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SOUTH ECUADOR

Details on Southern Ecuador  Jan 23 - Feb 4th, 2009

Below are a few pictures from a short 2008 scouting trip - all courtesy Paul Pratt

Jocotoco Antpitta	Ecuadorian Piculet - a southwest specialty
The spectacular view from a Copalinga lodge room                     Yellow-tufted Woodpecker
Long-billed Starthroat	Violet-bellied Hummingbird among the hordes of hummers at Buenaventura
Amazonian Umbrellabird - one of two species possible on this tour                         Hummer feeders on the deck of Buenaventura
Rainbow Starfrontlet at Utuana	Thick-billed Euphonia male
White-tipped Sicklebill feeding on heliconia             Ceiba trees in the arid southwest

When Is The Trip?

This 12 night, 13 day trip to Southern Ecuador begins on Jan 23rd, 2009 in Quito, Ecuador and concludes in Quito, Ecuador on the morning of Feb 4th, 2009. Although the trip begins and ends in Quito all the birding sites visited are actually in southern Ecuador.  We will take an early morning flight from Quito to Guayaquil on Jan 24th and return from Catamayo (near Loja) on the afternoon of Feb 3rd. 

Where Does The Trip Go?

The trip is focused on areas of Ecuador south of the city of Guayaquil. Southern Ecuador is much less traveled than the north and there are fewer tourist facilities. That said, there are three excellent lodges in dramatically different birding regions which allow us tremendous access to some of the best birding in South America. This tour offers tremendous diversity, scenery and lodges, combined with a chance to see some incredibly rare birds such as Jocotoco Antpitta, both Bare-necked and Long-wattled Umbrellabirds, and El Oro Parakeet.

The first lodge we will stay at is Buenaventura on the Pacific slope. This site has excellent facilities and hummingbird and fruit feeders that are unsurpassed. On our scouting trip to this site, we estimated five hundred individual hummingbirds visiting the feeders!!! Other sightings right around the lodge can include Coati, Gray-backed Hawk, Rufous-headed Chachalaca and toucans. For a peek of the hummingbird feeders here visit the webcam. But dont let the webcam fool you, this site is in the middle of wonderful forest and it is likely our group will be the only visitors when we are there.  One of the key targets while at this site will be to try and see the Long-wattled Umbrellabirds on their lek. This bizarre species has an active lek only a few kilometers from the lodge. Another more difficult species we will make a concerted effort to see is El Oro Parakeet - a bird that was only discovered a few decades ago and whose existence hangs in the balance. On our scouting trip we were lucky enough to see a nest!

Our second base of exploration will be a small downtown hotel in the remote town of Macara, near the Peruvian border. Though the lodgings are basic, they are perfectly acceptable for a short visit. Most importantly this allows us access to two superb reserves - Utuana and Jorupe. At Jorupe and other lowland sites, we will search for specialties such as Pale-browed Tinamou, West Peruvian Screech Owl, Henna-hooded Foliage Gleaner, White-tailed Jay, Watkin's Antpitta, and the stunning Elegant Crescentchest.  Utuana is a higher elevation site only about an hour away where specialties such as Gray-headed Antbird, Piura Hemispingus, Black-cowled Saltator, Rainbow Starfrontlet, Black-crested Tit-Tyrant and Jelski's and White-browed Chat Tyrants are all possible. 

From Macara, we will make our way east to the Tapichalaca Lodge. This site is home to recently described Jocotoco Antpitta. Like the antpittas in the north, the Jocotocos have now become more regular attendees at a worm feeding station. This is good news because there are only about twenty pairs of this incredible bird known here!  Even without the Jocotoco, the lodge provides superb birding with more difficult possibilities including Chestnut-naped and Slate-crowned Antpittas, Golden-plumed Parakeet, Masked Saltator, White-capped Tanager and Chestnut-crested Cotinga. On a recent scouting trip here we watched one fruiting tree with five Black-billed Mountain Toucans and eight Gray-breasted Mountain Toucans!  At Tapichalaca, we will also spend an afternoon at lower elevations near the town of Valladolid, where we can expect a totally different suite of birds. Here we will search for Silver-backed Tanager, Maranon Thrush and other restricted range specialties.

Last but certainly not least we will spend three nights at the delightful and incredibly birdy Copalinga lodge on the lowland east slopes of Podocarpus National Park. This lodge is right next to the national park, and also has superb birding right on the grounds. There are excellent fruit and hummingbird feeders right next to the restaurant, and the grounds are lush and planted with many attractive flowers. Some of the wonderful possibilities right on the grounds include Black-throated Brilliant, Buff-tipped Sicklebill, Golden-winged Tody Flycatcher, Lined Antshrike, Yellow-tufted Woodpecker and Band-bellied Owl to name just a few. At the nearby national park we will hike the trails in pursuit of Bare-necked Umbrellabird, Andean Cock-of-the-Rock, a host of tanager species, White-backed Fire Eye and a good variety of antbirds. In the evenings, we will visit a site where Blackish Nightjar is regularly seen at close range. Outstanding accommodations, meals, birding and wonderful hosts are sure to make this a memorable way to wrap up our trip.  

