Ecuador - The East Slope (Part 2)

 

Black-crested Warbler

After a couple of days high up on the east slope, we moved down lower to San Isidro Lodge. After dinner we were in for a real treat - the San Isidro Owl, an undescribed species or subspecies of owl. It looks like a cross between a Black-banded Owl and a Black and White Owl, but both of those species occur at a much lower elevation. Additionally, this owl in it's present form has been living in the area of San Isidro for many years. To date though, the DNA work on figuring out exactly what species this owl is hasn't been done. A mystery to be solved another day.

San Isidro Owl

July 1, 2021. The next morning we spent some time birding from the elevated deck of the lodge. Lights at night bring in the moths and other insects, and with dawn come the birds to feast on the easy pickings. It was quite a show.

eBird List San Isidro Lodge

View from the elevated deck at San Isidro Lodge

Inca Green jay

Female Masked Trogon

Male Masked Trogon

Montane Woodcreeper

Pale-edged Flycatcher

The rest of the day was spent birding the roads near the lodge, then heading out in the afternoon to bird near the Quijos river. The photography wasn't great, but we did see some great birds. Best of all was the magical Torrent Duck who popped up on a rock in the river out of seemingly nowhere after we'd scanned for quite some time and pretty much given up. 

eBird List road to Quijos

eBird List Rio Quijos

Waterfalls flowing down the canyon wall to the river

Rio Quijos

Torrent Duck

July 2, 2021. The following day was our last birding day of the trip. We left early from the lodge and drove up to the Guacamayos Ridge, a high point on the road before it descends to the Amazon basin. We had some great birds here with lots of flyover swifts of several species at low altitude. Even though I'd seen it in Peru, my most wanted tanager was seen really well here - Grass-green Tanager. And a peekaboo look at the secretive Green-and-Black Fruiteater was pretty cool. 

eBird List Guacamayos Ridge

View toward the Amazon Basin from the ridge

Grass-green Tanager

Green-and-black Fruiteater

Unfortunately, all good things must end. In the afternoon we headed back to Quito for our flights home. Many thanks to our local guide Marcelo for finding us some great birds on the east side. And a very special thanks to tour leader, expert guide, and all around great guy Alvaro Jaramillo of Alvaro's Adventures for a wonderful trip to the Galapagos and East Slope of Ecuador!