Note: we started to plan to visit Guyana, but then found out that Guyana has a life jail sentence for gay activities. We are not gay but many of our friends are, and we decided that we could not visit a country that our friends could not safely visit just because of who they were.
We used Paramaribo-based birding guide Sean Dilrosun (seandil@hotmail.com) to organize and lead our entire trip while in Suriname. His rate was very reasonable, and he proved to be both an excellent organizer and birding guide, as well as terrific company, with a broad knowledge and range of interests, as well as a sharp wit in English. He is also fluent in Dutch, Sranan Tongo (the patois of Paramaribo and the coastal area), and Saramaccan (the creole of the Maroons who live around Brownsberg). I think that it’s fair to say that based on our experience with Sean, shorebirds and flycatchers were his weaker groups (as they are for most mortals) – but he was very good on most other bird groups and his local knowledge (he has been guiding for birders for about ten years, but before that he lead general nature tours to almost all the key places in Suriname) was invaluable. For example at Brownsberg he seemed to have a precise spot or two for almost all the target species, and knew them all by ear. From a logistical viewpoint everything went smoothly, and Sean (pronounced “seen”) was flexible and sensitive to our desires and limitations – we highly recommend him.
Our itinerary was as follows:
Nov 8/9: arrived at midnight Sean met us and took us to a small family-style hotel in a suburb of Paramaribo very close to his home (Hotel de Luifel).
Nov 9: All day birding around Paramaribo, including the Botanic Garden, spots along the river north of the city, Peperpot, a new location on the west side of the city called Chocopot, and finishing on the Weg naar Zee (“Road to the sea” in Dutch). Night back at the hotel in Paramaribo.
Nov 10: Early drive south to Airport area, in the northern savanna (did not try for nightjars as we’ve seen them before). Various spots in the savanna zone, which included open savanna and large sections of gallery forest, e.g. at Berlijn (we really like that spot). Night at cabin in Colakreek - a weekend rustic resort a few kms from the airport.
Nov 11: Morning back at same savanna locations; afternoon drive east to Paramaribo-Brownsberg road, with visit to more-wooded savanna there, then on to Brownsberg. First of four nights in Kapasi Cabin at Brownsberg Nature Park (= Bberg in Trip List).
Nov 12 – 14: three full days walking the trails (mostly the Mazaroni trail) at Brownsberg.
Nov 15: morning at Brownsberg; after lunch drive back to Paramaribo with a stop at the more-wooded savanna roughly east of the Airport, plus various roadside stops. Night at same small hotel in Paramaribo.
Nov 16: started at Peperpot then back over to west side of river and Chocopot before finishing again along the Weg naar Zee. Night at same Paramaribo hotel.
Nov 17: Sean met us very early for the transfer to the airport.
I think that going in November cost us quite a few birds. Sean knew of many locations for many of the target birds, but there was almost no response to playback, and some birds seemed to be absent from their normal haunts. Note that it was a month or so into the dry season; even so, it rained most afternoons at Brownsberg – once torrentially and for a long time. The roads and trails were littered with large muddy puddles (the frogs were happy!) – I can only imagine what it is like during the rainy season, but I think the birds may be more responsive.
Places/Accommodations:
Hotel de Luifel in Pramaribo: Typical of many moderate small hotels I’ve stayed at in South America. The rooms are rather stark, with no decorations, but were large enough for us to spread out our typical birder’s luggage on the floor. The a/c worked fine, but took about 45 minutes to cool down the room from scratch. On our last day Sean called the hotel about an hour before we got back so they could turn on the a/c in our room – a nice touch as it was very hot around Paramaribo and it was wonderful to walk into a pre-cooled room! The shower was a large walk-in affair with lots of very hot water; the experienced Neotropical travelers among you will know how treasured it is to have reliable, fast-arriving, sustained hot water… After four nights at Brownsberg (cold showers) we were fantasizing about the shower in our Luifel room on the drive north! Note that Sean lives about 300 yards from this hotel, which adds a comfort factor should something unexpected occur. It is on the west side of the city, such that getting to Chocopot, river spots north of the city, and Weg naar Zee are easy. Peperpot is on the east side of the Suriname River and requires a trip through the centre of town (where typical tourist hotels are located) then on to the only bridge crossing the river.
