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Enjoying the Rio Blanco antpittas and Central Andes endemics with Eugenia Carey from Dauphin Island (July 5 – 12, 2012).

14 - 07 - 2012

From July 5th through July 12th (2012) we birded with Eugenia Carey the Central Andes, placing great emphasis on the Rio Blanco antpittas. Eugenia chose our “Central Andes Endemics Short Tour” for her first birding visit to Colombia, attracted particularly by antpittas and the sizeable number of Colombian endemics that can be seen in this short but highly dynamic tour. We first visited Otún-Quimbaya Wildlife Sanctuary, seeing well the endemic Cauca Guan, Styles’s Tapaculo, Grayish Piculet and many other specialties, including the beautiful Red-ruffed Fruitcrow, gorgeous White-capped Tanager, Chestnut-breasted Wren, Black-billed Peppershrike and Torrent Duck. We then birded the Cameguadua marsh en route to Manizales, enjoying greatly the Blackish Rail, Spectacled Parrotlet and a great variety of aquatic and riparian birds. At Río Blanco we saw the endemic Chestnut Wood-Quail and Brown-banded Antpitta, along with 4 other species of antpittas – including the near-endemic Bicolored Antpitta, the beautiful Chestnut-crowned Antpitta, the secretive Slate-crowned Antpitta under amazing views (Eugenia’s favorite antpitta for the trip!) and the Chestnut-naped Antpitta which has gradually developed a dominant posture over the other birds that visit the earthworm feeding stations. Many other nice birds were seen well at Rio Blanco, including the Masked Saltator, Dusky Piha, Streaked Tuftedcheek, Yellow-vented Woodpecker, Rusty-faced Parrot, Black-chested Jay, Golden-fronted Redstart and Red-hooded Tanager. We then scouted Los Nevados high-altitude ecosystems, having acceptable views of the Bearded Helmetcrest and astonishing views of the Many-striped Canastero and a very dedicated Shining Sunbeam mother feeding two chicks on a nest. On our last day of the tour, we visited the municipality of Neira searching for the endemic Yellow-headed Brush-Finch, which finally showed up with a glorious pair after much looking for it.

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Customized private tours for short birding escapades (2012).

20 - 04 - 2012

On February, March & April (2012) we organized three short trips for birders from USA, based on their target lists and travel needs. February 13-18 we toured with Joe Giunta from New York (see: www.happywarblers.com) visiting Otún-Quimbaya Wildlife Sanctuary, Cameguadua marsh, Rio Blanco, Los Nevados National Park and the hummingbirds at Recinto del Pensamiento.

March 18-22 we toured with Lowell & Robin Taubman, visiting Rio Blanco, Los Nevados, Cameguadua marsh, Otún-Quimbaya and Los Yarumos Ecopark. Birding moments at Rio Blanco & Los Nevados were great, and at Otún-Quimbaya all endemics displayed very well for us.

April 14-18 we hosted a short visit by Garrick Dutcher, birding Rio Blanco, Los Nevados and Otún-Quimbaya. Following Garrick’s most desired birds to see, we paid a short visit to the municipality of Apía (Western Andes) searching for two great birds: the near endemic Yellow-headed Manakin (Xenopipo flavicapilla –Near Threatened) and the endemic Turquoise Dacnis (Dacnis hartlaubi – Vulnerable).  We saw both birds, thanks to the local expertise of Julián Zuleta (see: www.apiatierradeaves.jimdo.com). Not only is Julián an amenable birding companion, but he also immortalizes Apía´s colorful birds into beautiful drawings.

The Many-striped Canastero, at Los Nevados National Park.

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Birding for endemics with Cagan Sekercioglu and Tanya Williams (March 10 – 21, 2012).

22 - 03 - 2012

March 10th – 21st (2012) we had the pleasure to bird with Dr. Cagan Sekercioglu (Department of Biology, University of Utah at Salt Lake City) and Tanya Williams, covering the Eastern Andes, Magdalena Valley, Central Andes & Santa Marta Mountains, in search of endemics and specialties. We had great birding at Chingaza National Park and Siechia gravel pits, as well as in La Florida marsh and Enchanted Gardens of San Francisco. Amazing pictures of great endemics & near-endemics were taken at Victoria Forest, including the Velvet-fronted Euphonia, Sooty Ant-Tanager, Bar-crested Antshrike and White-mantled Barbet. As usual, Río Blanco & Los Nevados National Park offered amazing birding, with great photos of highly special birds such as the Brown-banded, Bicolored, Chestnut-crowned, Slate-crowned and Chestnut-naped Antpittas. Birding route took us into splendorous Otún-Quimbaya Sanctuary, birding en route Cameguadua Marsh, with amazing views and pictures on the endemic Grayish Piculet, Cauca Guan and Red-ruffed Fruitcrow, among many others. Departing from Pereira, Cagan and Tanya flew to Santa Marta, where Waly received them to bird the Santa Marta Mountains and La Guajira scrubland, having great success there with the endemics and specialties.  Many endemics seen, including the endemic & critically endangered Blue-billed Curassow!

