EcuadorFeb09-1

Ecuador from Quito: February 21 to March 1, 2009
with Likely Extension

Norm Lewis, as Host, to a Covey of Adults

and Lelis Navarrete as Bird Guide

The itinerary for this trip is based upon our April 2007 Exploratory trip
which resulted in 570 species of birds being observed or heard in 14
days. The core of the trip (without Sacha Lodge) yielded 440 species.
By adding a day in Sacha, this full trip with an extension may yield 600
species. Participants will likely see over 40 hummingbird species and
over 70 tanager species.

This trip will be hosted by Norm Lewis, now the past President of
Colorado Field Ornithologists. Norm has been guiding bird watching
trips (at least six per year) over 14 years ranging from Costa Rica to
Alaska.

The bird guide for the main trip will be Ecuador’s best bird guide, Lelis
Navarrete. Lelis, along with Robert Ridgely , found the Jocotoco
Antpitta, a bird new to science. Besides being a fantastic bird guide,
Lelis supports a number of conservation efforts. By my estimates and
experience, Lelis' skills will allow you the opportunity to see another 10
to 30 species more per day than other bird guides in Ecuador. You are
in the right hands on this trip.

Two extension trips are possible. One trip can be added to the
Amazonian Rainforest. Also the group is considering a 2 or 3 day
extension to San Isidro.

Nestling Tour's Covey of Adults
Itinerary for Ecuador

February 21 and 22: Arrival and Off to Mindo and Miple for Bird Watching

On Saturday, participants will fly to Quito (most flights arrive in the late
evening). No matter your flight plans, we will have a representative
meet you outside of customs gate and take you to the local hotel.

On Sunday morning, we will start early for the Mindo and then the Milpe
area. Lelis always knows a number of good bird watching stops along
the way. These stops will make the short trip go by even fast, as at
each stop will add a number of life birds for each trip participant.
The group will make several stops in the Mindo area on the way to
Milpe. On our last trip, we found Broad-billed Motmot, Guayaquil
Woodpecker, Beryl-spangled Tanager, Blue-necked Tanager, Palm
Tanager and nearly a dozen tanager species, and much more in the
Mindo area.
Later in the day, the group will bird in the Milpe area. Upon arriving at
the lodge in Milpe on our last trip, we found the fantastic Glistening-
green Tanager, Choco Toucan, and a large mixed flock of about fifteen
other species.
That night, the lodging will be at fairly new eco-lodge on a hillside in a
well preserved forested area. The birding is good at the feeders and
along the trails at the lodge.

Feb. 23 to 24: Rio Silanche Reserve and Milpe Reserve

On Monday, we will go to Rio Silanche, an area preserved by the Mindo
Cloudforest Foundation. This area includes Choco lowland forest at
about 1000 to 1200 feet above sea level. The reserve is comprised of
a mixture of primary forest, regenerating forest, with some grassland
and former plantation. In addition to the canopy observation tower,
extensive trails and a footbridge make for easy exploration of the forest.
An early morning start is warranted to reach the top of the tower at
sunrise. From the top of the tower, we saw 80 species between 6 AM
at 9:30 AM in April 2007. We saw several new hummingbird species in
a nearby tree, including Purple-chested Hummingbird. Great looks
were had of Dot-winged Antwren, Purple Honeycreeper, Green
Honeycreeper and the spectacular Scarlet-breasted Dacnis.
Griscom's Antwren, Slate-throated Gnatcatcher, Scarlet-and-White
Tanager, Guira Tanager, Blue-whiskered Tanager, Purple-throated
Fruitcrow, Chestnut-fronted Macaw and Black-headed Tody-Flycatcher
could also be seen from the tower.
Lelis is always worth watching as he sorts large flocks or listens
carefully to allow the bird-watching participants the opportunity to see
new species.
A short walk down the trail included Bar-bellied Woodpecker, Black-
striped Woodcreeper, Plain Xenops, Pacific Antwren, Immaculate
Antbird, Western Woodhaunter, Russet Antshrike, and Blue-crowned
Manakin. In one 20 foot segment of the trail we added Western White-
tailed Trogon, Collared Trogon, Broad-billed Motmot, White-whiskered
Puffbird, and Scale-crested Pygmy-tyrant to our day list which reached
139 species.
We will spend the night at back at the nearby eco-lodge.