Colakreek: A “resort” that seemed aimed at people from Paramaribo to use as a weekend retreat. It is located amidst a large tract of forest in the savanna zone south of the airport. It is important to realize that the main airport is about 40 miles south of Paramaribo, out in the countryside, and that there are only small villages nearby. There are no hotels; taxis run from the airport to Paramaribo only (i.e. no local cabs), etc. Our accommodation was a cabin with two rustic bedrooms, one shower (cold water only) and one toilet, and a kitchen/dining area. Rather basic, but perfectly fine for birders – our one regret was not being able to spend much time there, as the cabin was set back in the edge of nice-looking forest and the whole place looked very birdy (Sean said it was a good place to see Cayenne Jays, although we did not see them in our limited time).
Brownsberg Nature Park: Operated by STINASU (a local conservation NGO) and all reservations for accommodation must be arranged through them. About 100 miles south of Paramaribo is a huge lake created by damming the Suriname River. To the west of this lake is a narrow plateau at 450 – 500 meters that rises out of the forested lowlands, running in a NNE-SSW direction. The whole area, including the plateau, is covered in tall primary forest, except for a few small villages and one very small town at the NW corner of the plateau, from where a rough 4WD road provides the only access “up-top”. From the start of the access road it takes about 90 minutes to drive the 14 kms without stops – longer in the rainy season. There are birding opportunities on the way up, and the road has very little traffic. Once you reach the plateau, you soon arrive at a series of small forest clearings, the largest of which is home to three rentable cabins and Rocky’s restaurant. At the far end of the clearing is an overlook providing fabulous views over the forest and lake. (one of the rentable cabins is just yards from this overlook) There are a couple of clearings off to the right (as you arrive) that have other accommodations (including camping) available, and from the overlook to the left is a very small clearing and a cabin with its own overlook (rather restricted currently, due to the forest slowly closing the gap) – this is Kapasi cabin, where we stayed for 4 nights. It consisted of two bedrooms (each with a double bed and one bunk bed), a separate shower (cold water only) and toilet, a small kitchen and a larger dining area, with another bunk bed against the window along the edge of the covered deck facing the overlook. Again somewhat basic, but charming and we really enjoyed our stay there. NOTE that no towels are provided, and the bed linen was minimal; the mattresses were on the thin side, so larger people (like us) might want to double-up the mattresses or take an inflatable liner. Although we had dodged the Horse Fly period, we still got lots of bites – mostly from things we had no idea were biting us (i.e. tiny things that did not hurt) – but that was partly our fault as we did not use any repellant, despite having a good supply (doh)… As of this writing a few weeks after the trip we have no ill-effects from these bites. From our cabin’s clearing a small trail goes north into the forest for about half-a-mile, arriving at an overlook on the end of the ridge, with somewhat restricted views on both sides of the ridgeline. This trail goes up and down a bit, but is not strenuous; one-third of the way along it there is another rentable cabin, set under canopy of the forest. This is the most remote cabin from the main clearing. All meals are either prepared yourself in your cabin with provisions brought up from below, or purchased at Rocky’s. We did the latter for all our meals (included in our package with Sean), and really enjoyed every meal. NOTE there is no menu; you sit down to what ever Rocky and Gracia have prepared; I expect dietary limitations can be accommodated to some degree but you’ll need to give the charming Rocky some notice.
There are a number of trails at Brownsberg – many of them actually jeep-roads and thus wide and easy to walk, except for getting around the numerous large puddles in the roads (even in the dry season!). The main such road is the Mazaroni Trail, which goes roughly straight SSW along the top of the plateau for about 6 kms. We did most of our birding from this trail or trails leading off from it. There are other trails that drop down to the lowlands or take you to waterfalls, but we did not visit them.
