Sites visited

1. Miraflores, Mindo area 20th-22nd February, 2006

This is an excellent birding area less than 2 hours by bus from Quito. Buses leave from the Flor de Valle terminal in Quito and cost about $1.50. I stayed at a friends place in the tiny village of Miraflores (1,900m) 30 minutes before Mindo at about km 65 but there are many places to stay in Mindo. In fact this town seems to have grown up on birding. There is nowhere to stay in Miraflores as yet but the Arcos family are building accomodation. They have also built a 'Canopy tour', a slide through the trees. There is great birding on the property with many interesting species of tanager, hummingbird and antpitta. Giant and Moustached Antpitta were both heard nearby as was Toucan Barbet. Walking around the town of Mindo and the several km stretch of from the main road down into town can also be productive. Hitching along the roads is fairly easy.
I saw 125 species including 36 lifers

Black Vulture	Coragyps atratus
Turkey Vulture	Cathartes aura
Plain-breasted Hawk	Accipiter ventralis	Photographed Recorded
Roadside Hawk	Buteo magnirostris	Recorded
American Kestrel	Falco sparverius
Crested Guan	Penelope purpurascens	Possibly heard
Dark-backed Wood-Quail	Odontophorus melanonotus	Endemic Vulnerable Heard only Recorded
White-throated Crake	Laterallus albigularis	Heard only. Recorded
Rock Pigeon	Columba livia	Introduced species
Band-tailed Pigeon	Patagioenas fasciata
Plumbeous Pigeon	Patagioenas plumbea	Recorded
Ruddy Pigeon	Patagioenas subvinacea
White-throated Quail-Dove	Geotrygon frenata	Heard only
Barred Parakeet	Bolborhynchus lineola	Heard only
Red-billed Parrot	Pionus sordidus
Squirrel Cuckoo	Piaya cayana
Groove-billed Ani	Crotophaga sulcirostris	Recorded
Mottled Owl	Ciccaba virgata	Heard only. Recorded
Pauraque	Nyctidromus albicollis	Possibly seen
Band-winged Nightjar	Caprimulgus longirostris
White-collared Swift	Streptoprocne zonaris
Lesser Swallow-tailed Swift	Panyptila cayennensis
Green Violet-ear	Colibri thalassinus	Photographed
Sparkling Violet-ear	Colibri coruscans
Rufous-tailed Hummingbird	Amazilia tzacatl
Andean Emerald	Agyrtria franciae
Speckled Hummingbird	Adelomyia melanogenys	Photographed
Fawn-breasted Brilliant	Heliodoxa rubinoides
Brown Inca	Coeligena wilsoni
Gorgeted Sunangel	Heliangelus strophianus
Booted Racket-tail	Ocreatus underwoodii	Recorded
Violet-tailed Sylph	Aglaiocercus coelestis
Wedge-billed Hummingbird	Augastes geoffroyi
Purple-throated Woodstar	Calliphlox mitchellii	Photographed
White-bellied Woodstar	Chaetocercus mulsant
Masked Trogon	Trogon personatus
Golden-headed Quetzal	Pharomachrus auriceps	Heard only
Rufous Motmot	Baryphthengus martii	Heard only
Toucan Barbet	Semnornis ramphastinus	Near-threatened Heard only
Crimson-rumped Toucanet	Aulacorhynchus haematopygus	Photographed
Plate-billed Mountain-Toucan	Andigena laminirostris	Near-threatened
Smoky-brown Woodpecker	Veniliornis fumigatus
Crimson-mantled Woodpecker	Piculus rivolii	Photographed
Powerful Woodpecker	Campephilus pollens
(Pacific Hornero)	Furnarius leucopus
Rufous Spinetail	Synallaxis unirufa
Azara's Spinetail	Synallaxis azarae	Heard only
Slaty Spinetail	Synallaxis brachyura	Recorded
Red-faced Spinetail	Cranioleuca erythrops
Rusty-winged Barbtail	Premnornis guttuligera	Possibly seen
Spotted Barbtail	Premnoplex brunnescens
Scaly-throated Foliage-gleaner	Anabacerthia variegaticeps
Lineated Foliage-gleaner	Syndactyla subalaris	Recorded
Tyrannine Woodcreeper	Dendrocincla tyrannina
Strong-billed Woodcreeper	Xiphocolaptes promeropirhynchus	Photographed
Spotted Woodcreeper	Xiphorhynchus erythropygius
Montane Woodcreeper	Lepidocolaptes lacrymiger
Uniform Antshrike	Thamnophilus unicolor	Recorded
Pacific Antwren	Myrmotherula pacifica
Long-tailed Antbird	Drymophila caudata	Recorded
Immaculate Antbird	Myrmeciza immaculata
Rufous-breasted Antthrush	Formicarius rufipectus	Heard only
Giant Antpitta	Grallaria gigantea	Endangered Heard only
Moustached Antpitta	Grallaria alleni	Endangered Heard only
Nari�o Tapaculo	Scytalopus vicinior	Heard only
Spillman's Tapaculo	Scytalopus spillmanni	Heard only
Green-and-black Fruiteater	Pipreola riefferii	Photographed
Scaled Fruiteater	Ampelioides tschudii
Streak-necked Flycatcher	Mionectes striaticollis
White-tailed Tyrannulet	Mecocerculus poecilocercus
Ornate Flycatcher	Myiotriccus ornatus
Flavescent Flycatcher	Myiophobus flavicans	Possibly seen
Smoke-colored Pewee	Contopus fumigatus
Golden-crowned Flycatcher	Myiodynastes chrysocephalus	Photographed Recorded
Tropical Kingbird	Tyrannus melancholicus
Barred Becard	Pachyramphus versicolor
One-colored Becard	Pachyramphus homochrous
Turquoise Jay	Cyanolyca turcosa	Recorded
Blue-and-white Swallow	Notiochelidon cyanoleuca	Photographed Recorded
Southern Rough-winged Swallow	Stelgidopteryx ruficollis	Photographed
Sharpe's Wren	Cinnycerthia olivascens	Heard only
House Wren	Troglodytes aedon	Recorded
Gray-breasted Wood-Wren	Henicorhina leucophrys
Andean Solitaire	Myadestes ralloides	Heard only
Swainson's Thrush	Catharus ustulatus
Great Thrush	Turdus fuscater	Recorded
Glossy-black Thrush	Turdus serranus	Possibly seen
Ecuadorian Thrush	Turdus maculirostris
Tropical Gnatcatcher	Polioptila plumbea
Brown-capped Vireo	Vireo leucophrys	Recorded
Red-eyed Vireo	Vireo olivaceus
Blackburnian Warbler	Dendroica fusca
Slate-throated Redstart	Myioborus miniatus
Russet-crowned Warbler	Basileuterus coronatus
Three-striped Warbler	Basileuterus tristriatus
Bananaquit	Coereba flaveola
Dusky Bush-Tanager	Chlorospingus semifuscus	Recorded
White-lined Tanager	Tachyphonus rufus
White-winged Tanager	Piranga leucoptera
Flame-rumped Tanager	Ramphocelus flammigerus
Blue-gray Tanager	Thraupis episcopus
Palm Tanager	Thraupis palmarum
Blue-winged Mountain-Tanager	Anisognathus somptuosus	Photographed
Fawn-breasted Tanager	Pipraeidea melanonota
Golden-rumped Euphonia	Euphonia cyanocephala
Orange-bellied Euphonia	Euphonia xanthogaster
Golden Tanager	Tangara arthus	Photographed Recorded
Silver-throated Tanager	Tangara icterocephala
Flame-faced Tanager	Tangara parzudakii	Photographed
Golden-naped Tanager	Tangara ruficervix
Beryl-spangled Tanager	Tangara nigroviridis	Photographed
Blue-and-black Tanager	Tangara vassorii
Black-capped Tanager	Tangara heinei
Blue-black Grassquit	Volatinia jacarina
Variable Seedeater	Sporophila corvina
Yellow-bellied Seedeater	Sporophila nigricollis
Blue Seedeater	Amaurospiza concolor	Possibly seen
Yellow-faced Grassquit	Tiaris olivacea
White-sided Flowerpiercer	Diglossa albilatera
Tricolored Brush-Finch	Atlapetes tricolor
Chestnut-capped Brush-Finch	Buarremon brunneinucha
Rufous-collared Sparrow	Zonotrichia capensis
Black-winged Saltator	Saltator atripennis
Scrub Blackbird	Dives warszewiczi
Yellow-bellied Siskin	Carduelis xanthogastra

2. Ba�os area 23rd-24th February, 2006

This is a popular tourist town with beautiful scenery and hotsprings nearby. Again I stayed with the Arcos family outside of town where they own a trout farm (2,200m) that borders the Sangay National Park. There are trails up from the farm into good forest in 2 valleys. The area was great for Tapaculos (Ocellated, Unicoloured & Spillman's), hummingbirds and tanagers. Up the left valley there is a wonderful spot for hummingbirds (Saphire-vented Puffleg, Tournaline Sunangel & Collared Inca) in a clearing, quite far up, created by a landslide several years ago. The right valley had Grey-breasted Mountain-Toucan, Rusty-barred Owl, Rufous Antpitta and Blue-backed Conebill. There is plenty of accomodation in Ba�os and soon the Arcos family and their neighbours will finish cabins. The trails are on private land but access will be granted to people staying or eating trout at the restaurant being built.
I saw 72 species including 35 lifers

