WINGSWEST BIRDING TOURS SOUTHERN ECUADOR JANUARY 14-29, 2013
Day 1: International flight arrivals and transfer to Grand Hotel Guayaquil
Day 2: We will travel southeast along the coast on our way to Buenaventura Reserve. With stops at Manglares/Churute Reserve and the Santa Rosa shrimp ponds, we have a chance to see lowland species such as Snail Kite, Wattled Jacana, Savannah Hawk, and possibly the somewhat bizarre Horned Screamer (at its’ only west coast location). Night in the foothills at Umbrellabird Lodge (1,700’ elevation).
Days 3&4: Buenaventura, one of several key Jocotoco Foundation reserves, is situated at the transition from the southernmost part of the Choco Region (starting in sw Colombia) to the northern end of the Tumbesian region of nw Peru and sw Ecuador. We will spend 2.5 days in and around Buenaventura at various elevations. Not surprisingly, the bird mix is diverse ranging from Long-wattled Umbrellabird, Club-winged Manakin, and Buffy Tuftedcheek (all Choco specialties) to southwest Ecuador restricted species such as Rufous-headed Chachalaca, Gray-backed Hawk and Gray and Gold Warbler. The hummingbird show here is top notch with likely viewings of Violet-bellied Hummingbird, Green Thorntail, Emerald-bellied Woodnymph, White-necked Jacobin, and Baron’s Hermit. One highly localized specialty of Buenaventura is the El Oro Parakeet which has benifitted from the refuge-provided nest boxes which reduce nestling predation by the ever opportunistic Crimson-rumped Toucanets. Our night birding venues here include chances for Black-and-White and Mottled Owls.
Days 5-7: We will head south to the Peruvian border and our base for the next 3 nights-Urraca Lodge in the Jorupe Reserve. Though at a similar elevation to the Umbrellabird Lodge, Urraca is located in a decidedly drier tropical forest dominated by the impressive ceiba tree. Our visit is timed, in part, to the brief rainy season which stimulates the local bird vocalizations. This segment of the tour will be our only chance to see such species as White-tailed Jay, Watkin’s Antpitta, and the endangered Henna-hooded Foliage Gleaner. Other locals on our radar include Collared Antshrike, Scarlet-backed Woodpecker, Black and white Becard, Plumbeous-backed Thrush, and Black-capped Sparrow. One of our days here in the extreme south will feature a side trip a bit lower near Zapotillo to the La Ceiba Reserve. On this morning we have a chance to see Hook-billed Kite, Comb Duck, Tumbes Hummingbird, Short-tailed Woodstar, Baird’s Flycatcher, Supercilliated Wren, and Crimson-breasted Finch. On our return to Jorupe, we may encounter Red-masked Parakeet. Night birding around Jorupe will include attempts for W. Peruvian Screech Owl and Spectacled Owl.
Day 8: We depart Jorupe and start our ascent into the Andean highlands. A quick stop in the town of Sozoranga allows us a chance to see the local colony of Chestnut-collared Swallows. Heading higher to yet another Jocotoco sanctuary, Utuana, we find ourselves in the mossy cloud forest world of 8,500’. Until the clouds and fog roll in, we will search for hummingbirds such as Shining Sunbeam, Rainbow Starfrontlet, and Purple-throated Sunangel. Other possible high elevation specialists include Jelski’s Chat-tyrant, Bay-crowned Brushfinch, the highly localized Black-crested Tit Tyrant, Black-cowled Saltator, and Rufous-chested Tanager. After lunch, we continue on to Vilcabamba with roadside possibilities such as Andean Slaty Thrush and Parrot-billed Seadeater. Near Vilcabamba, there is a reliable spot for the localized Plumbeous Rail. Night at Hosteria Vilcabamba.
Day 9: Before heading south to Tapichalaca Reserve, we will visit the Cajanuma entrance (zona alta or high zone) to Podocarpus National Park. We may encounter some higher altitude species such as Hooded and Lacrimose Mountain Tanagers, Supercilliated Hemispingus, and Red-hooded Tanager. Arriving at Casa Simpson Lodge mid afternoon, we can view the hummingbird feeders with our best chance to see Mountain Velvetbreast, Glowing Puffleg, Amethyst-throated and Flame-throated Sunangels. At night, Gabriel can lead us to a stake out for Andean Potoo.
Day 10: The Tapichalaca Reserve, at almost 8,000’, was originally set up to protect the Jocotoco Antpitta, only recently discovered in the late 1990’s. Now acclimated to the “worm-chumming” ritual used at lodges in northern Ecuador, the antpitta, one of the rarest birds in the world, can be viewed at close range. Other birding highlights here include Bearded Guan, Golden-plumed Parakeet, Gray-breasted Mountain Toucan, Orange-banded Flycatcher, Gray-hooded Bush Tanager, and Golden-crowned Tanager. Night at Casa Simpson Lodge.