For a complete list of species seen during the scouting trip, please send an email request to Tom at peleetom@netcore.ca

Itinerary:

Jan 23:    ARRIVAL IN QUITO, ECUADOR 

ARRIVAL in Quito, Ecuador. Upon arrival participants will take a free shuttle to the Sheraton about fifteen minutes from the airport.  We will get together at 5pm for a get acquainted beverage in the lobby, followed by a short briefing of the trip ahead, and then dinner. Please note that due to flight schedules, it may be impossible to arrive before mid to late evening. In this case, it is recommended that participants arrive a day early. 

Night: Quito Sheraton, Quito, Ecuador  (D)

Jan 24:    TRANSFER TO GUAYAQUIL, MANGLARES RESERVE, ARRIVAL AT BUENAVENTURA

This morning we will take a short early morning flight from Quito to Guayaquil. Breakfast may be either at the Sheraton or the airport depending up flight times. In either case, hot and cold beverages will be available at the Sheraton prior to departure.  After arrival in Guayaquil, we will make our way south to the Manglares-Churute reserve. One of the specialties of this wetland is Horned Screamer. Also present are a wide variety of herons and egrets, Northern Jacana, Snail Kite, and if we are lucky Rufous-necked Wood Rail.  Continuing towards our lodge, we will make a lunch stop, and then arrive at Buenaventura in mid afternoon. We will have time to go for orient ourselves to the superb nectar feeders and perhaps walk a trail before supper. 

Nights:    Buenaventura Reserve, Umbrellabird Lodge (BLD)

Jan 25, 26:    BUENAVENTURA RESERVE

We will have two full days to explore the delights of Buenaventura reserve. Different habitats in the reserve give access to two sets of endemics, plus two globally threatened species. One one morning we will rise before dawn and drive a short distance to a trailhead. Our goal will be to arrive at a Long-wattled Umbrellabird lek as it is getting light. The males give their low hooting displays at first light and we will hope that the weather and the birds co-operate. After searching for the umbrellabirds, we will bird our way back up the trail, and to the lodge - returning for a well deserved late breakfast. While we have breakfast we will be surrounded by hordes of hummingbirds, and possibly two species of toucans, several tanagers, and Coati coming in for fruit. Other targets we will search for while here include the enigmatic El Oro Parakeet, as well as White-tipped Sicklebill, Club-winged Manakin (often an active lek present), Rufous-breasted Antthrush and Rufous-headed Chachalaca. During the middle of the day, or if it is raining heavily (this is the wet season, so rain is likely), we will relax in the comfort of the open air dining room, which is surrounded by bird feeders. These feeders have to be seen to be believed - often being attended by hundreds of hummers. Be sure to bring your cameras!

Nights:    Buenaventura Reserve, Umbrellabird Lodge (BLD)

Jan 27:    BUENAVENTURA to MACARA

After a final morning to clean up missing species at Buenaventura, we will pack up and head south towards the Peruvian border. Out final destination today will be the small border town of Macara. However, depending upon our progress we will have time to do some late afternoon birding. North of Macara we will stop at small remnant of forest to search for some of the suite of specialties of southwest Ecuador and nearby Peru. Targets will include Watkin's Antpitta, Plumbeous-backed Thrush, Henna-headed Foliage Gleaner, White-tailed Jay, Ecuadorian Piculet, Chapman's Antshrike and the stunning Elegant Crescentchest. We will also stop briefly at a site for the localized White-headed Brush Finch. We will arrive in Macara in late afternoon and check in to our hotel where we spend the next two nights.

Night:    Conquistador Hotel, Macara (BLD)

Jan 28:    JORUPE RESERVE

The entire morning will be spent at nearby Jorupe Reserve, seeking a similar set of species to those targeted yesterday. However, here we also will have a chance for Pale-browed Tinamou, West Peruvian Screech Owl, White-edged Oriole, Pacific Pygmy Owl, Fasciated and Speckle-breasted Wrens and Black-capped Sparrow.  Jorupe is one of the few sites with a relatively intact understorey and we will spend most of the day birding this site. Our afternoon program may vary depending upon activity and weather, but may include a visit to several other nearby sites possibly including a nesting colony of Chesnut-collared Swallows. 