Tawny-breasted Tinamou	Nothocercus julius	Heard only. Recorded
Turkey Vulture	Cathartes aura
Roadside Hawk	Buteo magnirostris
Sickle-winged Guan	Chamaepetes goudotii	Photographed
Band-tailed Pigeon	Patagioenas fasciata
White-throated Quail-Dove	Geotrygon frenata	Heard only
White-capped Parrot	Pionus seniloides
Rufous-banded Owl	Ciccaba albitarsus
Chestnut-collared Swift	Streptoprocne rutila	Possibly seen
White-collared Swift	Streptoprocne zonaris
White-tipped Swift	Aeronautes montivagus
Green-fronted Lancebill	Doryfera ludovicae	Possibly seen. Photographed
Speckled Hummingbird	Adelomyia melanogenys
Collared Inca	Coeligena torquata
Tourmaline Sunangel	Heliangelus exortis	Photographed
Glowing Puffleg	Eriocnemis vestitus
Sapphire-vented Puffleg	Eriocnemis luciani
Tyrian Metaltail	Metallura tyrianthina
Mountain Avocetbill	Opisthoprora euryptera
Long-tailed Sylph	Aglaiocercus kingi
Masked Trogon	Trogon personatus	Photographed
Gray-breasted Mountain-Toucan	Andigena hypoglauca	Near-threatened Photographed
Andean Toucanet	Aulacorhynchus albivitta
Bar-bellied Woodpecker	Veniliornis nigriceps
Crimson-mantled Woodpecker	Piculus rivolii	Photographed
Pearled Treerunner	Margarornis squamiger
Giant Antpitta	Grallaria gigantea	Endangered Possibly heard
Chestnut-crowned Antpitta	Grallaria ruficapilla
Rufous Antpitta	Grallaria rufula
Unicolored Tapaculo	Scytalopus unicolor
Spillman's Tapaculo	Scytalopus spillmanni	Heard only
Ocellated Tapaculo	Acropternis orthonyx	Photographed
Green-and-black Fruiteater	Pipreola riefferii
Dusky Piha	Lipaugus fuscocinereus	Photographed
White-banded Tyrannulet	Mecocerculus stictopterus
Cinnamon Flycatcher	Pyrrhomyias cinnamomea	Photographed
Smoke-colored Pewee	Contopus fumigatus
Slaty-backed Chat-Tyrant	Ochthoeca cinnamomeiventris
Streak-throated Bush-Tyrant	Myiotheretes striaticollis
Rufous Wren	Cinnycerthia unirufa
Plain-tailed Wren	Thryothorus euophrys	Heard only
Mountain Wren	Troglodytes solstitialis	Photographed
Gray-breasted Wood-Wren	Henicorhina leucophrys
Andean Solitaire	Myadestes ralloides
Great Thrush	Turdus fuscater	Photographed
Green Jay	Cyanocorax yncas
Turquoise Jay	Cyanolyca turcosa	Photographed
Brown-capped Vireo	Vireo leucophrys
Blackburnian Warbler	Dendroica fusca
Canada Warbler	Wilsonia canadensis
Slate-throated Redstart	Myioborus miniatus
Spectacled Redstart	Myioborus melanocephalus
Citrine Warbler	Basileuterus luteoviridis
Russet-crowned Warbler	Basileuterus coronatus
Blue-backed Conebill	Conirostrum sitticolor
Grass-green Tanager	Chlorornis riefferii
Short-billed Bush-Tanager	Chlorospingus parvirostris
Black-eared Hemispingus	Hemispingus melanotis
Hooded Mountain-Tanager	Buthraupis montana	Photographed
Lacrimose Mountain-Tanager	Anisognathus lacrymosus
Golden-crowned Tanager	Iridosornis rufivertex
Saffron-crowned Tanager	Tangara xanthocephala
Flame-faced Tanager	Tangara parzudakii
Golden-naped Tanager	Tangara ruficervix
Beryl-spangled Tanager	Tangara nigroviridis
Plush-capped Finch	Catamblyrhynchus diadema	Photographed
Masked Flowerpiercer	Diglossopis cyanea
Slaty Brush-Finch	Atlapetes schistaceus
Chestnut-capped Brush-Finch	Buarremon brunneinucha
Rufous-collared Sparrow	Zonotrichia capensis
Black-backed Grosbeak	Pheucticus aureoventris
Mountain Cacique	Cacicus chrysonotus

3. Yana Yaca Reserve 25th February, 2006

This small reserve belonging to the American biologist Harold Greeney is next to the more famous Caba�as San Isidro where there is an undescribed species of owl. One can pay to enter Caba�as San Isidro or stay for the night although it is quite expensive. There are also a couple of trails along the road leading to Yana Yaca which go through CSI property. These may or maynot be free. Birding along the road also seems to be good. Greeney runs a biological station there where biologists pay $15 a night to come and stay.
I saw 29 species including 5 lifers

Torrent Duck	Merganetta armata	Seen on the way
Yellow-billed Pintail	Anas georgica	Seen on the way
Roadside Hawk	Buteo magnirostris
Andean Gull	Larus serranus	Seen on the way
Sparkling Violet-ear	Colibri coruscans	Seen on the way
Collared Inca	Coeligena torquata	Photographed
Montane Woodcreeper	Lepidocolaptes lacrymiger
Sierran Elaenia	Elaenia pallatangae	Possibly seen
Smoke-colored Pewee	Contopus fumigatus
Black Phoebe	Sayornis nigricans	Seen on the way
Pale-edged Flycatcher	Myiarchus cephalotes
Blue-and-white Swallow	Notiochelidon cyanoleuca	Seen on the way. Photographed
Brown-bellied Swallow	Notiochelidon murina
Great Thrush	Turdus fuscater
Green Jay	Cyanocorax yncas
Blackburnian Warbler	Dendroica fusca
Black-and-white Warbler	Mniotilta varia
Canada Warbler	Wilsonia canadensis
Spectacled Redstart	Myioborus melanocephalus
Black-crested Warbler	Basileuterus nigrocristatus	Seen on the way
Blue-gray Tanager	Thraupis episcopus
Fawn-breasted Tanager	Pipraeidea melanonota
Saffron-crowned Tanager	Tangara xanthocephala
Black-capped Tanager	Tangara heinei
Masked Flowerpiercer	Diglossopis cyanea
Rufous-collared Sparrow	Zonotrichia capensis
Scarlet-rumped Cacique	Cacicus uropygialis
Mountain Cacique	Cacicus chrysonotus
Russet-backed Oropendola	Psarocolius angustifrons

4. Loja Area 19th, 26th, 28th February, 2006

I passed this area several times on the bus and birded roadside scrub a little (Streak-headed Woodcreeper, Speckle-chested Wren & Pacific Elania) when it broke down 2 hours before Loja coming from Quito. I also saw several new birds on the bus to Huaquillas on the border with Peru including Peruvian Meadowlark, Gray-breasted Martin & Bay-winged Hawk.
I saw 30 species including 4 lifers

Great Egret	Ardea alba	Seen on the way to Laja
Cattle Egret	Bubulcus ibis	Seen on the way to Laja
Black Vulture	Coragyps atratus
Turkey Vulture	Cathartes aura
Swallow-tailed Kite	Elanoides forficatus	Seen on the way to Laja
Harris's Hawk	Parabuteo unicinctus	Seen on the way to Laja
American Kestrel	Falco sparverius	Seen on the way to Laja
Rock Pigeon	Columba livia	Introduced species
Eared Dove	Zenaida auriculata	Seen on the way to Laja
White-tipped Dove	Leptotila verreauxi	Seen on the way to Laja
Groove-billed Ani	Crotophaga sulcirostris	Seen on the way to Laja
(Pacific Hornero)	Furnarius leucopus	Seen on the way to Laja
Streak-headed Woodcreeper	Lepidocolaptes souleyetii
Pacific Elaenia	Myiopagis subplacens	Possibly seen
Tawny-crowned Pygmy-Tyrant	Euscarthmus meloryphus	Heard only
Vermilion Flycatcher	Pyrocephalus rubinus	Seen on the way to Laja
Gray-breasted Martin	Progne chalybea	Seen on the way to Laja
Speckle-breasted Wren	Thryothorus sclateri
House Wren	Troglodytes aedon	Seen on the way to Laja
Long-tailed Mockingbird	Mimus longicaudatus	Seen on the way to Laja
Great Thrush	Turdus fuscater	Seen on the way to Laja
Tropical Gnatcatcher	Polioptila plumbea
Red-eyed Vireo	Vireo olivaceus
Thick-billed Euphonia	Euphonia laniirostris
Blue-black Grassquit	Volatinia jacarina	Heard only
Variable Seedeater	Sporophila corvina
Saffron Finch	Sicalis flaveola
Grayish Saltator	Saltator coerulescens	Heard only
Peruvian Meadowlark	Sturnella bellicosa	Seen on the way to Laja
Yellow-tailed Oriole	Icterus mesomelas	Possibly seen

5. Tapichalaca Reserve February, 2006

This is an incredible reserve set up to protect the little remaining habitat for the Jocotoco Antpitta discovered by Ridgely and others in 1997/8. I was lucky enough to be there at the same time as some founding members of the Jocotoco Foundation including Ridgely Himself. The bird can be heard easily along the Jocotoco trail and seen with a little more difficulty. Playback is useful although the bird is fairly easy to immitate. Orange-banded Flycatcher was seen along the beginning of this trail. There are feeders around Casa Simpson where you stay (with Chestnut-breasted Coronet, Collared Inca, White-bellied Woodstar and Long-tailed Sylph) and an area good for mixed flocks further down the main road. Many species of antpitta and tapaculo can be heard in the area.
I saw 82 species including 23 lifers