On Tuesday, the main destination for the day will be the Milpe Bird
Sanctuary in the Andean Foothills. This sanctuary is located in a
Birdlife International Important Bird Area (IBA), Los Bancos—Milpe.
The sanctuary has an altitudinal range from 3350-3770 feet and
includes two small rivers that converge in a steep, forested valley.
Many birders consider this one of the finest sites in all of Ecuador.
Many of the most spectacular Choco Endemics occur here: Plumbeous
Forest-Falcon, Moss-backed Tanager, Choco Trogon, and Club-
winged Manakin.
At some point, we may see Chocó Toucans and Pale-mandibled
Araçaris in the more open areas.
This sight is long famous for good tanager viewing days. The road
hosts good mixed flocks, and new trails in the reserve allow access to
the forest. We can expect a host of tanagers, including Ochre-
breasted Tanager, Rufous-throated Tanager, Lemon-rumped Tanager,
and we may get lucky and find the dazzling Grey-and-gold Tanager.
Over twenty species from this spectacular family are possible here in a
day.
On our last trip, we found Choco Toucan, Choco Warbler, Yellow-tufted
Dacnis, Thick-billed Euphonia, Bay Wren, Rufous-throated Tanager,
Flame-faced Tanager, Yellow-throated Bush-Tanager, Yellow-bellied
Siskin, Tri-colored Brush-Finch, Striped Cuckoo, Chestnut-collard Swift
and Russet Antshrike. We will also add a few more species of
hummingbird species, possibly Purple-crowned Fairy, Green-crowned
Brilliant ,White-whiskered Hermit, and Green-crowned Woodnymph. In
total, the day could reach 100 species.
We may have time to cool off at nearby restaurant where up to a dozen
species of tanager come to feed on the bananas put out for them.
Several species which come here include Emerald Tanager, Silver-
throated Tanager, Bay-headed Tanager, and several others. A number
of hummingbird species (including Green Thorntail) can be seen here.
In addition, we may find Crimson-rumped Toucanet.
Once the birding has slowed down in the Milpe area, we will then head
towards Mindo for the night so that we may have an early start at the
Refugio Paz de Las Aves in the morning. Tough choices on timing may
need to be made, as our lodge in Mindo has nesting Umbrella birds.

Continued to the right and above near the top of the page, below the White-
bellied Woodstar.

Small Group Adult Trip to Ecuador: February 21 to March 1, 2009

Long-tailed Sylph.

Photo by J. Drummond.

Last Few Days on the Main Trip Itinerary:
High Altitude Species and East Slope of Andes

February 28 and March 1: East of Quito, including Papallachta Pass,
Hot Springs Area, and Guango Lodge, and More

On Saturday, we will start after breakfast for birding on the
outskirts of Quito and then on our way up to Papallachta Pass.
Papallachta Pass is at 13,000 feet. To there and from there,
we will enjoy a number of opportunities for finding high
elevations species. Some of the high mountain species we
may find include Ecuadorian Hillstar hummingbird, Andean Tit-
Spinetail, Many-striped Canastero, Paramo Ground-Tyrant,
Stout-billed Cinclodes and other interesting furnarids. We may
try the Microwave Tower for Andean Condor and for Black-
backed Bush Tanager.
Around the hot springs area that afternoon, we will look for Red-
crested Cotinga, Spectacled Whitestart, Brown-bellied
Swallow, Cinereous Conebill, Blue-backed Conebill, Black
Flowerpiercer, Plain-collared Seedeater, Plumbeous Sierra-
Finch, and Hooded Siskin. We may also get better looks at
Pearled Treerunner, White-crested Elaenia, White-banded
Tyrannulet, Tufted Tit-Tyrant, Spot-billed Ground-Tyrant,
Turquoise Jay, Mountain Wren, Citrine Warbler, Mountain
Cacique, and Superciliaried Hemispingus.
That night, we will stay at Guango Lodge.

