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| The entrance to Casa Simpson Lodge |
After seeing Bearded Guan at first light before heading out to the Jocotoco Antpitta trail. This species was only discovered in 1997 and is only found at this site!
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| Bearded Guan - We only saw this species at this site. The limited distribution only extends from Southern Ecuador to NE Peru. |
After arriving at the start of the trail we had a reasonable walk to get to the Antpitta area.
On the way we saw several species including Golden-plumed Parakeet, Yellow-breasted Brushfinch and an Opal-rumped Tanager. We were taken to the site by a local guide and on arriving at the feeding station he placed some meal worms???? on the ground and called the Antpittas. Within a few minutes a Chestnut-naped Antpitta appeared and started feeding. Very soon after that a Jocotoco Antpitta also arrived and moved around the feeding area for some time giving excellent photo opportunities.
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| Golden-plumed Parakeets - Not easy to photograph in the trees! The diagnostic yellowish stripe behind the eye can just be seen. Locally distributed in high-elevation forests near treeline along the Andes from Colombia through much of Peru. |
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| Chestnut-naped Antpitta - Our only sighting of this species. It is found from Colombia through Ecuador to the very NW tip of Peru. |
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| The Chestnut-naped Antpitta was good at beating the Jocotoco Antpitta to the Worms. |
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| Jocotoco Antpitta - Our only visit to the site. The species is never seen away from the Tapichalaca Reserve between 2,300 and 2,600 metres altitude. |
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| Three individuals were seen. A candidate for "Bird of the Trip". |
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| Hooded Mountain-Tanager - Our only sighting. This large tanager is fairly common and widespread in the upper subtropical and temperate zones of the Andes between the Venezuelan border to Bolivia. |
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| Crimson-mantled Woodpecker - Our second sighting of this woodpecker in two days. |
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| White-throated Screech-Owl - Our only sighting . Found in Andes temperate forests, typically from around 2,300–3,400 metres between Venezulea and Bolivia. |
The area contained many species of birds so as we made our way back along the trail we spent more time watching these. They included Gray-breasted Mountain-Toucan, Montane Woodcreeper, the impressive Hooded Mountain-Tanager, Lacrimose Mountain-tanager, Grass Green Tanager, Red-headed Barbet, Crimson-mantled Woodpecker and excellent views of a White-throated Screech-Owl. Flying up and down the valley were the occasional and rather scarce Pale-footed Swallow.
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| Golden-crowned Tanager - Not identified in the field but later picked up from photos! This species is restricted to the Andes in Colombia and Ecuador with small populations in Venezuela and Peru. |
We went back to the lodge for lunch and spent a time photographing the Hummingbirds which included Chestnut-breasted Coronet, Amethyst-throated Sunangel, Little Sunangel and Andean Emerald.
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| Little Sunangel - This species has a restricted range and is limited to S Ecuador and N Peru. |
After this we visited the nearby town of Valladolid which had a rather nice riverside walk. A variety of species were seen including Torrent Tyrannulet, Olivaceous Siskin, Hooded Siskin, Yellow-browed Sparrow and Yellow-breasted Brush-finch Not far from the town we saw several Marañon Thrushes which has a very restricted range in this area of Ecuador, with the main range of the species being in northern Peru.
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| Torrent Tyrannulet - A water loving species found in Costa Rica, Panama and down the west side of South America from Venezuela to Bolivia. |
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| Golden-faced Tyrannulet - The distribution extends from Venezuela through Colombia, Ecuador and a few stragglers in Peru. |
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| Marañon Thrush - This was our only opportunity to see this species as it is a Near Peruvian Endemic with a small population in the southern tip of Ecuador. |
We then returned to Casa Simpson Lodge for dinner and overnight stay.
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