important species we highlight the Grey-breasted Parakeet (Pyrrhura griseipectus), one of the world's most threatened parrots and other species of great interest such as Buff-breasted Tody-Tyrant (Hemitriccus mirandae), Ceara Gnateater (Conopophaga cearae), Ceara Woodcreeper (Xiphorhynchus atlanticus), Ochraceous Piculet (Picumnus limae), Guianan Tyrannulet (Zimmerius acer), Band-tailed Manakin (Pipra fasciicauda), Gould’s Toucanet (Selenidera gouldii), Gray-headed Spinetail (Cranioleuca semicinerea) among others. We will also pay special attention to some subspecies that could possibly be elevated to species in the future such as Variable Antshrike (Thamnophilus caerulescens cearensis), Red-necked Tanager (Tangara cyanocephala cearensis), Rufous-breasted [Ceara] Leaftosser (Sclerurus scansor cearensis).

Area description: Quixadá is a municipality in the state of Ceará located three hours from the capital. One of its most striking features are the rock formations, the monoliths, in various formats that "break" the apparent monotony of the countryside landscape. The hotel we stay is away from town and birding will be around the hotel grounds.

Targets: here we start to explore the Caatinga biome. A few birds worth highlighting are: White-naped Jay (Cyanocorax cyanopogon), Cactus Parakeet (Eupsittula cactorum), Pygmy Nightjar (Hydropsalis hirundinacea), Black-bellied Antwren (Formicivora melanogaster), Pale Baywing (Agelaioides fringillarius), the Caatinga race of Long-billed Wren (Cantorchilus longirostris bahiae), Caatinga Cacholote (Pseudoseisura cristata), Ochre backed Woodpecker (Celeus ochraceus) and, if we are lucky, we might even see the rare and endemic White-browed Guan (Penelope jacucaca). During the dry season, a flock usually comes to drink in a reservoir in the hotel area.

Lunch and PM Birding in the Sítio Pau Preto area.

Area description: Potengi is a small town in the south region of Ceará, part of the Chapada do Araripe area. Only recently has Potengi entered the world birding scenario because of a passionate birdwatcher and biologist that transformed his family property in a refugee for Caatinga birds, the “Sítio Pau Preto”. We will stay in a family owned small lodge where we can feel right at home hosted by him and his kind family. We will bird around to search for some of the most special birds of this unique habitat. For those who enjoy taking photos, there are also feeders.

Targets: here we keep searching for Caatinga specialties, such as White-browed Antpitta (Hylopezus ochroleucos), Caatinga Antwren (Herpsilochmus sellowi), White-throated Seedeater (Sporophila albogularis), Scarlet-throated Tanager (Compsothraupis loricata), Great Xenops (Megaxenops parnaguae), Red-shouldered Spinetail (Synallaxis hellmayri), the local races of Lesser Wagtail-Tyrant (Stigmatura napensis bahiae), Greater Wagtail Tyrant (Stigmatura budytoides gracilis) and Stripe-backed Antbird (Myrmorchilus strigilatus strigilatus), among others. Do not forget the feeders, where we could see Campo Troupial (Icterus jamacaii), Red-cowled Cardinal (Paroaria dominicana), White naped Jay (Cyanocorax cyanopogon), Pileated Finch (Coryphospingus pileatus) and more. In the end of the day we have chances of seeing Least Nighthawks (Chordeiles pusillus) flying over the lodge.

After birding in the Potengi area, we transfer to Crato (+/-1½hrs [80 km]) with some birding on route.

Situated in the foothills of the Chapada do Araripe plateau, a place you cannot miss out on! It is the ONLY area in the WORLD for the superb Araripe Manakin (Antilophia bokermanni). After enjoying the Araripe Manakin, we transfer to CANUDOS, in the state of Bahia, stopping for lunch on route (+/-6hrs [380 km]). If we get there on time, we could try to see the Blue-winged Macaws (Primolius maracana) coming to their roosting sites or we could explore the Caatinga areas near the lodge searching for any birds we might have missed on the previous days.

Area description: situated in the northern portion of the state of Bahia, near the borders with Pernambuco, Sergipe and Alagoas, Canudos has some of the most extraordinary scenarios of this trip; the experience of hearing the macaws calling and seeing the red sand cliffs contrasting with the indigo blue of the macaws is simply unforgettable. We usually stay in a lodge inside the Lear’s Macaw Reserve, which many people like due to its simplicity and quietness.

Targets: one of the most exciting moments of the trip, the encounter with the Lear’s Macaw (Anodorhynchus leari)! This amazing species only occurs in this region, the “Raso da Catarina”. Besides our main target, we’ll name a few other species that we could keep an eye out for: the endemic race of Blue-crowned Parakeet (Thectocercus acuticaudatus haemorrhous), Bat Falcon (Falco rufigularis), King Vulture (Sarcoramphus papa), Black chested Buzzard-Eagle (Geranoaetus melanoleucus), Spotted Piculet (Picumnus pygmaeus), Stripe-breasted Starthroat (Heliomaster squamosus) and more.

