Tropical Birding - Trip Report Ecuador Photo Tour, February 2018 A Tropical Birding SET DEPARTURE tour Ecuador Photo Tour 11-20 February 2018 TOUR LEADER: Alex Luna Report and photos by Alex Luna Booted Racket-tail at Tandayapa Bird Lodge Ecuador is a top destination for many birders and bird photographers, which is unsurprising considering there are almost 1700 species of birds in a country that you can cross from border to border in about 12 hours by car. Our journey took us through mega-diverse areas, starting with the enchanting landscapes of the Antisana Reserve, where the Antisana Volcano (18,714 ft) towered overhead, majestic Andean Condors soared, and flocks of the rare Black-faced (Andean) Ibis strutted over the grasslands. Descending onto the eastern slope of the Andes, we travelled to Guango lodge, which was our base for two nights. During our stay, we visited the notoriously misty Papallacta antennas, and with great luck the weather cleared, so we were able to take some good photos of Rufous-bellied Seedsnipe. The hummingbird feeders in the lodge also provided us with some specialties such as the incredible Sword-billed Hummingbird, a family of Torrent Ducks along the river, and a view of the colorful Gray-breasted Mountain-Toucan. To appreciate a different variety of species, we continued our trip across the Andes to the western slopes, staying at Tandayapa Bird Lodge for five days. Located in one of the richest regions in flora and fauna of the world, we set out to discover the Chocó region. We made the most of the spectacular natural wonders that Tandayapa Lodge has to offer, visiting the forest www.tropicalbirding.com +1-409-515-9110 [email protected] p.1 Tropical Birding - Trip Report Ecuador Photo Tour, February 2018 blind that allowed us to observe species like the Rufous Motmot, Russet-crowned Warbler, Spotted Barbtail, and more. We set up for multiflash at the feeders, which were swarming with Booted Rackettails fighting for the best spots, as well as 14 other species of hummingbirds. Using Tandayapa as a base, we traveled farther down the western slopes. The Milpe Reserve introduced us to some endemic species of the Chocó, new hummingbirds such as the Green Thorntail and Crowned Woodnymph, and several species of manakins: Club-winged, Golden-winged, and White-bearded. After Milpe we had a relaxing afternoon shooting at the bird feeders of San Tadeo which allowed us to take great photos, despite a little rain and fog. We also visited Rancho Suamox, the warmest climate of the trip. We took photos of a variety of woodpeckers, such as the Golden-olive and Black-cheeked, as well as other species like the beautiful Long-billed Starthroat. Our tour ended on a high note, with the famous Andean-cock-of-the-rock and the shy antpittas, of which we photographed two species and observed another. Throughout the trip, our priority was to capture as many photos as possible, visiting a numerous feeders and walking where necessary to search for the more elusive species and to try for more challenging species like some of the manakins. Black-tailed Trainbearer Febraury 12th: Antisana Reserve After arrival in Quito the previous evening, everyone was ready for our first outing this morning. After a warm welcome and a short introduction to the tour, we went in search of the specialties that inhabit the Antisana Reserve, a place most famous for the Ecuador's national bird, the Andean Condor. Our first stop was the cliffs where the condors sleep, in hopes of seeing them fly out. Unfortunately we were unlucky, but we were able to find species such as Giant Hummingbird, Black-tailed Trainbearer, the common Tyrian Metaltail, Black- chested Buzzard-Eagle in flight, and the abundant Black Flowerpiercer. Inside the reserve, we stopped in front of an abandoned old house that is used by the females of the almost endemic Ecuadorian Hillstar to nest, as well as its surroundings where we found many Chestnut-winged and Stout-billed Cinclodes, Plumbeous Sierra-Finch, and Many-striped Canastero. Once we reached the flatlands, we were stopped by an impressive view of the Antisana Volcano, and at the same time we found much sought after species such as the Black- Faced (Andean) Ibis, the abundant Carunculated Caracara, Andean Gull, and many Variable Hawks in flight. www.tropicalbirding.com +1-409-515-9110 [email protected] p.2 Tropical Birding - Trip Report Ecuador Photo Tour, February 2018 In the parking lot of the Reserve we found Tawny Antpitta, Brown-Backed Chat-tyrant and more species that are usually there. The lagoon presented us with numerous Andean Coot, Ruddy Duck, Silvery Grebe, etc. After spending all morning in Antisana Reserve we were about to leave, when in the