 

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Promoting Colombia as a travel destination with British presenter & producer Nigel Marven (February 6 – 11, 2012).

14 - 02 - 2012

British wildlife producer Nigel Marven came to Colombia to film his new series Wild Colombia! This high-quality series will be presented by Nigel Marven itself at Birdfair 2012 in Rutland Water. Birding Tours Colombia was pleased to be chosen by Proexport to organize and operate Nigel’s filming excursion to the Central Andes and Magdalena Valley from February 6 – 11 (2012). We toured with Nigel Marven and his crew, visiting Rio Blanco, Los Nevados National Park, Cocora Valley in Salento and the Magdalena Valley. Amazing footage of the Bearded Helmetcrest was taken by Nigel at Los Nevados! And of course, the Rio Blanco antpittas gave a big show for Nigel and his crew! And the Wax Palm forests in Salento did not hide their atmospheric charm and beauty.

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Bogota Sunangel or not? The intriguing hummingbird at Rogitama Private Nature Reserve (2011).

21 - 12 - 2011

When photos of the presumably re-discovered Bogota Sunangel (Heliangelus zusii) were briefly published at the Internet Bird Collection on December 05/2011, we quickly set our visit to old-friend Roberto Chavarro and wife Ginette at Rogitama Nature Reserve in the outskirts of the little town of Arcabuco in the Eastern Andes of Colombia, 3-hours north of Bogotá.

Excited with the great news and supported by Proexport, James Currie extended his stay in Colombia for three more days and flew from Cali to Bogotá, meeting there with Daniel’s brother, Félix. Daniel struggled with bad weather that stopped him from flying to Bogotá, having to spend an entire night at Pereira’s airport. Finally, the three of them met with Roberto Chavarro in Rogitama and lodged at comfortable rooms in the reserve for 3 nights.

A complete review of James Currie’s close encounter with this amazing hummingbird can be seen at:

http://10000birds.com/mystery-rogitama-hummingbird-captured.htm

http://www.talking-naturally.co.uk/tn77-james-currie-filming-bogota-sunangel/

http://blog.aba.org/2011/12/james-currie-on-mystery-hummingbird-in-colombia-new-species-lost-relic-other.html

In spite of multiple images and e-mails that have circulated through the internet, no definitive conclusion on the real identity of this bird has arisen yet. A group of Colombian ornithologists and conservationists are working on a diagnosis and we hope that a sound conclusion will arise soon.

In the meantime, we share here some of the photos of the bird taken during our visit to this beautiful reserve. Many thanks go to Roberto Chavarro, his wife Ginette and daughter for their hospitality and to Proexport for extending James’s stay in Colombia and facilitating Daniel’s trip to the area.

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Birding with Dominic Mitchell – Managing Editor of Birdwatch Magazine (UK) (November 27 – December 4, 2011).

07 - 12 - 2011

Concomitant to the Birding Adventures TV excursions, Proexport requested us at Birding Tours Colombia to guide and operate the press trip for Dominic Mitchell, Managing Editor of Birdwatch Magazine (UK).

During this trip we had much joy and fun from amazing birds in close views such as the Sword-billed Hummingbird and endemic Brown-banded Antpitta in Rio Blanco, endemic Grayish Piculet and beautiful Great Antshrike in Otun-Quimbaya, endemic Parker’s Antbird and near-endemics Choco Tapaculo and Bar-crested Antshrike in Cerro Montezuma, just to mention a few.

For a detailed review of his journey to Colombia and beautiful bird photos, see Dominic’s recount at http://www.birdingetc.com

From right to left: Yesenia Tapasco, Dominic Mitchell, Daniel Uribe and Gustavo standing on top of the Jeep Wyllis, on the Montezuma road (Pacific slope of the Western Andes).

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Guiding and operating for Birding Adventures TV episodes in Colombia (November 27 – December 4, 2011).

