Easley Birding: Ecuador Adventure Part 3

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

Ecuador Adventure Part 3 - Yanacocha to Bellavista

Hola Amigos -
On our 2nd day, we visited the Yanacocha Reserve. A beautiful place, where we were able to see some really spectacular birds. We hiked a long scenic trail, which has been carved right out of the mountain side. Along this trail there are hummingbird feeders every several hundred yards, which attract a wide variety of hummers. The best feeders were at the end of the trail, this is where most of the action took place.
Before arriving to the reserve, we spotted a Plain-breasted Hawk and a gorgeous Red-crested Cotinga along the roadside. Other birds seen along the Yanacocha Trail were - Andean Guan, Buff-winged Starfrontlet, Sapphire-vented & Golden-breasted Pufflegs, Great Sapphirewing, Sword-billed Hummingbird, Tyrian Metaltail, Purple-backed Thornbill, Mountain Velvetbreast, Barred Fruiteater, White-throated & White-banded Tyrannulets, Rufous Wren, Spectacled Redstart, Scarlet-bellied Mountain-Tanager, Grass-green Tanager, Glossy & Masked Flowerpiercers and the colorful Black-backed Conebill.
Later in the afternoon, we drove the dirt road between Nono and Mindo. We stopped on several occasions to walk and bird along the roadside. A few of the more notable sightings were - Collared Inca, Toucan Barbet, Andean Cock-of-the-Rock, Golden-headed Quetzal, Smoke-colored Pewee, Stripe-headed Brush-Finch, White-crested Elaenia, , White-capped Dipper and Hooded Siskin.
Next up in our report is Bellavista Lodge, located in the wonderful Ecuadorian Cloud-Forest...Due stay tuned!!!
Good Birding - STEVEN EASLEY