Yanayacu & Pucate Rivers
Early in the morning this week’s expedition in the Amazon with a bird watching skiff ride along the entrance of a fascinating black water river, the Yanayacu. Our home this week, the Delfin II was tied near the confluence of the Yanayacu River with the mighty Marañon River, one of the main tributaries of the Amazon River. There was a lot of activity and in just a couple of hours we had a substantial list of bird species identified. In fact, we did not even need to cover a long distance for every minute on the minute we had a bird either flying along the river or perching on the many trees and shrubs found along the river’s edges. While we were bird watching we had the company of many pink river dolphins that were constantly breathing right next to the skiffs. A magical light, a combination of mist, the first sunrays a soft drizzle rain and a concert of beautiful sounds completed an idyllical scene that made us felt we were immersed in a dream. Among the most interesting bird species that were spotted included swallows, caracaras, caciques, oropendolas, tanagers, parakeets, etc. Two of these bird species stood out, the Red-and-White Spinetail (Certhiaxis mustelinus) with its rigid little tail and the Barred Antshrike (Thamnophilus doliatus) with its unusual combination of black and white lines.
The most important sighting, not only in the morning but of the whole day, was the very unusual chance to see a Zigzag Heron (Zebrillus undulatus), which is a poorly known and extremely rare bird species all over the Amazon region. We spotted a juvenile heron flying low and quickly on a grassy area. For Luis Vela, one of our local guides, it is just the second time ever in 11 years that he has this sighting. For me it is the third time in over twenty years around the Neotropical rainforests of Ecuador and Peru. The last time I had the luck to see one was back in 1994 in Imuya Lake on the Cuyabeno Reserve in Ecuador. As you can understand we were extremely excited for this bird species is one that cannot be easily seen. Our guests were thrilled to witness our happiness and after being explained how rare is this bird joined our joy. We had a second view of the heron that confirmed our diagnosis.
In the afternoon we explored another black water tributary the Pucate River. While we were on the skiffs we had a heavy rain that last approximately twenty minutes. This rain was a blessing for the afternoon started being soggy and extremely hot. After the rain we explored some small black water creeks and the rewards were many, we spotted some toucans and many parrots and parakeets. On the way back we paid a quick visit to a local community “20 de Enero” where we observed the locals in their late daily activities, admired their handicrafts and spent some time with the children of the community. The interaction with the kids is always special for our guests brought some school supplies that were distributed among the curious but ordered children.
It is hard to explain with words all the array of feelings that this day brought to our lives. I just can say that the magic of the Amazon with its combination of colors and sounds touched all of us deep in our hearts and minds forever. What a spectacular way to start off an expedition on one of the most fascinating places on Earth.