06 - 12 - 2011

By the request of Proexport (the governmental office for the promotion of Colombia’s exports) Birding Tours Colombia organized and guided Birding Adventures TV excursions for the production of three birding episodes in Colombia.

From November 27 through December 04 (2011) we traveled with James Currie (host and producer of BATV), Richard Crossley (bird photographer and author of The Crossley ID Guide to Eastern Birds of North America) and Jeff Aderman (Cameraman), visiting the best birding localities in the Central Andes, Cauca Valley and Western Andes.

Amazing footages of the Bearded Helmetcrest were taken at Los Nevados National Park, Long-tailed Antbird and Lyre-tailed Nightjar at the Old Road to Los Nevados, five species of Antpittas at Rio Blanco, endemic Cauca Guan, Torrent Duck and Red-ruffed Fruitcrow at Otun-Quimbaya Wildlife Sanctuary, endemic Gold-ringed and Black-and-Gold Tanagers at Montezuma, Comb Duck in wetlands nearby Cartago and many other birds, mammals and gorgeous landscapes in an adventurous and exciting trip to Andean Colombia.

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Birding the Central Andes with Fred Ertl & Andrew Vallely (July 26 – 30, 2011).

01 - 08 - 2011

For five days (July 26-30/2011) we had a very pleasurable birding tour with Fred Ertl and Andrew Vallely from the American Museum of Natural History of New York. With a comprehensive list of most wanted species, we visited Otún-Quimbaya Wildlife Sanctuary, Cameguadua marsh, Los Alcázares Eco-Park, Río Blanco and Los Nevados.

In this short tour we managed to see most of the wanted species. In Otún-Quimbaya we saw very well the Cauca Guan (Penelope perspicax), Chestnut Wood-Quail (Odontophorus hyperythrus) with chicks, Red-ruffed Fruitcrow (Pyroderus scutatus), Stiles’s Tapaculo (Scytalopus stilesi) and Chestnut-breasted Wren (Cyphorhinus thoracicus). Unfortunately, we had no luck with the Black-banded Woodcreeper (Dendrocolaptes picumnus) and Moustached Antpitta (Grallaria alleni), but enjoyed good views of the Ringed Kingfisher (Megaceryle torquata), Strong-billed Woodcreeper (Xiphocolaptes promeropirhynchus), Plumbeous-crowned and Ashy-headed Tyrannulets (Phyllomyias plumbeiceps, Ph. cinereiceps), Marble-faced Bristle-Tyrant (Phylloscartes ophthalmicus), Rufous-breasted Flycatcher (Leptopogon rufipectus), Rufous-napped Greenlet (Hylophilus semibrunneus), Whiskered Wren (Thryothorus mystacalis), Flame-rumped Tanager (Ramphocelus flammigerus flammigerus), White-naped Brush-Finch (Atlapetes albinucha) and Ashy-throated Bush-Tanager (Chlorospingus canigularis), among many others. At night we heard the nice calls of the Tropical Screech-Owl (Megascops choliba).

At Cameguadua marsh we had nice views of the Blackish Rail (Pardirallus nigricans), Spectacled Parrotlet (Forpus conspicillatus), Slate-colored Seedeater (Sporophila schistacea) and Olive-crowned Yellow-Throat (Geothlypis semiflava), along with many aquatic and riparian species such as the Pied Water-Tyrant (Fluvicola pica), Common Moorhen (Gallinula galeata), Purple Gallinule (Porphyrio martinica), American Coot (Fulica americana), Least Grebe (Tachibaptus dominicus) and Pied-billed Grebe (Podylimbus podiceps).

The Bar-crested Antshrike (Thamnophilus multistriatus), Red-faced Spinetail (Cranioleuca erythrops), Oleaginous Hemispingus (Hemispingus frontalis), Bay-headed and Golden Tanagers (Tangara gyrola, T. arthus), Blue-tailed and Andean Emeralds (Chlorostilbon mellisugus, Amazilia franciae) showed very well at a short but productive visit to Los Alcázares Eco-Park in Manizales.