Broad-winged Hawk	Buteo platypterus
Sickle-winged Guan	Chamaepetes goudotii
Band-tailed Pigeon	Patagioenas fasciata
White-tipped Dove	Leptotila verreauxi	Seen on the way to the reserve
White-throated Quail-Dove	Geotrygon frenata	Heard only
Golden-plumed Parakeet	Leptosittaca branickii	Vulnerable Heard only
Barred Parakeet	Bolborhynchus lineola
White-capped Parrot	Pionus seniloides
Red-billed Parrot	Pionus sordidus
Scaly-naped Parrot	Amazona mercenaria
Speckled Hummingbird	Adelomyia melanogenys
Chestnut-breasted Coronet	Boissonneaua matthewsii	Photographed
Bronzy Inca	Coeligena coeligena
Collared Inca	Coeligena torquata	Photographed
Little (Flame-throated) Sunangel	Heliangelus micraster	Photographed
Tyrian Metaltail	Metallura tyrianthina
Long-tailed Sylph	Aglaiocercus kingi	Photographed
Amethyst-throated Sunangel	Heliangelus amethysticollis	Photographed
Golden-headed Quetzal	Pharomachrus auriceps	Heard only
Gray-breasted Mountain-Toucan	Andigena hypoglauca	Near-threatened
Andean Toucanet	Aulacorhynchus albivitta
Bar-bellied Woodpecker	Veniliornis nigriceps
Crimson-mantled Woodpecker	Piculus rivolii
Rufous Spinetail	Synallaxis unirufa	Heard only
Azara's Spinetail	Synallaxis azarae	Heard only
Pearled Treerunner	Margarornis squamiger
Streaked Tuftedcheek	Pseudocolaptes boissonneautii
Montane Woodcreeper	Lepidocolaptes lacrymiger
Barred Antthrush	Chamaeza mollissima	Heard only
Chestnut-crowned Antpitta	Grallaria ruficapilla	Heard only
Chestnut-naped Antpitta	Grallaria nuchalis	Heard only
Jocotoco Antpitta	Grallaria ridgelyi	Endemic Endangered
White-bellied Antpitta	Grallaria hypoleuca	Heard only
Rufous Antpitta	Grallaria rufula	Possibly heard
Slate-crowned Antpitta	Grallaricula nana	Heard only
Ash-colored Tapaculo	Myornis senilis	Heard only
Long-tailed Tapaculo	Scytalopus micropterus	Heard only
White-crowned Tapaculo	Scytalopus atratus	Heard only
Chusquea Tapaculo	Scytalopus parkeri	Endemic Heard only
Green-and-black Fruiteater	Pipreola riefferii
Dusky Piha	Lipaugus fuscocinereus
Rufous-headed Pygmy-Tyrant	Pseudotriccus ruficeps
Sulphur-bellied Tyrannulet	Mecocerculus minor	Heard only
White-banded Tyrannulet	Mecocerculus stictopterus
Orange-banded Flycatcher	Myiophobus lintoni	Near-threatened
Cinnamon Flycatcher	Pyrrhomyias cinnamomea
Smoke-colored Pewee	Contopus fumigatus	Heard only
Rufous-breasted Chat-Tyrant	Ochthoeca rufipectoralis
Smoky Bush-Tyrant	Myiotheretes fumigatus	Photographed
Rufous-tailed Tyrant	Knipolegus poecilurus
Blue-and-white Swallow	Notiochelidon cyanoleuca
Pale-footed Swallow	Notiochelidon flavipes
Rufous Wren	Cinnycerthia unirufa
Plain-tailed Wren	Thryothorus euophrys	Heard only
Mountain Wren	Troglodytes solstitialis	Heard only
Gray-breasted Wood-Wren	Henicorhina leucophrys	Heard only
Andean Solitaire	Myadestes ralloides	Heard only
Brown-capped Vireo	Vireo leucophrys
Blackburnian Warbler	Dendroica fusca
Slate-throated Redstart	Myioborus miniatus
Spectacled Redstart	Myioborus melanocephalus
Black-crested Warbler	Basileuterus nigrocristatus
Capped Conebill	Conirostrum albifrons
Grass-green Tanager	Chlorornis riefferii	Heard only
Short-billed Bush-Tanager	Chlorospingus parvirostris
Gray-hooded Bush-Tanager	Cnemoscopus rubrirostris
Black-capped Hemispingus	Hemispingus atropileus
Hooded Mountain-Tanager	Buthraupis montana
Lacrimose Mountain-Tanager	Anisognathus lacrymosus
Scarlet-bellied Mountain-Tanager	Anisognathus igniventris
Blue-winged Mountain-Tanager	Anisognathus somptuosus
Saffron-crowned Tanager	Tangara xanthocephala
Flame-faced Tanager	Tangara parzudakii
Golden-naped Tanager	Tangara ruficervix
Beryl-spangled Tanager	Tangara nigroviridis
Silver-backed Tanager	Tangara viridicollis
Masked Flowerpiercer	Diglossopis cyanea	Heard only
Yellow-breasted Brush-Finch	Atlapetes latinuchus
Yellow-browed Sparrow	Ammodramus aurifrons
Yellow-billed Cacique	Amblycercus holosericeus	Heard only
Mountain Cacique	Cacicus chrysonotus
Olivaceous Siskin	Carduelis olivacea

6. Yanacocha Reserve 14th July, 2006

Yanacocha is a Fundacion Jocotoco reserve quite near Quito. You can contact the foundation office in Quito or just turn up and pay your entry fee to the 2 guardaparques. If you don't have your own transport, you can hire a pick up to take you up. From the centre of Quito, first go to the area of Cotocollao. Find the plaza (or parque central) and look for pick-ups (camionetas) to take you up. The drivers know the site. The ride up there took about 50 minutes along a bad road (which may be improved in the future) and I managed to haggle the driver down to $12. A camioneta leaves about 5:30 in the morning to the community of Yanacocha near the entrance to the reserve. It may be possible to get a ride up this. Alternatively (if you're a glutton for punishment), you could get on a bus towards Nono and get off at the (signed) turning up towards the reserve, a further 10km uphill. Entrance to the reserve costs $5. There are many hummingbird feeders along the main trail of the reserve where you can see many good species well. I failed to see the critically endangered endemic Black-breasted Puffleg which appears to be present only from December to mid-July. May and June being the best months. At the end of the trail is an area opf forest where I saw Stout-billed Cinclodes and some flowerpiercers. Before this is a fork, the left to a large pipe-tunnel under a hill. Apparently on the far side is some nice paramo habitat. To get back down to Quito, you can take the community truck at about 4pm, but beware, it doesn't go on Tuesdays and Fridays. Alternatively you could walk down to the junction with the Nono road from where you have a better chance to get a bus or hitch. On the walk down, I saw Short-eared Owl.
I saw 26 species including 4 lifers

American Kestrel	Falco sparverius
Andean Guan	Penelope montagnii
Short-eared Owl	Asio flammeus
Sparkling Violet-ear	Colibri coruscans
Shining Sunbeam	Aglaeactis cupripennis
Mountain Velvetbreast	Lafresnaya lafresnayi
Buff-winged Starfrontlet	Coeligena lutetiae	Photographed
Great Sapphirewing	Pterophanes cyanopterus	Photographed
Sapphire-vented Puffleg	Eriocnemis luciani	Photographed
Golden-breasted Puffleg	Eriocnemis mosquera	Photographed
Black-tailed Trainbearer	Lesbia victoriae
Tyrian Metaltail	Metallura tyrianthina	Photographed
Stout-billed Cinclodes	Cinclodes excelsior	Photographed
Azara's Spinetail	Synallaxis azarae	Heard only
Streaked Tuftedcheek	Pseudocolaptes boissonneautii
Barred Fruiteater	Pipreola arcuata	Photographed
White-throated Tyrannulet	Mecocerculus leucophrys
Brown-bellied Swallow	Notiochelidon murina
Great Thrush	Turdus fuscater
Black-chested Mountain-Tanager	Buthraupis eximia
Scarlet-bellied Mountain-Tanager	Anisognathus igniventris
Plain-colored Seedeater	Catamenia inornata
Glossy Flowerpiercer	Diglossa lafresnayii
Masked Flowerpiercer	Diglossopis cyanea
Yellow-breasted Brush-Finch	Atlapetes latinuchus
Rufous-collared Sparrow	Zonotrichia capensis

7. Puerto Lopez 16th July, 2006

Puerto Lopez is a famous place to see Humpback Whales. We went out on a tour boat which leave daily at about 10am and cost $20 per person. Apart from the whales you can also see Blue-footed Boobies and I saw possible Swallow-tailed Gulls. For birds, a trip to Isla de la Plata would probably be more productive. A direct bus leaves for Puerto Lopez from Quito from the Reina del Camino terminal near Puente de las Huambras at 8pm, arriving about 6am. Puerto Lopez has many places to eat and stay (Sol Inn - $4 for domitory, $6 for a single) and also a few places to do internet.
I saw 13 species including 2 lifers

Brown Pelican	Pelecanus occidentalis	Photographed
Blue-footed Booby	Sula nebouxii	Photographed
Neotropic Cormorant	Phalacrocorax brasilianus
Magnificent Frigatebird	Fregata magnificens	Photographed
Snowy Egret	Egretta thula
Black Vulture	Coragyps atratus
Turkey Vulture	Cathartes aura
Rock Pigeon	Columba livia	Introduced species
Croaking Ground-Dove	Columbina cruziana
Groove-billed Ani	Crotophaga sulcirostris
Vermilion Flycatcher	Pyrocephalus rubinus	Outlying islands only
Gray-breasted Martin	Progne chalybea
Scrub Blackbird	Dives warszewiczi

