Colombia; El Paujil & Victoria

Day 23 06.12.2019

So begins our penultimate day in Colombia. Having failed to find El Paujil last night before dark, we set off again in the morning feeling a little wiser but still not knowing exactly where we were heading. We followed what instructions we thought we had picked up from asking locals, before we got lost again. However in the end we did finally manage to arrive at the site. Once we finally found the right road it became significantly easier, and we were finally able to make good progress. We were on site by half 8. The road once again went through some wet farmland, and we had fantastic views of a number of different species but especially Northern Screamer and Rufescent Tiger Heron.

-Yellow-crowned Amazon

-Greater Ani

-Wattled Jacana

-Rufescent Tiger Heron

-Crested Bobwhite

-Northern Screamer

-Pied Water Tyrant

Once at the reserve we were making good progress to where we thought our number one target, Blue-billed Currasow would be, before being accosted by the reserve wardens. Although we were fine to continue, they accompanied us for the rest of the morning. We had made it some 50 meters from the reserve buildings, where our new guides threw some bread out for a mob of some 9 different Blue-billed Currasows. They were incredibly tame, completely not fussed about our presence. Once we were satisfied with out views here we were taken around the reserve, although we missed a number of our targets we did see a few Black-billed Flycatchers along the riverside. Then, as we were walking out, Paul and I had at least two Marbled Wood-Quail, which was something of a bonus for our trip.

-Blue-billed Currasow

-Boa Constrictor

-Black-billed Flycatcher

-Crimson-headed Woodpecker

We wrapped it up around half 12, and spent the rest of the day travelling towards Victoria, our next destination. We had a few more nice birds on the drive, Pied Water Tyrant being the standout.

Species List:

Drive to Puerto Pinzon: Northern Screamer, Colombian Chachalaca, Crested Bobwhite, Ruddy Ground Dove, White-tipped Dove, Eared Dove, Greater Ani, Grey-necked Wood Rail, Purple Gallinule, Southern Lapwing, Wattled Jacana, Solitary Sandpiper, Rufescent Tiger Heron, Great Egret, Western Cattle Egret, Striated Heron, Bare-faced Ibis, Russet-throated Puffbird, Yellow-headed Caracara, Yellow-crowned Amazon, Yellow-chinned Spinetail, Pied Water Tyrant, White-headed Marsh Tyrant, Cattle Tyrant, Fork-tailed Flycatcher, Grey-breasted Martin, Red-breasted Blackbird, Yellow-hooded Blackbird, Saffron Finch, Blue-black Grassquit,

El Paujil: Colombian Chachalaca, Blue-billed Curassow, Marbled Wood Quail, Pale-vented Pigeon, White-tipped Dove, Greater Ani, Pauraque, White-collared Swift, Great Egret, Western Cattle Egret, King Vulture, Black Vulture, Turkey Vulture, Swainson's Hawk, Gartered Trogon, Green Kingfisher, Citron-throated Toucan, Crimson-crested Woodpecker, Lineated Woodpecker, Blue-and-yellow Macaw, Wedge-billed Woodcreeper, Streak-headed Woodcreeper, White-bearded Manakin, Ochre-bellied Flycatcher, Black-billed Flycatcher, Pale-edged Flycatcher, Streaked Flycatcher, Tropical Kingbird, Thick-billed Euphonia, Lesser Goldfinch, Crested Oropendola, Bay-breasted Warbler, Blackpoll Warbler, Crimson-backed Tanager, Palm Tanager, Golden-hooded Tanager, 

Day 24 07.12.2019

We had a few hours birding a small patch of forest just outside Victoria before we would have to head to Bogota for our evening flight. The forest patch was extremely small but we stil managed a few nice species including Sooty Ant-Tanager and two new Wren Species; Sooty-headed and Black-bellied. There were also nice views of commoner species such as Black-faced Tanager, which I had only seen once before in Brazil.