We felt completely safe the entire time in Suriname. It was strange being in a South American country where my Spanish was useless and there was a complete lack of Latin influence. As it turned out, a large number of the people we came into contact with spoke at least some English – of course Sean was there to translate when needed. I was obsessive about the security of my belongings, but other visitors to Brownsberg were happy to leave things lying about without concern. I felt almost foolish for being so neurotic about that! The food was sometimes simple, but almost always very good – we really enjoyed the Asian influence in the cuisine.
Despite the less-than-stellar return of target species (largely due to the time of year, I feel), I was very happy with our trip, and would heartily recommend Suriname (and Sean) for all types of birders.
Heard-only species with an asterisk (*) NOTE: heard-only species with two asterisks (**) were those that we had previously seen well and did not attempt to see on this trip.
Great Tinamou* Tinamus major Heard almost daily at Bberg
Cinereous Tinamou* Crypturellus cinereus Heard once at Peperpot
Red-legged Tinamou* Crypturellus erythropus Heard twice in the savanna woods
Variable Chachalaca Ortalis motmot A small group on savanna woods
Marail Guan Penelope marail One a Bberg
Black Curassow Crax alector a group of three were seen at dawn and dusk near our cabin (Kapasi) at Bberg
Marbled Wood-Quail* Odontophorus gujanensis Heard a couple of times at Bberg
Wood Stork Mycteria americana a group of six birds flying in distance from Weg naar Zee
Rufescent Tiger-Heron Tigrisoma lineatum one in airport savanna
Great Egret Ardea alba numerous
Snowy Egret Egretta thula numerous
Little Blue Heron Egretta caerulea a few from Weg naar Zee
Tricolored Heron Egretta tricolor two or three from Weg naar Zee
Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis numerous
Striated Heron Butorides striata one at airport savanna; one from Weg naar Zee
Black-crowned Night-Heron Nycticorax nycticorax 1 from Weg naar Zee
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron Nyctanassa violacea fairly numerous from Weg naar Zee
Black Vulture Coragyps atratus numerous; scarce at Bberg
Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura numerous; uncommon at Bberg
Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture Cathartes burrovianus 1 in savannas; a few from Weg naar Zee
Greater Yellow-headed Vulture Cathartes melambrotus singles from Peperpot, savannas, and two at Bberg
King Vulture Sarcoramphus papa five at Bberg
Osprey Pandion haliaetus three in coastal area
Gray-headed Kite Leptodon cayanensis a distant perched raptor from Weg naar Zee must have been an immature of this species
Swallow-tailed Kite Elanoides forficatus numerous Bberg; 2 savannas
Snail Kite Rostrhamus sociabilis common coastal area
Slender-billed Kite Helicolestes hamatus one close to Peperpot
Double-toothed Kite Harpagus bidentatus 1 at Bberg
Plumbeous Kite Ictinia plumbea numerous at Bberg
Black-collared Hawk Busarellus nigricollis one north of Paramaribo; one at Peperpot
White Hawk Leucopternis albicollis one at Bberg
Rufous Crab Hawk Buteogallus aequinoctialis two north of Paramaribo; three at end of Weg naar Zee
Roadside Hawk Buteo magnirostris individuals at various spots
White-tailed Hawk Buteo albicaudatus one in savanna south of airport