As usual, Rio Blanco provided wonderful flocks and specialties, achieving excellent views of the Brown-banded and Bicolored Antpittas (Grallaria milleri, G. rufocinerea), Flammulated Treehunter (Thripadectes flammulatus), Rusty-faced Parrot (Hapalopsittaca amazonina), Masked Saltator (Saltator cinctus), Ocellated Tapaculo (Acropternis orthonyx), Golden-fronted Whitestart (Myioborus ornatus) and Crimson-mantled Woodpecker (Colaptes rivolii). Also nice to see were the Pearled Treerunner (Margarornis squamiger), Plushcap (Catamblyrhynchus diadema), Slaty Finch (Haplospiza rustica), Buff-breasted Mountain-Tanager (Dubusia taeniata), Streak Tuftedcheek (Pseudocolaptes boissonneautii) and Capped Conebill (Conirostrum albifrons). At night we heard clear calls from the White-throated Screech-Owl (Megascops albogularis).

At Los Nevados National Park we had a close encounter with a group of five Rufous-fronted Parakeets (Bolborhynchus ferrugineifrons) at a cliff named Aguacerales. At this time of the year the most liked flowers by the Bearded Helmetcrest (Oxypogon guerinii) were scarce, and after much looking for it, Fred and Andrew had good views of a female, which are much less common than males.

And after much looking for it and in spite of persistent rain, we had a wonderful close encounter with a charismatic pair of Crescent-faced Antpittas (Grallaricula lineifrons) at the Old Road to Los Nevados. Here, we also had good views of a nice pair of Crowned Chat-Tyrant (Ochthoeca frontalis) and White-browed Spinetail (Hellmayrea gularis). All in all, a very productive trip looking for Andean endemics and specialties.

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Marvelous Crescent-faced Antpitta (Grallaricula lineifrons) in Caldas (July 23, 2011).

25 - 07 - 2011

On July 23/2011, a pair of Crescent-faced Antpitta was sighted by a group of birders from the Caldas Ornithological Society on the Old Road to Los Nevados National Park. The sighting was published in the Society’s electronic bulletin (Merganetta No. 48, August 06, 2011 – www.rnoa.org/sco/boletin.php).

To achieve this sighting, Daniel Uribe used prospective playback of the bird’s song. The sighting is the first official record proving the presence of the species in the state of Caldas and is perhaps the most northern record for the species along the Central Andes of Colombia. When Hilty and Brown published their seminal book Birds of Colombia in 1986, there were only two reports for the species at the Puracé region (southern Andes) of Colombia and only one specimen for Ecuador. Later in 2005, Rivera and Ramírez published an article in the Journal Ornitología Colombiana (No. 3, pp. 81-83) with the report of two birds captured in midst nets at high Andean forests in the nearby state of Quindío. In 2010 a group of birders from Belgium sighted one bird at Los Nevados, but the site for that sighting was not released by the guide of that group nor identified with precision on the trip report published by birder Giles Delforges.

For its rarity and paucity of records, Crescent-faced Antpitta is regarded as a vulnerable species and is included in Colombia’s Red List of birds.

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Birding with Jonathan Levy and Mary Jane Thomas from Oregon, USA (January 31 – February 8, 2011).

10 - 02 - 2011

From January 31st to February 8th 2011, we birded the Coffee Region with Jon Levy and Janie, from Oregon (USA). Jon & Janie wanted to see as much birds as possible in a compact excursion with long to medium hikes enjoying birds and nature, and little time wasted driving the car. The excursion we envisioned visited the best forests in well protected watersheds of three provinces (Quindío, Risaralda and Caldas), covering an altitudinal gradient from 1,800 – 4,000 meters above sea level.

The first day we visited Bremen Nature Reserve and the premontane forest of Horizontes Nature Reserve. The second day we birded the Quindío Botanical Garden and Hacienda Bambusa in the Maravelez Valley of La Tebaida. The third day we had an early start and headed for Acaime & La Montaña Nature Reserves in the Quindío river canyon. Fourth day we hiked Camino de los Indios in the morning and visited Salento and El Cortijo Farm in the afternoon, enjoying for lunch a delicious trout with fried plantain. Days 5 through 8 saw us birding Otún-Quimbaya Wildlife Sanctuary in Pereira and Los Alcázares Ecopark and Río Blanco in Manizales, visiting on our final day the highlands of Los Nevados National Park and the hummingbirds at Recinto del Pensamiento.