-Rufous Motmot

-Streaked Saltator

-Yellow-bellied Elaenia

-Common Tody-Flycatcher

-Black-crowned Antshrike

-Spectacled Parrotlet

-Black-faced Tanager

-Spot-breasted Woodpecker

-White-breasted Wood-Wren

-Anole

-Sooty-headed Wren

Our drive to Bogota passed without incident, which made for a nice change, but unfortunately upon arriving at the airport we found our flight was delayed by a whole day. After a short while however we were transferred to a flight to London, and from there instructed to take an internal flight. Although it took some sorting with logistics, eventually we made it home without further incident, bringing and excellent few weeks to a close.

Species List:

La Victoria: Colombian Chachalaca, Ruddy Ground Dove, Squirrel Cuckoo, Western Cattle Egret, Black Vulture, Roadside Hawk, Rufous Motmot, Citron-throated Toucan, Olivaceous Piculet, Red-crowned Woodpecker, Spot-breasted Woodpecker, Blue-headed Parrot, Spectacled Parrotlet, Black-crowned Antshrike, Northern White-fringed Antwren, Wedge-billed Woodcreeper, Pale-breasted Spinetail, White-bearded Manakin, Ochre-bellied Flycatcher, Common Tody-Flycatcher, Yellow-bellied Elaenia, Social Flycatcher, Tropical Kingbird, Rufous-naped Greenlet, Red-eyed Vireo, House Wren, Sooty-headed Wren, Black-bellied Wren, White-breasted Wood Wren, Tropical Mockingbird, Swainson's Thrush, Pale-breasted Thrush, Black-billed Thrush, Thick-billed Euphonia, Orange-billed Sparrow, Tennessee Warbler, Bay-breasted Warbler, Buff-rumped Warbler, Scarlet Tanager, Sooty Ant Tanager, Black-faced Tanager, Grey-headed Tanager, Crimson-backed Tanager, Blue-grey Tanager, Palm Tanager, Golden-hooded Tanager, Blue-necked Tanager, Plain-colored Tanager, Bay-headed Tanager, Blue Dacnis, Purple Honeycreeper, Green Honeycreeper, Saffron Finch, Blue-black Grassquit, Grey Seedeater, Yellow-bellied Seedeater, Bananaquit, Streaked Saltator,

Colombia; Jardin & Rio Claro

Day 20 03.12.2019

Having travelled to Jardin the previous day, we were in optimum position to head out early morning to try and find Yellow-eared Parrot leaving their roosts in the mountains above the town. We arrived just after first light and already these birds were leaving, flying overhead in small groups. Although we could see little on them, their large size and long tails quickly distinguished them as the birds we were looking for. Later in the day we had a couple closer flybys that showed us better the features. Birding this area yielded a few more species, notably Streak-throated Bush Tyrant and Citrine Warbler.

-Rufous-banded Owl

-Yellow-eared Parrot

-Citrine Warbler

We had gen on a site where a Chestnut-naped Antpitta was being fed less than half an hour from the parrots, so we set off with the intention of arriving for feeding time; 09.00. Sadly the gen was not as clear as we would have hoped and as a result we only just made it to the site. But once there we were taken to a fantastic stakeout for Chestnut-naped and Rufous Antpitta, as well as fantastic views of a Green-and-Black Fruiteater that came in to also eat the worms on offer. We were wrapped up here by around 10.30 and as a result decided to move on as we had a seven hour drive ahead of us. We arrived at our next destination, Rio Claro, in good time, and it was a wise decision to move on when we did.

