Ecuador from Quito:  May 3 to 11, 2008 with Sacha Lodge Extension to May 16 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. An extension trip can be added to the Amazonian rain forest.

Nestling Tour's Covey of Adults Itinerary for Ecuador May 3 and 4:  Arrival and Yanacocha Reserve On Saturday, participants will fly to Quito via Atlanta on Delta Airlines, arriving at about 9 PM.  Other flight arrangements are possible, but will require additional transfer fees.  No matter your flight plans, we will have a representative from the local lodge meet you outside of customs gate and take you to the lodge. Get a good night sleep, as we will start early (about 6 PM) for Yanacocha Reserve.  We will bird along the way, taking an opportunity to enjoy a box breakfast.   On Sunday morning, we will start early (6 AM) to reach Yanacocha Reserve or “Inca Ditch”.  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. We will bird several locations as we head towards the Yanacocha Reserve and continue to bird as we come down the mountain going through a number of different habitats, as we drive towards a lodge in the cloud forest area about another hour's drive away. May 5 & 6:  Bellavista, Tandayapa Valley, Mindo Area, & Refugio Paz de las Aves On Monday morning, 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 lodges have feeders in the area and an additional ten to twenty species could be added to the trip list, 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 Jay. On Monday evening, we will end up in the Mindo area for some additional interesting birding and to assure a shorter drive in the morning for the Refugio Paz de las Aves. On Tuesday 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 Milpe area stopping in transit for a few birding opportunities. Continued to the right and above near the top of the page, below the White- bellied Woodstar.

Last Few Days on the Main Trip Itinerary:  High Altitude Species and East Slope of Andes May 9 to May 11:  Hot Springs Area, Guango, San Isidro, Guacamayos Trail, & the Antisana & Sumaco National Park On Friday morning, we will leave the hotel early to bird the higher elevation forest around the Termas Hot Springs Lodge.  On the east slope, we are more likely to find 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.  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 before getting to San Isidro. After morning birding, we will head towards the Guango Lodge to enjoy their hummingbird feeders, including 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.  Depending upon the pace of the day and Lelis’ sound judgement, we may take the time to bird the forest area around Guango Lodge.  Birds of particular interest which are seen regularly at Guango Lodge include 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 and Torrent Duck. Once finished with the Guango Lodge, we will try a few spots with great potential on the way to San Isidro where we will spend the night.  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.   Upon arriving to San Isidro in 2007, we added Bronzy Inca to our burgeoning list of over 40 species of hummingbirds.  We also added Highland Motmot and Andean Solitaire.  The resident bird guide (who I never tipped well enough) called in Chestnut-crowned Antpitta and White-bellied Antpitta. You will also have an opportunity for some great night birding at San Isidro where Andean Potoo (though rare) is sometimes staked-out and where Rufous-bellied Nighthawk is often found, along with Rufous-banded Owl, and Mottled Owls.  In recent years, a large and beautiful species of owl (though similar in appearance to the Black-banded Owl, may be new to science) emerges in the early evening and then hunts right next to the cabins on a nightly basis. On Saturday, the trip will continue at San Isidro.  Other potential trip birds likely to be added in the morning at San Isidro include White-capped Parrot, Powerful Woodpecker, Rufous-crowned Tody- Flycatcher, Pale-edged Flycatcher, Smoky Bush-Tyrant, Inca Jay, Black-billed Peppershrike, Saffron- crowned Tanager and hundreds of other species.    A short walk from the cabins, the forest awaits, where mixed understory and canopy flocks seemingly drip from the foliage.  Lelis will be along to help find Masked Trogon, Black-billed Mountain-Toucan, Streak-capped Treehunter, Striped Treehunter, Long-tailed Antbird, and Barred Antthrush.  Marble-faced Bristle Tyrant, Variegated Bristle-Tyrants and Sulphur-bellied Tyrannulet are a few of the list of varied tyrannids to be found in the mixed species flocks.  Also be on the look out for Black-chested Fruiteater, Dusky Piha, Pale-footed Swallow, Chestnut-breasted Chlorophonia, and Golden-collared Honeycreeper.  Also a wonderful selection of colorful tanager species can be found, including Red-hooded Tanager and White-capped Tanager.  Also, the gregarious Northern Mountain Cacique and Subtropical Cacique should be found. All of these species, among many others, are residents here and are frequently seen by visiting birders. San Isidro birds include a few rarities, which may be found, including Highland Tinamou, Greater Scythebill, Bicolored Antvireo, Peruvian Antpitta, Giant Antpitta, White-rimmed Brush-Finch, and maybe the White-faced Nunbird. A few more hummingbirds may also be added to the trip list including Bronzy Inca, Buff-tailed Coronet, Chestnut-breasted Coronet, Long-tailed Sylph, Gorgeted Woodstar and likely a few more species.   On Sunday, the trip will continue birding the San Isidro areas.  Locations which may be birded include nearby Guacamayos trail, and the Antisana and Sumaco National Park. New birds added to the trip in 2007 included Marble-faced Bristle-Tyrant, Yellow-throated Tanager, Red-breasted Blackbird, Black-and-Chestnut Eagle, Emerald Toucanet, Subtropical Cacique, Chestnut-breasted Chlorophonia, Blue-naped Chlorophonia, Saffron-crowned Tanager, White- capped Parrot, Rusty-winged Barbtail, Black-streaked Puffbird, Rufous Spinetail, Bluish Flowerpiercer, Russet-backed Oropendola, Black-billed Mountain-Toucan, Yellow-green Bush- Tanager, Scaly-naped Amazon, Golden-eyed Flowerpiercer, Handsome Flycatcher, and Golden- collared Honeycreeper In addition, more hummingbird species were seen including Buff-winged Starfrontlet, and White- tailed Hillstar. At 4 PM the tour will continue back to Quito so that participants can catch their 10 PM flight to Atlanta or catch an early morning flight to Sacha Lodge for the extension trip.

