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BIRD WATCHING TOURS TO PRESERVE THE FOREST My wife and I have become very interested in bird watching. We think this activity promotes more consciousness needed to save the forest. Maybe most Americans are on the eco-fad, but we in Ecuador, and in general in most underdeveloped countries, the preservation of the forest and the environment is just starting to take some meaning. We have seen one-hundred-and-eighty degree changes in people that use to destroy the forest who are now converted in forest preservers! This forest saving miracle has happened thanks to bird watchers that come to our country to see the amazing birds that most Ecuadorians have taken for granted. The real story about this miracle happens every day at Refugio Paz de las Aves www.refugiopazdelasaves.com where a humble Ecuadorian family earn their living by showing off some amazing Neotropical birds that have been trained to eat from the hands of their caretakers. This page is the fruit of our efforts in exploring the Northwest of Ecuador to bring you the best birding experience. We will make sure that your birding experiences surpasse your expectations. Our tours will focus on putting you up front so that you can experience the discovery and identification process that makes birding a very exiting experience. Also you will find that our tours are very economic. How can we do that? * My wife and I work as a team so we do not need a driver or a guide. Biding inside the Pululahua Gobotanicla Reserve can also be very gratifying since we have some very difficult to find birds such as the Rusty-brested Antpitta only found in Puluahua and in Southern Ecuador, the Ondulated Antpitta, the Ocellated Tapaculo, the Burrowing Owl, and the Greentailed Trainbearer. |
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MULTIPLE DAY TOURS We will be very happy to customize a multiple day tour for you. Otherwise we have a suggested schedule for the birding tours. Some of these places require good physical condition so let us know if you wish to stay on easier trails. Ecuador Northwest Slope Tours (two to eight days) The Pululahua Geobotanical Reserve and itīs surrounding areas like Mindo, Maquipucuna, Bellavista, Tandayapa, Milpe, Silanche, and many others, make an excellent place for bird watching tours. All of these places are within the IBAS (Important Bird Areas) located on the Northwest Slope of Ecuador that spread toward the Choco region which is one of the top ten biological hotspots in the world. Day 1: Pululahua, Yanacocha,
Ecuador Eastern Slope Tours We have structured our first Eastern Slope Tour to visit the most interesting sites and offer some reasonable priced packages. Why the estern side? Because the birds on this side are different that the ones found on the west, there are some species that are similar but always show some difference like size or color. Click here to see some or the birds we have photographed on these sites. Our standard logisticts for this tour are: Day 1: Leave from Quito or Puluahua, morning at Guango Lodge, afternoon at Cabaņas San Isidro, evening at Hacienda Cumanda.
PHOTOGRAFS AND DETAILS
At 3200 msnm (10500 ft) is a high altitude reserve located on the western slope of Volcano Pichincha with 960 hectares (2371 Acres) of mostly elfin Polylepis forest. This woodlands are home of the largest and most beautiful hummingbirds of Ecuador such as: Great Sapphirewing (Pterophane scyanopterus), Sword-billed Hummingbird (Ensifera ensifera) the and also the critically endangered and endemic Black-breasted Puffleg (Eriocnemis nigrivestis). This reserve is owned and operated by The Jocotoco Foundation which was established in 1998 to protect the habitat of the endangered species of Andean birds. This is a great place to view birds of high altitude, it has a wonderful flat and open trail 2+ miles in length with great views of the back side of Pichincha. This trail was first open to bury a water pipe which bring pristine mountain water to the city of Quito. It now has been adapted for birdwatchers and has side trails to explore. There are numerous hummingbird feeders and this gives a great opportunity to see some high altitude rarities up close. We can spend the whole day or a half day exploring this wonderful area. Since it is very close to Quito we recommend to do this trail on the first day; we pick you up from your hotel and take you straight to this high altitude paradise of birds. Click Here to see the bird List: Bird List Yanacocha Reserve One the list below the birds with ** are in
Pululahua Geobotanical Reserve At 1800 to 3300 msnm (5900 to 10800 ft) is a medium-to-high-altitude reserve located north of Volcan Pichincha with 3383 hectares (8359.27 acres). It is located just west of Mitad del Mundo and has been our home for 5 wonderful years of peaceful living. The name Pululahua is a Quichua word that means cloud of water or fog. This name is a good match to this caldera since every day it gets covered with fog usually in the afternoon. This moisture comes from the west, from the direction of the coast. This moisture travels northeast through the Guayllabamba river gorge and condenses in the form of fog when it enters the cool environment of the caldera. Click here for a full description. Click Here for our Bird List from our photos. The actual bird list is larger and needs to be completed, we are looking for volunteers who want to do this. This place is also home for great variety of birds that live at peace in the micro-climates that have developed in this exotic volcanic land. There is a great assortment of trails covering all the altitude ranges, trail lengths, and difficulties. Depending on your interests we can bird from half day tours to multiple days. Pululahua is home for the Rusty-breasted Antpitta which is was recently discovered in 2003. We also go in search of the the rare White-tailed Shrike-Tyrant which lives in a semi arid area near Calacali. With some luck and patience we will get a quick visit of the exotic Ocellated Tapaculo that comes out of the thick and dark mountain bamboo or his relative the Blackish Tapaculo. We can see the Burrowing Owl in plain day and the Barn Owl at night. This reserve has continues to surprise us with new birds every time we go out and search for them. Click here to download our current bird list.