-Green-and-black Fruiteater

-Rufous Antpitta

-Chestnut-naped Antpitta

Species List:

RNA Las Tangaras: Sickle-winged Guan, Band-tailed Pigeon, Tourmaline Sunangel, Tyrian Metaltail, Buff-tailed Coronet, Broad-winged Hawk, Rufous-banded Owl, Andean Motmot, Yellow-eared Parrot, White-throated Tyrannulet, Streak-throated Bush Tyrant, Rufous-breasted Chat-Tyrant, Black-billed Peppershrike, Blue-and-white Swallow, Great Thrush, Rufous-collared Sparrow, Slaty Brushfinch, Citrine Warbler, Golden-fronted Whitestart, Grass-green Tanager, Lacrimose Mountain Tanager, Blue-and-black Tanager, Masked Flowerpiercer,

Species List:

Chestnut-naped Antpitta Feeding Station: Tourmaline Sunangel, Collared Inca, Buff-tailed Coronet, Chestnut-naped Antpitta, Rufous Antpitta, Green-and-black Fruiteater, Blue-and-white Swallow,

Day 21 04.12.2019

Rio Claro was our first lowland site of the trip, so we were optimistic that we would get a large assortment of new species. There was one main trail where we planned to do most of our birding, and this was where we headed when we set off birding just after first light. The birding was hard, with many birds just flitting away without a proper view. The trail was also extremely difficult, with extended steep sections, the difficulty of which was compounded by the hot and extremely humid conditions. To say it took its tole on us would be an understatement and by the end of the morning there was little desire to continue birding.

That said, we still had some fantastic birding, with a number of new species. The trail did eventually yield some excellent birds, including a number of new antbirds; Chestnut-backed, Dusky and Bicolored, as well as Pacific and Checker-throated Antwren and Fasciated Antshrike. The afternoon was more relaxed, and we took some time to recover from the morning. I tried to find the Oilbird cave to explore but alas I could not cross the river as there were far too many people around to leave my equipment and swim the river.

-Chestnut-backed Antbird

-Plain-coloured Tanager

-Dusky-faced Tanager

-Wedge-billed Woodcreeper

-Golden-capped Manakin

-Dusky Antbird

-Slaty-headed Tody-Flycatcher

-Yellow-tufted Dacnis

-White-mantled Barbet

-Brownish Twistwing

-Band-backed Wren

-Beautiful Woodpecker

-Tawny-crested Tanager

-Slaty-capped Flycatcher

-Bicolored Antbird

In the evening we headed out to watch the Oilbirds leave the roost, and we had some fifty birds leave, although it was difficult to judge with birds constantly coming and going. Once we were satisfied with the Oilbirds we walked down the track from the site restaurant to try for some Owls. Although it was more in hope than expectation we had a fantastic time. We started by taping in a stunning Crested Owl, that initially responded whilst we were testing out to see what was around. Remarkably the Crested Owl tape also brought in a Spectacled Owl, although this was a nightmare to find due to it staying in the tops of the trees. It seemed like our views were going to be restricted to a few silhouetted flyovers, until Gray picked the bird up perched right in the top branches.  

-Crested Owl

-Spectacled Owl

-Scorpion

Species List:

Rio Claro: White-tipped Dove, Oilbird, White-collared Swift, Rufous-breasted Hermit, Bronze-tailed Plumeleteer, Blue-chested Hummingbird, Western Cattle Egret, Black Vulture, Turkey Vulture, Roadside Hawk, Broad-winged Hawk, Crested Owl, Spectacled Owl, Gartered Trogon, White-whiskered Puffbird, Rufous-tailed Jacamar, White-mantled Barbet, Citron-throated Toucan, Olivaceous Piculet, Beautiful Woodpecker, Red-rumped Woodpecker, Blue-headed Parrot, Spectacled Parrotlet, Fasciated Antshrike, Checker-throated Antwren, Pacific Antwren, Dusky Antbird, Chestnut-backed Antbird, Magdalena Antbird, Bicolored Antbird, Plain-brown Woodcreeper, Wedge-billed Woodcreeper, Plain Xenops, Buff-throated Foliage-gleaner, Golden-headed Manakin, Ochre-bellied Flycatcher, Slaty-capped Flycatcher, Southern Bentbill, Slaty-headed Tody-Flycatcher, Brownish Twistwing, Olive-sided Flycatcher, Black Phoebe, Long-tailed Tyrant, Social Flycatcher, Streaked Flycatcher, Tropical Kingbird, Band-backed Wren, Bay Wren, Buff-rumped Warbler, Dusky-faced Tanager, White-shouldered Tanager, Tawny-crested Tanager, Crimson-backed Tanager, Blue-grey Tanager, Golden-hooded Tanager, Plain-colored Tanager, Swallow Tanager, Yellow-tufted Dacnis, Green Honeycreeper, Bananaquit, Buff-throated Saltator, 

