Day 12 - Eldorado to Minca, Colombia

Owling at 4.30 am!   A great start to the day.    Several of us joined Colin and Trevor our guides for this jaunt - others who shall remain nameless (pj) decided on another hour's sleep!

My cabin in the woods

Our first two attempts once again failed, but with only two hardy souls (some would say mad!) determined not to let the birds beat us Trevor decided that we  should try a rather strenuous yomp up a very muddy track (bear in mind dear reader that it is still only 5 am, and pitch black).   Eventually we had gained sufficient height  for Trevor to try again.   One screech owl started to respond to the tape, and then a second, finally a third joined in.   At this stage no further taping was required as the birds were responding to each other - a great experience to be in the midst of.   

Suddenly Trevor called us both forward - he had found the bird.   No binoculars were required as it sat on a small cross branch just feet from us.  As we watched in quiet awe, the bird turned to look at us with it's amazing eyes gleaming in the light from the torch.    We continued to watch with the other two birds calling from a distance, in response the bird before us flew off into the early morning light not to be seen again.    We decided that it was a young bird as some of the feathers were a little lighter than we would have expected from an adult.

Coffee beans drying

We needed to do a route-march back to base to arrive just a few minutes late for breakfast, but elated with our experience.

For our morning's walk we took the road below the lodge, with the jeeps moving with us in case of need.   A male golden-breasted fruiteater, showed well just outside the lodge.

On a small side trail we caught up with grey-throated leaftosser, montane woodcreeper, long-tailed antbird, and had the most fantastic views of rusty-breasted Antpitta,  Santa marta tapaculo proved elusive with several heard before we finally managed to see one.   Olive-sided flycatcher, dusky-capped flycatcher, a juvenile rusty flowerpiercer.  

After an early lunch it was time to move on to our next site and the hotel at Minca which we had visited on our way up the mountain a couple of days before.   Not wishing to miss any opportunity to see some new birds we stopped regularly along the way to check for new species.   Streaked xenops, Santa  marta foliage-gleaner, bran-coloured flycatcher, a great sighting of orange-billed nightingale-thrush, adult male rusty flowerpiercer, to name but a few.

Green violetear

We arrived at Minca just as darkness fell and were all only to keen to have dinner and retire for a well earned rest.   Around midnight a Colombian gentleman was heard calling out "buenous noches" apparently in a vain attempt to gain a bed for the night.

Day 11 - San Lorenzo Ridge and El Dorado, Colombia

Our full day at El Dorado and we took the jeeps up to the San Lorenzo Ridge at 2800 m.

The view from the San Lorenzo Ridge

The mist and clouds swirled around us and made birding a little challenging, but we still managed to add the following - several being new birds for my life list - Santa Marta Parakeet, red-billed parrot, scaly-naped parrot, brown-rumped tapaculo, olive-striped flycatcher, black-throated tody-tyrant, Santa Marta bush-tyrant, yellow-bellied chat-tyrant, Santa Marta mountain-tanager, black flowerpiercer, golden-bellied grosbeak, yellow-crowned whitestart and Santa Marta warbler.

Misty forest

Soon it was time to go back to the lodge for lunch and a quick siesta before we moved on to birding just outside the lodge on the road.   White-tipped quetzal, santa-marta woodstar, emerald toucanet, rusty-headed spinetail, blue-capped tanager and yellow-crowned whitestart joining our ever-increasing tour list.
We had an appointment back at the lodge at 5 pm wgeb a member of staff was due to put out food for santa marta antpitta.   Despite our waiting for about half an hour the bird did not show.   We had great views and sounds of black-chested jay.

Not to be outdone, we decided that a quick try for some night birding might be in order before dinner, and with Santa Marta screech-owl calling, we stood in the dark forest with the tape playing.  Unfortunately the fates were against us yet again, and as the rain started to fall mottled owl called (thus preventing any other owls responding as it frightens all others away).   A few of us tried a second site, but again we unsuccessful.   Maybe tomorrow . . .

Day 10 - El Valle, Minca, El Dorado, Colombia

This morning we left the hotel at Rhodadero to drive a short distance to an area good for chestnut-winged chachalaca, El Valle.  A picnic breakfast was swiftly done and then it was down to the serious business of bird spotting.   The birds were soon seen as they came out of roost.  

