Rio Grande do Sul (1 Viewer)

[Beady Eyes]

Hello everyone
In March we will make our first trip to Brazil. We’ll be staying in Caxias but will have transport. We’re keen bird spotters - not experts. Everything will be new, exciting and different so some local/knowledgable advice would be very welcome. We’re happy to explore on our own or be guided - or even join a tour. We’re particularly keen to see falcons and raptors but actually everything will be fabulous. What is your advice please? Or tips? Thank you for your help.

 

[tjbirder999]

Hello everyone
In March we will make our first trip to Brazil. We’ll be staying in Caxias but will have transport. We’re keen bird spotters - not experts. Everything will be new, exciting and different so some local/knowledgable advice would be very welcome. We’re happy to explore on our own or be guided - or even join a tour. We’re particularly keen to see falcons and raptors but actually everything will be fabulous. What is your advice please? Or tips? Thank you for your help.

The best birding is the region is around Sao Francisco de Paula, which is not far from Caxias. An excellent option for a bird guide is Roberto Botelho, who runs the Pousada Recanto da Mata. He has several regional specialties in the area of forest behind the posada including some good owl species. He speaks very little English.

 

[Beady Eyes]

Thank you so much for this - really helpful. I’ve looked online and the place looks marvellous. Hopefully in March it won’t be too hot or buggy. We’ll give it a go. Any more suggestions would be welcome.

 

[sclateria]

If you have a couple of spare days and transportation, my suggestion would be to drive down to the coast and head south to the Lagoa do Peixe National Park. Stay in Mostardas at the Pousada Pouso Alegre and drive out to the north end of the park, or stay in Tavares (Hotel Parque da Lagoa) and visit from there. Lagoa do Peixe is, for my money, one of Brazil's absolute top birding sites. There aren't many endemics or really range restricted species, but the birding is superb.

If you go to the São Francisco de Paula area, definitely don't skip visiting the spectacular Itaimbezinho canyon at Aparados da Serra NP outside the town of Cambará do Sul, and also the equally wonderful Fortaleza canyon at the nearby Serra Geral NP.