We got an early start this morning, for we had a mission. Toni and Eladio had gotten in contact with someone who has a known nest site for Black-and-Chestnut Eagle on their property, not far from here. This species was high on my want list, so it was worth dedicating en entire morning to a chance at seeing one. After some complicated logistics, we finally made it to the location around 8am.
We located the nest tree on the far hillside across the river, and spent some time scanning it for any sign of the occupants. With no eagles in sight, we birded around the farm a bit, keeping an eye on the nest tree. Despite the lack of eagles, it was a very pleasant morning, and quite a birdy area. I spotted a pair of Southern Emerald Toucanets, which we all got good views of. New for the trip was a Swainson’s Thrush, a familiar bird of course for me but a lifer for Eladio! And a pair of Roadside Hawks were a new trip bird and always fun to see perched.
After a couple hours there, the eagle still hadn’t made an appearance, so keeping our eyes on the sky, we started to make our way back to the car. A couple times, someone spotted a soaring bird over the ridge, but alas, just a Roadside Hawk. Just when I was ready to make peace with having dipped on this one, a large dark bird came gliding into view from behind us, and I knew instantly it wasn’t a vulture! We all got on it in time to see it bank upwards and land in a tree on the far hillside, revealing it’s chestnut coloured underside and light tail with a wide dark subterminal band! The Black-and-Chestnut Eagle had appeared! Sharing this mutual lifer experience more than made up for the somewhat distant views we had of it, and it put the day on a good note, regardless of what would follow.
The afternoon brought a couple more lifers, as I birded around the Yanayacu Biological Station. Crimson-mantled Woodpecker proved easy to find, before I even started out on the trail. Hiking up the hillside produced a couple mixed flocks, mostly heard-only since the steepness and thick undergrowth made seeing things difficult. Fantastic views of a pair of Plushcap, as well as hearing a Pale-eyed Thrush singing it’s heart out from the very top of a tall tree were the highlights for me!