8. Cajanuma Sector, Podocarpus National Park 21st-23rd July, 2006

The Cajanuma sector of the Podocarpus National Park, has some fantastic birds of the elfin forest and paramo zones and is easily accessible from Loja. To get there, take one of the many buses from the terminal to Loja towards Vilcabamba and get off at the Cajanuma entrance, which all the bus drivers know. At the gate, you have to pay an entrance fee of $10 (for foreigners) but this is valid for 5 days both here and at the Bombuscaro entrance. From the gate it is about 8km uphill to the visitors centre (about 2,700m) where there is simple accomodation available for just $3 per night. It's a tough 2 hour walk if you have a heavy bag, but I was lucky enough to hitch a ride. Alternatively, you could hire taxi at the terminal in Loja or there maybe one at the entrance. There are solar-powered lights and a nice fireplace where you can make a fire to cook on at night. The friendly park guards may lend you a pan to cook with if you don't have your own. Bring you own food and a warm sleeping bag as it gets cold at night.
There are several trails leading from the house. On leads uphill to the right towards Lagunas del Compadre. To reach there requires a several day hike and camping. You can go up the trail for several hours and turn back. Birds seen along here included: Barred Fruiteater, Paramo Seedeater, Pale-footed Swallow and Chusquea Tapaculo. Spectacled Bears may also be possible up in the Paramo. To the left from the house, a trail leads up to 2 loops: the Oso de Anteojos and Bosque Nublado trails. On the former I saw Flame-throated Sunangel, Buff-winged Starfrontlet and Collared Inca, and the latter Ash-coloured Tapaculo, White-bellied Woodstar and White-banded Tyrannulet. This whole lower area is good for mountain-tanagers too. The trail continues up through elfin forest (White-throated Hawk, Buff-breasted Mountain-Tanager and and Chestnut-naped Antpitta) to a mirador at about 3,100m (near where Chestnut-bellied Cotinga has been seen in the past) and up along a steep ridge where I saw Masked Mountain-Tanager and Black-headed Hemispingus. The road below the house is best for Bearded Guan and I heard Stygian Owl here at night.
I saw 61 species including 7 lifers

Great Egret	Ardea alba
White-throated Hawk	Buteo albigula	Photographed
Bearded Guan	Penelope barbata	Vulnerable Photographed Recorded
Band-tailed Pigeon	Patagioenas fasciata
Smooth-billed Ani	Crotophaga ani
Stygian Owl	Asio stygius	Heard only. Recorded
Green Hermit	Phaethornis guy
Gray-chinned Hermit	Phaethornis griseogularis	Possibly seen
Chestnut-breasted Coronet	Boissonneaua matthewsii
Collared Inca	Coeligena torquata
Buff-winged Starfrontlet	Coeligena lutetiae
Rainbow Starfrontlet	Coeligena iris
Little (Flame-throated) Sunangel	Heliangelus micraster
Green-tailed Trainbearer	Lesbia nuna
Tyrian Metaltail	Metallura tyrianthina
Mountain Avocetbill	Opisthoprora euryptera
White-bellied Woodstar	Chaetocercus mulsant
Bar-bellied Woodpecker	Veniliornis nigriceps
Crimson-mantled Woodpecker	Piculus rivolii
Azara's Spinetail	Synallaxis azarae	Heard only
Many-striped Canastero	Asthenes flammulata
Streaked Tuftedcheek	Pseudocolaptes boissonneautii	Recorded
Chestnut-naped Antpitta	Grallaria nuchalis	Heard only. Recorded
Rufous Antpitta	Grallaria rufula	Recorded
Ash-colored Tapaculo	Myornis senilis	Heard only
Unicolored Tapaculo	Scytalopus unicolor	Heard only. Recorded
Paramo Tapaculo	Scytalopus canus	Possibly heard
Chusquea Tapaculo	Scytalopus parkeri	Endemic Heard only. Recorded
Red-crested Cotinga	Ampelion rubrocristata
Barred Fruiteater	Pipreola arcuata	Photographed. Recorded
White-banded Tyrannulet	Mecocerculus stictopterus
Rufous-breasted Chat-Tyrant	Ochthoeca rufipectoralis
Streak-throated Bush-Tyrant	Myiotheretes striaticollis
Smoky Bush-Tyrant	Myiotheretes fumigatus
Blue-and-white Swallow	Notiochelidon cyanoleuca
Pale-footed Swallow	Notiochelidon flavipes	Recorded
Fasciated Wren	Campylorhynchus fasciatus
Rufous Wren	Cinnycerthia unirufa	Photographed
Mountain Wren	Troglodytes solstitialis
Gray-breasted Wood-Wren	Henicorhina leucophrys	Recorded
Chiguanco Thrush	Turdus chiguanco
Great Thrush	Turdus fuscater	Recorded
Spectacled Redstart	Myioborus melanocephalus
Black-crested Warbler	Basileuterus nigrocristatus	Recorded
Blue-backed Conebill	Conirostrum sitticolor
Black-capped Hemispingus	Hemispingus atropileus	Photographed Recorded
Black-headed Hemispingus	Hemispingus verticalis
Masked Mountain-Tanager	Buthraupis wetmorei	Vulnerable Photographed
Lacrimose Mountain-Tanager	Anisognathus lacrymosus
Scarlet-bellied Mountain-Tanager	Anisognathus igniventris
Golden-crowned Tanager	Iridosornis rufivertex
Buff-breasted Mountain-Tanager	Dubusia taeniata
Paramo Seedeater	Catamenia homochroa
White-sided Flowerpiercer	Diglossa albilatera
Glossy Flowerpiercer	Diglossa lafresnayii	Photographed Recorded
Masked Flowerpiercer	Diglossopis cyanea	Recorded
Pale-naped Brush-Finch	Atlapetes pallidinucha
Yellow-breasted Brush-Finch	Atlapetes latinuchus
Chestnut-capped Brush-Finch	Buarremon brunneinucha
Rufous-collared Sparrow	Zonotrichia capensis
Hooded Siskin	Carduelis magellanica

9. Bombuscaro Sector, Podocarpus National Park 24th-26th July, 2006

This is another excellent area of the Podocarpus National Park that has a very different avifauna. The same ticket as the Cajanuma sector can be used but only for 5 days in total. The birds here are a little more difficult to see and therefore I recommend 3 nights here and 2 at Cajanuma. You could spend easily spend a lot more time at both, though. The sector is accessed from the large town of Zaruma, where you could stay, although it's better to stay within the park. Buses to Zaruma leave Loja regularly and take about 2 hours. From the terminal in Zaruma, take the signed turning to Bombuscaro, the name of the river and an area of Zaruma. To the entrance of the park, it is about 6km, and from there about another 1km through nice forest to the visitors centre. You may encounter the guard at the entrance or at the centre where you can buy or show your ticket and arrange accomodation. There is a cabin with 2 twin rooms (also $3 per person per night) and a bathroom. The beds are OK but there are no electric lights. Bring candles and a sleeping bag. There were very few mosquitos when I was there. There are more visitors here and you may find the rooms full. There are also places to camp. There is no visitor's kitchen, but the guards maybe kind enough to leave you the key for theirs. Bring your own food.
There are many good birding spots around the park. From the car park to the visitor's centre, there is a nice stretch of forest. One of the guards said White-necked Parakeets feed in some trees here and even come to eat clay/earth in an exposed area next to a curving handrail. Just before the centre, you cross a small stream where I saw Black Phoebe and White-capped Dipper. Near the centre, there is an orchid garden from where a trail leads up to a beautiful waterfall (Cascada La Poderosa) and a Mirador. The later is a tough climb and if you go right up to the top, there is an interesting patch of forest where I saw Thrush-like Schiffornis, Barred Becard and Sharpbill (99% certain). Also from the Orquideria, there is a loop trail called 'Uraquita Verde' (Green Jay). This is excellent and I saw many different birds each time I went up. Another group saw Amazonian Umbrellabird and Coppery-chested Jacamar here, although I didn't. A long trail called 'Sendero Hilgueros' also leads along the river. Along the first section, I saw Grey Tinamou in the early morning and Ecuadorian Piedtail singing. Look out for gaps in the trees with a view of the river, where I saw Fasciated Tiger-Heron. The trail leads a fork (look out for Highland Motmot), the right continuing on the same side (15 minutes along which I heard White-necked Parakeets) and the left crosses a foot bridge and loops back along the other side. The trail on the other side follows the river downstream to another bridge which you can cross and walk back to the HQ. The whole loop is said to take 3 hours. On the other side of the river I saw Andean Cock-of-the-Rock (there maybe a lek near the upper bridge), Crimson-bellied Woodpecker (in a clearing about half way along) and Coppery-chested Jacamar in secondary forest 5 minutes up from the lower bridge. From the lower bridge, look out for Torrent Duck and Fasciated Tiger-Heron. I saw 83 species including 12 lifers