distance I heard a call of an Andean Lapwing, immediately we disembarked and we went in search of them, excited to see two parents protecting their young in a nest, making it understandable why we didn’t find them in the flatlands. Chestnut-winged Cinclodes Our lunch was scheduled at the Guaytara farm with delicious traditional food of the Ecuadorian Andes. After this, we set off for Guango lodge for our first of two nights, but just as we passed the Condor roost we struck gold and finally managed to photograph the symbolic bird of Ecuador. Mica Lake in Antisana www.tropicalbirding.com +1-409-515-9110 [email protected] p.3 Tropical Birding - Trip Report Ecuador Photo Tour, February 2018 February 13th, Papallacta Pass (Cayambe-Coca National Park) For our second day of tour we photographed the well-adapted resident of the andean paramos; the Rufous- bellied Seed-Snipe. This species is not always easy to locate, however after walking for more than an hour our driver found him resting right next to the vehicle, but the walk did give us other species such as the Andean Snipe. Once the proposed goal was completed, we descended a few meters lower and found the White- chinned Thistletail, Cinclodes again and Many-stripe Canastero, which this time did not escape from the cameras lenses. Along the old road the weather was very hot, affecting the birds’ activity, however, we did find species such as Red-crested Cotinga, Andean Tit-Spinetail, Brown-backed Chat-Tyrant and Sedge Wren. At midday, we returned to Guango Lodge to have our lunch and then carry out our first section of hummingbird photos, counting eight species, among them the incredible Sword-billed Hummingbird, as well as Masked Flowerpiercer that also feeds on the feeders of hummingbirds. To finish off the day we took a short walk around the lodge to see what we could see, finding many common species there, but the one that stood out was a beautiful Gray-breasted Mountain Toucan perched on top of the canopy, an excellect end to the day. Rufous-bellied Seedsnipe www.tropicalbirding.com +1-409-515-9110 [email protected] p.4 Tropical Birding - Trip Report Ecuador Photo Tour, February 2018 Andean Tit-Spinetail Red-crested Cotinga February 14th: Guango Area. After breakfast we started our third and last day in Guango, which was full of great photos. We began with a sighting of a group of Turquiose Jay waiting for us at the blacklight, as well as Mountain Cacique, Strong-billed Woodcreeper and Mountain Wren. From there we moved on in search of more objective birds. www.tropicalbirding.com +1-409-515-9110 [email protected] p.5 Tropical Birding - Trip Report Ecuador Photo Tour, February 2018 During the walk we came across a very good mixed flock with Slaty and Pale-naped Brushfinch, Spectacled Redstart (Whitestart), Black-crested Warbler, Black-headed and Black-eared Hemispingus, Blue-and -black Tanager, Gray-hooded Bush-Tanager and the beautiful Pearled Treerunner. After some good photos we continued our search, finding a bamboo-dweller the Rufous-breasted Chat-Tyrant. As we approached the river in search of one of our target birds, another small mixed flock came to us which had a rare bird for the area the Green (Inca) Jay, as well as other species such as White-banded Tyrannulet, Hooded Mountain-Tanager and Canada Warbler. Later on the same trail, we located an adult and a juvenile of the Chestnut-crowned Antpitta. After looking along the river in the distance, we saw the highlight of the day, a family of Torrent Duck feeding. We were even luckier to have them swim right past us, allowing us to take many photos. While this occured, a beautiful female Masked Trogon also flew past us. While we enjoyed our last lunch in Guango we planned one more stop on the way to Quito in search of some outstanding birds. The fortune played in our favor, and we found a family of Scarlet-bellied Mountain Tanager perched in a perfect place to photograph them, as well as a couple of Lacrimose Mountain-Tanager. After a great day we arrived in Quito to rest and prepare to visit the following days the Choco Region. Turquoise Jay www.tropicalbirding.com +1-409-515-9110 [email protected] p.6 Tropical Birding - Trip Report Ecuador Photo Tour, February 2018 Pale-naped Brushfinch Torrent Duck February 15th: Tandayapa Valley The day began with a two-hour trip from Quito to the magical Tandayapa Valley, where Tandayapa Bird Lodge is located, a place that welcomed us for four nights. The first impression of all the passengers was the amount of hummingbirds coming to the feeders, as they were stunned by the amount of species. This is one of the best places in Ecuador to photograph hummingbirds with an average of 15 species per day throughout of the year.