Minca balcony

We then continued on to Minca Lodge where we sat on the balcony watching hummingbirds and drinking fruit juice, coffee and eating delicious chocolate brownies.   Long-billed hermit, long-billed starthroat,  steely-vented hummingbird amongst the main participants.  

Violet-crowned woodnymph

Soon it was time to continue up the mountain to tonight's destination - El Dorado.   On the way we stopped to look for birds and added a brilliant sighting of black-and-white owl to our list.  Whooping motmot, scaled piculet, streak-capped spinetail, black-backed antshrike, pale-eyed pygmy-tyrant and social flycatcher all made appearances.   We finally arrived at our destination, spending some time birding in the garden and by the hummingbird feeders where green violetears, blossomcrown,Santa Marta woodstar and lazuline sabrewing used the free food source; before moving onto the track outside for a great view of a female golden breasted fruiteater.  Black hawk-eagle was spotted overhead.  Sickle-winged and band-tailed guan were in the same tree near the lodge and black-breasted wood-quail enjoyed the compost heap nearby.   

Finally we got settled into our rooms and had dinner.   A great surprise was hot showers as we had been told to expect cool/tepid/cold showers all the way.   Two nights in prospect.

Day 9 - Cerulean Warbler Reserve, San Vicente, to Santa Marta, Colombia

On the outskirts of San Vincente

Today we were transferring to the Santa Marta area of Colombia, but first we had some birding to do.   We took the jeeps down the hill for a short while  then stopped for some birding, once more in wellies, once again on hilly terrain.   We worked our way gradually down to San Vicente where we drove into town to a local cafe for aripes and hot chocolate. 

Landslide

On the way we noted chestnut-winged chachalacas, brown violetear, double-banded greytail, tropical pewee, masked tityra, cinereous becard, yellow-browed shrike-vireo, white-lined tanager, white-eared conebill, white-sided flowerpiercer, thick-billed seed-finch, black-and-white warbler (looking just like a humbug), yellow-rumped cacique, carib grackle, golden-rumped euphonia and a decidedly handsome white-vented euphonia, very scarce in this part of Colombia.

Then we continued for a further 3 hours back to the main road where we had a picnic lunch under the cover of a petrol station, here we also changed from our wellies as we had to fly to Bogota and then Santa Marta.

Bearing in mind that we left the lodge at 5.30 am, and after two flights arrived at the hotel for the night at 10pm, we were all shattered, but our alarms were set for a 5 am departure yet again tomorrow.

Day 8 - Cerulean Warbler Reserve - Colombia

After the strenuous walk the day before I was amazed to be able to walk with ease, and no aches and pains.   Wellingtons were the order of the day again, but this time we started off in the lodge garden looking for turquoise dacnis.   After some time we finally spotted one, and watched it for a few minutes before it disappeared, only to reappear somewhere completely different a while later.

Our canine companion

Ruddy Ground-Dove

Around 6am we moved off this time up a lane nearby which followed a contour line along the side of the hill.   Phil having made friends with the reserve puppy, lived to regret this as the dog insisted on joining us on our walk.   Despite our attempts at canine training in spanish, we failed miserably and the dog persisted in flushing birds and generally causing mayhem, getting into fights with local hounds - but by the end of the morning everyone was endeared to him, we shared our morning snacks and Colin gave up his water to give the dog a drink.
We managed to add boat-billed flycatcher, rufous-browed peppershrike, niceforo's wren, flame-rumped tanager, white-eared conebill, hepatic tanager, giant cowbird were all added for the day.

In the afternoon we took a short stroll down the road below the lodge, the rain arrived soon after we started the walk and somewhat curtailed our walk, but we did add cattle tyrant, and bat falcon.

Day 7 - Cerulean Warbler Reserve - THE WALK FROM HELL - Colombia

Today we did the walk from hell!

pastureland near the lodge

Leaving at 5.30 am, we took a trail from the lodge up through pastures and into a small wooded area where hummingbird feeders had been placed.   Here we saw  gorgeted wood-quail coming into a feeding station, along with lined quail-dove.   We also manged to see speckled humming bird, black inca, buff-tailed coronet, booted racket-tail, green-crowned brilliant, andean emerald and indigo-capped hummingbird.  
As the weather had been wet the ground was wet and sloppy, and we were walking in wellingtons.   At one stage we passed a bank where there were holes used by puffbirds for nesting - Colin was in puffbird heaven.  We continued to climb, birding as we went, until at around 12.30, we stopped on a top ridge for lunch.   We were tired, aching but hungry, and as one of the members of staff had walked up especially to deliver our lunch, it was the least we could do to enjoy it.   Warm rice, lentils and
shredded chicken. 