On Sunday morning, some group participants may choose to
sleep in, but others can start early and enjoy birding on the
reserve surrounding Guango Lodge. Lelis will help
participants find a number of birds of particular interest,
including Andean Guan, Gray-breasted Mountain-Toucan,
Turquoise Jay, Hooded Mountain-Tanager, Gray-hooded Bush-
Tanager, Black-headed Hemispingus, Black-capped
Hemispingus, and Black-eared Hemispingus. In 2007, we
also saw Plushcap and had great looks at White-capped
Dipper (see picture to right) and Torrent Duck. The
hummingbird feeders can be seen at anytime and include
some world famous looks at Swordbill Hummingbird, Long-
tailed Sylph, Tourmaline Sunangel, Glowing Puffleg, and
Mountain Avocetbill. We may also find Mountain Velvetbreast,
and Tyrian Metaltail hummingbirds in the area.
Additional species of tanager can be found on the east slope,
and some species are easier to find here. In 2007, we added
Lacrimose Mountain-Tanager, Buff-breasted Mountain-
Tanager, Gray-hooded Bush-Tanager and others on the east
slope trip .Depending upon the pace of the day and Lelis’
sound judgement, we may take some additional time to bird
the forest area around Guango Lodge.
Once finished with the Guango Lodge, we will try a few spots
with great potential east of Guango. On the 2007 trip, we found
Blue-and-Black Tanager, Inca Jay and Olivaceous Siskin and
then found a huge flock of 20 plus species, including Streaked
Xenops, Golden-eared Tanager, Orange-eared Tanager, and
Fulvous-breated Flatbill.
At 4 PM the tour will continue back to Quito so that participants
can catch their flight back home or catch an early morning flight
home. Better yet, the trip can continue to one of our two
extension options.

Brief Itinerary

Sat. Feb. 21, 2009: Fly from Denver to Quito
Sun. Feb. 22: Mindo area birding and transfer to Milpe
Mon. Feb. 23: Rio Silanche and Milpe Area
Tues. Feb. 24: Milpe Reserve & area, and Sacha Tamia
Wed. Feb. 25: Refugio Paz de Las Aves
Thur. Feb. 26: Bellavista and Tandayapa Valley
Fri. Feb. 27: Tandayapa Valley & Yanacocha Reserve
Sat. Feb. 28: Papallacta Pass
Sun. March 1: Guango Lodge and Reserve

Likely Extensions:

Any trip participant can add 4 to 5 days at Sacha
Lodge in the Amazonian Rainforest. Why not add
150 to 200 species to your trip list?
Depending upon group interest, we will likely add
several days at San Isidro, Guacamayos Trail, and
the Antisana National Park.

Please see "Note on Flights" below and contact us, before
booking your flight.

Nestling Tour's Covey of Adults
Itinerary for Ecuador CONTINUED.....

Feb. 25: Refugio Paz de las Aves

On Wednesday morning, the Refugio trip will begin just before
dark as we walk to the Andean Cock-of-the-Rock lek. Besides
seeing and hearing these beautiful birds, we will also see
several other species, such as Toucan Barbet and perhaps
Crimson-rumped Toucanet.
The Refugio is world famous for opportunities to see Antpitta
species. With some luck, we will be able to see Giant Antpitta,
Yellow-breasted Antpitta, and Moustached Antpitta. We may
also see Dark-backed Wood Quail and one or two more
species.
Other fantastic species occur here including Fawn-breasted
Tanager, Golden-naped Tanager, Lemon-rumped Tanager,
and Golden-headed Quetzal to just name a few.
Like many other parts of Ecuador, large flocks of multiple
species can be found. On the 2007 trip we found a flock with
over 20 different species, proving over one hour of fantastic
bird watching.
Hummingbird species found at their feeders include Empress
Brilliant, Tawny-bellied Hermit, and Collared Inca, and several
others.
After enjoying the Refugio and once the birding slows down,
we will head towards the Tandayapa area stopping in transit
for a few birding opportunities.