Gray Tinamou	Tinamus tao	Photographed
Fasciated Tiger-Heron	Tigrisoma fasciatum
Torrent Duck	Merganetta armata	Photographed
Speckled Chachalaca	Ortalis guttata
Rufous-breasted Wood-Quail	Odontophorus speciosus	Heard only
Plumbeous Pigeon	Patagioenas plumbea	Possibly seen
Gray-fronted Dove	Leptotila rufaxilla
Ruddy Quail-Dove	Geotrygon montana
White-eyed Parakeet	Aratinga leucophthalmus	Recorded
White-necked Parakeet	Pyrrhura albipectus	Endemic Vulnerable Heard only. Recorded
Squirrel Cuckoo	Piaya cayana
Roraima (Foothill) Screech-Owl	Megascops roraimae	Heard only
Gray-rumped Swift	Chaetura cinereiventris
White-whiskered Hermit	Phaethornis yaruqui
Fork-tailed Woodnymph	Thalurania furcata
Ecuadorian Piedtail	Phlogophilus hemileucurus	Near-threatened Photographed Recorded
Collared Trogon	Trogon collaris	Photographed
Highland Motmot	Momotus aequatorialis	Photographed
Coppery-chested Jacamar	Galbula pastazae	Endemic Vulnerable
Chestnut-tipped Toucanet	Aulacorhynchus derbianus	Photographed Recorded
Lafresnaye's Piculet	Picumnus lafresnayi
Smoky-brown Woodpecker	Veniliornis fumigatus	Recorded
Lineated Woodpecker	Dryocopus lineatus
Crimson-bellied Woodpecker	Campephilus haematogaster	Photographed
Guayaquil Woodpecker	Campephilus gayaquilensis	Near-threatened
Spotted Barbtail	Premnoplex brunnescens
Streaked Xenops	Xenops rutilans
Montane Foliage-gleaner	Anabacerthia striaticollis
Buff-fronted Foliage-gleaner	Philydor rufus
Olivaceous Woodcreeper	Sittasomus griseicapillus
Olive-backed Woodcreeper	Xiphorhynchus triangularis
Lined Antshrike	Thamnophilus tenuepunctatus	Photographed
Sharpbill	Oxyruncus cristatus
Andean Cock-of-the-rock	Rupicola peruviana
Thrush-like Schiffornis	Schiffornis turdinus	Recorded
Olive-striped Flycatcher	Mionectes olivaceus
Slaty-capped Flycatcher	Leptopogon superciliaris
Spectacled Bristle-Tyrant	Pogonotriccus orbitalis	Possibly seen
Ecuadorian Tyrannulet	Phylloscartes gualaquizae
Scale-crested Pygmy-Tyrant	Lophotriccus pileatus	Photographed Recorded
Common Tody-Flycatcher	Todirostrum cinereum
Fulvous-breasted Flatbill	Rhynchocyclus fulvipectus	Possibly seen
Yellow-olive Flycatcher	Tolmomyias sulphurescens	Recorded
Ornate Flycatcher	Myiotriccus ornatus	Photographed
Orange-crested Flycatcher	Myiophobus phoenicomitra
Tawny-breasted Flycatcher	Myiobius villosus
Cliff Flycatcher	Hirundinea ferruginea
Black Phoebe	Sayornis nigricans
Golden-crowned Flycatcher	Myiodynastes chrysocephalus
Tropical Kingbird	Tyrannus melancholicus
Barred Becard	Pachyramphus versicolor
Blue-and-white Swallow	Notiochelidon cyanoleuca
White-banded Swallow	Atticora fasciata
Southern Rough-winged Swallow	Stelgidopteryx ruficollis
White-capped Dipper	Cinclus leucocephalus
House Wren	Troglodytes aedon
White-breasted Wood-Wren	Henicorhina leucosticta	Recorded
Glossy-black Thrush	Turdus serranus
White-throated Thrush	Turdus assimilis
Green Jay	Cyanocorax yncas
Brown-capped Vireo	Vireo leucophrys
Tropical Parula	Parula pitiayumi
Slate-throated Redstart	Myioborus miniatus
Buff-rumped Warbler	Basileuterus fulvicauda
Bananaquit	Coereba flaveola
Yellow-throated Bush-Tanager	Chlorospingus flavigularis	Recorded
Ashy-throated Bush-Tanager	Chlorospingus canigularis
White-lined Tanager	Tachyphonus rufus
Silver-beaked Tanager	Ramphocelus carbo
Bronze-green Euphonia	Euphonia mesochrysa
Orange-bellied Euphonia	Euphonia xanthogaster
Orange-eared Tanager	Chlorochrysa calliparaea
Paradise Tanager	Tangara chilensis
Golden Tanager	Tangara arthus
Golden-eared Tanager	Tangara chrysotis
Spotted Tanager	Tangara punctata
Bay-headed Tanager	Tangara gyrola	Recorded
Blue-necked Tanager	Tangara cyanicollis
Yellow-bellied Seedeater	Sporophila nigricollis
Orange-billed Sparrow	Arremon aurantiirostris
Yellow-browed Sparrow	Ammodramus aurifrons
Buff-throated Saltator	Saltator maximus
Crested Oropendola	Psarocolius decumanus

10. Buenaventura 27th-28th July, 2006

   This is another Jocotoco reserve with a number of threatened tumbesian endemics and other birds of interest. It is easily accessed by public transport and the nearby town of Pi�as makes a good base. There is also accomodation in the reserve but it is expensive. Pi�as is a medium-sized town with several places to stay, eat and an internet cafe. I stayed at the apartment in Pi�as used by biologists working in the reserve and was lucky enough to be accompanied by Mary Elizabeth Jui�es [email protected] into the field on one day to look for the Endemic El Oro Parakeet (which we only heard). Pi�as can be reached by direct buses from Loja or Cuenca. From Pi�as, there are half hourly buses that leave to Machala from a place called 'Cinco esquinas' and pass by the reserve. There are several places you can enter.
   The nearest place to Pi�as only takes 20 minutes and is called 'La Urna' (the bus costing less than a dollar), a big blue, concrete shrine which all the drivers know. From here, you can walk along a gravel track which starts at about 1000m in altitude and goes down to the Umbrellabird Lodge at about 500m(?). The walk takes several hours but there is excellent birding. I saw several Rufous-headed Chachalacas at the start of the road. About halfway down, there is a trail or to the right called 'Sendero de los Pericos' which can be a good place to look for the El Oro Parakeet in the morning. I only heard them here, but saw Bronze-olive Pygmy-Tyrant, Blue-black Grosbeak and Pale-mandibled Aracari. Before the lodge, there is a trail off to the left to forest with a reliable Long-wattled Umbrellbird lek. You really need to be there first thing in the morning though. Below the lodge is supposedly a reliable site for the Grey-backed Hawk which I also failed to see here.
   Another entrance is at 'Jardin de los Colibries' further down from the Urna. There are many feeders here and you can see many species of hummingbird. There are also feeders around the lodge with most of the same species. By the 'Jardin' there is also a house belonging to a guardaparque named Valdamiro. You might be asked to pay here ($15 for foreigners), and if not you can pay when you get up to the lodge, about 40 minutes walk from the road. The 3rd entrance is by a place called Selva Alegre. This is a big swimming pool complex. This is the furthest to the lodge and is better to access in a car. At a curve in the road, just before a big sign reading 'Ben Olewine', is where I saw Ochraceous Attila. My second day, I accompanied Mery Elizabeth to a place on the other side of the main road called Cresta Polo, not normally accessible to the public, which is one of the best spots to see the parakeets. This season is apparently difficult to see the species. In January though, they are apparently guaranteed.
I saw 118 species including 12 lifers

Snowy Egret	Egretta thula
Black Vulture	Coragyps atratus
Turkey Vulture	Cathartes aura
Crested Caracara	Caracara cheriway
Laughing Falcon	Herpetotheres cachinnans	Photographed Recorded
Rufous-headed Chachalaca	Ortalis erythroptera	Vulnerable
Band-tailed Pigeon	Patagioenas fasciata	Seen nearby
Plumbeous Pigeon	Patagioenas plumbea	Heard only
Ruddy Pigeon	Patagioenas subvinacea
White-tipped Dove	Leptotila verreauxi
Red-masked Parakeet	Aratinga erythrogenys	Near-threatened
El Oro Parakeet	Pyrrhura orcesi	Endemic Endangered Heard only
Pacific Parrotlet	Forpus coelestis
Bronze-winged Parrot	Pionus chalcopterus	Photographed Recorded
Squirrel Cuckoo	Piaya cayana
Smooth-billed Ani	Crotophaga ani
Gray-rumped Swift	Chaetura cinereiventris	Photographed
White-whiskered Hermit	Phaethornis yaruqui	Photographed
(Baron's Hermit)	Phaethornis baroni	Photographed
White-necked Jacobin	Florisuga mellivora	Photographed
Brown Violet-ear	Colibri delphinae	Photographed Recorded
Green Thorntail	Discosura conversii	Photographed
(Emerald-bellied Woodnymph)	Thalurania hypochlora	Photographed
Violet-bellied Hummingbird	Damophila julie	Photographed
Rufous-tailed Hummingbird	Amazilia tzacatl	Photographed
Andean Emerald	Agyrtria franciae	Photographed
Fawn-breasted Brilliant	Heliodoxa rubinoides
Green-crowned Brilliant	Heliodoxa jacula
Brown Inca	Coeligena wilsoni
Gorgeted Sunangel	Heliangelus strophianus	Possibly seen
Booted Racket-tail	Ocreatus underwoodii
Violet-tailed Sylph	Aglaiocercus coelestis
Purple-crowned Fairy	Heliothryx barroti
Collared Trogon	Trogon collaris
Masked Trogon	Trogon personatus
Broad-billed Motmot	Electron platyrhynchum	Heard only. Recorded
Crimson-rumped Toucanet	Aulacorhynchus haematopygus
(Pale-mandibled Aracari)	Pteroglossus erythropygius
Choco Toucan	Ramphastos brevis
(Chestnut-mandibled Toucan)	Ramphastos swainsonii
Olivaceous Piculet	Picumnus olivaceus
Smoky-brown Woodpecker	Veniliornis fumigatus
Guayaquil Woodpecker	Campephilus gayaquilensis	Near-threatened. Photographed
(Pacific Hornero)	Furnarius leucopus
Azara's Spinetail	Synallaxis azarae
Slaty Spinetail	Synallaxis brachyura
Spotted Barbtail	Premnoplex brunnescens
Plain Xenops	Xenops minutus	Recorded
Plain-brown Woodcreeper	Dendrocincla fuliginosa
Wedge-billed Woodcreeper	Glyphorynchus spirurus	Photographed
Spotted Woodcreeper	Xiphorhynchus erythropygius	Photographed
Great Antshrike	Taraba major
Uniform Antshrike	Thamnophilus unicolor
Plain Antvireo	Dysithamnus mentalis
Slaty Antwren	Myrmotherula schisticolor
Immaculate Antbird	Myrmeciza immaculata	Recorded
Rufous-breasted Antthrush	Formicarius rufipectus	Heard only
Golden-winged Manakin	Masius chrysopterus
Mouse-colored Tyrannulet	Phaeomyias murina
Yellow Tyrannulet	Capsiempis flaveola
Olive-striped Flycatcher	Mionectes olivaceus
Slaty-capped Flycatcher	Leptopogon superciliaris
Bronze-olive Pygmy-Tyrant	Pseudotriccus pelzelni	Recorded
Rufous-winged Tyrannulet	Mecocerculus calopterus
Scale-crested Pygmy-Tyrant	Lophotriccus pileatus
Common Tody-Flycatcher	Todirostrum cinereum
Sulphur-rumped Flycatcher	Myiobius sulphureipygius
Tropical Pewee	Contopus cinereus	Recorded
Black Phoebe	Sayornis nigricans
Ochraceous Attila	Attila torridus	Vulnerable. Photographed
Dusky-capped Flycatcher	Myiarchus tuberculifer
Boat-billed Flycatcher	Megarynchus pitangua
Social Flycatcher	Myiozetetes similis
Tropical Kingbird	Tyrannus melancholicus
Black-and-white Becard	Pachyramphus albogriseus
One-colored Becard	Pachyramphus homochrous	Photographed
Blue-and-white Swallow	Notiochelidon cyanoleuca
Southern Rough-winged Swallow	Stelgidopteryx ruficollis
Fasciated Wren	Campylorhynchus fasciatus
House Wren	Troglodytes aedon
Gray-breasted Wood-Wren	Henicorhina leucophrys
Song Wren	Cyphorhinus phaeocephalus
Andean Solitaire	Myadestes ralloides
Plumbeous-backed Thrush	Turdus reevei
Ecuadorian Thrush	Turdus maculirostris
Tropical Parula	Parula pitiayumi
Masked Yellowthroat	Geothlypis aequinoctialis
Slate-throated Redstart	Myioborus miniatus
Gray-and-gold Warbler	Basileuterus fraseri
Three-banded Warbler	Basileuterus trifasciatus
Bananaquit	Coereba flaveola
Common Bush-Tanager	Chlorospingus ophthalmicus
White-shouldered Tanager	Tachyphonus luctuosus
Flame-rumped Tanager	Ramphocelus flammigerus
Blue-gray Tanager	Thraupis episcopus
Fawn-breasted Tanager	Pipraeidea melanonota
Thick-billed Euphonia	Euphonia laniirostris
Orange-bellied Euphonia	Euphonia xanthogaster
Golden Tanager	Tangara arthus
Silver-throated Tanager	Tangara icterocephala
Bay-headed Tanager	Tangara gyrola
Golden-naped Tanager	Tangara ruficervix
Beryl-spangled Tanager	Tangara nigroviridis
Green Honeycreeper	Chlorophanes spiza	Photographed
Blue-black Grassquit	Volatinia jacarina
Variable Seedeater	Sporophila corvina
Saffron Finch	Sicalis flaveola
Tricolored Brush-Finch	Atlapetes tricolor
Orange-billed Sparrow	Arremon aurantiirostris
Black-striped Sparrow	Arremonops conirostris
Rufous-collared Sparrow	Zonotrichia capensis
Streaked Saltator	Saltator striatipectus
Buff-throated Saltator	Saltator maximus
Black-winged Saltator	Saltator atripennis
Blue-black Grosbeak	Cyanocompsa cyanoides
Scrub Blackbird	Dives warszewiczi
Yellow-bellied Siskin	Carduelis xanthogastra
Lesser Goldfinch	Carduelis psaltria