Among the 72 species seen on our first day in Bremen, we had a memorable and close encounter with the Streak-capped Treehunter (Thripadectes virgaticeps) and very good views of several females of the Booted Racket-tail (Ocreatus underwoodii), the Rufous-breasted Flycatcher (Leptopogon rufipectus), Flame-rumped Tanager (Ramphocelus flammigerus flammigerus), Blue-winged Mountain Tanager (Anisognathus somptuosus), Green Jay (Cyanocorax yncas), Collared Trogon (Trogon collaris) and Moustached Puffbird (Malacoptila mystacalis). We heard clearly but did not see the Red-ruffed Fruitcrow (Pyroderus scutatus), the White-crowned Tapaculo (Scytalopus atratus) and the Plumbeous Pigeon (Patagioenas plumbea), with their calls coming from the forest interiors. In Horizontes we saw closely the male and female of the Bar-crested Antshrike (Thamnophilus multistriatus) and the male of Great Antshrike (Taraba major) responded nicely to play-back. We also enjoyed here the Red-headed Barbet (Eubucco bourcierii), Bronze-winged Parrots (Pionus chalcopterus) under great light and the Crimson-rumped Toucanet (Aulacorhynchus haematopigus).

At the Botanical Garden we saw closely Green Hermits (Phaethornis guy) at a singing lek and the Ochre-bellied Flycatcher (Mionectes oleagineus) at the Bambu stands. At Hacienda Bambusa we had spectacular views of the Buff-necked Ibis (Theristicus caudatus) as it cruised the sky heading towards their roosting place, and we enjoyed the fast runs of the Crested Bobwhite (Colinus cristatus) and the nervous flattering of the Band-winged Nightjar (Caprimulgus longirostris). On grazing pastures we had a very nice view of a pair of Wedge-tailed Grass-Finches (Emberizoides herbicola), and enjoyed four species of hummingbirds at the hostal feeders.

At Acaime we had glorious views of the Grey-breasted Mountain-Toucan (Andigena hypoglauca), Crimson-mantled Woodpecker (Colaptes rivolii), Black-collared Jay (Cyanolyca armillata), Hooded Mountain-Tanagers (Buthraupis montana), Mountain Caciques (Cacicus chrysonotus) at their hanging nests, Golden-plumed Parakeets (Leptosittaca branickii) perched at Wax Palms and the beautiful Black-throated Tody-Tyrant (Hemitriccus granadensis) in the undergrowth. The Quindío river gave us splendid views of the White-capped Dipper (Cinclus leucocephalus) and no less than four pairs of Torrent Ducks (Merganetta armata), one pair performing a courtship display and another pair with a juvenile. At Otún-Quimbaya we saw the Red-ruffed Fruitcrow (Pyroderus scutatus) and Cauca Guan (Penelope perspicax), the Ringed Kingfisher (Megaceryle torquata) and had good views of a second pair of Moustached Puffbirds (Malacoptila mystacalis). We had glimpses of the Chestnut Wood-quail (Odontophorus hyperythrus) and stood just 3 meters away from a cryptic Moustached Antpitta (Grallaria alleni), missing its views. On another occasion, Janie managed to see the Chestnut-breasted Wren (Cyphorhinus thoracicus), but Daniel missed it! And in flowers near de Visitor’s Center, we had wonderful looks at the Wedge-billed Hummingbird (Schistes geoffroyi).

As usual, Rio Blanco gave us plenty of birds. Alveiro Uribe joined us as our local guide for 2 days and with his help we managed to see well the Ocellated Tapaculo (Acropternis orthonyx), Masked Saltator (Saltator cinctus), Rusty-faced Parrot (Hapalopsittaca amazonina velezi), Rufous Spinetail (Synallaxis unirufa) and a family group of Rufous Wrens (Cynicerthia unirufa). Our final excursion to Los Nevados was full of magnificent birds, among them, the Golden-crowned Tanager (Iridosornis rufivertex), Black-backed Bush-Tanager (Urothraupis stolzmanni), Scarlet-bellied Mountain-Tanager (Anisognathus igniventris), Shining Sunbeam (Aglaeactis cupripennis), Rainbow-bearded Thornbill (Chalchostigma herrani), Andean Tit-Spinetail (Leptasthenura andicola) and Many-striped Canastero (Asthenes flammulata). This time of the year there were very few flowers at the Bearded Helmetcrest’s favorite bush (in Spanish the plant is called Romero de Páramo – Diplostephium schultzii), thus, we only had a lightning view of a male in Brisas sector. But while we had lunch at Marleny’s restaurant, we were gladly surprised by a female Bearded Helmetcrest visiting multiple times the yellow flowers of Senecio plants right outside our window, getting good photos of it!  Finally, we closed this very successful excursion by stopping at the Recinto del Pensamiento, where we made our final checklist of birds for the day, while we enjoyed 12 species of hummingbirds!

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