Ecuador Birding Trip

Monday, January 19

Barbara’s Notes

The day started off as a challenge. We had a plan to join seven other birders in our group who were early arrivals like us, to visit the active Volcan Cotopaxi, a magnificent mountain 5,897 m., about an hour and a half south of Quito. A unique birding hotspot. One of the group had arranged a special birding tour through our tour operator who was organizing everything. First alarm was hotel was not notified of our 6am departure (no breakfast ready) but they rallied and we were all at the front door at 6am with our daypacks. A call to the operator informed us departure was 8am (we all had email saying it was 6) but he would try to get things moved forward.

Actually, the ground operator quickly rallied a bird guide who arrived at 8 and a tour bus which arrived at 8:20. So, we finally departed, grateful the trip was a go. Weather was cool with those hovering wispy clouds again.
Some good memories:
• During the wait we enjoyed some spontaneous birding in the park across the street.
• Our last minute guide, Ronaldo, was experienced, enjoyable and spoke English pretty well (he called the ground - the floor "look at the bird over there on the floor!").

• Cotopaxi National Park provided a native lady, Maria to accompany us.
• Road in to the volcano brought back vivid memories of back country wilderness canoe trips – forging streams in a bus is unforgettable (nice to not be at the wheel).
• Amazing sightings of the volcano.
• And yes, we saw the rare Ecuadorian Hillstar hummingbird which only lives above 4000m.

Andean Lapwing	Andean Lapwing

Andean Teal	Blue-winged Teal

Andean Gull	Andean Coot

Ecuadorian Hillstar	Ecuadorian Hillstar

	Chiguanco Thrush

Stout-billed Cinclodes	Stout-billed Cinclodes

• We met some American and Swedish climbers – off to a base camp refuge at the snowline. You need to be accompanied by a certified Ecuadorian guide. Climbers planned to leave at midnight for summit in order to have time to descend before the sun made the snow soft and slippery.

Carunculated Caracara	Brazilian Rabbit

• Originally planned box lunches did not appear so, on the way back, we stopped for a late lunch at a 400 year old hacienda – complete with gardens and birds and a Cotopaxi Ecuadorian musical group (local instruments). We loved the sound!

Sparkling Violetear	Black-tailed Trainbearer

I did react to altitude again but had a comfortable bus close at hand to retreat to. Janet reacted even more severely and could not enjoy the delicious lunch at the hacienda.
The scenery is so incredible, challenges do not seem important...

Tomorrow we are off to the Mindo-Nono Road on the western slope of the Andes for more high elevation adventures. We hope to be adjusting to the altitude – it’s much harder than we expected.