At 1600 to 2250 msnm (5250 to 7200 ft) is a medium to high altitude private reserve located on the old Eco-Route road between Quito and Mindo. It has grown from 50 hectares in 1991 to itīs current 700 hectares (1729 acres). This private reserve has become a certified Ecolodge immersed in the cloud forest where you could see exotic birds fly around your room. It has up to 20 trails and one could easily spend many days birding in this choice location. For more information visit : www.bellavistacloudforest.com For bird list click here: www.bellavistacloudforest.com/downloads/bird_list.zip If the weather permits we will spend all of the day on the trails on this safe private reserve looking for those high altitude neotropical birds. Click here to see the list of the most common birds we can see in Bellavista.
Septimo Paraiso Cloud Forest Reserve At 950 to 1650 mts (3116 to 5412 ft) is a medium altitude private reserve located on the Mindo road. It has 420 hectares (1037 acres) of primary and secondary recovering cloud forest. It is protected by the Fundacion Green Mindo since 2001. This private reserve has a large Ecolodge with 22 private rooms charmly decorated and comfortable. Is has a great restaurant, Jacuzzi, swimming pool, and a large meeting room. We will spend most of the day on its five trails that are very productive. The humming bird feeders are well attended and the lodge grounds can also be an interesting place to see some of the common birds. For more information visit : www.septimoparaiso.com/en.html Bird list click here: http://www.septimoparaiso.com/images/stories/docs/birdlist.xls
Maquipucuna Cloud Forest Reserve At 1000 to 2800 mts (3280 to 9180 ft) is a medium to high altitude private reserve located north west of Nanegalito which is on the road from Quito to Mindo. It has 6000 hectares (14820 acres) of primary and secondary recovering cloud forest, 80% of this forest is undisturbed, and it is surrounded by an additional 14,000 hectares of protected forest. It is protected by the Maquipucuna fundation and the University of Georgia since 1988. This private reserve has a very comfortable small Ecolodge with a capacity for 30 people with private and shared rooms built with wood and bamboo. We will visit this reserve and explore the multiple trails where the biodiversity will surprise us with beautiful birds and sometimes the Spectacle Bear. This threaten bear is becoming a common sighting and feeds on the lush vegetation that provides fruit. If the weather heats up, there are the refreshing waters of the Umachaca River to relax and soothe our feet and eyes. For more information visit : www.maqui.org/ Click here for bird list: Bird List Mauipucuna Reserve
Santa Lucia Cloud Forest Reserve At 1400 to 2600 mts (4592 to 8528 ft) is a medium to high altitude community owned reserve located north west of Nanegalito which is on the road from Quito to Mindo. It has 728 hectares (1800 acres) of primary and secondary recovering cloud forest, and it is surrounded by other of protected forests such as Mauipucina and . It is protected by the local community of La Delicia who owned the land since 1976. The Ecotourism alternative became an option in 1999 when they built the Ecolodge. This community project has become a success and was helped by Maquipucuna, Rainforest Concern UK, and Quest Overseas. This 100% community owned and managed reserve also has a small Ecolodge at 1900 mts (6232 ft) with a capacity for 20 people with private cabaņas and also shared rooms built with wood. This remote reserve is a little more difficult to access and requires a steep climb to the lodge. The reserve is connected to the Yunguilla reserve through an anccient trail probably used by the yumbos. It will be necessary to sleep here if you are interested in visiting a very large lek of up to 30 Cock of the rock birds performing and dancing for their partners. For more information visit : www.santaluciaecuador.com Bird list: http://www.santaluciaecuador.com/assets/resources/birdlist.pdf
Refugio Paz De Las Aves Bird Show At 1400 mts (4590 ft) is a medium altitude private cloud forest located between Nanegalito and the road to Mindo in kilometer 65-66. It has 30 hectares (74 acres) of primary and secondary recovering cloud forest. There is a main trail and multiple side trails where the two brothers will take you to see the most amazing bird show in the wild. You can see birds that would be almost impossible to see in the wild only 5 ft away! They have trained the Giant Antpitta (called Maria), the Scaled Antpitta, the Yellow-breasted Antpita to eat worms. Also there is a lek that has been performing since 2005 with the beautiful Cock-of -the-rock. There are also fruit feeders that are frequently visited by the Sickle-winged Guan, Crimson-rumped Toucanet, the colorful Tucan Barbet, the elusive Olivaeous Piha, the Blue-winged Mountain-Tanager and the Black-chinned Mountain-Tanager. There are humming bird feeders where is it possible to see the Velvet-purple Coronet, the Violet-tailed Sylph, Purple-bibbed Whitetip, Brown Inca, Booted Racket-tai. The most important fact of this place beside the birds is that the owners used to cut the forest for living and now have become forest protectors! This grass root conservation project has to be supported by all bird lovers. For more information visit : www.refugiopazdelasaves.com
