Wednesday, April 30, 2008

Back to Mato Grosso.

Hello!
I’m already in Mato Grosso! I arrived , yesterday, at mid-night. In time to see a Nacunda Nighthawk flying around the light of a utility pole. Today, I will meet my clients at mid-night ( Is this a curse?).  Tomorrow morning I will take them to the Pantanal. It’s being great to be back to Mato Grosso. Lots of Red-shouldered Macaws, flying over my home. But, an event shocked me, yesterday, I saw a couple of neighbors being arrested. I will I will NEVER mention their names . They are lawyers and they work for a Lumber Company. They were accused of dealing with illegal lumber from the Amazon Forest. Just thinking that for some days, some birds in the Amazon Forest, will have their tress for a bit longer gave some hope on Justice in Brazil. From now on…I can’t predict when I will be able to post more comments…Since the Internet access in the Pantanal is not reliable…So, kindly, would like to ask my readers to be patient…
Cheerio!
Paulo Boute.
www.boute-expeditions.com

Monday, April 28, 2008

Birdwatching Course in Aracajú - Sergipe.

Hello!
I hope you all had a nice weekend.
I do have very good news: The Birdwatching Course, that I presented with Professor Marcelo Sousa, was absolutely fantastic!!!
We had two classes: One withe 15 students and another with 06 students. They were all ready to learn!
We supported them to stay connect by the INTERNET & have as many field trips they can.
Today, I'm leaving for a two month trip to Mato Grosso, where I will be guiding at the Pantanal, Serra das Araras, São Jose do Rio Claro, Alta Floresta and Chapada dos Guimarães National Park. It will be three different groups.
I will try to keep you all up dated of this big adventure, specially, about the Harpy Eagle that is building their nest...
May you all have a great day & wonderful Week!
Yours,
Paulo Boute.
www.boute-expeditions.com

Thursday, April 24, 2008

Birdwatching Classes.

Hello!
Today will be a great day!
I will teach at the very first Birdwatching Course at the city of Aracajú - State of Sergipe.
It will be about 10 (ten) students of Biology, on each class. ( It will be 02 classes in the total).
I'm very excited about teaching them their first steps on Birdwatching - Which is a totally UNKNOWN hobby on this part of the country...It be something like, "starting from ground zero".
But, it is very promising - This is a unique part of Brazil - Lots of birds a good number of endemics.
I will keep everyone posted about this course and specially about our field trips & birds we will see!
Cheers,
Paulo Boute.
www.boute-expeditions.com

Wednesday, April 23, 2008

Harpy Eagles!

Hello!

Today, I would like to share a site, that describes a encounter with the Harpy Eagles, at Serra das Araras in Mato Grosso, specially, because they are nesting again(!!!)...

Good Reading!

http://montereybay.com/creagrus/harpy.html

Paulo Boute.
www.boute-expeditions.com

Monday, April 21, 2008

Holidays...

Hello!

For most birders Holidays can be a great opportunity going out for Birdwatching.
But if, you are coming on a Birding Trip to Brazil, I strongly suggest you to watch out for Holidays & avoid them!!!
This week, we are having a National Holiday ( Today) and Wed. will be a state holiday in Rio.
Surely, the Itatiaia National Park will be crowded with visitors. Which can be a problem for those willing to bird there …
Our Set Departures, are planned to avoid such situations but, if you are coming to Brazi on your own or on a private trip, it will be wise to get informed about Holidays.
In time: This morning , I managed to watch my first Blue-winged Parrotlet near my home. I had seen it in other locations & only heard them around my home a couple of times.
It was great, specially, because I had my son, along with me.

May everyone have a great day & wonderful week!

Paulo Boute.
www.boute-expeditions.com

Friday, April 18, 2008

Brazilian Field Guides

Hello!

For those willing to Bird in Brazil. I would recommend the Field Guides, written by Tomas Sigrist:

http://www.avisbrasilis.com.br/store/produtos_descricao.asp?codigo_produto=3

and by Deodato Sousa:

http://www.buteobooks.com/archives/souza.html

The first one, is being offered, as a courtesy for the 2008 Tour Participants of Boute Expeditions.

Enjoy the weekend!

Paulo Boute.

www.boute-expeditions.com ( This Friday be closed for maintenance)

Thursday, April 17, 2008

Birding in Brazil - Where to Start???

