At the end of the previous post we had moved across the Cauca Valley and into the Central Andes, continuing our zig-zag route north toward Medellín.
August 22-23, 2022. Based out of the town of Periera, we spent a day and a half exploring Otùn Quimbaya Fauna and Flora Sanctuary. There were a number of bird targets we were hoping for, but certainly the highlight of the visits was seeing the endangered Mountain (or Andean) Tapir. Driving up the mountain on the first morning in near darkness we saw one walking ahead of the vehicles, right out on the road. We even got some low light photos before it wandered off into the rainforest. The birding was outstanding and we picked up a number of life birds.
August 24, 2022. The afternoon before we had moved to the other side of the mountain and the town of Santa Clara. Early in the morning we left for the high mountain reserve of Finca El Cortaderal. This is one of the few places in the world where the highly endangered Indigo-winged (Fuertes) Parrot can be found. The canyon where the parrots live is huge, and their numbers are small, but with perseverance we found a small group and got some decent spotting scope looks, along with many other fantastic birds.
August 25, 2022. Mostly a travel day, with some brief birding stops to stretch our legs. The highlight stop was "The Tree," overhanging a deep valley along a busy road, where the very limited distribution Turquoise Dacnis can often be seen. We were fortunate, and a pair of Dacnis were reasonably well seen. Continuing on we made it to the small village of Pueblo Rico for the transfer to 4X4 vehicles. From here we would head into the mountains and one of the big highlights of the trip - Montezuma.
Chocolate shopping!
The small village of Pueblo Rico
Turquoise Dacnis
August 26-28, 2022. We are now on the west slope of the West Andes in one of the most bio-diverse places in the world. The Montezuma Rainforest Lodge, and adjoining Tatamá National Natural Park, are one of the premier birding destinations anywhere. On the 9 mile road from the lodge to the top of Cerro Montezuma, nearly 600 bird species have been found. For the next two days we would explore the full length of the road and see many of the special birds. At the top of the road is a small military base where we would begin our exploration. Right away we picked up two of the endemics, Chestnut-bellied Flowerpiercer and Munchique Wood-Wren. We continued down the road on foot, spending most of the day carefully birding to top half of the road, especially happy to see the endemic Gold-ringed Tanager.
On the second day we drove up early to the mid-point and birded downhill from there. As the elevational change on the mountain is significant, so is the change in bird species.
On the last morning we birded close to the lodge before it was time to move on again. It was bittersweet to leave such an amazing place, but more adventure awaited.
An orchid where the flower is at the base of the leaf
Another miniature orchid, possibly Leptanthes Montezumae, an endemic to the mountain described in 2018
Susan, Alejandro and our local guide Fernando
Back in Pueblo Rico to meet up with driver Erney, we stop at the local coffee truck. Amazing coffee!!
Blue-capped Tanager
Chestnut-bellied Flowerpiercer
Chestnut-breasted Chlorophonia
Club-winged Manakin
Club-winged Manakin breeding display
This Club-winged Manakin put on quite a show for us with his breeding display. The wings on this species are specially adapted to make this noise while the wings move more at 100 times per second - faster than a hummingbird wings. Be sure to turn on the sound when you watch the video. Alejandro narrates. Video link for those reading by email: https://youtu.be/CMBRSDjI8hk
Wow!
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