Ornate Hawk-Eagle Spizaetus ornatus one confiding adult at Bberg
Black-and-white Hawk-Eagle Spizaetus melanoleucus one perched adult inside forest at Bberg
Lined Forest-Falcon Micrastur gilvicollis one seen and others heard at Bberg
Red-throated Caracara Ibycter americanus a few at Bberg
Crested Caracara Caracara cheriway two by river north of Paramaribo were unusually far east
Yellow-headed Caracara Milvago chimachima a few in coastal area
Laughing Falcon Herpetotheres cachinnans one from Weg naar Zee; one in savanna
Bat Falcon Falco rufigularis one at Peperpot; two at Bberg
Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus one from Weg naar Zee
Russet-crowned Crake Anurolimnas viridis one seen twice by Martin but eluding Sheridan…
Purple Gallinule Porphyrio martinica one from Weg naar Zee
Azure Gallinule Porphyrio flavirostris 3 from Weg naar Zee
Limpkin Aramus guarauna one from Weg naar Zee
Gray-winged Trumpeter Psophia crepitans up to 20 wild but habituated birds at Bberg
Black-bellied Plover Pluvialis squatarola one from Weg naar Zee
Semipalmated Plover Charadrius semipalmatus 3 from Weg naar Zee
Wattled Jacana Jacana jacana fairly common in wet areas
Spotted Sandpiper Actitis macularius a few in coastal area
Solitary Sandpiper Tringa solitaria a few in coastal area; one in savanna
Greater Yellowlegs Tringa melanoleuca 3 from Weg naar Zee
Lesser Yellowlegs Tringa flavipes 9 from Weg naar Zee
Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus 2 from Weg naar Zee
Semipalmated Sandpiper Calidris pusilla 10+ from Weg naar Zee
Least Sandpiper Calidris minutilla small numbers from Weg naar Zee
White-rumped Sandpiper Calidris fuscicollis one juvenile from Weg naar Zee
Pale-vented Pigeon Patagioenas cayennensis one in the savanna
Scaled Pigeon Patagioenas speciosa one in the savanna
Ruddy Pigeon Patagioenas subvinacea uncommon at Bberg
Common Ground-Dove Columbina passerina fairly common in the savanna
Plain-breasted Ground-Dove Columbina minuta one in the eastern savanna
Ruddy Ground-Dove Columbina talpacoti common in coastal area
White-tipped Dove Leptotila verreauxi one at Peperpot; a few in savanna woods
Gray-fronted Dove Leptotila rufaxilla common by voice at Bberg – a couple of habituated individuals at feeding station
Painted Parakeet Pyrrhura picta a flock of 6 at Bberg
White-eyed Parakeet Aratinga leucophthalma a few flocks in savannas
Brown-throated Parakeet Aratinga pertinax a few flocks in coastal area and savanna
Red-bellied Macaw Orthopsittaca manilata fairly common in savanna
Green-rumped Parrotlet Forpus passerinus a few flocks in coastal area
Golden-winged Parakeet Brotogeris chrysoptera two sightings in savanna
Blue-headed Parrot Pionus menstruus a few pairs Bberg
Dusky Parrot Pionus fuscus pairs almost daily at Bberg
Orange-winged Parrot Amazona amazonica fairly common in coastal area
Little Cuckoo Coccycua minuta 3 parading on fenceline next to road, Weg naar Zee
Squirrel Cuckoo Piaya cayana a few individuals at various locations
Striped Cuckoo Tapera naevia heard a couple of times, and seen once near Paramaribo
Greater Ani Crotophaga major uncommon in coastal area
Smooth-billed Ani Crotophaga ani common in coastal area
Amazonian Pygmy-Owl* Glaucidium hardyi heard downslope at Bberg
Common Pauraque Nyctidromus albicollis 2 at Colacreek near Airport – looking oddly small compared to TX birds - ?
