Today was our first full day in Ecuador, and our first location was the Jocotoco reserve at Buenaventura, an area of cloud forest on the western side of the Andes. The reserve was easy to access, but the weather had solidly turned against us, with heavy rain all morning, followed by dull overcast conditions during the middle of the day, followed by more rain and then thick fog at the end of the afternoon.
Consequently, we spent the first part of the morning in the shelter
of the lodge, observing the hummingbird feeders at close quarters. The
highlights were Green-fronted Brilliant, Green Thorntail and the ever-lively
White-necked Jacobin. Although the light was dull, it was still enough to
appreciate the stunning colours on these wonderful birds. There were a few
other birds hanging around the lodge area as well, including Rufous-headed
Chacalaca and an afternoon flyby of Grey-backed Hawk, a key target species for
this area.
However, the species the reserve is most famous for is the
Long-wattled Umbrellabird, after which their lodge is named. We were very lucky
in that the member of lodge staff on-site came with us to the lek area, and was
able to find us a spectacular Umbrellabird sitting low in the canopy. It was
not active and without him, we would have easily overlooked it, but in the end
we had phenomenal views. Sadly when we returned in the afternoon to hopefully
see the lek, we saw and heard nothing.
Whilst out in the forest we did encounter some of the other
species we were hoping for. Ochre-breasted Tanager is a species of interest in
the reserve, as is the Brownish Twistwing, and we found both of these
reasonably easily. There were a few lively mixed species flocks as well,
although nothing rare was within them, it was nice to see Sulphur-rumped Flycatcher
and Checker-throated Stiplethroat.
Perhaps the highlight of the day, aside from the
Umbrellabird, was the stunning Anthony's Poison Arrow Frog, a species endemic to the region. Although the first
individuals were pointed out to us, we soon picked out many by ourselves, jumping
through the vegetation at the side of the road. Their stripes were terrific, but
once they entered the water and started swimming, the red on the inside of
their legs was suddenly the most eye-catching feature.
For sure a brilliant start to our trip, with some excellent
species and targets already got to grips with. With luck, the rest of our
itinerary will pass with a similar success rate.
Reserva Buenaventura: Rufous-headed Chachalaca, White-tipped Dove, White-necked Jacobin, White-whiskered Hermit, Brown Violetear, Green Thorntail, Green-crowned Brilliant, Crowned Woodnymph, Rufous-tailed Hummingbird, Andean Emerald, Violet-bellied Hummingbird, Black Vulture, Turkey Vulture, Swallow-tailed Kite, Plumbeous Kite, Roadside Hawk, Grey-backed Hawk, Pale-mandibled Aracari, Yellow-throated Toucan, Olivaceous Piculet, Bronze-winged Parrot, Red-masked Parakeet, Checker-throated Stipplethroat, Slaty Antwren, Zeledon's Antbird, Spotted Woodcreeper, Streaked Xenops, Western Woodhaunter, White-bearded Manakin, Long-wattled Umbrellabird, Northern Schiffornis, Sulphur-rumped Myiobius, White-throated Spadebill, Olive-striped Flycatcher, Scale-crested Pygmy Tyrant, Brownish Twistwing, Tropical Kingbird, Tawny-faced Gnatwren, Bay Wren, Orange-bellied Euphonia, Yellow-bellied Siskin, Yellow-throated Bush Tanager, Orange-billed Sparrow, Tropical Parula, Buff-rumped Warbler, Ochre-breasted Tanager, Lemon-rumped Tanager, Palm Tanager, Bay-headed Tanager, Green Honeycreeper, Saffron Finch, Bananaquit, Buff-throated Saltator,
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