11. Yunguilla 29th July, 2006

This is a private reserve run by the Jocotoco Foundation set up to preserve the only location for the endangered endemic Pale-headed Brush-Finch. It is best to arrange your visit with them either in Quito of if you visit one of their other reserves. This reserve is a little more difficult to get to but not too bad. The nearest town is called La Union and is between the larger towns of Machala (2 hours) and Cuenca (1 hour) and lies near the main road between them. There is a play to stay in town called Sol y Agua, or you could stay in the larger town of Santa Isabel, just 10 minutes away. What I did was camp at the house of Enrique Calle, the guardaparque (park guard). To get here asked to be let off the bus at El Y (ye) de La Union. This is a junction next to a couple of restaurants that also has pickup trucks (camionetas) that you can pay to take you to his Enrique�s house (which they all know). The price for the 15 minute ride is $3 but sometimes they try and charge you more. In the morning, Enrique can take you up to the reserve to show you the brush-finches. We found it a little difficult to find them but Enrique said he�s never failed to show them to a group. There is a trail leading down which is good for them, but we saw them climbing up a steep trail once you get to the fence at the end. We scrambled up and along a trail where we saw a pair. They tend to keep hidden but can be persuaded to pop their heads up with a little bit of playback. The price to enter the reserve is $15 which tough a little pricey goes towards the conservation of the species and is the only way you will see it.
I saw 21 species including 2 lifers

Eared Dove	Zenaida auriculata
White-tipped Dove	Leptotila verreauxi
Smooth-billed Ani	Crotophaga ani
Pauraque	Nyctidromus albicollis
Purple-collared Woodstar	Myrtis fanny
(Pacific Hornero)	Furnarius leucopus	Photographed
Azara's Spinetail	Synallaxis azarae
Chestnut-crowned Antpitta	Grallaria ruficapilla	Heard only
Mouse-colored Tyrannulet	Phaeomyias murina
Rufous-crowned Tody-Tyrant	Poecilotriccus ruficeps
Dusky-capped Flycatcher	Myiarchus tuberculifer	Heard only
Blue-and-white Swallow	Notiochelidon cyanoleuca
Chiguanco Thrush	Turdus chiguanco
Rufous-browed Peppershrike	Cyclarhis gujanensis
Slate-throated Redstart	Myioborus miniatus
Russet-crowned Warbler	Basileuterus coronatus
Orange-headed Tanager	Thlypopsis sordida
Blue-gray Tanager	Thraupis episcopus
Pale-headed Brush-Finch	Atlapetes pallidiceps	Endemic Crit endangered Photographed Rec.
Rufous-collared Sparrow	Zonotrichia capensis
Golden-bellied Grosbeak	Pheucticus chrysogaster

12. Las Cajas National Park 30th July, 2006

This beautiful area is popular among tourists for many of the stunning hikes in the area. I visited to look for the endangered endemic Violet-throated Hummingbird. The area can be visited on a day trip from the large city of Cuenca where many bus leave from. I took a bus at 6:25 on a Sunday morning.towards Naranjal which left from a roundabout at the end of Calle Gran Colombia, to where you can catch a city bus. Buses towards Guayaquil via Molletur also pass buy the park. To see the hummingbird, you don�t actually have to enter the par, get off at the turning for La Virgen de Cajas which is well signed from the road and takes 30-40 minutes by bus ($1). There is a toll barrier a bit further on so if you get to that, you�ve gone too far and have to walk back a bit. At the turning, instead of walking towards the �santuario�, take a gravel path the other way (on your left heading towards Guayaquil). About 200m along this path is some good scrub with many yellow flowers which the metaltails like. Several interesting birds can also be seen in this spot.
I saw 21 species including 3 lifers

Puna Hawk	Buteo poecilochrous
Aplomado Falcon	Falco femoralis
Andean Gull	Larus serranus
Shining Sunbeam	Aglaeactis cupripennis	Photographed
Violet-throated Metaltail	Metallura baroni	Endemic Endangered Photographed Recorded?
Bar-winged Cinclodes	Cinclodes fuscus	Photographed
Andean Tit-Spinetail	Leptasthenura andicola
Mouse-colored Thistletail	Schizoeaca griseomurina	Photographed
Tawny Antpitta	Grallaria quitensis	Heard only
Red-crested Cotinga	Ampelion rubrocristata	Photographed
Tufted Tit-Tyrant	Anairetes parulus
Brown-backed Chat-Tyrant	Ochthoeca fumicolor
Brown-bellied Swallow	Notiochelidon murina
Paramo Pipit	Anthus bogotensis
Great Thrush	Turdus fuscater
Spectacled Redstart	Myioborus melanocephalus
Scarlet-bellied Mountain-Tanager	Anisognathus igniventris
Plumbeous Sierra-Finch	Phrygilus unicolor
Ash-breasted Sierra-Finch	Phrygilus plebejus
Plain-colored Seedeater	Catamenia inornata
Yellow-breasted Brush-Finch	Atlapetes latinuchus	Photographed

13. Ayampe 31st July, 2006

I used Puerto Lopez as a base when visiting Ayampe but there are also a couple of places to stay in this small coastal town. Puerto Lopez is just 25 minutes away by regular bus (50c) though so getting here early in the morning is not a problem. I stayed at Hostal Sol Inn in PL for $6 for a single room. There are also many restaurants and also internet here although it is expensive and a little slow. There are several birding areas within walking distance of the town. The first is some ponds and kind of an estuary at the rive mouth on the Ayampe side. Here I saw several species of water birds including Stilt Sandpiper, Short-billed Dowitcher and Great Blue Heron. Another birding site is inland along the river. Again on the Ayampe side follow the road along a bit where it forks, the left staying on the valley floor and crossing the small river several times and the right climbing a little up the right side of the valley. Along the valley floor I saw Masked Water-Tyrant, asked Yellow-throat and heard Watkin�s Antpitta whereas on the right trail I heard Litlle Tinamou and saw Violaceous Trogon, Red-rumped Woodpecker and Western Slaty-Antshrike. The last site I visited was along the main road towards Monta�ita. The road climbs up and at the top before it starts going down again, I saw Guira Tanager, Yellow-tufted Dacnis and Sooty-headed Tyrannlet. Follow the road down, and about 2km or half an hour�s walk from Ayamp, you reach a right tunr in the road. This spot is excellent and I saw Grey-backed Hawk, White-bearded Manakin, Black-cheeked Woodpecker and Bay wren in forest by the road. Back in Ayampe, there are bushes with many red flowers, behind these, towards the ocean is a big tree in which I saw Pearl Kite.
I saw 103 species including 9 lifers

