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W3   BIRDWATCHING WEST



On this two - week trip we visit some of the best birding sites in the Andes mountains, western slope of the Andes, coastal lowlands and Pacific coast. Two of the world's most important endemic bird regions (as established by BirdLife), the Tumbesian and Chocó areas are part of this program with over 150 endemic bird species found in only in those two regions.  We start at high paramo regions and move then subsequently to lower areas, visiting several mountain forests. Then we descend the western Cordilleras, covered by cloudforests to the tropical coastal plains with marshes and lagoons and finally to the Pacific coast, where we visit mangroves and some islands off the coast, which are important nesting sites for seabirds.


Day 1   We start our birding trip by driving from Quito 1 and 1/ 2 hours to the private mountain forest reserve of Pasochoa. This is one of the last remaining forests left in the Andean central valley. Although mostly secondary growth remains, it is home to many  songbirds including colorful mountain tanagers and various species of hummingbirds. Highlights include the Ocellated Tapaculo, which prefers stands of bamboo and Andean Guan, which are easily observed here. Afterwards we continue on to Riobamba where we spend the night.

Day 2    Early in the morning we drive up to 4800m to the refuge of Chimborazo, which takes 1 and 1/2 hours. This area is very dry and cold but even in that hostile environment birds make their habitat there. Hummingbirds, like the endemic race of the  Ecuadorian Hillstar, Caruncalated Caracaras, sierra finches, ground tyrants and seed snipes can be seen up there. At noon we leave the area and drive south towards Cuenca, where we spend the next night. On the way we will stop at the Colta Lagoon, located at around 3300m. This is a important nesting ground for Andean gulls, ruddy-ducks, rails and coots. Amazingly often all three species of egrets occurring usually in tropical lowlands of Ecuador, the Great, Snowy and Cow egrets can be observed there as well.

Day 3    Today we visit the national park of El Cajas, some 30 km west of Cuenca. This high altitude region of some 3600m to 4000m boasts of many lakes and remaining forests of Polylepis, which provide habitat for some special birds like the endemic Violet-throated Metailtail hummingbird, thornbills, tit-like Dacnis and Giant Conebills. Also raptors, owls and the Andean condor are seen in this area. We return to Cuenca for a second consecutive night. 

Day 4     Today we drive from Cuenca to Loja, needing 5-6 hours. Along the way we stop occasionally along the road for bird watching. Around the Oña area, there are chances to glimpse the rare Pale-headed Brush-Finch and White-browed Chat Tyrants.

Day 5    Today we visit the higher parts of  Podocarpus National Park, entering through the Cajanuma station. This forest and paramo reserve of about 3100m to 3700m is home to a magnitude of birds including rare imperial snipes, streaked tuftedcheek and pearled treerunners. We explore both eco-systems and spend the whole day in the park and return to Loja for another night.

Day 6     We drive from Loja to Machala, a major port city on the southern coast which will take most of the day. On mostly secondary roads we drive through the Tumbesian bird area and have chances to see some endemic birds of this dry tropical region like the Rufous-necked Foliage Cleaner, Slaty-Thrush and Black-and-White Tanager.  We spend the night in Machala.

Day 7   In the morning we visit the island of Jambeli. This area is great for sea and pelagic birds on its open sea side but also supports mangroves where birds like the rare rufous-necked wood-rail, spoonbills, cormorants and herons can be seen from the boat.  We undertake then a longer hike along the ocean beach towards the lighthouse and observe egrets, whimbrels and other shorebirds along the beaches.

Day 8      Today we visit Santa Clara, an island located in the Gulf of Guayaquil, some 2-3 hours by boat from Puerto Bolivar. This island is an important bird refuge and largest nesting site on the Ecuadorian Pacific coast for pelicans, boobies and frigate birds. After that adventure we return to Machala for the night.

Day 9    We leave Machala and drive north to the of Manglares-Churute Reserve, which we reach after two hours.  This ecological reserve has still extensive mangroves and a large freshwater marsh, perfect for bird watching. Parakeets, meadowlarks, egrets, herons, jacanas and many more birds can be observed and the highlight includes the rare Horned Screamer, which inhabits the marshes and lagoons.

Day 9   We drive north along the Pacific coast passing the Santa Elena peninsula till we reach Pto. Lopez, where we spend the next 2 nights. In the afternoon we visit the beach at Los Frailes to relax a little bit from our long drives.

Day 10     On this day we visit Isla de la Plata, an island some 30 km straight west of Pto. Lopez. This island is an important nesting site for sea birds like boobies, pelicans and frigate birds. As in Galapagos, those birds have no natural fear of man and let you get really close to them. Highlight is the only nesting site of  Waved Albatross apart from the Galapagos islands.

Day 11   We drive to Aguas Blanca located within the Machalilla National Park. There we undertake a day long hike moving from the lower dry scrub regions to higher humid forests. Motmots, owls, cuckoos, and many other birds live in this dry tropical forest region. Highlight are the rare King Vultures, which sometimes can observed soaring high over the forests.

Day 12     We leave the Pacific coast and drive all day crossing the coastal mountains towards the Andes till we reach the small town of  Mindo located at 1600m in a cloudforest region. On some short stops there we may observe hawks, vultures and other larger birds easily seen in the tree tops. We spend the night in Mindo, famous birding town known for its many and varied bird species being part of the Chocó endemic bird region.

Day 13     Early in the morning we hike along a road through a semi-open agricultural area, which let us observe many birds. Mountain toucans and parakeets, quetzals, barbets, tanagers, cotingas, manakins, hummingbirds and many other birds can be observed in the trees. Often above the forest canopy swallow-tailed kites and other larger raptors can be observed.

Day 14      At 5 am in the morning we get up and visit a lek, where the bright red males of the cock-of-the-rock meet. They gather there to attract females and if one happens to be close, an unforgettable spectacle of male sexual display begins. After that interesting bird behavioral display we return to Mindo and after breakfast leave for Quito. On the way back we do some more bird watching and drive on the old Mindo - Nono road back to Quito, where we arrive late afternoon and end our long and exciting birding trip.

Wildlife




PICTURES




W1  Ecosystems



W2  Birds East



W3  Birds West



W4  Whales



W5  Orchids



W6  Paramo



PICTURES





Wildlife

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