Salve Floresta is a Birdwatching Paradise and a second home to the true lovers of nature, with the conservation of our Atlantic Forest and Exotic species at top priority!
by Laurin Soares & Micayla Dennis
8 min read
In the early morning, SARACURAS wake the visitors with their characteristic song. During the day, TUCANS land on the trees to eat their fruits, alongside rare birds such as MARIA-LEQUE-DO-SUDESTE, which can be watched from our tropical garden house. The interest in bird watching has increased significantly in recent years, where for many people this activity has become a hobby. Bird watchers are important for the protection of the environment as they look for birds in an untouched environment and stand up for it.
In recent years Eco Lodge Salve Floresta has been visited by many professional ornithologists from Brazil and abroad. In Brazil about 1900 different bird species have been identified and cataloged. In the Salve Floresta region, more than 300 birds have been seen, photographed and recorded in Wikiaves. Birdwatching requires quiet, gentle and patient behavior, such guests are always welcome at Salve Floresta.
The most successful ornithologist in the world was the American Phoebe Snetsinger (1931-1999) who observed 8400 live bird species and received an entry in the Guinness Book of World Records. In 2017, the American Jonathan Hornbuckle (1943-2018) broke this record by watching some 9,600 species of birds.
As an advocate for Eco Tourism, Salve Floresta aims at providing an ideal space for birdwatchers to observe birds in their natural habitat without any interference with their behaviour or environment. It is through our commitment to conservation and minimal impact that we open our doors to bird watchers who hold environmental awareness to a high value.
Our spaces provide unique opportunities to view exotic birds found throughout our region, in a close up and un-invasive manner. Our treetop lookout tower is ideal for spotting birds that are known for their activities in the treetops, such as ANAMBEZINHO, ARAPONGA DO HORTO e MARIA PEQUENA. For the species of birds that prefer an environment closer to the ground, JAÓ- DO-SUL, MACUCO e MACUQUINHO, we have a bamboo hidden house, the perfect place to hide out in comfort, whilst waiting for the perfect close up encounter. Our surroundings boast a variety of hikes that can give you the opportunity to spot hundreds of different species of birds, like TUCANO-DE-BICO-PRETO, ARAPONGA, ARAÇARI-POCA e o PAVÓ, whilst being guided through their natural rainforest habitat by an experienced guide.
The popularity of bird watching is ever increasing in Brazil, and now with the constant improvement of digital cameras, it is possible to capture and share these encounters like never before! According to the Brazillian Committee of Ornithological Records, Brazil ranks second in the world for number of species of birds, where you can find around 1900 different cataloged birds, many of which are found only in Brazil in one of our many diverse biomes. Here at Salve Floresta, we take up part of the Atlantic Forest, providing a unique experience in viewing some unique bird species.
To interact with nature in a non-invasive way, we attract birds closer with the installation of feeders close to their natural environment. By placing bananas ripe from our banana plantation, oranges off of our trees and corn near the ground, we attract many birds by still providing food straight from their habitat.
By approaching the birds steadily, with patience and slow movements, you will have the opportunity to see them up close. For Salve Floresta it is especially important that our birds are not trained, so they will not interact directly with you. This is so that their natural behaviours are not directly impacted or changed through contact with humans.
The Atlantic Forest is said to be more than 60 million years old. In the last century, São Paulo has lost a large majority of its natural vegetation, including most of the Atlantic Forest. As of 2017, it was recorded that less than 15% of the Atlantic Forest remains. Most of what remains is now protected through conservation, and as these conserved spaces welcome in tourists through eco-tourism, bird watching has become a popular eco-conscious activity.
Birds form part of a much bigger cycle in nature, responsible for the survival and wellbeing of many other species of plants, insects and animals. Hummingbirds are responsible for pollinating flowers, which can be viewed up close near our abundance of Hibiscus trees. Other species of birds play an important role by dispersing seeds after eating different fruits. Certain species of birds keep the ecosystem in balance by being a predator to insects, and others the prey.
By providing a space of conservation for these numerous species of birds, we are ensuring their existence going into the future. By placing our attention on the survival of a variety of birds, we have the opportunity to conserve larger parts of the environment as well.
As the Atlantic Forest is a region known for having some of the greatest biodiversity in the world, it’s further destruction could be truly catastrophic. We need to protect the sections of unspoiled nature that we have left by remaining consistent in our conservation projects, and continuing to educate people on the importance of sustainability. As environmental degradation continues to threaten our natural environment, and lead to the possible extinction of many species of birds and animals, by standing together we have the ability to positively impact the continuation of this precious biodiversity in the future.
A target of Salve Floresta is afforestation and restoration of cleared forest areas.
By regional integration and cooperation we mean activities to overcome the economic and social structural chalenges of the Tapirai region.