I've got a few more goodies to add, topped by a Rufous-vented Ground-Cuckoo I found on the trails above the Canopy Lodge on June 15th. I heard the bird's bill-snapping alarm call, and further investigation revealed a Plain-brown Woodcreeper and a pair of Rufous Motmots attending a rather large ant swarm. I got lucky at one point and turned to see the Ground-Cuckoo standing on the edge of the trail, where it lingered for only a few seconds. The guides at the Canopy Lodge tell me that I am especially lucky to find this rare bird in Panamanian winter, when sightings are even more infrequent than usual. Also found this day were a Slaty-capped Flycatcher and a White-tipped Sicklebill
A few more sightings from Cerro Gaital on June 17th: I enjoyed a lengthy look at a male Blue Seedeater just above Estacion #2. I should have captured film of the bird, but it always seemed to be backlit!
Also present were several Black-faced Grosbeaks and a calling Barred Hawk. I also got some nice film of the male White-ruffed Manakin pictured at right. It's not a Watchlist species,
but I figured I'd include the nice still of this calling bird just to break up the monotony!
