This month, an intrepid team consisting of Stijn Nollen, Atze van de Goot, Julien Winkel, and David Hup—joined by Dijon Koemapu and Gilbert Koemaja—embarked on a mission into the Surinamese wilderness. Their goal? To locate the elusive Guianan Cock-of-the-rock, a bird that stands as a vibrant symbol of the Guianas.

The expedition, centered around the area of Apetina, was a resounding success. Despite the challenging terrain, the team’s persistence paid off with several significant findings:

• Six active nests were identified.

• Evidence was found of a “lek”—the specific site where males perform their spectacular, competitive dances to attract females.

• New access trails were established, paving the way for future scientists and expeditions to study these birds in the months and years to come.

The nature within the Wayana territory is nothing short of breathtaking. From the powerful river with its roaring rapids and waterfalls to the dense canopy, the biodiversity was on full display. During our trek, the team encountered:

• Insects galore, including a few potentially new species!

• Various snakes, frogs, and a staggering variety of birdlife.

The adventure doesn’t end here. In October, part of the group will return to Suriname to launch the Taxon Expedition.

This upcoming mission is a major collaborative effort involving Taxon Foundation (Netherlands), Echo Echo (Netherlands), the University of Suriname (ADEK), and dedicated specialists in fish, snakes, and amphibians. Together, they will continue to document and protect the incredible natural heritage of this region.

This was no luxury tour. We lived deep in the forest for days, sleeping in hammocks within a basic bush camp. We fully immersed ourselves in the local lifestyle, eating what the Wayana Indigenous people caught or hunted.

A massive “thank you” goes out to Carlos (the Cook)—without his skills and support, surviving this rugged adventure would have been a much tougher feat!