Great Potoo Nyctibius grandis one on day roost at Peperpot
Chapman's Swift Chaetura chapmani a flock over clearing at Bberg; a small flock over road at Cootje's restaurant north of Airport
Short-tailed Swift Chaetura brachyura fairly common in coastal area
Band-rumped Swift Chaetura spinicaudus small flocks north of Airport and at Bberg
Lesser Swallow-tailed Swift Panyptila cayennensis a handful in with other swifts north of airport and at Bberg
Fork-tailed Palm-Swift Tachornis squamata fairly common in coastal area and in savanna
White-necked Jacobin Florisuga mellivora one Bberg
Rufous-breasted Hermit Glaucis hirsutus 3 Peperpot
Straight-billed Hermit Phaethornis bourcieri one Bberg
Long-tailed Hermit Phaethornis superciliosus common Bberg
Little Hermit Phaethornis longuemareus 2 Peperpot
Black-eared Fairy Heliothryx auritus fairly common Bberg
Green-tailed Goldenthroat Polytmus theresiae common in savanna
Ruby-topaz Hummingbird Chrysolampis mosquitus one in savanna; one near Peperpot
Green-throated Mango Anthracothorax viridigula adult and imm male in flowering tree at Botanic Garden
Black-throated Mango Anthracothorax nigricollis fairly common coastal area
Racket-tailed Coquette Discosura longicaudus one male seen briefly by Martin at Bberg
Tufted Coquette Lophornis ornatus 2 high-perched males plus a female with two juvs (next to restaurant) at Bberg
Gray-breasted Sabrewing Campylopterus largipennis 5 at Bberg
Fork-tailed Woodnymph Thalurania furcata 4 at Bberg
Plain-bellied Emerald Amazilia leucogaster one at Peperpot
Glittering-throated Emerald Amazilia fimbriata fairly common in coastal area and in savanna
White-chinned Sapphire Hylocharis cyanus uncommon at Bberg
Black-tailed Trogon** Trogon melanurus Heard at Berlijn forest in the savanna
Green-backed Trogon Trogon viridis one seen at Bberg and other heard at various locations
Guianan Trogon Trogon violaceus one at Peperpot
Ringed Kingfisher Megaceryle torquata 2 in coastal area
Amazon Kingfisher Chloroceryle amazona one seen by Sheridan at Peperpot
Green Kingfisher Chloroceryle americana 2 seen on coastal wooded areas.
Green-and-rufous Kingfisher Chloroceryle inda one photographed on Mazaroni Trail, Bberg for a rare record at this elevation
American Pygmy Kingfisher Chloroceryle aenea 2 Peperpot
Pied Puffbird Notharchus tectus Peperpot
Black Nunbird Monasa atra 2 Berlijn forest in Savanna
Swallow-winged Puffbird Chelidoptera tenebrosa fairly common in coastal and savanna forests
Green-tailed Jacamar Galbula galbula one at Peperpot
Paradise Jacamar Galbula dea one on savanna
Black-spotted Barbet Capito niger one at Peperpot
Green Aracari Pteroglossus viridis seen twice at Bberg
Black-necked Aracari Pteroglossus aracari two seen by the road in eastern savanna (Bberg - Paramaribo road)
Guianan Toucanet Selenidera culik two seen at Bberg
White-throated Toucan Ramphastos tucanus two seen at Bberg; heard in savanna
Channel-billed Toucan Ramphastos vitellinus one seen on savanna woods
Arrowhead Piculet Picumnus minutissimus fairly common in coastal area
Golden-collared Woodpecker Veniliornis cassini pair at Peperpot; heard/glimpsed at Berlijn forest in savanna
