Ecuador – Part 4

March 19, 2023 by pnbrown13blog in birding, Ecuador, Oriole Birding, Uncategorized and tagged Barred Fruiteater, Chestnut-crowned Antpitta, Chestnut-naped Antpitta, Equatorial Antpitta, Golden-headed Quetzal, Kinkajou, Moustached Antpitta, Refugio Paz De Las Aves, Sword-billed Hummingbird, Tyrian Metaltail, White-throated Screech-owl | Leave a comment

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!

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….

Ecuador – Part 3

March 18, 2023 by pnbrown13blog in birding, Ecuador, Oriole Birding, Uncategorized and tagged Alambi, Balcon Tumpiki, Barred Forest-falcon, Blue-necked Tanager, Blue-winged Mountain-tanager, Coco Andino, Crimson-rumped Toucanet, Ecuador, Flame-rumped Tanager, Golden Tanager, Golden-crowned Flycatcher, Golden-naped Tanager, Maroon-chested Ground Dove, Masked Trogon, Pale-legged Hornero, Plate-billed Mountain-toucan, Red-headed Barbet, Sachatamia, Sickle-winged Guan, Slate-throated Whitestart, Strong-billed Woodcreeper, Velvet-purple Coronet, Violet-tailed Sylph, White-capped Dipper, White-lined Tanager, White-necked Jacobin | Leave a comment

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

Ecuador – Part 2

March 17, 2023 by pnbrown13blog in Ecuador, Oriole Birding, Uncategorized and tagged Amethyst-throated Sunangel, Barred Fruiteater, Blue-necked Tanager, Chestnut-breasted Coronet, Chestnut-capped Brushfinch, Collared Inca, Croaking Ground Dove, Fasciated Tiger-Heron, Grey-breasted Mountain-toucan, Jocotoco Antpitta, Koepcke's Screech Owl, Lineated Woodpecker, Masked Flowerpiercer, Oilbird, Sickle-winged Guan, Torrent Duck, Yellow-breasted Brushfinch | Leave a comment

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.

Ecuador – Part 1

March 15, 2023 by pnbrown13blog in Ecuador, Oriole Birding, Uncategorized and tagged Andean Condor, Andean Ibis, Black-billed Seedfinch, Black-chested Buzzard-eagle, Blue & White Swallow, Blue-headed Parrot, Carunculated Caracar, Chestnut-throated Seedeater, Chestnut-winged Cinclodes, Crimson-mantled Woodpecker, Green Jay, Grey Tinamou, Mottle-backed Elaenia, Ornate Flycatcher, Saffron Finch, Scarlet-backed Woodpecker, Scrub Tanager, Striated Heron, White-necked Parakeet, White-tailed Jay, Yellow-browed Sparrow | Leave a comment

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.