This one day tour brings us to the Carrasco national park.
The park headquarters is found near the start of the Carrasco National Park road. From here, the Oilbird caves, or “Cavernas del Repechon Guacharos” in Spanish, make a wonderful 2 to 3 hour excursion from Villa Tunari. Access to the caves is tightly controlled and requires a park guard escort. Oilbirds are nocturnal so, if possible, the caves can be visited during heat of the day when other bird activity has lulled. The guards also know a good Cock-of-the-Rock site that is usually active during the late afternoon.
Continuing up the road from the park headquarters, just after the river crossing, the road passes through interesting Foothill Tropical forest. This area can be easily birded from the road. This area would make a good early morning walk. Amazonian Umbrellabird have been seen here and the Andean Cock-of-the-Rock site is in this area.
Several birds of more Amazonian character are possible in this area, such as Flammulated Pygmy-Tyrant, Chestnut-tailed Antbird, and Paradise and Magpie Tanagers, along with lower foothill specialties such as Sepia-capped
Flycatcher, Mottle-backed Elaenia, Sclaterβs Tyrannulet, and Fawn-breasted Tanager. Weβll scan the river boulders for Fasciated Tiger-Heron and spend part of one day going up the old road, where the scarce and fabulous Amazonian Umbrellabird and Andean Cock-of-the-rock are possible, Squirrel Cuckoo, Yellow-billed Oropendola, Crested Oropendola, Piciu Ground-Dove, and Silver-beaked Tanager. Just after the small settlement, there is a small pond/marsh that is worth a quick scan. There are also 2 caves where we will see different bat species.