Day 11: Today we descend further south past the nearby town of Valladolid on the road to Zumba to access a different set of birds including Mottle-backed Elaenia, Black-billed Thrush, Maranon Thrush, Silver-backed Tanager, and possibly Black-faced Tanager. Our pm birding will be back at Tapichalaca searching for more southern Ecuador specialties such as Black-throated Tody Tyrant, Chusquea Tapaculo, Rufous-crested Tanager and Loja Tyrannulet. Night at Casa Simpson Lodge.
Day 12: A travel (and birding) day where we return to Loja and descend to the high end of the Amazon basin and the zona baja (lower zone) of Podocarpus National Park. Enroute we will stop at the San Francisco entrance to Podocarpus where the transition from temperate to subtropical begins. Possibilities here include Plain-tailed Wren, Strong-billed Woodcreeper and a nice mix of tanagers including Blue-and-black, Flame-faced, Saffron-crowned, and Beryl-spangled. Our steepening descent carries us into lower subtropical territory where we begin to encounter species such as Orange-eared Tanager, Olive-chested Flycatcher and Lemon-browed Flycatcher. We will arrive at Copalinga Lodge south of Zamora in time to enjoy some of the hummingbird action including Violet-fronted Brilliant, Spangled Coquette, Wire-crested Thorntail, and Glittering-throated Emerald. Night Copalinga.
Day 13: After our long travel day yesterday we will have a “no-vehicle” day on the grounds and trails of Copalinga. Plenty of great birds to look for including Speckled Chachalaca, Gray-fronted Dove, Inca Jay, Lafresnaye’s Piculet, Ecuadorian Tyrannulet, Golden-winged Tody Flycatcher, Olivaceous Greenlet, Orange-billed Sparrow and our first oropendolas-Crested and Russet-backed. Night Copalinga.
Day 14: Our last full day of birding should be rewarding as we drive the short distance to the Bombuscaro entrance to Podocarpus NP. The lush foothill habitat here is home to hundreds of bird species. Foremost in our sights will be Amazon Umbrellabird, Coppery-chested Jacamar, Black-streaked Puffbird, Lanceolated Monklet, and White-breasted Parakeet. The newly described Foothill Elaenia is possible as well. Renowned for its tanager flocks, we hope to be entertained by the likes of Spotted, Green-and-gold, Yellow-bellied, Golden-eared, and the jaw-dropping Paradise. Should weather and time permit, we will visit some areas around Zamora in the pm with the chance for lowland species such as Striated Heron, Violaceous Jay, Black-capped Donacobius, Yellow-rumped Cacique and Black Caracara. Night Copalinga.
Day 15: All day return drive to Guayaquil. Roadside birding only. Night Grand Hotel Guayaquil
INTRODUCTION TO THE BIRDS OF NORTHERN ECUADOR
Feb 5-Feb 19, 2013
This tour will include visits to cloud forest, mid-elevation and lowland sites on both slopes of the Andes, plus high elevation (paramo) and Amazon basin locations as well. This itinerary is likely to produce 450-500 species. Although there has been extensive deforestation in Ecuador, we will tour preserves that remain largely undisturbed. Proficient local guides will be with us daily. Cost for the tour is $4,150 per person based on double occupancy. ($400 single supplement). Airfare is additional.
Day 1: Arrive via international flights to Quito and transfer to Hotel Sebastian.
Day 2: We depart (early) for the west side of the Andes with morning birding at Fundacion Jocotoco’s Yanacocha Preserve. Located over 11,000’ on the northwest slope of Volcan Pichincha, this cloud forest remnant features various mountain tanagers, chat tyrants and hummingbirds-especially the hummers. Great Sapphirewing, Shining Sunbeam, and up to 3 species of pufflegs will jump start our tour. Following lunch, we descend the old Nono-Mindo road to the Tandayapa area with productive roadside birding along the way and a chance to see the endemic Beautiful Jay. An afternoon stop at the Nunnery’s house will add to our hummingbird wonderment with Sparkling Violetear and Andean Emerald as well as cloud forest denizens such as White-winged Brushfinch. As we crest the Tandayapa ridge before our descent into the Mindo area, we will listen for the cover bird of the Ecuador bird guide, Plate-billed Mountain Toucan. Night will be at Sachatamia Lodge in Mindo, the base of operations for our west slope birding.