Little Tinamou	Crypturellus soui	Heard only
Neotropic Cormorant	Phalacrocorax brasilianus
Magnificent Frigatebird	Fregata magnificens	Photographed
Great Blue Heron	Ardea herodias	Photographed
Great Egret	Ardea alba
Snowy Egret	Egretta thula	Photographed
Striated Heron	Butorides striata	Photographed
Black-crowned Night-Heron	Nycticorax nycticorax
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron	Nyctanassa violacea	Photographed
Black Vulture	Coragyps atratus	Photographed
Turkey Vulture	Cathartes aura	Photographed
Pearl Kite	Gampsonyx swainsonii	Photographed
Gray-backed Hawk	Leucopternis occidentalis	Endangered Photographed Recorded
Harris's Hawk	Parabuteo unicinctus	Photographed
Gray Hawk	Asturina nitida	Photographed Recorded
Laughing Falcon	Herpetotheres cachinnans	Heard only
Rufous-headed Chachalaca	Ortalis erythroptera	Vulnerable Possibly heard
White-throated Crake	Laterallus albigularis	Heard only
Wilson's Plover	Charadrius wilsonia	Photographed Recorded
Collared Plover	Charadrius collaris
Short-billed Dowitcher	Limnodromus griseus
Spotted Sandpiper	Actitis macularia	Photographed
Willet	Catoptrophorus semipalmatus	Photographed
Semipalmated Sandpiper	Calidris pusilla	Photographed Recorded
Least Sandpiper	Calidris minutilla	Photographed
Stilt Sandpiper	Calidris himantopus
Gull-billed Tern	Sterna nilotica	Photographed Recorded
Ecuadorian Ground-Dove	Columbina buckleyi
White-tipped Dove	Leptotila verreauxi
Ochre-bellied Dove	Leptotila ochraceiventris	Vulnerable Heard only
Pacific Parrotlet	Forpus coelestis
Red-billed Parrot	Pionus sordidus
Squirrel Cuckoo	Piaya cayana	Recorded
Smooth-billed Ani	Crotophaga ani	Photographed
Groove-billed Ani	Crotophaga sulcirostris	Photographed
Peruvian Pygmy-Owl	Glaucidium peruanum	Heard only
Gray-rumped Swift	Chaetura cinereiventris
(Baron's Hermit)	Phaethornis baroni
Violaceous Trogon	Trogon violaceus	Photographed
(Ecuadorian Trogon)	Trogon mesurus
Ringed Kingfisher	Ceryle torquatus
Green Kingfisher	Chloroceryle americana	Recorded
(Chestnut-mandibled Toucan)	Ramphastos swainsonii	Recorded
Black-cheeked Woodpecker	Melanerpes pucherani
Scarlet-backed Woodpecker	Veniliornis callonotus
Red-rumped Woodpecker	Veniliornis kirkii
Lineated Woodpecker	Dryocopus lineatus	Possibly heard. Recorded
(Pacific Hornero)	Furnarius leucopus
Slaty Spinetail	Synallaxis brachyura	Heard only
Olivaceous Woodcreeper	Sittasomus griseicapillus
Great Antshrike	Taraba major
Collared Antshrike	Sakesphorus bernardi	Possibly heard
Western Slaty-Antshrike	Thamnophilus atrinucha	Photographed
Plain Antvireo	Dysithamnus mentalis	Recorded
Slaty Antwren	Myrmotherula schisticolor
Watkins's Antpitta	Grallaria watkinsi	Heard only. Recorded
White-bearded Manakin	Manacus manacus	Recorded
Yellow-bellied Elaenia	Elaenia flavogaster
Sooty-headed Tyrannulet	Phyllomyias griseiceps
Tawny-crowned Pygmy-Tyrant	Euscarthmus meloryphus
Scale-crested Pygmy-Tyrant	Lophotriccus pileatus	Heard only
Bran-colored Flycatcher	Myiophobus fasciatus
Sulphur-rumped Flycatcher	Myiobius sulphureipygius
Vermilion Flycatcher	Pyrocephalus rubinus	Photographed
Masked Water-Tyrant	Fluvicola nengeta	Photographed Recorded
Sooty-crowned Flycatcher	Myiarchus phaeocephalus	Photographed
Boat-billed Flycatcher	Megarynchus pitangua	Recorded
Social Flycatcher	Myiozetetes similis
Baird's Flycatcher	Myiodynastes bairdii
Streaked Flycatcher	Myiodynastes maculatus
Tropical Kingbird	Tyrannus melancholicus	Photographed
Gray-breasted Martin	Progne chalybea
Blue-and-white Swallow	Notiochelidon cyanoleuca
Southern Rough-winged Swallow	Stelgidopteryx ruficollis
Fasciated Wren	Campylorhynchus fasciatus
Bay Wren	Thryothorus nigricapillus
House Wren	Troglodytes aedon
Scaly-breasted Wren	Microcerculus marginatus	Heard only
Long-tailed Mockingbird	Mimus longicaudatus
Ecuadorian Thrush	Turdus maculirostris
Tropical Gnatcatcher	Polioptila plumbea
Red-eyed Vireo	Vireo olivaceus
Lesser Greenlet	Hylophilus decurtatus
Tropical Parula	Parula pitiayumi
Masked Yellowthroat	Geothlypis aequinoctialis
Gray-and-gold Warbler	Basileuterus fraseri
Bananaquit	Coereba flaveola
Guira Tanager	Hemithraupis guira
White-shouldered Tanager	Tachyphonus luctuosus
Flame-rumped Tanager	Ramphocelus flammigerus
Blue-gray Tanager	Thraupis episcopus
Palm Tanager	Thraupis palmarum
Thick-billed Euphonia	Euphonia laniirostris	Recorded
(Yellow-tufted Dacnis)	Dacnis egregia	Photographed
Crimson-breasted Finch	Rhodospingus cruentus
Variable Seedeater	Sporophila corvina
Orange-billed Sparrow	Arremon aurantiirostris
Black-striped Sparrow	Arremonops conirostris	Photographed
Streaked Saltator	Saltator striatipectus	Photographed
Golden-bellied Grosbeak	Pheucticus chrysogaster
Scrub Blackbird	Dives warszewiczi
Yellow-tailed Oriole	Icterus mesomelas
Yellow-rumped Cacique	Cacicus cela

14. Mangaloma Reserve, Near Los Bancos 2nd-5th August, 2006

   This is a private reserve only accesible with prior permission from the owners or Agustina Arcos [email protected] or Alejandro Solano [email protected], from Miraflores, near Mindo. It is best to cntact her at least several days before you intend to visit as she doesn't check her email everyday. The reserve is located near the town of Los Bancos, further down the same road from Mindo. It can be accessed directly from Quito. From there, the turnoff for the reserve is another few kms. and from the turnoff to the reserve entrance. Ask Agustina for more details. It's best to have your own transport although you could walk from the main road, which would probably take a couple of hours. There is basic but comfortable accomodation (no electricity), with beds, shower, kitchen, etc. It is currently $5 to enter the reserve for the day and $10 per day if you stay (bring your own food), but these prices might soon change.
   A worker lives at a house inside the entrance gate of the reserve and he can show visitors the trail system. On from his house, the grass track ends in an old, broken-down house that is now just a platform. It is excellent birding from here especially if you have a scope. Look out for Black Hawk-Eagle, Black-tipped Cotinga, Little Cuckoo and 4 species of swifts, including the rare Spot-fronted. Before this house, on the right, is an area with palms where the Choco subspecies of the Maroon-tailed Parakeet feeds on palm fruit. A trail leads from here, through open habitat (Choco Woodpecker, Pacific Antwren and Green Thistletail) and finally enters forest. The forest has excellent birding although several days are needed to see many of the species.
   I missed Baudo Guan and Banded Ground-Cuckoo which have bothe been seen here. There are 2 loop trails worth exploring, and near then end of the main trail there is another trail leading steeply up to the highest area where it is possible to see Long-wattled Umbrellabirds. I spent 4 days birding here and only saw them on 1 day. It was sunny and 2 males were calling away at 9am. This spot was also good for White-whiskered Hermit, Purple-crowned Fairy and Slate-throated Gnatcatcher. A final area to check would be some open habitat with patchy forest in the other direction from the platform. Here I saw Orange-fronted Barbet and Grey-and-gold Tanager. I saw 151 species including 25 lifers