Night:    Conquistador Hotel, Macara (BLD)

Jan 29:    UTUANA RESERVE, transfer to TAPICHALACA RESERVE

This morning we will make an early departure for Utuana Reserve, about an hour and a half drive upslope from Macara. This site harbours offer some tantalizing possibilities including the highly local Black-crested Tit Tyrant, the striking Piura Hemispingus, Gray-headed Antbird (rare), Black-cowled Saltator, Jelski's and White-browed Chat Tyrants and Bay-crowned Brush Finch. Feeders at the reserve also regularly attract Purple-throated Sunangels and the spectacular Rainbow Starfrontlet.  After spending the morning here, we will work our way east towards Vilcabamba either stopping for a late lunch, or having a picnic. From here we will continue on our lodge for the next two nights, the Casa Simpson at the Tapichalaca Reserve. If time permits, we will go for a late afternoon walk near the lodge. There are excellent hummingbird feeders here, and Golden-plumed Parakeet is regularly seen roosting near the lodge.  

Night:    Casa Simpson, Tapichalaca Reserve (BLD)

Jan 30:    TAPICHALACA RESERVE

Taplichalaca Reserve was the first of the Jocotoco Foundations reserves. This site was where the stunning Jocotoco Anpitta was discovered only ten years ago. With a tiny range, and globally threatened population, this is the only place where you will have a chance of seeing this beautiful bird. In the last year, the antpittas have started to respond to baiting with worms and our chances of seeing one are reasonably good (though by no means guaranteed). Today our focus will be on walking an excellent birding trail in search of the Jocotoco Antpitta. Other species that are possible here include Slate-crowned, Chesnut-naped and Rufous Antpittas, Gray-breasted and Black-billed Mountain Toucans, White-capped Tanager, Chusquea Tapaculo and Black-throated Tody Tyrant. After lunch back at the lodge, we will head downslope to the town of Valladolid where the birds change accordingly with the lower elevation and more tropical zone habitat. Possibilities here included Yellow-cheeked Cotinga, Maranon Thrush, Lesser Eleania and Silver-backed Tanager.

Night:    Casa Simpson, Tapichalaca Reserve (BLD)

Jan 31:    Transfer to COPALINGA and PODOCARPUS NATIONAL PARK

We will bird early this morning around the lodge. After breakfast we will check out and head towards Zamora. This transfer will take most of the day and enroute we will make a number of birding stops at different elevations. At the pass on the Loja to Zamora road (pending weather) we will take a short walk to search for the localized Mouse-colored Thistletail, then continue downslope. If time permits we will spend the late afternoon birding the old Loja to Zamora road. Although this road is mostly patches of remnant forest, it can hold some surprisingly good bird flocks. We will try to arrive at our lodge near Zamora with time to spend some time on the grounds. The delightful Copalinga Lodge will be our home for the next three nights. This wonderful property is ideally situated right on the boundary of the Bombuscaro sector of Podocarpus National Park. The well appointed rooms, great meals, and attentive hosts will make this a fantastic place to wrap up our adventure. To top it off there are great fruit and nectar feeders, and planted flowers on the grounds. These attract a wide variety of birds including Orange-billed Sparrow, Golden-eared Tanager, Thick-billed Euphonia, Yellow-tufted Woodpecker and Swainson's Thrush. Other regular birds on the grounds here include Lined Antshrike, Golden-winged Tody Flycatcher, Mottle-backed Elaenia and Olive-chested Flycatcher. Night birding possibilities include Band-bellied Owl and Blackish Nightjar.

Night:    Copalinga Lodge, Zamora (BLD)

Feb 1, 2:    PODOCARPUS NATIONAL PARK & ZAMORA AREA

We will have two full days to explore the trails of Podocarpus National Park, the lodge and nearby sites in Zamora. All these sites are very close to the lodge which provides ideal access for the park and nearby sites. Some of the rich list of possibilities here include Black-streaked Puffbird, Amazonian Umbrellabird, White-backed Fire eye, Blue-rumped and Green Manakins, Orange-eared, Green and Gold, Turquoise, Paradise, Blue-necked, Spotted and Yellow-bellied Tanagers, the recently described Foothill Elaenia, Andean Cock-of-the-rock, Black-throated Brilliant, Pale-tailed Barbthroat, Blackish Antbird, Foothill Antwren, Cliff Flycatcher and Highland Motmot. 

Nights:    Copalinga Lodge, Zamora (BLD)

Feb 3:    COPALINGA to CATAMAYO, fly to QUITO 

After some early morning birding and a final breakfast, we will say good bye to wonderful Copalinga and then bird our way upslope along the old Loja to Zamora road. By mid morning we will head directly towards the town of Catamayo where we will have a late lunch. After lunch we will bird the arid lowlands around Catamayo in pursuit of a suite of specialties including Tumbes Sparrow, and Chestnut-throated, Parrot-billed and Drab Seedeaters. Following this we will take a late afternoon flight from Catamayo airport to Quito. From here we will transfer to the Sheraton where we will have a final farewell dinner together. Please note that plans for today may change depending upon flight schedules (ie. an earlier departure from Copalinga may be necessary).