At 1020 to 1150 mts (3350-3770 ft) is a medium altitude private cloud forest and bird sanctuary located just before Los Bancos on kilometer 91 of the Mindo Los Bancos road; it is located 700m off the main highway. It has 62 hectares (153 acres) of primary and secondary recovering cloud forest. There are two main trails with some other side trails that are well maintained and designed for different age groups. There are hummingbird feeders, an orchid nursery, a birding viewpoint, and a new visitor's center with cafeteria and living quarters for 4 researchers or volunteer workers. This placed is owned and protected by the Mindo Cloud Forest Fundation in an effort to preserve the threaten forest in this International defined Important Bird Area (IBA). This is a must see place for the great variety of Choco endemics that can be seen here such as Plumbeous Forest-Falcon, Glistening-green Tanager, Chocó Trogon, Club-winged Manakin and Long-wattled Umbrellabird. For more information visit : www.mindocloudforest.org Bird list here: http://mindocloudforest.org/birdlists/milpe_bird_sanctuary_birdlist.pdf
At 300 to 350 mts (984- 1148 ft) is a low altitude private cloud forest and bird sanctuary located after Pedro Vicente Maldonado on kilometer 127; it is located 7 km off the main highway. When driving on the main highway turn right at the blue house with a bus stop and go inland toward a rock mine. After a while you will have to take a left and then the next two rights. When you get to a long climb, then look on the left for the entrance. It has 80 hectare (200 acres) of primary and secondary recovering cloud forest. There is one main trail and a smaller loop trail which begin with at a 15 meter (50 feet) canopy observation tower. The trails are very easy with a wide open path cleared regularly for your safety and convenience. Be aware of snakes, we found a 2 meter long bushmaster crossing the main trail. This placed is owned and protected by the Mindo Cloud Forest Fundation in an effort to preserve the threaten forest in this International defined Important Bird Area (IBA). This is a must see place for the great variety of Choco endemics that can be seen here such as Purple-chested Hummingbird, Chocó Trogon, Double-banded Graytail, Griscoms Antwren, Stub-tailed Antbird, Black-tipped Cotinga, Slate-throated Gnatcatcher, Scarlet-breasted Dacnis, Scarlet-and-white Tanager, Blue-whiskered Tanager. For more information visit : www.mindocloudforest.org Bird List Here: http://mindocloudforest.org/birdlists/rio_silanche_birdlist.pdf
At 700 to 900 mts (2296 - 2952 ft) is a low altitude private cloud forest located after Los Bancos on kilometer 104.5; it is located 7 km off the main highway. When driving on the main highway turn right on the road to Pachijal go 3 kilometers and turn left, go another 4 km to the end of the road where the reserve begins. It has 200 hectare (494 acres) of primary cloud forest. This placed is owned and protected by FUNDACION IMAYMANA in an effort to preserve the threaten forest in this Internationaldefined Important Bird Area (IBA). Due to its low altitude this is also a good place to see the choco endemics and also birds like the Long.wattled Umbrellabird and the Banded Ground-Cuckoo. For more information visit : www.imaymanaforestconservation.org Bird List Here: imaymanaforestconservation.org/docs/Mangaloma-bird-list-july-2006.doc
At 1200 to 1400 mts (4590 ft) is a medium altitude private cloud forest located at the north end of Mindo. This place is owned by the Gsrzon Jaramillo family and attended by three sweet and friendly middle aged women (owners). It has 200 hectares (494 acres) of secondary recovering cloud forest. There is a main trail and five side trails where the forest has been replanted along with some palm trees to feed the birds and bears of the region. The farm house and the surrounding fruit trees also present an interesting place where we can find many easy to see birds. There is a river near the house and small fish pond that is frequently visited by kingfisher birds. In particular trail #3 leads to a beautiful spot where you can see the entire Mindo valley. For more information visit : ecuadormindobirds.com/home.html
Restaurante El Mirador del Rio Blanco This wonderful restaurant and inexpensive lodge is also a great place to see birds up close while you eat. They have some nice fruit feeders just beyond the dining room so you can eat some delicious food and see tanagers, woodpeckers, and other birds up close. This place has a few nectar feeders where the hummers take their turns feeding while you watch a spectacular view of the Rio Blanco on the background. It is located at the beginnings of Los Bancos on the left hand side as you are going west.
