The End of an Era

After over 6 years of intensive research and community development work in and around the Yachana Reserve, GVI Amazon is coming to a close. We have finished our final research project (look forward to our Road Effects paper, coming soon!) and are handing over the project to our partner, The Yachana Foundation. They will continue to maintain and monitor the reserve, using it as an hands-on science education center for students -- we're very excited to see what fabulous things this next generation of scientists find! For more detail on GVI Amazon's closure, and our accomplishments over the years, please read on...
GVI Amazon Closure Statement

Saturday, October 17, 2009

Sat Camp in the Yachana Reserve

Sat camp was a great trip. We collected all our gear together with granola, snacks, baked potatoes, and a ready-made evening meal. I set out with some trepidation but made it OK!

We set up the hammocks and then went for a dip in the waterfall pool; covered ourselves with clay (to wash ourselves in the cool water). We then had supper. Andy ate his almost as soon as we arrived.

I attempted to light a fire but it went out. Andy showed me how to make a real fire. We had a hot drink then went on a stream walk. We started upstream. We saw a cane toad. What beautiful amphibians! The vegetation prevented too much progress so we went downstream. It was so good just to be out there. We found a frog which had a yellow back with yellow and chicken-flesh colored legs. On the way back we found a Gladiator Frog (Hypsiboas Boans) – beautiful.

After a few stories I was off to bed. The hammock was great; I only woke twice and didn’t have to get up for a pee which was just as well because of the rain!

After the granola breakfast, we went mist netting. One Great-billed Hermit (Phaethornis malaris), two juvenile Blue Manakins (Chiroxiphia caudate) - which were hell to get out of the net(!), a Sooty Antbird (Myrmeciza fortis), and one Rufous-breasted Hermit (Glaucis hirsutus). At about 11:00am we packed up camp and started back. We saw two Black-mantled Tamarins (Saguinus nigricollis) on the way back. I slipped at the start and Andy caustically said, “Good start, Giles!”

I dropped my bathing trunks and my tarpaulin. Everyone helped the geriatric cripple when things got a little dicey. It was a great trip and my back seems to be holding up. BUT I didn’t carry any firewood! Thanks to all concerned.

Giles Knowles, GVI Amazon volunteer, October - December 2009

Share/Save/Bookmark

0 comments: