Today we reached the deepest part of Pacaya Samiria reserve. This large reserve with over twenty thousand square kilometers of protected terra firme and varzea forests happens to be the largest one in Peru. It is located between two of the main Peruvian rivers, Marañón in the north and Ucayali on the southern side.
Here at Zapote River we always have great sightings. There is vibrant birdlife that entirely merges with the unique landscape made of large trees and flooded land. It is a beautiful place for skiff rides, kayaking and bird watching. The best part of this visit was watching a family of monk saki monkeys while having breakfast in the forest! You have your meal while you watch the surrounding flooded forest home of birds and monkeys.
For the afternoon we moved the Delfin II towards our next exploration site: Magdalena River. As this river overflows it creates flooded forests all around. The river banks are dotted with tall and skinny secropia trees (favorite for sloths) and aguaje along with many hundreds of other types of fruit trees and bushes. The forest here seems to attract yellow rump caciques and oropendola birds. Some trees have so many nests and birds that they seem to me like Christmas trees with live decorations.
This forest is home to woodpeckers and many raptors like great black hawks, black collared hawks and yellow headed cara-caras. The most exciting moment was when we spotted a white throated toucan. After this moment it was like a toucan festival as they appeared from the woods and flew above the river. As we were coming back we spotted a flock of paradise tanagers. These birds are among the top 16 species of birds one must see!