Feb. 26 and 27: Bellavista, Tandayapa Valley and Yanacocha

On Thursday and Friday mornings, we will start birding early at
the areas surrounding our lodge. Some of the species we are
more likely to see include Yellow-bellied Chat-Tyrant, Golden-
crowned Flycatcher, Plain-breasted Hawk, Blue and White
Swallow, Plain-tailed Wren, Sickle-winged Guan, Great Thrush,
Plumbeous Pigeon, Glossy-black Thrush, Red-billed Parrot,
Turquoise Jay, Spectacled Whitestart, Band-winged Nightjar
(hopefully more than a song), Slate-throated Whitestart, White-
collared Swift, Russet-crowned Warbler, Masked Trogon,
Grass-green Tanager, Dusky Bush-Tanager, Plate-billed
Mountain-Toucan, Rufous-chested Tanager, Crimson-mantled
Woodpecker, Blue-winged Mountain-Tanager, Powerful
Woodpecker, Thick-billed Euphonia, Strong-billed
Woodcreeper, Orange-bellied Euphonia, Montane
Woodcreeper, Golden Tanager, Azara's Spinetail, Flame-faced
Tanager, Red-faced Spinetail, and Beryl-spangled Tanager,
Streaked Tuftedcheek, Blue-and-black Tanager, Rufous-
collared Sparrow, Spillmann's Tapaculo, Chestnut-capped
Brush-Finch, Green and black Fruiteater, White-winged Brush-
Finch, Streak-necked Flycatcher, White-sided Flowerpiercer,
White-tailed Tyrannulet, Masked Flowerpiercer, Cinnamon
Flycatcher, and Smoke-coloured Pewee.
Several hummingbird feeders in the area can be accessed,
and we are likely to add an additional ten to twenty species to
the trip list here, including Velvet-purple Coronet, Sparkling
Violetear, Buff-tailed Coronet, Gorgeted Sunangel, Purple-
bibbed White-tip Fawn-breasted Brilliant, Booted Racket-Tail,
and Purple-throated Woodstar, Andean Emerald, Speckled
Hummingbird, Violet-tailed Sylph, and Brown Inca.
Other birds which we may find in the area include Rufescent
Screech-Owl, White-faced Nunbird, Cloud Forest Pygmy-Owl
(likely to hear), Swallow-tailed Nightjar, Ocellated Tapaculo,
and Green-fronted Lancebill. We will also look for Crested
Quetzal, Plushcap, Tanager Finch, and Beautiful ay.

On Friday morning after we have exhausted many of the birding
possiblities in Tandayapa, we will head towards the
Yanacocha Reserve or “Inca Ditch”.
Yanacocha is famous for high elevation hummingbirds (such
as Giant Hummingbird, Shining Sunbeam, Great
Sapphirewing, Sapphire-vented Puffleg and many more). We
may also see White-crested Elaenia, Tufted Tit-Tyrant, Brown-
backed Chat-Tyrant, Brown-bellied Swallow, Black-crested
Warbler, Masked Flower-Piercer, Glossy Flower-piercer, Black
Flower-Piercer, Scarlet-bellied Mountain-Tanager, Blue-and-
yellow Tanager, Grassland Yellow-Finch, Stripe-headed Brush-
Finch, Hooded Siskin, and more.
On the trip back to Quito, we will also stop along the way to bird
some additional key habitat in the mountainous and foothills
areas above Quit.

Continued below the Many-striped Canastero.

Yellow-bellied Antpitta (left) and Giant Antpitta (right) at the Refugio Paz
de Las Aves. 2 of 8 Antpitta species seen in northwest Ecuador over
one week of the 2007 trip.

Photo by J. Drummond.

Photo by J. Drummond.

White-bellied Woodstar is one of over 40 hummingbird species
possible on the trip.

Black-chinned Mountain Tanager is one of over 70
tanager species to be seen on the trip.

Golden-headed
Quetzal.

Photo by J. Drummond.

Silver-throated Tanager seen at
several locations on the trip.

Photo by J. Drummond.

Pale-naped Brush Finch at
Guango.

Orange-breasted
Fruiteater.

For more information
(including an easy to
print itinerary), contact
us at 1-888-203-7464 or
by email at
travel@nestlingtours.com.

Note on Flights: Please call us before
booking your flight, or you may have
additional lodging and transfer costs. Many
flights depart late on Sunday night (March 1),
making a good use of time for bird watching
on Sunday until 4 PM. If you want a morning
flight, please plan to depart on Monday,
March 2. Extension trip participants will have
a variety of departure options. Please
contact us to discuss your arrival and
departure plans.

Click here to learn
about extension
trip options to
Sacha Lodge and a
chance to add 200
more species to
your trip list.

Photo by J. Drummond.

Many-striped Canastero at Papallachta Pass.