New raptor species for reserve

Today, I found a juvenile White-tailed Hawk soaring high up in the valley; a new species for the reserve, taking the tally up to just over 300 (records started 16 years ago), so obviously quite a rarity.

White-tailed Hawk (juv) - note the distinctive shape in flight, with the first four primaries much longer than the rest.

It was a good day for raptors on the whole, with six species seen; both vultures, Roadside Hawk, Short-tailed Hawk and Red-tailed Hawk. There were also numerous (c.400) White-collared Swifts flying high in the sky; I believe this is the second largest species of swift in the world. A Chestnut-headed Oropendola also flashed accross the road as I drove down the mountain standing in the back of a pick-up truck.

Short-tailed Hawk - very similar plumage to our Common Buzzard in Europe.

Red-tailed Hawk - bigger than I expected having not seen this species before.

We started the morning with a session of yoga in the most amazing room with an incredible view across the valley and up to the mountain tops.

On the walk back up to the village to have brunch, a Tiger Rat Snake crossed the road; the first snake I've seen since being here. It measured a good 6 or 7 feet!