Day 3: This morning we are off early to nearby Paz de Aves, a working farm that has shifted it’s emphasis to ecotourism. First we will be entertained at a Cock-of-the-Rock lek where the males gather to entice females with their bizarre vocalizations and posturing. The adjacent fruit feeders then offer us a chance for close up looks at Toucan Barbet (one of the most memorable birds in Ecuador), Sickle-winged Guan, Crimson-rumped Toucanet and a possible glimpse of Dark-backed Wood-Quail. Next we watch as Angel Paz and his brother call in up to 4 species of antpittas at various spots on their preserve. Seeing a Giant Antpitta hop out of the dense understory is a sight not soon forgotten. Following lunch back at Sachatamia, we will head lower to the Mangaloma Preserve west of Los Bancos. This spot is a sanctuary for a number of west slope lowland species at the highest point of their range including Checker-throated Antwren, Dusky Antbird and the vanishing Rufous-crowned Antpitta. Night Sachatamia.
Day 4: We head for lower elevation today, beginning with the road to Mindo Cloud Forest Foundation’s Rio Silanche Preserve. West slope birds we may encounter include Purple-chested Hummingbird, Bronze-winged Parrot, Pale-mandibled Aracari, Yellow-tufted Dacnis, and Orange-fronted Barbet. Retracing our steps, we head for our lunch stop in San Miguel de los Bancos. This rather unattractive town harbors a jewel-right on main street-Mirador de Los Bancos. This restaurant with the unassuming front looks out on a majestic canyon in the back and maintains some of the most famous feeders in Ecuador. Food is great and, while having lunch, our sightings may include numerous tanagers such as Silver-throated, Golden, and Guira as well as ground dwellers such as Orange-billed Sparrow and Red-faced Spinetail. After lunch, we head a bit further back toward Mindo and visit the MCF Milpe Reserve. New hummers await such as western slope specialties such as White-whiskered Hermit, Green Thorntail, and Green-crowned Woodnymph. Venturing into the forest area of the preserve we find Choco Toucan and Club-winged Manakin, a bird that produces an odd, metallic sound with its wings. Night back at Sachatamia.
Day 5: Today we make the transition to the southeast outskirts of Quito. Our focus will be on the Mashpi Road, a cloud forest habitat northwest of Mindo that harbors a number of hard to find sw Colombian/nw Ecuador endemics such as Moss-backed Tanager, Choco Vireo, Indigo Flowerpiercer, and Black Solitaire. Following lunch in the field, we will drive back through Quito to the other side of the valley and our night accommodations at Hostal Colibri.
Day 6: Today we make our highest altitude foray of the trip, visiting Antisana National Park (this is what those warm clothes are for). As we approach treeline, we pass through the last hummingbird zone and our best opportunity to see Giant Hummingbird, Black-tailed Trainbearer, and Ecuadorian Hillstar, the highest ranging hummer in the Andes. Once out on the paramo (aka tundra), our focus shifts to larger birds such as Andean Gull, Variable Hawk, Carunculated Caracara, and Black-faced Ibis. Of course, the biggest prize is the biggest bird of all, Andean Condor. Although there are no guarantees (weather being the major limiting factor), Antisana is one of the more reliable places to view this ultimate icon of the Andes. Lunch will be in transit as we retrace our steps and then cross Papallacta Pass. Then we begin our descent down the eastside. If time permits, we will look for mountain tanagers above Termas Papallacta and then make a roadside stop at the Guango Lodge hummingbird feeders. Among a throng of hardy, high altitude hummers, we will get to see up close the preposterous Sword-billed Hummingbird with a bill way too long to allow it to perch while using the lodge feeders. The balance of the afternoon will find us completing our drive to Cabanas San Isidro. Hopefully we will see Torrent Duck (completely at home on and in the many thundering rivers) and White-capped Dipper at one of the river crossings. The day will be completed with a dusk viewing of the superb Lyre-tailed Nightjar a short distance from the lodge. Night at Cabanas San Isidro.
Day 7: After breakfast we will be birding outside the lodge with quite an array of species to enjoy. Highland Motmot, Black-billed Peppershrike, Rufous-crowned Tody-Flycatcher, Barred Becard, and Golden-crowned Flycatcher are just a few of the birds we expect to see. We will continue to bird the road above the lodge with highlights possibly including Lemon-browed Flycatcher, Golden-collared Honeycreeper, Southern Lapwing and, if the birding gods co-operate, Black-and-chestnut Eagle. We will have the whole day to bird the area, taking breaks as necessitated by any rain. In the afternoon we will venture onto some of the lodges steeper forest trails with both quetzals, Crested and Golden-headed, distinct possibilities. Night Cabanas San Isidro.
Day 8: This morning we will explore the nearby Guacamayos Ridge area. After morning trail birding where we have a chance to see Green-and-black Fruiteater, Slate-crowned Antpitta, and Green-fronted Lancebill, we will continue lower making roadside stops in hopes of seeing Yellow-throated Tanager, Vermilion Tanager, Saffron-crowned Tanager, and Bronze-green Euphonia. At dusk we will visit known spots for Swallow-tailed Nightjar and White-throated Screech Owl before returning to the lodge.