Night: Quito Sheraton, Quito, Ecuador  (BLD)

Feb 4:    DEPARTURES 

Participants can take the hotel shuttle to the airport at their leisure this morning. (B)

What Is The Pace Like?

The focus of the trip will be birding, with early starts and where possible breaks during the middle of the day. This is the beginning of the wet season so we can expect at least some rain delays during the trip. If this happens we will recharge, work on the list, drive, watch feeders or make the best use of this time possible. Participants should be in good physical condition. This trip is best described as moderate with some hiking on trails that are in poor condition or muddy. Altitude is not as high as northern Ecuador but still will slow our pace considerably at some sites. In general, participants should be able to walk several miles on uneven or sloped terrain each day. Please note that the trail to the Jocotoco Antpitta site is uneven and muddy and steep in places. 

What about Critters, Snakes, Bugs and Other Hazards? 

The biggest hazards in my experience are SUN and CHIGGERS. Wearing a sun hat, drinking lots of cold water, using lots of sunscreen, and taking it easy at midday, should easily take care of the sun problem. Although we don't spend a lot of time at higher altitudes, we are at mid altitudes and drinking lots of water helps to avoid any complications from altitude sickness. Chiggers (also known as redbugs) are a small mite that are too small to see, and have a bad habit of chewing on our warmer, moister regions (armpits, groin, etc). Their bites can be mighty itchy. Seeing as I hate the darn things, we will do our level best to avoid walking in any grass that might harbour this little devils, but still we'll probably pick up a few here and there. A bug spray with high DEET sprayed liberally around the ankles or waist usually keeps them at bay. You can also treat clothes with commercially available tick repellent sprays. This not only keeps off ticks, but helps for other insects. There are also a number of venomous snakes in Ecuador, but chances are slim to none that we will see any (unfortunately). 

What Is the Cost?

The cost, from Quito, Ecuador is US $4125 per person, based upon double occupancy. This includes: 12 nights accommodations, two in country flights (from Quito to Guayaquil, and Catamayo to Quito), guiding daily by both Tom Hince and Galo Real, ground transportation, entrance fees to public parks, entrance fees for several private properties, all meals as specified in the itinerary from dinner on Jan 23rd in Quito to breakfast on Feb 4th in Quito (12 breakfasts, 12 dinners, 11 lunches), cold drinks in the field (water, pop, juice), use of telescopes provided by the leaders, checklist, full trip report, group photo. Please note that the amount doesn't include alcoholic beverages, items of a personal nature, departure taxes, or items not specifically listed as inclusives. Also, I generally buy bags of fresh fruit and trail mix for the group for snacks in the van, but if you have other specific snacks you like you should purchase those for personal consumption. 

What Are the Accomodations Like?

Two of the ecolodges we will stay at are in Jocotoco foundation reserves. Both are clean and extremely comfortable, offering magnificent settings and unmatched access to birding right on the grounds. At all lodges, meals are offered on a set menu basis. The third lodge, Copalinga, is a privately owned and operated lodge right on the edge of Podocarpus National Park. The accommodations, food, hospitality and birding on the grounds make this a candidate for the finest birding lodge in Ecuador. Lastly, the hotel in Macara is basic, but serviceable. 

What About Singles?

Because of the small size of the lodges we use on this trip, single bookings are difficult to accommodate. The most likely scenario is that single rooms might be available at one or two lodges but not the others. Single bookings would be on a first come, first served basis. The pricing of single supplement would be determined by availability. 

How Do I Join Up?

Reservations will be taken on a FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED basis. Because a number of folks have already expressed an interest, I am sending this message out to everyone together. To reserve a spot, please email me or better still call at 1 519 825-9070 giving the name(s) of guests, email, phone number and address. I will need a US $500 per person deposit when you reserve. You can forward this to me via personal check made out to me and mailed to RR#1, Wheatley, Ontario. Canada N0P 2P0. The deposit allows me to pre pay some of the stuff that needs to be done ahead of our trip. 

Final payment: payment in full is due October 23rd, 2008

Please keep in mind that there are only 8 spaces available for this trip, so if you are seriously interested don't hesitate.

Refunds and Cancellation Insurance

If you cancel from October 23rd, 2008 to December 23rd, 2008 fifty percent of your total tour costs are forfeit. Any balance paid over the fifty percent of the total cost due will be refunded.

Cancellation after December 23rd, 2008 will result in forfeit of the entire tour fee. No funds will be refunded.

Of course, if we cancel at any time, all funds remitted will be fully refunded. 

Additional Questions?

I'm sure I've forgotten some important details, so please don't hesitate to give me a call, or drop me an email (I read my email every few hours during the workday). You can contact me at (519) 825-9070 or peleetom@netcore.ca

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