BIRDWATCHING AROUND KAPPEL AIRSTRIP

Around the Kappel airstrip is a large savanna surrounded by rainforest. In the north the horizon is interrupted by the Tafelberg, the most eastern tepui in South-America. In the morning we can see large groups of Blue-and-yellow Macaws and Red-bellied Macaws. In the large Moriches palms, growing in a swampy part we find the skulking Point-tailed Palmcreeper. Black-billed thrush, Lesser Seedfinch and White-tailed Hawk are common.

In a savanna forest we find Black Manakin, Saffron-crested Tyrant Manakin and Bronzy Jacamar common. The rare and little known Pelzeln’s Tody-Tyrant has recently been found here.

The forest has many species of antbirds, foliage cleaners, woodcreepers, toucans and woodpeckers. Spectacular birds like Black Curassow and Grey-winged Trumpeters may be found with a bit of luck. See http://www.mytropicalgemtours.com/ for a complete species list.

[photos] Saffron-crested Tyrant Manakin by Pieter Verheij and Pompadour Cotinga taken by Foek Chin Joe.