Sacha Lodge Extension:  May 12 to 16, 2008 May 12 to 16, 2008:  Sacha Lodge Extension Group On Monday morning, breakfast will be provided at the Quito area hotel.  The group must reach the VIP Hanger by 10:30 AM to catch the plane to Sacha Lodge. Pack 28 pound luggage for Sacha Lodge.  Extra luggage can be stored with at the Sacha Lodge hanger, with Lelis or at Quito area hotel. Once your flight arrives in Coca, you will be met by other Sacha representatives and a naturalist guide who will help retrieve luggage and get you transportation to be taken to their private house where you will be served  a quick lunch. May 12 from about 2 PM until May 16 in the morning, enjoy Birding, Other Wildlife and the Rainforest at Sacha Lodge.   The April 2007 group only added 140 species to the trip list at Sacha Lodge over 2 days.  The 2008 group should have much better birding, as they will be at Sacha for an extra full day.  Experienced Sacha birders have told me, we could add another 200 species (60 more than 2007) given better conditions and the extra day. The 2007 group added Cinereous Tinamou, Striated Heron, Cocoi Heron, Slate-colored Hawk, Slaty-backed Forest-Falcon, Black Caracara, Speckled Chachalaca, Marbled Wood-Quail, Chestnut-headed Crake, Cobalt-winged Parakeet, Black-headed Parrot, Dusky- headed Parakeet, Hoatzin, Tawny-bellied Screech-Owl, and Long-tailed Potoo. Additional hummingbirds included White-bearded Hermit, Straight-billed Hermit, Golden-tailed Sapphire, and Fork-tailed Woodnymph. Additional trogon species included Black-tailed Trogon, Amazonian White-tailed Trogon, and Amazonian Violaceous Trogon. Additional Toucans and related species included Golden-collared Toucanet, Many-banded Aracari, Ivory-billed Aracari, and White- throated Toucan. Additional woodpecker species included Lafresnaye’s Piculet, Little Woodpecker, Yellow-tufted Woodpecker, and Crimson-crested Woodpecker. The Sacha Lodge extension group also saw Brown Jacamar, Purplish Jacamar, Scarlet-crowned Barbet, Gilded Barbet, Pied Puffbird, Black-fronted Nunbird, Dark-breasted Spinetail, Chestnut-winged Hookbill, Cinnamon-rumped Foliage-gleaner, Castelnau’s Antshrike, Cinereous Antshrike, Plumbeous Antbird, White-plumed Antbird, Lunulated Antbird, Black-faced Antthrush, Rusty-belted Tapaculo, Screaming Piha, and Piratic Flycatcher. Additional rain forest species included Pink-throated Becard, Purple-throated Cotinga, Plum-throated Cotinga, Spangled Cotinga, Wire- tailed Manakin, Orange-crested Manakin, Musician Wren, Black-capped Donacobius, Red-capped Cardinal, Casqued Oropendola, and Orange-backed Troupial. The group also saw another dozen tanager species including Paradise Tanager, Opal-rumped Tanager, Paradise Tanager, Green-and- gold Tanager, Turquoise Tanager, Masked Crimson Tanager, and Flame-crested Tanager All meals and lodging will be provided by Sacha Lodge.  For more details on Sacha Lodge (check out www.sachalodge.com) Friday, May 16:  Start at Sacha Lodge and Begin Journey Home Early morning birding and breakfast at Sacha lodge. Boat to Coca (estimate leave time at about 10:30 AM). Flight departing Coca on VIP at 12:20 PM and arriving Quito at 12:50 PM. You will have lunch at a Quito area restaurant before packing at the hotel that afternoon. By 7 PM arrive at airport for 10 PM flight back through Atlanta and on to your final destination.  Most participants will arrive back in the Denver area at about 11 AM on Saturday. It is possible to fly back the next morning (but please contact us to discuss this possibility and the additional costs).

Brief Itinerary Saturday:  May 3:  Fly from Denver to Quito (9 PM Arrival) Sunday:  May 4:  Yanacocha Reserve and Other Locations towards Bellavista Reserve Monday:  May 5:  Bellavista and Tandayapa Valley Tuesday:  May 6:  Refugio Paz de Las Aves Wednesday:  May 7:  Rio Silanche and Milpe Area Thursday:  May 8:  Milpe Reserve and then Papallachta Pass Friday:  May 9:  High Forest, Guango Lodge to San Isidro Saturday:  May 10:  San Isidro and Surrounding Areas Guacamayos Trail, the Antisana and Sumaco National Park Sunday, May 11:  San Isidro and Surrounding Areas.   Those folks not choosing the extension, will be transferred to airport at about 4 PM to catch 10 PM flight. Extension:  Monday,  May 12 through Friday, May 16:  5 Days and 4 Nights at Sacha Lodge in Amazonian Rain Forest

Nestling Tour's Covey of Adults Itinerary for Ecuador CONTINUED..... May 7 and 8:  Andean Foothills and Tropical Forest:  Choco Endemics, Milpe Bird Sanctuary and Rio Silanche On Wednesday, 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 nearby eco-lodge, surrounded by a well-preserved forest.  We may find Glistening-green Tanager and other species new to the trip at this location. On Thursday, the first 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 Papallachta Pass for an opportunity to find a number of high elevations species.  We may try the Microwave Tower for Andean Condor and for Black-backed Bush Tanager.   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 can take a break from birding at some point and enjoy the hot springs at the Termas Hot Springs Lodge.

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