Peru 09 Post 8 Sachavacayoc Lake

On June 13 after a night at Refugio, we left at dawn for a trip to Sachavacayoc Lake or SACHAL. This oxbow lake was formed when the Tambopata river changed course and left a landlocked body of water rich with wildlife. Just a short way upriver from the lodge, this was a really unique place.

As we left the lodge, it was not yet light. We were using flashlights to navigate the trail to the river, with the night jungle sounds all around us. On these nocturnal adventures, it was our practise to shine our lights up into the trees, mostly looking for owls (which we didn't get), but on this hike we found these 5 Speckled Chachalaca sleeping together in a tree.


I took these photo's with my little flash on the camera, and I was shooting up through the branches. Funny though they didn't even flinch. These long necked fruit eaters are about 20 inches long.



When we got to the river, it was beautiful.



After a short canoe ride upriver, we hiked about a mile or so to the lake. Once we got there we got onto a raft which our native guide Rudolopho both steered and propelled with an interesting rudder like contraption.



The lake is truly beautiful, and we worked along the shoreline looking for birds among the grass, reeds and jungle.


In the tall grass at the very edge of the water was a pair of Wattled Jacana. They were making a racket, and we soon saw evidence of a mating dance going on.


These guys are only about 9 inches, but they really look bigger with the bright plumage and the loud chatter and yapping.








Also very near the water but a bit higher in the grasses was the Black-Capped Donacobius. This unique long-tailed slender bird is grouped with the wrens in the bird guide, but at 9" is really much larger and more conspicuous. Beautiful.


It may be that is very chattery and musical bubbling song which could certainly be described as wren-like explains it's grouping.



There were a lot of insects that were working around the lake. They weren't really bothering us, but the flycatchers were having a great feast. It was tough to get them to sit still, but we did manage to get our binoculars on several species, including this Gray-Capped Flycatcher.









We are looking at a couple of different individuals here, with this second one being a bit larger, but they are all about 6.25 inches.




A close relative is the Great Kiskadee. This bird is about 8.5 inches.


There was another type of feed for a whole different group of birds near the lake. A good example is this gecko type lizard seen crawling up a tree trunk.


Hiding in the thick jungle at the very edge of the lake was this Rufescent Tiger-Heron. We almost missed it, and even when you knew it was there you had to really look hard to see it. Even though they are 26 -30 inches, they will stand motionless forever, and it makes them almost impossible to see. They are relatively uncommon.


Of course the kingfishers are also fairly common in this kind of habitat. This Ringed Kingfisher was working from tree to tree swooping down and back up. About a foot long.


Our friend the Hoatzin was numerous at the side of the lake. A lek provided good looks at all ages and even had several individuals sitting on nests.


Of course the lake had caiman. this individual looked to be about 10 feet or so long!



We also saw a number of River Otter, featured in an earlier blog post.


One of the highlights was this Boat Bill Heron. Tough to see, and very camo.



But due to the great work of our guide Rudolpho, we got good looks at it sitting under the canopy looking down on us. Although quite a distance away and up, it was nevertheless striking.


After trying to get a better look at it from the raft, we ended up scaring it off. Rudolpho however got off and began making his way through the dense underbrush, and then whistled for us.


We followed the bird through the jungle for a bit, and finally it landed and seemed to be secure that we were not going to be able to harm it. It was a real challenge however to find a spot to set up the camera where there was no foliage in the way.



At about 20 inches these things are impressive. The bill is huge and seems almost canvas like. I especially like the eyes on these bad boys, and this one was really giving me the stare down.


This is actually a rare bird and even though seeminly awake here, generally nocturnal, hunting along the water's edge at night.

With it's very light colored primaries, and almost white cheeks and neck, this was clearly a mature adult, as the younger birds are mostly brown all over.



Meanwhile back out on the lake it was more birdfeed. What you say? Well look close at these next couple of photo's. A certain bat is evident if you can find it.


Try clicking on the photo for a closer look. These tree bats are nearly invisible. I have fussed with the light to try and make them more visible in the pictures.




So now for who (or what) eats them. Check out this Bat Falcon. This bird is frequently seen near the river and the edge of the lakes. It fees on these bats regularly.




Very observant, and kinda tough looking up close, this guy is very fast and agile.


About 30 inches, with the female larger than the male.





While we were waiting for the boat back out on the river, I was tickled to see one of the local guys who was friends with Rudolpho looking at the Book to identify a bird we were looking at. I can't help but think that things get better when people begin to appreciate what is around.


The old man on the river was a fun find.




Along the bank of the river harvesting the clay were some really beautiful butterfly's. Among them was this one, which when it closed it's wings had a fun surprise.

Yep, this is the same butterfly. See in the photo below the one flying in at the top left hand corner of the photo.




One of my favorite scene's from the whole trip was this butterfly drinking from the salty moisture in the eye of the turtle.


Not sure if this was just queing up for a drink or what!