Day 9: Today we head into the lower foothills and the Loreto Road. The roadside birding can be very productive with Lined Antshrike, Orange-eared Tanager, Paradise Tanager, and Purple Honeycreeper among the birds we will be watching for. Stake-outs along the road include Cliff Flycatcher and the increasingly rare Orange-breasted Falcon. Lunch will be at Wild Sumaco Lodge. Afternoon birding along the superb lodge trails may produce Golden-winged and White-crowned Manakin, Coppery-chested Jacamar, and Golden-collared Toucanet. At night we will have the chance to hear and, perhaps, see Band-bellied Owl. Night Wild Sumaco.
Day 10: Today we get to survey all that the Wild Sumaco Preserve has to offer. Chestnut-crowned Gnateater, Long-tailed Tyrant, Gray-tailed Piha, Scaled Pigeon, White-eyed Parakeet, Gilded Barbet, Scarlet-breasted Fruiteater, and Black-mandibled Toucan are among many we will be on the lookout for. In the late afternoon we will relax in front of the lodge’s feeders. Hummers we will have a chance to see only here include Golden-tailed Sapphire, Fork-tailed Woodnymph, Ecuadorian Piedtail, Green Hermit, and Black-throated Brilliant. Night Wild Sumaco.
Day 11: Today we are off to the Amazon. We will bird the east end of the Loretto Road as we journey to the oil town of Coca where we catch the boat heading east. We have a 2 hour high speed ride down the Rio Napo followed by an easy hike, partly on a boardwalk, to our canoe ride into Sacha Lodge. This hike offers us the chance to see chachalacas, nunbirds, jacamars as well as some of the monkeys that inhabit this part of the Amazon. As we come into the lake where the lodge is located, the very ancient Hoatzin will utter it’s very guttural welcome. Night Sacha Lodge.
Day 12: We are out early for our first ascent to Sacha's famed canopy walkway. Suspended between three towers, this 300 meter long walkway gives us an astounding view of the bird action in the forest canopy. Tanagers, cotingas, aracaris, toucans, and lowland raptors are all possible to see from this vantage point. Fly by macaws of several species can also happen at any time. Raptors such as Slender-billed Kite, Slate-colored Hawk, and Red-throated Caracara may be loafing in the treetops. A host of canopy-loving birds may come by including Spangled Cotinga, White-browed Purpletuft, Opal-crowned Tanager, and Black-faced Dacnis. Back on the forest floor, we will search for various antbirds, puffbirds and woodcreepers that prefer the dark world below the canopy. Following lunch at the lodge, we will have a rest period during the heat of the afternoon. In the late afternoon we will take our first canoe trip down Orquidea Creek. Drifting through this flooded forest, known as varzea, we may encounter species that favor this ecosystem such as Silvered Antbird, Orange-crested Manakin and the diminutive American Pygmy Kingfisher. Night Sacha Lodge.
Day 13: We are off early this morning to journey across the Rio Napo to the south side of the river where we will explore a portion of the Yasuni National Park. Visits to two separate clay licks should reveal hundreds of parrots and parrakeets descending to eat clay which helps them digest a variety of fruit pits. Species likely include Yellow-crowned Amazon, Cobalt-winged Parakeet, and Orange-cheeked Parrot. Following lunch, we will have a short (but steep) hike into terra firme habitat seeking species not easily found on the north side of the Rio Napo such as Rusty-belted Tapaculo, Golden-headed Manakin and Yellow-browed Antbird. After we return to the north side of the river we will have one more canoe trip down Orquidea Creek (where we saw the reclusive Agami Heron last trip) to the "tree tower". This ascent circles a possibly 400-500 yr old Kapoc tree. The tree alone is worth the price of admission. But there are birds to be seen on top including Moriche Oriole, Many-banded Aracari, Opal-rumped Tanager, and a dusk roosting encounter with Marbled Wood Quail. On our night walk back to the lodge, the booming calls of Crested Owl are likely to be heard coming out of the jungle darkness. Night Sacha Lodge.
Day 14: Alas, our last full day in Ecuador. We are off early to reach the Rio Napo for our transfer to Coca. At the river we may pick up additional tropical species such as Scarlet-crowned Barbet and Orange-backed Troupial. Then we are back on the high speed boat for our trip back up the Rio Napo still watching for the likes of Large-billed Tern, Cocoi Heron and Swallow-winged Puffbird teed up along the shore. In Coca, we will catch our jet back to Quito (a 35 minute flight) with a view of the snow-capped volcanos around the city a possibility. Back at the Hotel Sebastian by mid afternoon, there will be a shopping opportunity at an extensive local Mercado. Then it’s an early dinner at Hotel Sebastian so we can rest up for the early flight home..
Day 15: As we need to be at the airport by 4:30 am to catch our flights home, this will be the earliest departure of the trip and one more chance to see the ring of volcanos on our way north.
Trip List, October 2010