Day 22 05.12.2019

We had half a day at Rio Claro before we headed off to try and find our next location. Against my better judgement we headed back up the trail to the top in search of the birds we had missed the previous day. Fortunately it rained early morning and this took the edge off the heat and the humidity, leaving the walk far more pleasant than the previous day. There were also some awesome birds to be had, including Blue Cotinga, Bare-faced Antbird, Antioqua Bristle-Tyrant and the standout from the morning a cracking Black-faced Antthrush that walk right across in front of us as we played the tape.

-Citron-throated Toucan

-White-tailed Trogon

-Black-capped Becard

-Blue Cotinga

-Black-faced Antthrush

-Antioquia Bristle-Tyrant

-Bright-rumped Atila

In the afternoon we tried to find the site of El Paujil for the next day but unfortunately the road to the site was not mapped by google and we ended hopelessly lost on poor quality roads in the wrong direction. Although this was extremely frustrating we did manage to see a few nice birds for our trouble, including Chestnut-fronted Macaw, Northern Screamer and Laughing Falcon, so our afternoon was not a complete waste.

-Laughing Falcon

-American Kestrel

-Chestnut-winged Macaw

Species List:

Rio Claro: Squirrel Cuckoo, Blue-chested Hummingbird, King Vulture, Black Vulture, Turkey Vulture, Broad-winged Hawk, Spectacled Owl, White-tailed Trogon, White-whiskered Puffbird, Rufous-tailed Jacamar, Collared Aracari, Citron-throated Toucan, Beautiful Woodpecker, Red-rumped Woodpecker, Blue-headed Parrot, Dusky Antbird, Bare-crowned Antbird, Chestnut-backed Antbird, Bicolored Antbird, Black-faced Antthrush, Wedge-billed Woodcreeper, Streak-headed Woodcreeper, White-bearded Manakin, Golden-headed Manakin, Blue Cotinga, Rufous Piha, Black-crowned Tityra, Ochre-bellied Flycatcher, Sepia-capped Flycatcher, Slaty-capped Flycatcher, Antioquia Bristle Tyrant, Sooty-headed Tyrannulet, Black Phoebe, Long-tailed Tyrant, Bright-rumped Attila, Cattle Tyrant, Social Flycatcher, Black-chested Jay, Band-backed Wren, Bay Wren, Grey-cheeked Thrush, Pale-breasted Thrush, Thick-billed Euphonia, Orange-billed Sparrow, Crested Oropendola, Bay-breasted Warbler, Blackpoll Warbler, Rufous-capped Warbler, Buff-rumped Warbler, Dusky-faced Tanager, Blue-black Grosbeak, Grey-headed Tanager, White-shouldered Tanager, Tawny-crested Tanager, Crimson-backed Tanager, Palm Tanager, Golden-hooded Tanager, Plain-colored Tanager, Yellow-tufted Dacnis, Bananaquit, Buff-throated Saltator,

Santander Driving: Ruddy Ground Dove, Smooth-billed Ani, Greater Ani, Western Cattle Egret, Turkey Vulture, Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture, Savanna Hawk, Laughing Falcon, American Kestrel, Chestnut-fronted Macaw, Amazon Kingfisher, Great Kiskadee, Tropical Kingbird, Saffron Finch, Red-breasted Blackbird,