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| Toucan Barbet - Photo: Roger Ahlman |
Photo: Violet-tailed Sylph by Roger Ahlman
Today we start early and drive to Paz de las Antpittas to be there in time for the start of the Cock-of-the-Rock lek. Later we watch the fruitfeeders that attracts Crimson-rumped Toucanet, Sickle-winged Guan, Toucan Barbet, Blue-winged- and Black-chinned Mountain-Tanagers at an armlengths distance! Later in the morning we walk the trails and the owner, Angel Paz, will call out up to four species of Antpittas that will come out of the thickets to be fed on earthworms. This show has to be seen to believe! Species that often come in are Giant-, Moustached- ,Yellow-breasted - and Ochre-breasted Antpittas and sometimes also a covey of the rare Dark-backed Wood-Quails. On the way up from the forest we rest a while at the hummingbird feeders to enjoy Empress Brilliant and many species that we have already seen. Late brunch will be served at Angels house which is highly appreciated by everybody. In the afternoon we bird around the famous village of Mindo to look for birds like Pacific Antwren, Masked Water-Tyrant and Yellow-bellied Elaenia. We will also visit the Orchid garden with over 200 species of local orchids. At dusk we visit a stake-out for the spectacular Lyre-tailed Nightjar. Night at Sachatamia lodge.
Another early start to the new and highly promising Mashpi reserve about an hour away. This lush and wet valley hold many sought-after species like Indigo Flowerpiercer, Moss-backed- and Glistering-green Tanagers, Pacific Tuftedcheek, Black Solitaire and Scaled- and Orange-breasted Fruiteaters. We may also see some hummingbirds that do not come to feeders like Wedge-billed Hummingbird, White-tipped Sicklebill and White-tailed Hillstar. Afternoon back to Sachatamia lodge where we can watch their hummingbird and fruitfeeders to get close-up views of up to 20 species of hummingbirds and some tanagers. Night at Sachatamia lodge.
We start at Manga Loma in the foothills (700m/2300 ft), a private reserve that hold a good number of scarse birds. We shall look for the weird Long-wattled Umbrellabird that has a small lek here. Along the trails we may encounter Barred Puffbird, Rufous-crowned Antpitta, Scale-throated Leaftosser, Brown-billed Scythebill, Indigo-crowned Quail-Dove and Crimson-bellied Woodpecker. The extremely rare Banded Ground-Cuckoo has been seen here several times and if we find an antswarm we may be lucky. Lunch will be at Mirador Rio Blanco in the town of Los Bancos. The food is great and we may be interrupted by activity at the fruitfeeders that attracts a number of birds like Black-cheeked Woodpecker, Pale-mandibled Aracaris and several tanagers that we have probably already seen but can enjoy at eye-level. In the afternoon we bird the nice Milpe Cloudforest Reserve where a new set of hummingbirds wait as we have gone down to about 1000m/3300ft. Green-crowned Woodnymph, Green-crowned Brilliant and White-whiskered Hermit are among the newcomers. Part of the forest here is secondary and regenerating but is surprisingly birdy with flocks with different tangers like Flame-faced-, Golden- and Rufous-throated. Furnarids include Red-faced Spinetail, Spotted Woodcreeper, Scaly-throated- and Buff-fronted Foliage-Gleaners. The star attraction is the lek of Club-winged Manakins that can be enjoyed at close range. Night at Sachatamia lodge.
Another early start to the Rio Silanche reserve in the Chocó lowlands. Here we will meet a very different birdlife, some of which we will enjoy from the sturdy canopy tower. From the forest floor we will hear Black-headed Antthrush, Chestnut-backed Antbird, Rufous-fronted Wood-Quails and White-bearded Manakins. From the tower we hope for flocks that may have Emerald-, Blue-whiskered-, Rufous-winged-, Gray-and-gold-, Golden-hooded- and Scarlet-browed Tanagers, Yellow-tufted-, Scarlet-thighed- and the rare Scarlet-breasted Dacnis. Other birds we will be looking for is Rose-faced Parrot, Purple-throated Fruitcrow, Chocó Toucan and Trogon, Cinnamon Woodpecker and Purple-crowned Fairy to mention a few. We will have packed lunch in the field and return to Sachatamia lodge in the evening.
The whole morning will be spent along the Milpe road to look for birds we may have missed before. This could include Olive-crowned Yellowthroat, Yellow-collared Chlorophonia, Black-capped Pygmy-Tyrant, Stripe-throated Hermit and Guayaquil Woodpecker. In the afternoon we head back to Quito with a stop in the interandean valley north of Quito. The habitat is very different with an almost desert like landscape. We will look for the rare White-tailed Shrike-Tyrant but also birds like Rusty Flowerpiercer, Streak-backed Canastero, Tufted Tit-Tyrant, Golden-rumped Euphonia, Common Ground-Dove, Ash-breasted- and Band-tailed Sierra-Finches. Late afternoon back to the hotel in Quito and end of trip or continuing on the East Slope trip.
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