Structure
Learn about the equipment available at the Ornithological Observatory
Observation Tower
The 13-meter-high tower is made of autoclaved eucalyptus citriodora and can hold up to 10 people. The ascent of its 65 steps allows stops at five intermediary decks, from where it is possible to appreciate different layers of the rainforest, including a multiplicity of plants and animals.
From the top deck, which is above the forest canopy, one can view the horizon 70 km away:
-
To the east, the ridge of the Serra do Mar, bordering the Serra da Baitaca State Park;
-
To the west, Curitiba and six neighboring municipalities, and the beautiful sunset over the Serra de São Luiz do Purunã;
-
To the north, the Serra da Ribeira, near the border with São Paulo state;
-
To the south, the continuity of the Serra do Mar mountain range and a horseshoe-shaped region, where is located the source of the Iraizinho River a tributary of the Iguassu River.
Even at night, the Observation Tower provides very attractive views, such as the full moonrise, on clear nights, without the mountain mist. For nighttime activities, safety is enhanced by illumination of the access trail.
See here other pictures of the Observation Tower.
Trails
There are three trails to unique scenery, with opportunities to observe birds, arboreal mammals (primates, coatis and other animals) and terrestrial mammals (agoutis, otters, raccoons, among others), the herpetofauna (amphibians), the entomofauna (insects), in addition to the rich vegetation of differente ecosystems of the Atlantic Forest:
-
The Xaxins Trail, which leads to a forest with dozens of Xaxins (Dicksonia sellowiana and Cyathea phalerata) — some estimated to be over 200 years old. On this stretch, you will also find a small river whose waters spring on the mountain in front of the Observatory's headquarters.
-
The Plateau Trail, where the highest point of the Observatory is located, at an altitude of 1,107m. On this trail, visitors can appreciate large trees such as Cedro-rosa (Cedrela fissilis) and Gramimunha (Weinmannia paulliniifolia) and fruit trees with good potential for attracting birds, such as Araçá-branco (Psidium longipetiolatum) and Pitangão or Cambuí-vermelho (Eugenia kleinii).
-
The Water Spring Trail, which leads to the water spring that supplies the Observatory. Its flow rate is 6 liters per minute or 360 liters per hour. On the botanical part of this trail, you can see endangered species such as the Imbuia (Ocotea porosa) and the Canela-sassafras (Ocotea odorifera).
In addition, the natural overlooks at the top of the Boa Vista Mountains are accessible. They are located on the border of the Serra da Baitaca State Park, in public areas that border the Ornithological Observatory to the east, 1,440 meters away from the main house. The lookout points provide breathtaking views. From the eastern, you can see Paraná Peak, the Conjunto Marumbi (a local mountain chain), and the northern section of Paraná's coastal plain. From the southern, you can see the Morro do Canal, Mananciais da Serra, and the mountains of the Guaricana National Park. From the north-west, you can see Curitiba and the metropolitan region, the Ribeira and São Luiz do Purunã mountain ranges, and area where Paraná Peak is located, the highest point in the Southern Region of Brazil.
It is worth pointing out that all of the trails require low to moderate levels of physical effort to be covered, and that minimum physical preparation and previous stretching is recommended.
Drone
To help manage the Reserve and support scientific research, the Ornithological Observatory has a state-of-the-art drone equipped with a zoom system. This equipment is also used for virtual overflight activities, allowing the monitoring of more distant sectors or regions within the limits of the Observatory, especially by people with physical restrictions to walk on trails of greater difficulty.
The virtual overflight can be followed from the tower by one or more people, with the use of goggles (as pictured in this gallery) or a notebook, resources that allow the visualization of aerial images in high resolution and in real-time. On clear days, it is possible to appreciate a mosaic of still intact natural landscapes that give a good idea of the Paraná stretch of the Atlantic Forest Great Reserve, including views of the coastal plain, Paranaguá Bay, the Marumbi and Paraná mountain ranges, and several other natural attractions located on the First Plateau.
The aircraft is approved by the National Telecommunications Agency (ANATEL), and the operation of flight paths is authorized by the Department of Airspace Control (DECEA), an agency subordinated to the National Civil Aviation Authority (ANAC).