Blood-colored Woodpecker Veniliornis sanguineus seen twice at Peperpot
Golden-olive Woodpecker Colaptes rubiginosus 3 of the near-endemic nigriceps form at Bberg
Waved Woodpecker Celeus undatus 3 at Bberg
Cream-colored Woodpecker Celeus flavus a pair at Peperpot; a pair in roadside woods in the savanna
Ringed Woodpecker Celeus torquatus one at Bberg
Lineated Woodpecker Dryocopus lineatus one a Bberg
Red-necked Woodpecker Campephilus rubricollis one at Bberg
Pale-breasted Spinetail Synallaxis albescens a pair near Paramaribo
Plain-crowned Spinetail Synallaxis gujanensis one near Paramaribo
Yellow-chinned Spinetail** Certhiaxis cinnamomeus heard a couple of time near Paramaribo
Point-tailed Palmcreeper Berlepschia rikeri Seen very well at Berlijn forest and heard at two other locations in the savanna
Wedge-billed Woodcreeper Glyphorynchus spirurus Two at Bberg
Straight-billed Woodcreeper Dendroplex picus one at Peperpot
Chestnut-rumped Woodcreeper Xiphorhynchus pardalotus one at Bberg in small understory flock
Buff-throated Woodcreeper Xiphorhynchus guttatus 5 at Bberg
Fasciated Antshrike Cymbilaimus lineatus one at Bberg in small understory flock
Black-crested Antshrike Sakesphorus canadensis fairly common in coastal area, , plus a pair in the savanna
Barred Antshrike Thamnophilus doliatus a pair in savanna
Northern Slaty-Antshrike Thamnophilus punctatus a female near roadside woods in savanna
Mouse-colored Antshrike Thamnophilus murinus one in savanna; two at Bberg; heard often
Amazonian Antshrike Thamnophilus amazonicus a female at Bberg
Cinereous Antshrike Thamnomanes caesius one at Bberg
Pygmy Antwren Myrmotherula brachyura 3 at Bberg
Long-winged Antwren Myrmotherula longipennis a pair in small understory flock, Bberg
Gray Antwren Myrmotherula menetriesii a pair in small understory flock, Bberg
White-fringed Antwren Formicivora grisea a pair in savanna
Gray Antbird Cercomacra cinerascens 2 at Bberg
Dusky Antbird Cercomacra tyrannina 4 at Bberg
Blackish Antbird Cercomacra nigrescens a pair at Peperpot – isolated nominate form
Guianan Warbling-Antbird Hypocnemis cantator a pair in Berlijn forest in Savanna; one at Bberg
Black-chinned Antbird* Hypocnemoides melanopogon heard at Peperpot
Black-headed Antbird Percnostola rufifrons a pair at Bberg
Ferruginous-backed Antbird Myrmeciza ferruginea one finally gave great looks on the last day at Bberg
Black-throated Antbird Myrmeciza atrothorax at pair at Peperpot
White-plumed Antbird* Pithys albifrons heard twice but not seen at Bberg…
Rufous-throated Antbird Gymnopithys rufigula a small antswarm at Bberg produced at least 3 of these smart antbirds
Spot-backed Antbird Hylophylax naevius 2 at Bberg
Spotted Antpitta* Hylopezus macularius heard once at Bberg
Thrush-like Antpitta* Myrmothera campanisona heard daily at Bberg
Southern Beardless-Tyrannulet Camptostoma obsoletum one in savanna
Mouse-colored Tyrannulet Phaeomyias murina one near Paramaribo
Yellow-crowned Tyrannulet Tyrannulus elatus one near Paramaribo
Forest Elaenia Myiopagis gaimardii two at Berlijn forest in savanna
