News of a Little Crake at Linford Lakes NR, Milton Keynes this morning. Non permit holders were to be allowed access after 9am. There was also an Arctic Tern at Willen Lake so I went there first and Linford Lakes was only 10 minutes away. My first visit to Linford Lakes was a successful one, after waiting about an hour the Little Crake showed very well.
8/2/2023
We started the day at the fantastic Refugio de Paz de la Aves. The day started at dawn at an Andean Cock of the Rock lek and then continued with views of 5 Antpitta species plus roosting Lyre-tailed Nightjar. The ant pittas we saw were Giant, Ochre-breasted, Moustached, Yellow-breasted and Chestnut-crowned. Other good birds here were Guayaquil Woodpecker, Orange-breasted Fruiteater and various other hummingbirds and flycatchers.
Chestnut-crowned Antpitta
Moustached Antpitta
Golden-headed Quetzal
We then drove to Bellavista Lodge for a late lunch. Unfortunately it never stopped raining whilst we were here, but we did manage to walk one of the trails before the rain became much heavier. It looked a really interesting reserve but we had to leave the next morning before it got light. The hummingbirds here were very tame and we even saw a Kinkajou!
9/2/2023
Our final day and an early start to drive to Sura Loma where we hoped to see the Sword-billed Hummingbird. Apparently the only bird to have a longer bill than its body!
Equatorial Antpitta
Tyrian Metaltail
Barred Fruiteater
Chestnut-naped Antpitta
White-throated Screech-owl
And then after a lunch at this wonderful reserve it was time to leave for the airport and our journey back home….
7/2/2023
Early morning at Sachatamia bird hide. A large white sheet had been illuminated overnight to attract moths. The moths then attracted insect eating birds.
Barred Forest-falcon
Strong-billed Woodcreeper
Masked Trogon
Golden-crowned Flycatcher
Slate-throated Whitestart
After breakfast we went to Coco Andino a cafe with bird feeders. Some good birds here including a Maroon-chested Ground Dove that was a lifer for our guide.
Golden Tanager
Golden-naped Tanager
Flame-rumped Tanager
Blue-necked Tanager
Red-headed Barbet
White-lined Tanager
Maroon-chested Ground Dove
This was becoming a busy day and our next stop was Alambi.
White-necked Jacobin
White-capped Dipper
Pale-legged Hornero
We then went to Balcon Tumpiki a feeding station run by a local family.
Plate-billed Mountain-toucan
Blue-winged Mountain-tanager
Crimson-rumped Toucanet
Sickle-winged Guan
Velvet-purple Coronet
Violet-tailed Sylph
3/2/2023
We started the day back at Podocarpus National Park.
Sickle-winged Guan
Lineated Woodpecker
Blue-necked Tanager
In the afternoon we drove to Loja with a number of interesting stops on the way.
Fasciated Tiger-heron
We stopped at Rio Zamora to look for Torrent Ducks. We were successful and a massive bonus was to see Oilbirds here as well.
Torrent Ducks
Oilbirds
As soon as we had arrived in Loja and booked into our hotel we were back out looking for Koepcke’s Screech Owl.
Koepcke’s Screech Owl
4/2/2023
We left Loja to travel to Casa Simpson, with a couple of stops on the way.
Croaking Ground Dove
Amethyst-throated Sunangel
Collared Inca
Chestnut-breasted Coronet
Chestnut-capped Brush-finch
Yellow-breasted Brushfinch
Masked Flowerpiercer
Grey-breasted Mountain-toucan
5/2/2023
we spent all day around Casa Simpson. Our main target was Jocotoco Antpitta and we saw one on our second attempt, in the afternoon, when our guide managed to whistle one out onto the path we were on.
Jocotoco Antpitta
Barred Fruiteaters
6/2/2033
A morning walk, then we drove to the airport and flew back to Quito. We then drove to Sachatamia Lodge where we would be staying for the next two nights.
A birding trip to Ecuador with Oriole Birding entitled Andes and Ant-pittas.
30/1/2023
Arrived in Quito and booked into the overnight accommodation at Puembo Birding Garden. There was about an hours light left in the day to see a few birds.
Saffron Finch
Scrub Tanager
31/1/2023
Today we went to Antisano Volcano. We had some incredible views of Andean Condors and even saw a Spectacled Bear as well as many other great sightings.
Carunculated Caracara
Andean Ibis
Chestnut-winged Cinclodes
1/2/2023
Today we flew to Loja in the south of Ecuador on our way to Copalinga.
2/2/2023
This morning we went to Podocarpus National Park.
Ornate Flycatcher
We then visited several fairly local sites and caught up with many new species.
8/8/2022 This bird was found the day before but I had gone to York for the day so I was pleased when it was still there.
29/8/2022 Bank Holiday Monday trip up to Redcar. It had disappeared when I first arrived but it was re-found at the other end of the beach about half an hour later.
Another succesful trip to Bempton Cliffs for another tick.
28/5/2022
I had been to Stratford-upon-Avon races the day before and had stayed the night. I had to wait for a lift back to Dunstable the next day before being able to set off to Kent with the hope of seeing this bird. It seemed like it took an eternity to get to Worth in Kent but it was well worth it!!
A flock of 7 Bee-eaters are frequenting a small quarry in Norfolk at Trimingham with signs of breeding.
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