Colombia: The Central Andes Jun 11—26, 2010
Posted by Steve Hilty
Steve Hilty
Steve Hilty is the senior author of A Guide to the Birds of Colombia, and the recently published Birds of Venezuela, both by Princeton University Press. Other credits inclu...Related Trips
Trips to Colombia during northern summer months (e.g. June, July, and August) offer birders and naturalists a different experience from those traditionally operated during northern winter months. There are no northern migrants here at this time of year, but nesting activity is more obvious. Also, Colombia generally receives more rain at this time of year (although variation in pattern is considerable) and the countryside is stunningly beautiful—emerald everywhere. We encountered more rain than usual (for June), but this did not appreciably affect birding. Several landslides did alter our activities at Jardín for a day, but were cleared by the next day, and road construction (ongoing everywhere in Colombia) altered our route on a visit to the Mundo Nuevo area near Bogotá. It can all be regarded as the "Colombia Adventure."
Birding was good everywhere and exceptionally good in the Manizales (Río Blanco and Nevado del Ruiz) area, at the Piha Reserve (Reserva Arrierito Antioqueña), and around Soatá in the Eastern Andes. The Eastern Andes portion of this trip was new and proved to be exceptionally productive. Unfortunately, our last day, in search of the "elusive" Flame-winged (Brown-breasted) Parakeets, was more memorable than productive, in part due to rainy and foggy weather, road construction, blocked roads and subsequent route changes, balky jeep drivers, and our bus becoming temporarily stuck when turning around. Nevertheless, the list was good, we found almost all of the targeted endemics and, best of all, we had an enjoyable trip—so much so that some of you are returning next year for yet a third trip! I agree—Colombia is a great temptation.
Our top ten list was dominated by endemics (seven of ten), including the Rufous-fronted Parakeets (almost everyone's top choice); the antpitta show (including endemic Brown-breasted Antpitta); the Ash-colored Tapaculo wrestling match; Lanceolated Monklet; Chestnut-capped Piha; Multicolored Tanagers; Masked Saltators; the one-two Bangsia/Iridosornis discoveries; Crested Ant-Tanagers (Wow!); and splendid studies of as many as three Chestnut-bellied Hummingbirds.