Yellow-bellied Elaenia Elaenia flavogaster 3 in forest patches near Paramaribo
Plain-crested Elaenia Elaenia cristata two in savanna
Rufous-crowned Elaenia Elaenia ruficeps two in savanna
McConnell's Flycatcher Mionectes macconnelli one at Berlijn forest in savanna; one at Bberg
Guianan Tyrannulet Zimmerius acer one at Bberg
Northern Scrub-Flycatcher Sublegatus arenarum one at end of Weg naar Zee
Pale-tipped Tyrannulet Inezia caudata one near Paramaribo
Double-banded Pygmy-Tyrant* Lophotriccus vitiosus heard once at Bberg
Helmeted Pygmy-Tyrant** Lophotriccus galeatus heard in woods in savanna
Spotted Tody-Flycatcher Todirostrum maculatum a pair at the end of Weg naar Zee
Painted Tody-Flycatcher Todirostrum pictum 2 at Peperpot
Gray-crowned Flycatcher Tolmomyias poliocephalus one at Bberg
Golden-crowned Spadebill Platyrinchus coronatus Sheridan saw one on road up to Bberg
Pied Water-Tyrant Fluvicola pica fairly common in coastal area
White-headed Marsh Tyrant Arundinicola leucocephala a few in the savanna
Cinnamon Attila Attila cinnamomeus a few in the forest patches near Paramaribo
Dusky-capped Flycatcher Myiarchus tuberculifer two in coastal area
Lesser Kiskadee Pitangus lictor one at Peperpot
Great Kiskadee Pitangus sulphuratus ubiquitous in coastal and savanna edges
Boat-billed Flycatcher Megarynchus pitangua a few in the forest patches near Paramaribo
Rusty-margined Flycatcher Myiozetetes cayanensis ubiquitous in coastal area
Yellow-throated Flycatcher Conopias parvus 3 in savanna
Piratic Flycatcher Legatus leucophaius 2 in coastal area; 2 in savanna
Variegated Flycatcher Empidonomus varius 2 in woods in savanna
Sulphury Flycatcher Tyrannopsis sulphurea 2 in savanna
Tropical Kingbird Tyrannus melancholicus ubiquitous except Bberg
Fork-tailed Flycatcher Tyrannus savana one near Paramaribo
Purple-throated Fruitcrow Querula purpurata a small group flew in front of the car in the eastern savanna woods
Capuchinbird Perissocephalus tricolor 2 or 3 individuals "singing" and seen at Bberg – Sheridan’s Bird of the Trip
Spangled Cotinga Cotinga cayana 2 at Bberg
Screaming Piha* Lipaugus vociferans heard often at Bberg
Saffron-crested Tyrant-Manakin* Neopelma chrysocephalum heard only in easten savanna - very frustrating…
Tiny Tyrant-Manakin Tyranneutes virescens 2 in Berlijn forest in Savanna
White-throated Manakin Corapipo gutturalis an immature male at Bberg
White-fronted Manakin Lepidothrix serena 3 at Bberg
Black Manakin Xenopipo atronitens a pair in eastern savanna
White-crowned Manakin Pipra pipra a pair at Bberg
Crimson-hooded Manakin Pipra aureola a male in forest patch near Paramibo
Golden-headed Manakin Pipra erythrocephala 2 in Bberg
Black-tailed Tityra Tityra cayana 2 at Bberg
Thrush-like Schiffornis* Schiffornis turdina heard at Bberg
Cinereous Mourner* Laniocera hypopyrra heard at Bberg
Cinereous Becard Pachyramphus rufus 3 in coastal area; 1 in savanna
White-winged Becard Pachyramphus polychopterus 1 in coastla area; 2 in savanna
Glossy-backed Becard Pachyramphus surinamus a pair at the Berlijn forest in Savanna - the highlight of the trip for me!
