Designed by Paul Smith 2006. This website is copyrighted by law.
Material contained herewith may not be used without the prior written permission of FAUNA Paraguay.
Photographs on this web-site were taken by Paul Smith and Hugo del Castillo and are used with permission.
Material contained herewith may not be used without the prior written permission of FAUNA Paraguay.
Photographs on this web-site were taken by Paul Smith and Hugo del Castillo and are used with permission.
YACYRETA SHORT BREAK
Introduction:
An island in the Rio Paraná, Yacyreta is a refuge for a localised fauna that includes capybara, howler monkeys and agoutis. The marshy grasslands are ideal habitat for globally-threatened species such as Pinnated Bittern, Bearded Tachuri, Black-masked Finch and Ochre-breasted Pipit, while a trip into the forest might even turn up a Bare-faced Currasow. One bird that real listers will have their eye on though is the frankly surreal Sickle-winged Nightjar, an extremely localised bird that breeds on the island in good numbers.
Sickle-winged Nightjar male (right) Eleothreptus anomalus
An island in the Rio Paraná, Yacyreta is a refuge for a localised fauna that includes capybara, howler monkeys and agoutis. The marshy grasslands are ideal habitat for globally-threatened species such as Pinnated Bittern, Bearded Tachuri, Black-masked Finch and Ochre-breasted Pipit, while a trip into the forest might even turn up a Bare-faced Currasow. One bird that real listers will have their eye on though is the frankly surreal Sickle-winged Nightjar, an extremely localised bird that breeds on the island in good numbers.
Sickle-winged Nightjar male (right) Eleothreptus anomalus
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Main Targets:
Our main targets are the rare Sickle-winged Nightjar and the vulnerable Saffron-cowled Blackbird. Grassland specialities we would hope for are Black-masked Finch, Cock-tailed Tyrant, Ochre-breasted Pipit and Sharp-tailed Tyrant. "Cappuccino" seedeaters are present only during October and November. In the forest we have a possibility of Bare-faced Currasow.
Recommended duration:
To get the best from this tour we suggest at least 3 days.
Best time to visit:
This tour is available year round. Though it may rain at any time from September to May, the main "rainy season" is from October to November when mud can occasionally be a problem and there are more insects around. However this is also the best time of year for reptiles and amphibians, and increases the chance of seeing "cappuccino" seedeaters on passage.
Itinerary:
(from Asunción)
Day 1 - Early departure from Asunción, birding marshes en route to Ayolas. Night drive.
Day 2 - All day birding and wildlife-watching in grasslands and marshes at Isla Yacyreta (with optional visit to the Yacyreta Dam). Night drive.
Day 3 - Morning birding in forest at Isla Yacyreta. Return to Asunción and end of services.
(from Encarnación)
Day 1 - Early departure from Encarnación, birding marshes of Ruta 1 en route to Ayolas. Night drive.
Day 2 - All day birding and wildlife-watching in grasslands and marshes at Isla Yacyreta (with optional visit to the Yacyreta Dam). Night drive.
Day 3 - Morning birding in forest at Isla Yacyreta. Return to Encarnación and end of services.
(Itineraries are subject to change according to levels of animal activity or client´s preference.)
What else might we see?:
Isla Yacyreta is privately-owned by the Entidad Binacional Yacyreta (EBY), the dam company that constructed the Yacyreta Dam (which can be visited during this trip if you are interested enough!). The building of the dam flooded much of the island, but as part of the contract allowing the dam to be built the EBY was required to protect the rest of the island as a nature reserve. And what a good job they did!
Isla Yacyreta is a mosaic of flooded natural grassland and humid riparian forest. The grasslands are home to a number of rare species such as Sharp-tailed Tyrant, Black-masked Finch, Lesser Grassfinch, Ochre-breasted Pipit, Bearded Tachuri and "cappuccino seedeaters" (October to November only). In the wetter areas we may encounter Pinnated Bittern, Ash-throated Crake and Crested Doradito amongst others while White-tailed Hawk is amongst the most conspicuous of raptors. Other more widespread birds in this area include Yellowish Pipit, Large Elaenia, Fork-tailed Flycatcher, Masked Gnatcatcher, Double-collared and Capped Seedeater, and Tropical Kingbird.
We will be checking out wet areas on the mainland too where we would hope to see Great and Cattle Egret, Cocoi and Whistling Heron, Maguari and Wood Stork, White-faced and Bare-faced Ibis, Great Pampa-finch, Wedge-tailed Grassfinch and Yellow-rumped Marshbird. A far more interesting wetland Icterid will be our main target in this area though, the globally-threatened Saffron-cowled Blackbird. It is frequently seen in flocks feeding on nearby rice fields.
The riparian forest at Yacyreta houses an unsual mix of Atlantic Forest and Humid Chaco birds. Blue-fronted Amazon is common, as is Olive Spinetail, and all four species of becards are possible in a single morning - Crested, Grey-naped, Green-backed and White-winged. Pale-crested Woodpecker is not the only large woodpecker we are likely to see, Lineated and Crimson-crested are here as well in addition to the predictably smaller Little Woodpecker and White-barred Piculet. The forest is wet and is ideal habitat for the magnificent Bare-faced Currasow, we will be listening out for its "heavy-breathing" call in order to find it. Pheasant Cuckoo is another extraordinary inhabitant of the forest here. Less effort will be required to see Green Kingfisher, Greyish Saltator, Orange-headed Tanager and Great Antshrike.
