Bird Group

Bois Neuf is a forested "island" of high ground in the Nariva Swamp to the west of Bush Bush Island. In the "bad old days" when bird-trapping was rampant, it was reputed to be one of the best areas to find the seed-finches that were popular as cage birds. Sadly, these birds were extirpated a long time ago. However, the site is a relatively undisturbed part of the Nariva basin and is still of great biological interest.

A trip to the area was organised in May 2009. Owing to uncertainties about the weather, availability of a guide, etc., the trip was not included in the official program.


Driving through the abandoned rice fields  [AW]

A pair of local guides, "Pusher" and Bunty, had been hired to lead the trip. After picking them up in the village of Plum Mitan, we drove south along the Plum Mitan road and turned eastward onto one of the roads leading into the northern sector of the swamp, in the Caltoo Trace area. This area had been partially drained and used for rice farming several years ago, and the pattern of the former rice paddies was still evident. The photo above shows the north-south dirt road we followed toward Bois Neuf. Perched in the small tree was our first catch of the day - a truly rare bird, a juvenile Northern Crested Caracara.

 

Northern Crested Caracara  [AW]

We continued south until we came to a river spanned by a concrete bridge. Here all but one of our vehicles were forced to stop, since the bridge, apparently in anticipation of future paving, was set one foot above the road surface. The only vehicle that could get past this point was Stephen Agostini's Land Cruiser.

We continued with most of the party on foot, still crossing abandoned rice fields. Our guides pointed out a female Ruddy-breasted Seedeater, referred to locally as "robin." A couple of Pale-breasted Spinetails were seen, and several more were heard calling.

After about 4 km we arrived at another watercourse, this one almost stagnant. A short distance downstream was a camp set up by a farmer who grew watermelons along the bank. We crossed the river with his assistance. At this point we were about 1 km from Bois Neuf.

[CH]

After the river crossing, we faced a dense barrier of vegetation. It was slow going, since we had to cut our way through. We were actually walking on a mat formed by the stems of the plants, which made the going rather difficult. However, the vegetation became more open as we moved away from the river. There was evidence of cattle farming, but no livestock was to be seen.

We soon entered the welcome shade of the Bois Neuf forest The trail climbed steadily through mature forest with large trees and a fairly open understory. The conditions here were exteremely dry, and perhaps because of this, the monkeys we had hoped to see were absent. We did hear the calls of Red Howler monkeys in the distance, possibly in Bush Bush. Streaked Flycatchers were seen in the understory.

Along the way we paused at a bivouac where our guides said they sometimes stayed overnight.

 [CH]

After half an hour we arrived at the mud volcano vent which marks the highest point of Bois Neuf. The elevation at this point is only about 30 metres.

 The vent of the mud volcano.
A continuous stream of mud flows from the volcano,
 accompanied by occasional eruptions of gas.

[CH] 

The position of the vent changes from time to time, and the entire area is covered with old mudflows. In fact, the mudflows may well have built the "island" itself.

On Bois Neuf hill we saw only one raptor, the Plumbeous Kite. Several hummingbirds were seen: White-chested Emerald, Rufous-breasted Hermit, Long-billed Starthroat, Blue-chinned Sapphire, Black-throated Mango. Also seen were Rufous-breasted Wren,  Orange-winged Parrot, Bananaquit, Grey-breasted Martin and Green-rumped Parrotlet.

On our way back, a Pinnated Bittern presented itself in the open - most unusual for this shy bird.

Left: Male Black-throated Mango [MR]    Right: Pinnated Bittern [MR]

Only one slight mishap marred the trip. An attempt to avoid one of the many deep ruts in the road led to the Land Cruiser slipping off the roadway and becoming stuck, canted over at an alarming angle. Fortunately no one was hurt. A friendly tractor-driver obliged us by pulling the vehicle out.

This trip was a memorable one, both as a hike and in terms of bird sightings. However, we visited the area at a time when much of the wildlife had probably deserted it due to the dry conditions. It may be worth while taking on the challenge of visiting earlier in the season, before the area has dried out completely.

Photos: Ann Williams, Michelle Rochford, Clayton Hull
Additional photos can be found in the Gallery at http://ttfnc.org/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=3

BIRD LIST

Old Rice Fields

Northern Crested Caracara
Yellow-rumped Cacique
Yellow-hooded Blackbird
Smooth-billed Ani
Greater Ani
Masked Yellowthroat
Pale-breasted Spinetail
Yellow-chinned Spinetail
Pied Water-tyrant
White-headed Marsh-tyrant M&F
Striated Heron

Little Blue Heron
Blue-black Grassquit
Tropical Kingbird
Red-bellied Macaw
Yellow Oriole
Shiny Cowbird - M&F
Ruddy-breasted Seedeater - juvenile
Limpkin

Fork-tailed Flycatcher
Turkey Vulture
Great Egret
Pinnated Bittern
Ruddy Ground-dove
Dove (unidentified)

Heard:
Barred anshrike

Bois Neuf Mud Volcano Hill

Streaked Flycatcher
Rufous-breasted Wren
Plumbeous Kite
Orange-winged Parrot
White-chested Emerald
Rufous-breasted Hermit
Long-billed Starthroat
Blue-chinned Sapphire
Bananaquit
Grey-breasted Martin
Parrotlet (green-rumped?)