Hello!
Brazil is a huge country - It is bigger than the Continental US if, we don't count Alaska...
With LOTS of Birds - Beyond 1.600 species...
So, very often, I get the folowing question: "Where to Start???"
My best suggestion, would be: Mato Grosso combined with Atlantic Forest.
Why?
Because, it in two weeks, you may get, as much as, 600 species - giving you a wonderful "sample" of the Brazilian Birds - Including LOTS of endemics.
I have this two birding tours combined at my web site: www.boute-expeditions.com
If, you have any further question, please, don't hesitate in contactin me. Thanks.
Yours,

Paulo Boute.

Tuesday, April 15, 2008

Birding the Brazilian Northeast

Hello!
Soon, I intend to launch at my site the itineraries for the Brazilian Northeast Birding Tours.
I shall have a main tour, lasting seven days plus optional extensions.
Something might surprise the readers will be the distance covered by car during just one week:
Over 1.000 (One Thousand ) miles. The reason is the need of covering different habitats in different Brazilian States. The good side of it, is besides, seeing incredible birds such Lear's Macaws and the
Araripe Manakin, this tour will allow birders to see a LOT of the back country of this part of Brazil.
Paulo Boute.
www.boute-expeditions.com

Monday, April 14, 2008

Bird Trade.

Hello!
I would wish to have another more pleasant subject to write about, today...But, the illegal bird trade in Brazil is very serious...I hope this article can ilustrate this sad situation & eventually, help in finding a solution...
The illegal bird trade in Brazil is huge. And, it is getting worst and worst. Reason: Since there is deforestation and the birds are disapering the prices for birds are getting higher and higher, so the pressure to capture them...
I strongly suggest to birders, willing to visit Brazil to search (On the Net...)for serious organizations that are working to preserve Nature & its birds & make a donation. Surely, they will fell much better birding in Brazil, knowing that those birds they are watching are getting his contribution for their survival.
May everyone have a great day & wonderful week!
Paulo Boute.
www.boute-expeditions.com

Friday, April 11, 2008

Red-headed Manakin.

Hello !
Last Monday, I went to Murici.
This is the name of a county on the state of Alagoas.
We arrivReed by noon. It was raining cats and dogs!
But, after an hour or so, we had some very good sun light!
Which gave us the opportunity of watching a male RED-HEADED MANAKIN, displaying for a female.
Which was the best display, that I ever had! Reasons: It was perched below us, and, it was standing on a sunny branch! Surely, we had a private performance!
Enjoy the Weekend!
Paulo Boute.
www.boute-expeditions.com

Thursday, April 10, 2008

ARACAJÚ.

Hello!
Aracajú is the capital of the State of Sergipe.
Sergipe is the smallest State of Brazil, being located on the Northeast part of the country.
Aracajú is an indian name that means "Macaws on the Cashew Nut Tree". Surely, there are lots of Cashew Nuts Trees around here. We can't say the same of the Macaws...
There are the Red-shouldered Macaws in the area...I would say there are nearly commom.
There is a monument in town, showing Red-and-Green Macaws, together with some "Cashew Apples". But they are not in the area.
I , strongly, believe : Aracajú will be in a near future a great gateway for birders willing to bird in the Brazilian Northeast.
Paulo Boute.
www.boute-expeditions.com

Wednesday, April 9, 2008

ARAPONGAS

Hello!
After a few days away on a birding trip, it is great to be back.
Today, I would like to make some comments about Brazilian towns with bird names: The more striking it the town in the State of Paraná, called "ARAPONGAS", which means Bell Birds. On this towns ALL the streets & Avenues have bird names!!! It is a such pleasure to drive thru. it.
We also have another town, called ANHUMAS, at the State of Goiás but, the streets have regular names...In time: Annhumas means: Screamers.
Tomorrow, I will write about ARACAJU, my second home town.
Bye.
Paulo Boute.
www.boute-expeditions.com

Friday, April 4, 2008

Let's Bird in Brazil!

Hello !

This is my first post at BLOGGER.
I hope to be helpful to birders willing to Bird in Brazil.
This is an absolutely fantastic country - Lots of birds & number one for endemics in South America: About 200!!!

What else can I say?

Let's Bird in Brazil!

Paulo Boute.
wwww.boute-expeditions.com