After stopping off near the coast in Guayaquil and getting a taste of the Tumbesian realm (a bioregion in Ecuador filled with endemic birds), we headed up into the wet foothills of the Andes, and the fine Fundacion Jocotoco reserve of Buenaventura. Our first stop of the morning, (after a night which had yielded a Black-and-white Owl hunting by the lodge-my long-time bogey bird/nemesis), was, of course for the bird for which the lodge is named, the umbrellabird. We started down the trail just after dawn had lit up the forest, if only slightly, and as we descended our ears were greeted by the low mooing sound of the Long-wattled Umbrellabird; they were lekking (displaying for females). On arrival at "the spot" there it was, sat at eye level with a huge wattle dangled to full length and spread-eagled to full width, every so often he would dip his head and emit the low mooing sound that drew us towards him. Fantastic. Next up was Ochraceous Attila, a ginger flycatcher, which flew in right on cue. Then a visit to an unspectacular looking next box brought us spectacular views of a group of 8 El Oro Parakeets attending the nest. This was followed by a visit to a town for lunch, but not just any lunch. Lunch with a plumeleteer, White-vented Plumeleteer, which clearly seemed to enjoy the attention. We finished off with further views of the rowdy mob of Rufous-headed Chachalacas that hang around the lodge and entertain listers hungry for this on their precious world lists! What a day.
More photos from Buenaventura to come...
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