Friday, October 13, 2023

The Park and its surroundings


 
Intervales State Park is a protected area  managed by Fundação Florestal (Forestry Foundation), an organization linked to the São Paulo State Environmental Secretariat. It comprises an area of about 41.700 hectares and it was created in 1995, although the area had been protected since 1987 (former Fazenda Intervales). The Park is situated on a 3300 ft high escarpment the Serra do Mar, that runs parallel to the Atlantic coast of SE Brazil, and is located between the following reserves:

 
Carlos Botelho State Park - 37.000 hectares 
Petar - 36.000 hectares 
Fazenda Nova Trieste - 30.000 hectares 
Xitué - 3.000 hectares 
Nascentes do Paranapanema - 22.000 hectares 
All these areas above contains pristine Atlantic forests over an altitudinal gradient from nearly sea level to 3300 ft. elevation, covering more than 150000 hectares, known as "Continuum de Paranapiacaba". See the map below. 
     

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The huge size of the "Continuum de Paranapiacaba"  along with the others reserves bordering Intervales are some of the factors that help protecting the park, as it is located in the middle of it, making a perfect destination for birdwatchers looking for the Atlantic Forest Ecosystem, more than 430 species of birds have been recorded in the park and its buffer zone, this number is attributed to the good status of conservation . The other good thing is the birdwatching trail system that Intervales has to offer to the guest, most of them can be accesseble by 2x4 car at any time, making Intervales one of the most productive birding site in SE Brazil.


Take time to really enjoy this unique rainforest and its sounds.

 


Birding Trails


Self-guided Trail
The central area of the Park around the lodges there is a self-guided trail through secondary growth, marsh areas and fishing lakes. There is plenty of good birding in this trail and the following species can be seen: Rusty-barred Owl, Buff-fronted Owl (seeing occasionally), Stygian Owl (seen recently) White-breasted Tapaculo, Araucaria Tit Spinetail, Giant Antshrike, Large-tailed Antshrike, Red-eyed Thornbird, Swallow-tailed Cotinga, Red-ruffed Fruit Crow, Azure-shouldered Tanager, Golden-chevroned Tanager, Blue-and-orange Tanager (during the winter), Olive-green Tanager, Blue Dacnis and Black-legged Dacnis (nesting every year around the lake).

 

Mirante Trail

This trail begins just in front Pica-pau Lodge and goes up for 2,5 km, with an altitude varying from 2.800 to 3.000 ft. At the end of the trail is possible to see a beatiful sight of the hilly landscape of the "Continuum de Paranapiacaba". Highlights include White-bearded Antshrike, Bertoni's Antbird, Ferruginous Antbird, Such's Antthrush, Short-tailed Antthrush, Spotted Bamboowren and Atlantic Royal Flycatcher ( nesting by the Lago Negro).
 

Lageado Trail
The most reliable trail for species suchs as: Blue-bellied Parrot (May/June), Oustalet's Tyrannulet, Mottle-cheeked Tyrannulet, Russet-winged Spadebill, Crescent-chested Puffbird.


 

Carmo Road
Carmo Road is a 35 km driving path, which begins at the central area of the park (2.800 ft. elevation) and ends at Alecrim ranger station (600 ft. elevation), only the first 10 kms of the road can be accessed by 2x4 car, the road goes through well preserved forest, surrounded by Palm trees (Euterpes edulis), and bamboo (Guadua tagoara), attracting a great variety of species such as: Solitary Tinamou,  Mantled Hawk, Black-faced Piping-Guan (most reliable place), Blue-bellied Parrot, Rusty-breasted Nunlet,  Crescent-chested Puffbird, Saffron Toucanet, Helmeted Woodpecker (most reliable place), Slaty Bristlefront, Tufted Antshrike, White-bearded Antshrike, Star-throated Antwren, Scaled Antbird, Squamate Antbird, Such’s Antthrush, Speckle-breasted Antpitta, White-collared Foliage-Gleaner, Pale-browed Treehunter, Grey-capped Tyrannulet, Oustalet’s Tyrannulet, Brown-breasted Bamboo-Tyrant, “Atlantic” Royal Flycatcher, Pin-tailed Manakin, Serra do Mar Tyrant-Manakin, Hooded Berryeater, Cinnamon-vented Piha (common at Carmo), Bare-throated Bellbird (abundant), Brown Tanager, Buffy-fronted and Temminck’s Seedeater, (both abundant when the bamboo is flowering) Red-rumped Cacique and Golden-winged Cacique. 


 

Barra Grande Road                                                                                                               
Like Carmo Road, Barra Grande Road begins at the central area of the park and ends at São Pedro Nucleus, which is 45 kms from the park's headquaters, only the first 10 km is 2x4 drivable, with a 4x4 car is possible to traverse primary forest for 10 kms (3 km ahead Barra Grande), where  is excellent for birding, especially the first 5 kms. Notable birds include Mantled Hawk, Black-faced Piping-Guan, Rusty-barred Owl, Black-capped Screech-owl Owl, Silky-tailed Nightjar (occasionally seeing), Crescent-chested Puffbird,  Giant Antshrike, Red-ruffed Fruit Crow, Bare-throated Bellbird, Pin-tailed Manakin, Azure-throated Tanager, Golden-chevroned Tanager, and Black-legged Dacnis.

 

Ribeirão Grande Road

This road which links Ribeirão Grande City to Intervales is also good for species which are not common in the park. Spotted Nothura, Small-billed Tinamou, American Kestrel, White-tailed Hawk, Red-legged Seriema, Burrowing Owl, Short-eared Owl (seen occasionally), White-eared Puffbird, Yellowish Pipit (always on the fence post), Gray Monjita (always on the fence post), Streamer-tailed Tyrant, Grassland Yellow-finch, Wedge-tailed Grass-Finch, White-browed Blackbird, Chestnut-capped Blackbird and Yellow-rumped Marshbird are some of the species you are likely to see on the way to the park.

Saibadela                                                                                                                               
On the low section of the Park we have one of the best birding site, Saibadela Trail offers the chance to see a high range of lowland birds, located at about 200 ft from sea level and surrounded by a well-preserved forest (Primary Growth mainly), different birds not found on the high section of the Park can be found there, such as: Yellow-legged Tinamou, Chanel-billed Toucan, Blue-bellied Parrot , Brown-backed Parrotlet (occasinally seeing), Black-headed Berryeater (commonly seeing), Azure Jay (commonly seeing), Green Honeycreaper among others. This trail is not generally opened to the public but can be accessed by arrangement in advance.
 

Birding Guides

Local guides 
In order to access all the trails and find those wanted species, Intervales has three excellent local birding guides to accompany the visitors, they were born and raised in the park and have an unrivalled knowledge of the area, they know the calls and the scientific names of all the birds in the region and where to find them.
  • Luis Avelino started working with bird researching in 1987, since then Luis has gathered a great experience.
  • Betinho Rodrigues began his career working as birding guide in 2002, he is also a good photographer.
  • Gerson Rodrigues guiding since 2015
  • Renato Paiva guiding since 2015
  • Faustino Avelino has been working as birding guide since 2004, leading people from all around the World.


All the trails except the self-guided trail must be accompanied by a birdwatcher guide from the Park.


*We do recommend that you book the guides in advance.
For more information about fees, booking, guide and acommodation contact us:
Phone: 005515 3542 1511 / 005515 3542 1245
jr.intervalesATgmail.com
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