Red-eyed Vireo Vireo olivaceus one in woods in Savanna, others heard at Bberg
Lemon-chested Greenlet Hylophilus thoracicus one at Bberg
Ashy-headed Greenlet Hylophilus pectoralis 2 at Botanic Garden; one at Peperpot
Buff-cheeked Greenlet Hylophilus muscicapinus one at Bberg
Gray-breasted Martin Progne chalybea ubiquitous
White-winged Swallow Tachycineta albiventer Common in savanna
Coraya Wren Pheugopedius coraya 2 seen others heard at Bberg
Buff-breasted Wren Cantorchilus leucotis 1 at Peperpot
House Wren Troglodytes aedon a few along Weg naar Zee
White-breasted Wood-Wren** Henicorhina leucosticta heard daily at Bberg
Musician Wren Cyphorhinus arada fabulous views of a pair at Bberg
Tropical Gnatcatcher Polioptila plumbea 2 at Peperpot
Black-capped Donacobius Donacobius atricapilla one from roadside, Weg naar Zee
Pale-breasted Thrush Turdus leucomelas ubiquitous except Bberg
Spectacled Thrush Turdus nudigenis 3 coastal area
White-necked Thrush Turdus albicollis ubiquitous at Bberg
Tropical Mockingbird Mimus gilvus ubiquitous except Bberg
Tropical Parula Setophaga pitiayumi one at Bberg
Yellow Warbler Setophaga petechia one from roadside, Weg naar Zee
Bananaquit Coereba flaveola ubiquitous
Black-faced Tanager Schistochlamys melanopis a few in savanna
Hooded Tanager Nemosia pileata a pair at Peperpot
Fulvous-crested Tanager Tachyphonus surinamus 2 at Bberg
White-lined Tanager Tachyphonus rufus a few in coastal area
Red-shouldered Tanager Tachyphonus phoenicius 3 in savanna
Silver-beaked Tanager Ramphocelus carbo ubiquitous except Bberg
Blue-gray Tanager Thraupis episcopus ubiquitous except Bberg
Palm Tanager Thraupis palmarum ubiquitous
Blue-backed Tanager Cyanicterus cyanicterus a pair in a mixed flock in the canopy at Bberg - another trip highlight
Turquoise Tanager Tangara mexicana 4 in coastal forest patches
Bay-headed Tanager Tangara gyrola a few at Bberg
Burnished-buff Tanager Tangara cayana a few in savanna
Black-faced Dacnis Dacnis lineata 2 at Bberg
Blue Dacnis Dacnis cayana fairly common Bberg
Green Honeycreeper Chlorophanes spiza fairly common Bberg
Short-billed Honeycreeper Cyanerpes nitidus a male (guide saw a female) in mixed flock at Mazaroni overlook, Bberg
Purple Honeycreeper Cyanerpes caeruleus common at Bberg
Red-legged Honeycreeper Cyanerpes cyaneus fairly common Bberg
Grayish Saltator Saltator coerulescens Shedian saw one near Paramaribo
Slate-colored Grosbeak Saltator grossus one at Bberg
Blue-black Grassquit Volatinia jacarina common in coastal area
Wing-barred Seedeater Sporophila americana fairly common in coastal area and savanna
Wedge-tailed Grass-Finch Emberizoides herbicola one in savanna
Pectoral Sparrow Arremon taciturnus one at Bberg
Hepatic Tanager Piranga flava seen 3 times at Bberg - all males
Blue-black Grosbeak Cyanocompsa cyanoides one in savanna woods
Red-breasted Blackbird Sturnella militaris fields along Weg naar Zee
Eastern Meadowlark Sturnella magna one in savanna
Carib Grackle Quiscalus lugubris a few at end of Weg naar Zee
Yellow-hooded Blackbird Chrysomus icterocephalus a fe near canal along Weg naar Zee
Shiny Cowbird Molothrus bonariensis 3 in coastal area
Giant Cowbird Molothrus oryzivorus one in savanna
Yellow Oriole Icterus nigrogularis fairly common except Bberg
Red-rumped Cacique Cacicus haemorrhous 2 at Berlijn in savanna
Yellow-rumped Cacique Cacicus cela fairly common in woods of coastal area and savanna
Green Oropendola Psarocolius viridis 2 Bberg
Crested Oropendola Psarocolius decumanus fairly common in coastal area and savanna
Finsch's Euphonia Euphonia finschi a pair seen daily around main clearing at Bberg
Violaceous Euphonia Euphonia violacea one at Peperpot; one at Bberg
We also saw and photographed six of the eight species of monkey known from Suriname, plus Tayra, South American Coatimundi, Red-rumped Agoutis, pygmy squirrels, a few bats, numerous frogs and lizards, and a couple of snakes. Finally, we photographed a number of great butterflies and dragonflies, a few of which are quite rare and little-known (e.g. Evenus sponsa – a rare hairstreak limited to the Guianas, and a flying red darner dragonfly that might be an undescribed genus).