Am birding in Canudos and transfer to Chapada Diamantina, where we will stay in the nice town of Lençóis (+/-8hrs [540km]).

On our second day, we will be birding on route to Mucugê, 80km on dirt road.

Area description: Boa Nova is located in the Southwestern part of Bahia, and is famous among birders due to its highly diverse bird community (+430 species), with typical elements of montane Atlantic Forests, the Caatinga biome, and a unique transitional area between the Atlantic Forest and Caatinga known as “mata-de-cipó” (Vine Forest). This variety of habitats provide a rich avifauna, with many globally threatened species that motivated the Brazilian Government to create a mosaic of Protected Areas in the region; National Park and Wildlife Refuge of Boa Nova, with 13.000 and 15.000 hectares, respectively. There is a place nearby the hotel (20min), with a natural hummingbird garden full of ground cacti (Melocactus bahiensis) that blossom every afternoon attracting many nice hummingbirds. This area, which used to be unprotected and under threat due to mining and cattle stomping over this delicate vegetation, is now owned and protected by a Brazilian couple of birders. Besides the natural cacti area, the owners are constantly improving facilities (hides and birdfeeders) especially for bird photographers.

In the neighboring municipality (Poções), there is a young birder (Mateus) who found some rarities that make our visit to this area almost mandatory. It is important to mention that some areas in Poções are not reached by van and, in case of rain, not even on 4 wheel drives. The birding area that could be reached by van (if not raining) is a trail with a certain level of difficulty (steep) and will depend on the fitness of the group.

Targets: one of the main highlights is the Slender Antbird (Rhopornis ardesiacus), confined to the “mata-de-cipó” vegetation where we could also find the Narrow-billed Antwren (Formicivora iheringi) and Hangnest Tody-Tyrant (Hemitriccus nidipendulus). In the Montane Atlantic Forest we search for species such as the Striated Softtail (Thripophaga macroura), Bahia Spinetail (Synallaxis whitneyi), Rio de Janeiro Antbird (Cercomacra brasiliana), Fork-tailed Tody-Tyrant (Hemitriccus furcatus), Crescent-chested Puffbird (Malacoptila striata), Rufous-headed Tanager (Hemithraupis ruficapilla), Black-billed Scythebill (Campylorhamphus falcularius), Pallid Spinetail (Cranioleuca pallida), Least Pygmy-Owl (Glaucidium minutissimum), White-eyed Foliage-gleaner (Automolus leucophthalmus), Pin-tailed Manakin (Ilicura militaris), Scale-throated Hermit (Phaethornis eurynome), Spot-breasted Antvireo (Dysithamnus stictothorax), Ferruginous Antbird (Drymophila ferruginea), Gray-hooded Attila (Attila rufus), Gilt-edged Tanager (Tangara cyanoventris) and many others. Here, we will also have chances of seeing the fantastic Giant Snipe (Gallinago undulata). In the natural hummingbird garden, we could see Sapphire-spangled Emerald (Amazilia lactea), Swallow-tailed Hummingbird (Eupetomena macroura), Planalto Hermit (Phaethornis pretrei), Stripe-breasted Starthroat (Heliomaster squamosus), Ruby-Topaz Hummingbird (Chrysolampis mosquitus), depending on season, among others. The highlights in Poções include the rare Wied’s Tyrant-Manakin (Neopelma aurifrons), White-bibbed Antbird (Myrmoderus loricatus), Greenish Schiffornis (Schiffornis virescens), Scaled Woodcreeper (Lepidocolaptes squamatus), Swallow-tailed Manakin (Chiroxiphia caudata) and others. There is also a place to see the Three-toed Jacamar (Jacamaralcyon tridactyla) but the access is restricted to 4-wheel drives, if not raining too much.

AM and PM Birding in the Boa Nova area.

AM Birding in the Poções area and PM Birding in the Boa Nova area.

Area description: The Serra Bonita Reserve is a pioneering, innovative private conservation enterprise, protecting sub montane forest in Southern Bahia. This initiative started thanks to Vitor Becker and Clemira that, after retirement, decided to dedicate their lives to the protection of this important and unique fragment of forest. It aims to protect the Brazilian Atlantic Forest through a consortium of several rural property owners, whose properties contain RPPNs (private reserves). Altogether, they protect over 2,500 hectares. The RPPNs are managed by Instituto Uiraçu, through agreements with the owners. In addition to managing these private reserves and its own, purchased through donations, the Institute aims to extend the protection of the entire Serra Bonita Mountain Range, one of the last remnants of sub montane forest in the region, which covers an area of about 7,500 hectares, ranging from 200 to 1000 meters of altitude, in the municipalities of Camacan and Pau Brasil, Bahia. We will sleep in the highlands of the reserve, in the good hands of Vitor and Clemira, where we will enjoy the famous Serra Bonita Caipirinhas. By the headquarters, they also have feeders for hummers and tanagers.