Water catchment and use
The water outcrop discovered on an elevation southeast of the Observatory's headquarters was isolated and protected in order to direct the flow of water and ensure its integrity and quality. The photo beside illustrates the intervention carried out to protect the spring. Cement and cobblestones were used to isolate the outcrop, and a deck was built with boards and handrails in auclaved eucalyptus. Over time, moss vegetation — common in humid montane forest ecosystems — has covered the masonry structure, giving it the appearance of rock.
From the spring, a 300-meter-long pipeline structure and two water tanks with flow control were set up to supply the Ornithological Observatory's main house, including two taps nearby. For human use, the water quality was analyzed in a specialized laboratory and certified as pH neutral fluoridated mineral water. The document attesting to this quality can be viewed here (in Portuguese).
In addition to meeting human needs, water management is also part of fauna biodiversity management. Next to the Observatory headquarters, there is a shallow tank, of approximately 12 square meters, in which the excess mineral water is stored to attract mammals, birds, and other groups of animals. The site may be used by Tayras (Eira barbara), Otters (Lutra longicaudis), Red Brocket deer (Mazama americana), Agouti Cotias (Dasyprocta aguti), Squirrels (Guerlinguetus brasiliensis) and other terrestrial species with nocturnal and/or crepuscular habits.
Bird feeders and waterers
There are some artificial water feeders to attract hummingbirds. There are also shelters (nests) and natural feeders to attract birds. This structure is located near the Observatory headquarters. Its installation was designed for minimal environmental impact, and so as not to alter the birds' behavior. The feeders, for example, are made with fallen tree trunks and are camouflaged with vegetation. There is more information about the construction and installation in this video,
Regarding the birdfeed provided, a sweetened solution is kept fresh in the waterers. In the feeders, the food is also fresh and consists basically of seeds and fruit that complement the species' diets (sunflower seeds, bananas, papayas and oranges).
The vast majority of birds usually visit the feeders in the early morning and late afternoon, especially in the colder part of the year. This is when the availability of wild fruits is markedly lower. At this time, especially on cloudy days, it is common to see flocks of Brassy-breasted Tanager (Tangara desmaresti) and Green-headed Tanager (Tangara seledon). The birds approach and even take the food from the hands of visitors. Sometimes they even enter the house to feed.
In addition to the birds using the feeders, there are also visits from the so-called mixed flocks. These groups have up to 25 different species and are often seen near the headquarters and the Observation Tower. There is a record from mid-2009 when about 50 birds were seen together! They were Brassy-breasted Tanager, Green-headed Tanager e Red-necked Tanager (Tangara cyanocephala), among other species, foraging at the edge of the road, near the Observatory gate.
The Observatory Headquarters
The Nascentes do Iguaçu Ornithological Observatory has a mixed-use building for visitors. In it, as well as throughout the reserve's perimeter and trails, visitors can easily capture 4G mobile phone signals — a convenience that facilitates voice and internet communication.
Inside, the house offers a complete structure to serve as a support point for field activities. It has a bedroom with three beds and a living room with a table and four chairs, which can be adapted to function as an office. Furniture, domestic utensils, and kitchen equipment allow for the preparation of meals and food storage. In winter, the wood stove keeps the house warm. The headquarters also has a bathroom with a bathtub and electric shower.
Outside, for the comfort of visitors, a large veranda around the house can be used to observe some nearby bird feeders, or simply to relax and contemplate the forest landscape from a pleasant view.
Bird Field Guide
Besides the physical structure, the Nascentes do Iguaçu Ornithological Observatory has its own Bird Field Guide. It is very useful material for those who visit the site or simply use it as a research source.
The guide contains information about 108 species that occur in the area. In 121 photographs, the visual design makes it easy to read the technical data of the birds: popular name in Portuguese, scientific name, name in English, and the average length of each species. The graphic finish is of a high standard, with faithful colors and a paperweight that is resistant to constant handling during field trips.
The guide also presents a brief description of the Observatory, its objectives, the natural resources it protects, and the main equipment it offers.
Copies can be purchased online at A Loja dos Passarinhos: https://www.alojadospassarinhos.com.br/guia-de-aves-observatorio-ornitologico-nascentes-do-iguacu