Little Tinamou	Crypturellus soui
Cattle Egret	Bubulcus ibis
Black Vulture	Coragyps atratus
Turkey Vulture	Cathartes aura
Roadside Hawk	Buteo magnirostris	Heard only
Short-tailed Hawk	Buteo brachyurus
Black Hawk-Eagle	Spizaetus tyrannus
Laughing Falcon	Herpetotheres cachinnans	Photographed
Bat Falcon	Falco rufigularis
Rufous-fronted Wood-Quail	Odontophorus erythrops
Ruddy Pigeon	Patagioenas subvinacea
White-tipped Dove	Leptotila verreauxi
Pallid Dove	Leptotila pallida
Maroon-tailed Parakeet	Pyrrhura melanura	Photographed
Pacific Parrotlet	Forpus coelestis
Bronze-winged Parrot	Pionus chalcopterus
Squirrel Cuckoo	Piaya cayana
Little Cuckoo	Piaya minuta	Photographed
Smooth-billed Ani	Crotophaga ani
Groove-billed Ani	Crotophaga sulcirostris
Crested Owl	Lophostrix cristata	Photographed
Pauraque	Nyctidromus albicollis	Heard only
Scrub Nightjar	Caprimulgus anthonyi
Spot-fronted Swift	Cypseloides cherriei	Data deficient
Chestnut-collared Swift	Streptoprocne rutila
White-collared Swift	Streptoprocne zonaris
Gray-rumped Swift	Chaetura cinereiventris
White-whiskered Hermit	Phaethornis yaruqui
Stripe-throated Hermit	Phaethornis striigularis
Green Thorntail	Discosura conversii
Green-crowned Woodnymph	Thalurania fannyi
Rufous-tailed Hummingbird	Amazilia tzacatl
Purple-crowned Fairy	Heliothryx barroti
White-tailed Trogon	Trogon viridis	Heard only
Violaceous Trogon	Trogon violaceus	Recorded
Collared Trogon	Trogon collaris
Black-throated Trogon	Trogon rufus	Photographed
(Choco Trogon)	Trogon comptus	Photographed
Green Kingfisher	Chloroceryle americana
Broad-billed Motmot	Electron platyrhynchum
White-whiskered Puffbird	Malacoptila panamensis	Photographed
Orange-fronted Barbet	Capito squamatus	Near-threatened
(Pale-mandibled Aracari)	Pteroglossus erythropygius	Recorded
(Stripe-billed Aracari)	Pteroglossus sanguineus
(Chestnut-mandibled Toucan)	Ramphastos swainsonii
Choco Toucan	Ramphastos brevis
Olivaceous Piculet	Picumnus olivaceus
Scarlet-backed Woodpecker	Veniliornis callonotus
Choco Woodpecker	Veniliornis chocoensis
Golden-olive Woodpecker	Piculus rubiginosus
Lineated Woodpecker	Dryocopus lineatus
Guayaquil Woodpecker	Campephilus gayaquilensis	Near-threatened
(Pacific Hornero)	Furnarius leucopus
Slaty Spinetail	Synallaxis brachyura
Red-faced Spinetail	Cranioleuca erythrops
Plain Xenops	Xenops minutus
Streaked Xenops	Xenops rutilans
Scaly-throated Foliage-gleaner	Anabacerthia variegaticeps
Buff-fronted Foliage-gleaner	Philydor rufus
Tawny-throated Leaftosser	Sclerurus mexicanus
Plain-brown Woodcreeper	Dendrocincla fuliginosa	Photographed
Wedge-billed Woodcreeper	Glyphorynchus spirurus
Northern Barred-Woodcreeper	Dendrocolaptes sanctithomae
Spotted Woodcreeper	Xiphorhynchus erythropygius
Streak-headed Woodcreeper	Lepidocolaptes souleyetii
Western Slaty-Antshrike	Thamnophilus atrinucha	Heard only
Spot-crowned Antvireo	Dysithamnus puncticeps
Pacific Antwren	Myrmotherula pacifica
Checker-throated Antwren	Myrmotherula fulviventris	Recorded
White-flanked Antwren	Myrmotherula axillaris
Slaty Antwren	Myrmotherula schisticolor
Dot-winged Antwren	Microrhopias quixensis
Dusky Antbird	Cercomacra tyrannina	Heard only
Chestnut-backed Antbird	Myrmeciza exsul
Immaculate Antbird	Myrmeciza immaculata
Bicolored Antbird	Gymnopithys leucaspis
Spotted Antbird	Hylophylax naevioides	Heard only
Black-headed Antthrush	Formicarius nigricapillus	Heard only. Recorded
Black-tipped Cotinga	Carpodectes hopkei
Purple-throated Fruitcrow	Querula purpurata
Long-wattled Umbrellabird	Cephalopterus penduliger	Vulnerable Photographed Recorded
White-bearded Manakin	Manacus manacus
Golden-winged Manakin	Masius chrysopterus
Thrush-like Schiffornis	Schiffornis turdinus	Recorded
Southern Beardless-Tyrannulet	Camptostoma obsoletum
Yellow Tyrannulet	Capsiempis flaveola
Olive-striped Flycatcher	Mionectes olivaceus
Slaty-capped Flycatcher	Leptopogon superciliaris	Recorded
Sooty-headed Tyrannulet	Phyllomyias griseiceps
Golden-faced Tyrannulet	Zimmerius chrysops
Black-capped Pygmy-Tyrant	Myiornis atricapillus
Scale-crested Pygmy-Tyrant	Lophotriccus pileatus	Recorded
Common Tody-Flycatcher	Todirostrum cinereum
Pacific Flatbill	Rhynchocyclus pacificus
White-throated Spadebill	Platyrinchus mystaceus	Recorded
Ornate Flycatcher	Myiotriccus ornatus
Bran-colored Flycatcher	Myiophobus fasciatus
Dusky-capped Flycatcher	Myiarchus tuberculifer
Rusty-margined Flycatcher	Myiozetetes cayanensis
Streaked Flycatcher	Myiodynastes maculatus
Snowy-throated Kingbird	Tyrannus niveigularis	Photographed
Tropical Kingbird	Tyrannus melancholicus
Cinnamon Becard	Pachyramphus cinnamomeus	Photographed
Black-and-white Becard	Pachyramphus albogriseus	Photographed
One-colored Becard	Pachyramphus homochrous
Masked Tityra	Tityra semifasciata
Blue-and-white Swallow	Notiochelidon cyanoleuca
White-thighed Swallow	Neochelidon tibialis	Photographed
Southern Rough-winged Swallow	Stelgidopteryx ruficollis
Band-backed Wren	Campylorhynchus zonatus
House Wren	Troglodytes aedon
Scaly-breasted Wren	Microcerculus marginatus
Ecuadorian Thrush	Turdus maculirostris
Tawny-faced Gnatwren	Microbates cinereiventris
Slate-throated Gnatcatcher	Polioptila schistaceigula
Red-eyed Vireo	Vireo olivaceus
Lesser Greenlet	Hylophilus decurtatus
Tropical Parula	Parula pitiayumi
Olive-crowned Yellowthroat	Geothlypis semiflava
Choco Warbler	Basileuterus chlorophrys
Buff-rumped Warbler	Basileuterus fulvicauda
Bananaquit	Coereba flaveola
Yellow-throated Bush-Tanager	Chlorospingus flavigularis
Scarlet-browed Tanager	Heterospingus xanthopygius
White-shouldered Tanager	Tachyphonus luctuosus
White-lined Tanager	Tachyphonus rufus
Flame-rumped Tanager	Ramphocelus flammigerus
Blue-gray Tanager	Thraupis episcopus
Palm Tanager	Thraupis palmarum
Orange-crowned Euphonia	Euphonia saturata	Possibly seen
Thick-billed Euphonia	Euphonia laniirostris
Orange-bellied Euphonia	Euphonia xanthogaster
Gray-and-gold Tanager	Tangara palmeri
Silver-throated Tanager	Tangara icterocephala
Bay-headed Tanager	Tangara gyrola
Blue-necked Tanager	Tangara cyanicollis
(Yellow-tufted Dacnis)	Dacnis egregia
Green Honeycreeper	Chlorophanes spiza
Purple Honeycreeper	Cyanerpes caeruleus
Swallow-Tanager	Tersina viridis	Photographed
Blue-black Grassquit	Volatinia jacarina
Variable Seedeater	Sporophila corvina
Thick-billed Seed-Finch	Oryzoborus funereus
Orange-billed Sparrow	Arremon aurantiirostris
Black-striped Sparrow	Arremonops conirostris
Buff-throated Saltator	Saltator maximus
Slate-colored Grosbeak	Saltator grossus	Heard only
Black-winged Saltator	Saltator atripennis
Shiny Cowbird	Molothrus bonariensis
Scarlet-rumped Cacique	Cacicus uropygialis
Yellow-bellied Siskin	Carduelis xanthogastra	Photographed

15. Reserva Paz de las Aves 6th August, 2006

This is a really incredible site rapidly becoming famous as the best place to see local antpittas well. A local man, Angel Paz, has been feeding worms to antpittas on his property so sometime and several individuals have become very tame. You can see Giant, Moustached and Yellow-breasted Antpittas at close range and it's easy to get some great photos. He also has a Andean Cock-of-the-Rock lek on his property which you can see if you get there at 5:30am. Other good birds are Plate-billed Mountain-Toucan, Toucan Barbet and Beautiful Jay. The first 2 were nesting in the same tree. He charges $10 for the tour and it is easily worth it whatever your budget as you may not see many of these elsewhere. He also includes a home cooked breakfast. To get to his property, drive further towards Mindo from the Miraflores turnoff and look out for a sign on the left reading 'Reserva Paz de las Aves'. Turn here and follow the the main track for several kms until you see another sign for his house. He has a large number of visitors every day and it is a good idea to call (593-2 2116243 or 2116026) and let him know you're coming, at least the day before if not earlier.
I saw 21 species including 5 lifers

Black Vulture	Coragyps atratus
Tawny-bellied Hermit	Phaethornis syrmatophorus
Sparkling Violet-ear	Colibri coruscans
Rufous-tailed Hummingbird	Amazilia tzacatl
Andean Emerald	Agyrtria franciae
Fawn-breasted Brilliant	Heliodoxa rubinoides	Photographed
Empress Brilliant	Heliodoxa imperatrix	Photographed
Buff-tailed Coronet	Boissonneaua flavescens	Photographed
Velvet-purple Coronet	Boissonneaua jardini	Photographed
Brown Inca	Coeligena wilsoni
Purple-throated Woodstar	Calliphlox mitchellii	Photographed
Golden-headed Quetzal	Pharomachrus auriceps	Heard only
Toucan Barbet	Semnornis ramphastinus	Near-threatened Photographed
Plate-billed Mountain-Toucan	Andigena laminirostris	Near-threatened Photographed
Strong-billed Woodcreeper	Xiphocolaptes promeropirhynchus	Heard only
Giant Antpitta	Grallaria gigantea	Endangered Photographed
Moustached Antpitta	Grallaria alleni	Endangered Photographed
Yellow-breasted Antpitta	Grallaria flavotincta	Photographed
Andean Cock-of-the-rock	Rupicola peruviana	Heard only
Golden-winged Manakin	Masius chrysopterus	Heard only
Beautiful Jay	Cyanolyca pulchra	Near-threatened

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