Targets: the main targets in the highlands are the unique Pink-legged Graveteiro (Acrobatornis fonsecai), Bahia Tyrannulet (Phylloscartes beckeri), Plumbeus Antvireo (Dysithamnus plumbeus), Salvadori’s Antwren (Myrmotherula minor), Sharpbill (Oxyruncus cristatus), Lemon-chested Greenlet (Hylophilus thoracicus), Crescent-chested Puffbird (Malacoptila striata), the rare Atlantic race (to be split) of Rufous-brown Solitaire (Cichlopsis leucogenys), Swallow-tailed Manakin (Chiroxiphia caudata), Spot-backed Antshrike (Dysithamnus stictothorax), Spot-billed Toucanet (Selenidera maculirostris), Sombre Hummingbird (Aphanthocroa cirrochloris) and many more. If we are lucky enough to find a big mixed flock, we have chances of seeing the rare Bahia Treehunter (Heliobletus sp. nov.), that is still waiting for a formal description. Some birds we could see by the feeders include Maroon-bellied Parakeet (Pyrrhura frontalis), Red-necked (Tangara cyanocephala), Green-headed (Tangara seledon), Golden-chevroned (Thraupis ornata), Azure-shouldered (Thraupis cyanoptera) Tanagers and sometimes even the Spot-billed Toucanet (Selenidera maculirostris). On the day we leave the reserve, we will spend some time birding in the lowlands where we will search for Kinglet Manakin (Machaeropterus regulus), Maroon-faced (Pyrrhura leucotis), Ochre-marked (Pyrrhura cruentata) and Golden-capped Parakeets (Aratinga auricapillus), Black-necked Aracari (Pteroglossus aracari), Atlantic race of Thrush-like Wren (Campylorhynchus turdinus), Yellow-rumped (Cacicus cela) and Red-rumped (Cacicus haemorrhous) Caciques, Chestnut-backed Antshrike (Thamnophilus palliatus), Yellow-fronted Woodpecker (Melanerpes flavifrons) and many more. In recent years, we often see the beautiful and ultra-rare Banded Cotinga (Cotinga maculata) coming to feed on Açai Palm (ripe berries) near the headquarters of one of the properties in the lowlands. Let’s cross our fingers to be in the right place at the right time.

AM and PM birding in Serra Bonita reserve.

Area description: one of the most famous beaches in the southern coast of Bahia, Porto Seguro is the 3rd biggest tourist destination in Brazil, so do not panic if there seems to be a lot of people on the streets. However, we will hardly be affected by the possible crowds in town since we will be birding in Veracel Reserve, only 30km from our hotel. This private area protects nearly 7.000 hectares of a unique type of Lowland Atlantic Forest known as “Mata de Tabuleiro”, which shares many elements (Fauna and Flora) with the Amazon Forest. In some sites of the forest, the calls of Screaming Pihas and huge trees will bring us back memories of birding in the Amazon. Inside the town of Porto Seguro, there is a mangrove that we also visit to search for some mangrove specialties.

Targets: the main targets here will be White-winged Cotinga (Xipholena atropurpurea), Hooked-billed Hermit (Glaucis dohrnii), Red-browed Parrot (Amazona rhodocorytha), Bahia Antwren (Herpsilochmus pileatus), Band-tailed Antwren (Myrmotherula urosticta), Black-headed Berryeater (Carpornis melanocephala), Ochre-marked Parakeet (Pyrrhura cruentata), Sooretama Slaty-Antshrike (Thamnophilus ambiguus), extra chances for Banded Cotinga (Cotinga maculata) and many more. There are also quite a few species that are already recognized as valid species in the Brazilian List and might/should be split soon by the international lists. They are: Opal-rumped [Silvery-breasted] Tanager (Tangara velia cyanomelas), Turquoise [White-bellied] Tanager (Tangara mexicana brasiliensis), Ringed [Atlantic Black-breasted] Woodpecker (Celeus torquatus tinnunculus), Golden spangled [Bahia] Piculet (Picumnus exilis exilis), among others. There will be some night birding as well, where we will look for Black-capped Screech-Owl (Megascops atricapilla), Tawny-browed Owl (Pulsatrix koeniswaldiana) and, with a lot of luck, the White-winged Potoo (Nyctibius leucopterus), which is very rare in the Atlantic Forest. The specialties we will look for in the mangrove are Bicolored Conebill (Conirostrum bicolor), Plain-bellied Emerald (Amazilia leucogaster), Mangrove Rail (Rallus longirostris) and, depending on time of year, the Little Wood-Rail (Aramides mangle).

AM and PM birding in Porto Seguro (veracel reserve).

Departures or extension.