Ecuador Birding Trip

Sunday, January 18

Barbara’s Notes

Quito’s air is definitely thinner than at home – have to breathe more. Because this morning was bright with whispy clouds, we decided to join five other bird tour early arrivals and take the TeleferiQo cable cars up a 4,100m mountain overlooking this magnificent city. Quito is a city of 3 million people, surrounded by mountains. A beauty. We were the first ones up to the top this morning. A pleasant young lady, Lisa, from Germany joined us. Always a marvel to meet someone who speaks several languages well (she translated some Spanish signs for us).We got some amazing views in spite of the clouds. We hiked about (birding, of course!) for a couple of hours. We all experienced lightheadness and needed frequent stops (not hard for birders). Bill noticed my face was quite yellow (jaundice). I checked in at a small medical station were I was informed I had low blood pressure and needed some oxygen (no Everest for me!). Strict orders to descend. So, Bill and I went down and relaxed with a local beer – called Pilsner.

Band-tailed Sierra Finch	Bar-winged Cinclodes

The two of us had an amazing afternoon. We found a driver, with a comfortable van, to chauffer us to and from the Quito zoo. It is in a town called Guayllabamba, about an hour’s drive north, through the valley. A delightful way to spend Sunday afternoon. We went for the condors and weren’t disappointed.

Black-and-Chestnut Eagle	King Vulture

Crested Eagle	Black-chested Buzzard-Eagle

Andean Condor juvenile	Andean Condor adult

Blue-and-Yellow Macaw	Scarlet Macaw

Southern Yellow-Grosbeak	Vermillion Flycatcher

Golden-rumped Euphonia	Rufous-collared Sparrow

Tonight our pre-tour group got together for dinner at a casual funky Ecuadorian restaurant. Off to bed now – 5am wake up time tomorrow.