At the Kaw Swamp

Since 1998, Kaw swamp (reserve naturelle des Marais de Kaw) is a natural park. This place is quiet impressive by its size (94700ha) and the number of (protected) species that can be found, in particular the avifauna.
Located roughly 60kms southwest from Cayenne, the Kaw swamp is a in fact a flooded savanna. During the rainy season (April to June), most of the places, village and farms can only be reached by pirogues. Local tour operators propose various options to visit this outstanding place. An exciting one is to spend a day on a floating Carbet (Lodge Caïman). Wandering on the Kaw river with a pirogue, gives a unique opportunity to observe many rare species as they live here since milenaries. At night, in quasi open air accommodation one can ear the superb concert given by the night "players" of this complex and rich ecosystem...


(very) Short list of some species that are usually encountered around Kaw swamp:
Birds:

• Cocoi Heron (Héron Cocoi)
• Cormoran
• White-headed Marsh Tyrant, Moucherole à tête blanche
• Smooth-billed Ani, Ani à bec lisse
• Wattled Jacana, Jacana noir (Jesus bird)
• Duck?, Canard musqué
• Hoatzin, Hoazin huppé
• Yellow-rumped cacique, Cacique cul-jaune
• Snowy Egret, Aigrette Neigeuse
• Great Kiskadee, Tyran quiquivi
• Black-capped Donacobius, Donacobe à miroir,
•  

Reptiles

•  Black caiman,
• Spectacled Caiman,
•  ...

Other links
Liste de oiseaux de Guyane, (list of Guyenese birds)

Photos
Caiman lodge (on the Kaw river)

Hammock dormitory

Bats on the wooden beams

Dining room

Donacobe à miroir, Black-capped Donacobius, Donacobius Atricapilla (Donacobiidae)

White Egret in flight

Great Kiskadee (tyran quiquivi)

White-headed Marsh Tyran

Smooth-bill Anis

Hoatzin

View on the swamp at dawn

Other view on the swamp

grazing zebus

Cruising along the zebu farm

At this very place nothing particular to see, but the only place on the swamp where one can make a call :-)

...