25 Nov

We left Urraca Lodge early and started on the long journey to Casa Simpson Lodge stopping for breakfast at  the town of Sabiango.  

Sabiango very early morning.

The town square held plenty of birds including good numbers of Grey-breasted Martin and Chestnut-collared Swallows, along with a single Peruvian Pygmy Owl.

Chestnut-collared Swallow - About 250 were present in the square and this was our only sightings of the species. 
The species is found in Western Ecuador and in Western Peru.

Chestnut-collared Swallow - They definitely like the old buildings for their nests!

A short video clip of nesting Chestnut-collared Swallows

Grey-breasted Martin - A common species which we saw on many days
 but this was the closest encounter. The species is extremely widespread
from Mexico to Argentina.

Peruvian Pygmy Owl - Our second time seeing this species
and too good an opportunity to turn up a photo opportunity.

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Next was a roadside stop near Utuana.  In the area we managed to see Silver-billed Tanager, Peruvian Tyrannulet, Tawny-rumped Tyrannulet, Streak-throated Bush-tyrant and Bi-colored Hawk.

Silvery Tanager -  Our only sighting of this species. 
This species is a Peruvian Near Endemic with small populations in Ecuador and Bolivia.

Streak-throated Bush-tyrant - Despite it's widespread range we only saw this species on this day. 
Found from NW Venezuela through Colombia, Ecuador, Bolivia into Argentina.

Bi-coloured Hawk - This photo enabled us to identify this Bi-coloured Hawk.  
Found from Southern Mexico to Uruguay.

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Our next site was a small reserve near Utuana where we hoped to find a few more species.  After a wander around the trails we managed to see Rainbow Starfrontlet, Long-billed Starthroat, Purple-throated Sunangel  and Amazilla Hummingbird from a Hummingbird feeding station. Nearby some of the group had a brief glimpse of a Slaty-backed Nightingale-thrush.  A White-browed Spinetail was a little easier to see.

Rainbow Starfrontlet - This was the species we were particularly hoping for at this site and
our only sighting. Another species with a range limited to Southern Ecuador and NW Peru.

Rainbow Starfrontlet - A nice view of the front!

Purple-throated Sunangel - Our only sighting of this species. 
Found in Southern Ecuador and  NW Peru.

Later we stopped at several locations where our sightings included Hepatic Tanager, Peruvian Tyrannulet and the scarce Black-crested Tit-tyrant and Tumbes Sparrow.

Black-crested Tit-tyrant - A near Peruvian Endemic with a very small population

 in SW Ecuador. A scarce species which was a lifer for our tour guide!

Tumbes Sparrow  - Our only sighting.  Only found in SW Ecuador and NW Peru.

Golden-olive Woodpecker - Seen on two days during our trip.
A very widespread species found from S Mexico, the N coast of S America and down the Andes to Argentina.

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Later in the journey we stopped at a marshy area which was next to a rather busy road.  Unfortunately we failed to see the hoped for Plumbeous Rail, despite one or more calling close by. However we had to return along this road, so we could have another attempt.  Other birds we did see included a Striated Heron and Fasciated Wren.

We arrived at Casa Simpson lodge just as the light was fading.  So time for a meal, the daily log and bed.

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