BIRD WATCHING IN OVERBRIDGE AND THE SAVANNAS

OVERBRIDGE

Overbridge is a resort on the bank of the Suriname River. A substantive part of the original vegetation is left untouched, which gives us the opportunity to birdwatch near the lodges. On a sand field near the restaurant one often can see a Collared Plover. The forest on both sides of the road to Overbridge is a swamp forest. In the early morning, one can hear the calls of over-flying Green Ibises. In a small artificial lake nearby, one finds Least Grebes. An open swamp with dead trees offers opportunities to spot Black-necked Araçaris, Long-tailed tyrants, Green-tailed Jacamars and Yellow-tufted Woodpeckers. Overbridge is well situated for visiting the nearby savannas by Powakka and Phedra.

POWAKKA SAVANNA

Powakka is a nearby Amerindian village. The Amerindians have planted pineapples in such a way that the plantation seems part of the natural habitat. When the pineapples flower, Ruby-topaz hummingbirds and Green-tailed Goldenthroats are humming around. This is one of the best places to spot the rare Pale-bellied Mourner and the race albimarginatus of Swainssons Flycatcher. Plain-crested and Rufous-crowned Elaenia’s are common here and Lesser Elaenia has been spotted. With a bit of luck one can see one of the beautiful colored Cotinga’s in the canopy at the edge of the savanna.

PHEDRA SAVANNA FOREST

The type of savanna forest near Phedra is called ‘dwarf forest on white sand’. Three species of birds which are thought to be rare are actually common in this type of habitat: Bronzy Jacamar, Black Manakin and Saffron-crested Tyrant-manakin. Rufous Nightjar has also been heard.

ZANDERIJ SAVANNAS

Near Zanderij and the international airport we find all different savanna habitats in a relatively small area. In the night and early morning we can see or hear Common Potoo’s, White-tailed Nightjars and Lesser Night-hawks. Here is the only place in Suriname where we can find the Eastern Meadow Lark. Crested Bobwhites are common, but difficult to see. Giant Snipe has been spotted. Black-faced Tanagers are common. Large flocks of Red-shouldered Macaws fly over in the morning. Grassland Sparrows may be seen sitting on the fence of the airport. The nest of the Black Manakin on the photo, made here by Foek Chin Joe, is the second nest ever found of this species. The song of the Red-legged Tinamou is almost constantly heard during the morning hours.

[photos] Green-tailed Jacamar by Nobuhisa Takano, Pale-bellied Mourner by Candi McManiman, and Female Black Manakin taken by Foek Chin Joe.