We wake up later today, only at 5:30AM which is a boon versus the usual 4AM times. Again the breakfast will be eaten on the road so out we go to wait for our transportation. We learn that today we will get the same SUV as yesterday which makes us happy as our driver was by far the most knowledgeble. But when the cars arrive, our SUV is nowhere to be seen, we learn that there were technical issue and a replacement pickup was sent. So from the most experienced driver we now have the least experienced, so the cookie crumbles I guess. The road is also much more adventurous with multiple water crossing and some light real off road driving.
We stop at a few waterholes but as the last car we have only meager viewings. Or so we assume but we get lucky as we are the only ones to see a Crab-eating Raccoon leaving one of the waterholes after having enough of all the SUVs disturbing his sleep.
The road is not always bad, we follow mostly a dirt road but there are stretches where we have to go around bad spots or private areas which is the reason for all the offroad adventures.
As the road is deserted we hope to see at least some interesting birds and we are not disappointed with a lifer already on the way in, a small Yellowish Pipit group eating on the side of the road.
As we approach the river and the border we are informed that a ranch blocked the road ahead and we need to take a shortcut via a rocky wash which is a real 4WD adventure to us with the cars barely making it out of the wash.
And then we are at the first major spot where we will stop. The drivers and guides prepare our breakfast, sandwhiches and coffee and everyone recuperates after the drive and starts to take in their surroundings.
We are quite close to the Ireng River which is the border to Brazil on this stretch and we are here to look for two special birds. Both are range restricted and quite rare with this spot in Guyana being the best for a chance to see them. One, the Hoary-throated Spinetail, is usually seen near our breakfast spot and our guides are quite excited as they hear it in the brush. However a long time passes between heard and being seen due to its preference for dense underbrush. But in the end everyone has seen in so it is time for a short drive to the next stop and next special bird.
Here we walk on a short trail which has a great chance for Rio Branco Antbirds. But maybe not when it is raining? As it starts to rain just as we begin on the trail. Luckily our guide is right and during a pause in the rain we get great views of a Rio Branco Antbird, supposedly more skulky but we get great views of it.
Returning it is raining again so we hide under some large trees and wait for it to pass while looking for birds.
The most special bird on this return trip is a Roseate Spoonbill flying over the Ireng River. There is a whole discussion if it should be counted for Brazil and Guyana, we decide Guyana so one more bird for the list :).
Now it is time to return to the ranch via a slightly different route. As we found both target birds fast the guides have a few more stops planned on the savanna mostly near wetlands and lakes.
The first stop back is near a lake where we hope to see some interesting water birds. The views are great with rain in the distance over the lake but there are not that many unexpected birds.
Mostly there are some ibises and storks, both seen previously but still fun to observe again.
Here there is a request to take photos of the guides given that we are getting close to the end of the tour. Both the local and Rockjumper guide sit for the photo happily, our bird list is one the longest for a Rockjumper tour especially in the last years.
We move to the next marshy area and initially there is nothing exciting except a Great Egret. But our guides persist and suddenly everyone gets excited as a Pinnated Bittern was seen. It takes a bit for us to see it given how hidden it is but we get lucky in the end, phew.
We thought that is the last lifer for the trip but we have one more surprise as we approach Manari Ranch. Right next to the road in a dead tree sits a Pearl Kite, another lifer for us, so cool.
And then it is time for one more creek crossing which everyone survives and then we are back at Manari Ranch. We say goodbye to our drivers and go to our room packing, the only thing left is to return to Georgetown and then to US after a very busy but productive trip.