At 1200 to 1500 mts ( - ft) is a medium altitude private cloud forest located past Nanegalito on kilometer 72 which is also the entrace to Coop Primero de Mayo. You must turn right and drive past Miraflores (a very small community) and the reserve will be on the left after about 3 km from the highway. For more information visit : www.pachijalreserve.com
This private farm owned by Hugo Morales and his wife that has been in their hands for more than forty years. Their meager farming income is now increased by birders and adventureerīs who want to slip down to a river gorge to see the odd oilbird. His farms lies on the left hand side on the road to Chontal just after descending a long windy dirt road that departed from the road to Pacto. Hugo will fireup his tractor and carry his visitors in a wagon down a dusty road that descends from his farm to the trail leading to the river gorge . At the end of the trail Hugo will strap you with home made harnesses and help you descend an incredible long bamboo ladder! This will lead you to another ladder which takes you to the main area from where the oilbirds can be seen. The oilbirds (Tayo or Guacharo in Spanish) are resting on rocks and ledges on the vertical walls formed by the erosion of the water going through this gorge for thousands of years. This curious birds are nocturnal and use their sounds to navigate much like bats do with a sound radar. As we approached them some of the took flight and made terrible sounds while they approached other birds in search of a spot to cling to the walls. This birds have been hunted for the oil that the fledglings deposit inside their body as they sit on the ledges while their parents bring them fatty rich palm oil fruit to feed them. We saw some nest with three eggs and parents sitting along smaller fledglings. Additionally we saw a pair of White-collard Swifts and other birds outside of the farm. As a bouns this place also has a small collection of archeological pieces found on the property, these pieces belonged to the tribe knows as Yumbos who populated 10,000 square kilometers around the Tulipe main site.
At 500 to 550 mts (984- 1148 ft) is a low altitude private cloud forest after Pedro Vicente Maldonado on kilometer 106.5; it is located next to the main highway. It has 50 hectare (123 acres) of primary and secondary recovering cloud forest. There is one main trail that reaches the first river and returns back to the entrance. The owners have been protecting this forest for the last 40 years and the job has been handed down from father to son Felipe Quintana who is an avid Ecologist. This is a good place with a great variety of choco endemics that search refuge amongst the pasture fields that are predominant in this area. On our last visit we found the white-bearded Manakin, some small woodpeckers, woodcreepers, and many insects that are testament of this ecological friendly forest.
At 1400 mts (4590 ft) is a medium altitude private cloud forest located between Nanegalito and the road to Mindo. It has 7 hectares (17 acres) of primary and secondary recovering cloud forest. There are two short trails and a observation tower on the second floor of the lodge. The observation tower has many hummingbirds feeders where you could see the Velvet-purple Coronet. There is also fruit feeders that are frequently visited by the Blu-winged Mountain-Tanager and the Black-chinned Mountain-Tanager. Another real strange beast that we might see is the giant earth worm measuring 4 ft long. This private cloud forest has a very comfortable small Ecolodge with a capacity for 10 people with private rooms built with wood and bamboo. The orquid garden is also worth visiting, it is well maintained and there are many species. For more information visit : www.mindolomacloudforest.com/
Sachatamia Rain Forest Reserve & Lodge At 1700 to 1500 mts (5576-4920 ft) is a medium altitude private cloud forest located just before the Mindo road entrance. It has 120 hectares (296 acres) of primary and secondary recovering cloud forest. There is a only one main trail that leads across a river and then an uphill climb to the primary forest area. The lodge has many hummingbird feeders with an amazing variety of visitors. There are also fruit feeders that are restocked daily and visited regularly. The lodge is rustic and elegant and provide very comfortable rooms and private cabaņas, the gourmet cousine and the indoor swimming pool and Jacuzzi make this a very comfortable and popular place. For more information visit : www.sachatamia.com
At 1200 to 1350 mts (3936 4428 ft) is a medium altitude private cloud forest located on the Pacto road 9 km past La Delicia; it is possible to bird along the road on the entrance to the new Mashpi owned by Metropolitan Touring. This is an excellent place to see the Indigo Flowerpiercer, Moss-backed Tanager, Glistening-Green Tanager, and many others that are difficult to see birds.
Upcoming visits: Playa de Oro Cabaņas San Isidro Bird List & Guango Lodge Bird l Reserva Jocotoco Rio Canande Rio Palenke Estacion Cientifica Tinalandia ........
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Tel: (593) 099466636 - 091914333 mail: info@pululahuahostal.com |
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