After dark the island comes to life and Sickle-winged Nightjar is our main target, particularly impressive during their territorial displays. Its by no means the only nightjar around though and Little, Rufous, Scissor-tailed and Pauraque are amongst the other possibilities. Another nightbird that is often encountered is the handsome Striped Owl, with Stygian Owl slightly more difficult to find.
Black Howler Monkey is common on the island, as is Capybara and Pampas Cavy. In the forest Azara´s Agouti is relatively easy to see.
Our main targets are the rare Sickle-winged Nightjar and the vulnerable Saffron-cowled Blackbird. Grassland specialities we would hope for are Black-masked Finch, Cock-tailed Tyrant, Ochre-breasted Pipit and Sharp-tailed Tyrant. "Cappuccino" seedeaters are present only during October and November. In the forest we have a possibility of Bare-faced Currasow.
Recommended duration:
To get the best from this tour we suggest at least 3 days.
Best time to visit:
This tour is available year round. Though it may rain at any time from September to May, the main "rainy season" is from October to November when mud can occasionally be a problem and there are more insects around. However this is also the best time of year for reptiles and amphibians, and increases the chance of seeing "cappuccino" seedeaters on passage.
Itinerary:
(from Asunción)
Day 1 - Early departure from Asunción, birding marshes en route to Ayolas. Night drive.
Day 2 - All day birding and wildlife-watching in grasslands and marshes at Isla Yacyreta (with optional visit to the Yacyreta Dam). Night drive.
Day 3 - Morning birding in forest at Isla Yacyreta. Return to Asunción and end of services.
(from Encarnación)
Day 1 - Early departure from Encarnación, birding marshes of Ruta 1 en route to Ayolas. Night drive.
Day 2 - All day birding and wildlife-watching in grasslands and marshes at Isla Yacyreta (with optional visit to the Yacyreta Dam). Night drive.
Day 3 - Morning birding in forest at Isla Yacyreta. Return to Encarnación and end of services.
(Itineraries are subject to change according to levels of animal activity or client´s preference.)
What else might we see?:
Isla Yacyreta is privately-owned by the Entidad Binacional Yacyreta (EBY), the dam company that constructed the Yacyreta Dam (which can be visited during this trip if you are interested enough!). The building of the dam flooded much of the island, but as part of the contract allowing the dam to be built the EBY was required to protect the rest of the island as a nature reserve. And what a good job they did!
Isla Yacyreta is a mosaic of flooded natural grassland and humid riparian forest. The grasslands are home to a number of rare species such as Sharp-tailed Tyrant, Black-masked Finch, Lesser Grassfinch, Ochre-breasted Pipit, Bearded Tachuri and "cappuccino seedeaters" (October to November only). In the wetter areas we may encounter Pinnated Bittern, Ash-throated Crake and Crested Doradito amongst others while White-tailed Hawk is amongst the most conspicuous of raptors. Other more widespread birds in this area include Yellowish Pipit, Large Elaenia, Fork-tailed Flycatcher, Masked Gnatcatcher, Double-collared and Capped Seedeater, and Tropical Kingbird.
We will be checking out wet areas on the mainland too where we would hope to see Great and Cattle Egret, Cocoi and Whistling Heron, Maguari and Wood Stork, White-faced and Bare-faced Ibis, Great Pampa-finch, Wedge-tailed Grassfinch and Yellow-rumped Marshbird. A far more interesting wetland Icterid will be our main target in this area though, the globally-threatened Saffron-cowled Blackbird. It is frequently seen in flocks feeding on nearby rice fields.
The riparian forest at Yacyreta houses an unsual mix of Atlantic Forest and Humid Chaco birds. Blue-fronted Amazon is common, as is Olive Spinetail, and all four species of becards are possible in a single morning - Crested, Grey-naped, Green-backed and White-winged. Pale-crested Woodpecker is not the only large woodpecker we are likely to see, Lineated and Crimson-crested are here as well in addition to the predictably smaller Little Woodpecker and White-barred Piculet. The forest is wet and is ideal habitat for the magnificent Bare-faced Currasow, we will be listening out for its "heavy-breathing" call in order to find it. Pheasant Cuckoo is another extraordinary inhabitant of the forest here. Less effort will be required to see Green Kingfisher, Greyish Saltator, Orange-headed Tanager and Great Antshrike.
After dark the island comes to life and Sickle-winged Nightjar is our main target, particularly impressive during their territorial displays. Its by no means the only nightjar around though and Little, Rufous, Scissor-tailed and Pauraque are amongst the other possibilities. Another nightbird that is often encountered is the handsome Striped Owl, with Stygian Owl slightly more difficult to find.
Black Howler Monkey is common on the island, as is Capybara and Pampas Cavy. In the forest Azara´s Agouti is relatively easy to see.
What does it cost?:
The price includes pick-up from and return to Asunción hotel, accommodation, transport, food, non-alcoholic drinks and guiding fees.
It does not include travel insurance, personal expenses, alcoholic drinks or travel costs incurred before the beginning of the tour or after return to Encarnación or Asunción.
For further information or to book your tour email us at faunaparaguay@yahoo.com.ar
The price includes pick-up from and return to Asunción hotel, accommodation, transport, food, non-alcoholic drinks and guiding fees.
It does not include travel insurance, personal expenses, alcoholic drinks or travel costs incurred before the beginning of the tour or after return to Encarnación or Asunción.
For further information or to book your tour email us at faunaparaguay@yahoo.com.ar
Bare-faced Currasow Crax fasciolata
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