Puffbird nesting area

At the higher levels on the way down we saw golden headed quetzal, moustached puffbird, ash-browed spinetial, montane foliage-gleaner, olive-backed woodpecker, parker's antbird, long-tailed tapaculo, upper magdalen tapaculo, yellow-bellied elaenia, ornate flycatcher, scale-crested pygmy-tyrant, white-throated spadebill, cinnamon flycatcher, golden-crowned flycatcher, golden-winged manakin, green jay, blue-winged mountain-tanager, beryl-spangled tanager, bluish flowerpiercer, chestnut-capped brush finch, common bush-tanager, golden-winged warbler, canada warbler, slate-throated whitestart, three-striped warbler, russte-backed oropendola and orange-bellied euphonia to name but a few.

Our journey down was no less exacting with legs aching with every step and our knees screaming with the exertion of tufting not to slip or fall.   At the end of the main hill walk I took the opportunity to go back to look at the hummingbird feeders again, and by now (around 4.30 pm) things were a lot
busier with the birds desperate to feed up before bed.

Finally got back to the lodge for 5.30 pm, had a quick coffee, watched the feeders outside my room where ruddy ground-doves enjoyed the bananas, then I showered before dinner and checklist.

Day 6 - Cerulean Warbler Reserve - Colombia

Cerulean Warbler Reserve

Today we transferred from El Paujil to the Cerulean Warbler reserve.   As the river hadn't dropped we were able to leave by boat, which was our preferred route.    Breakfast was at 5.30 am, we hung around the lodge until the boat arrived and left at 6.30.   Unlike our arrival, the walk down the river bank was cut into definite steps which made life easier, and when we arrived at the town the mud was far less gloopy, and there was no audience to put us off!   Spotted sandpipers were seen on the sandy banks of the river.

Undulating countryside along our journey

We travelled along the dirt road for about three hours with several birding stops.   A squirrel cuckoo showed really well on a wire fence at the side of the bus.   Two pied puffbirds delighted us by performing like bookends, whilst we watched and photographed them, seemingly unaware of our presence.   Northern screamers were in the same area as before, along with ibis, cocoi heron, savannah hawk.   We stopped at a roadside cafe just on the Pan-American Highway for elevenses I had a berry milkshake which was superb, if a little large.   Here we scanned the river which was high and had covered several sandbanks which we had hoped to bird.   Black skimmers were in the distance.    An hour or so further on we stopped for lunch, I had vegetable soup which as usual had meat in it - typically Colombian.  

Looking for sandbars!

We carried on towards the next reserve, meeting up with our three jeeps which were to take us up the rocky and winding road leading to the lodge.   We made a comfort stop at an outlying building -primitive but working, and then we continued up through a town where we stopped for some cold remedy for one of the group, this gave the rest of us time to watch the world go by.   It was now dark
and raining.   After about 3 hours in the jeeps we finally arrived, had dinner and settled into our rooms, which were set in a row with a short walk over to the dining room.  
I had the nearest room which ended up being the way through to the verandah, so everyone was invited into view the feeders.

Day 5 - El Paujil - Colombia

Wading thrugh the mud

Our last day at El Paujil reserve, and a more overcast and humid day than before.   This morning we took the same trail as yesterday out of the lodge and tried again for bare-crowned antbird and black antshrike.   Neither bird responded so we moved off to a new trail running alongside a river, however we needed to cross the small stream before we could start.   Muddy and slippy, with a bit of help from Colin and Trevor our guides we all made it up the slope safely, then it was level walking through forest for short distances until we crossed the stream once more.   After four crossings we carried on walking down stream, thank goodness for our wellies!
Eventually the walk took us up hill through denser forest and finally back onto the road that we had walked yesterday.

Our bird highlights for the morning were:  striated heron on the pond, cattle egret flying from their night roost, rufous-tailed hummingbird, violet-bellied hummingbird, bartered trogon (a split from violaceous) black-breasted puffbird, white-whiskered puffbird, white-mantled barbet, crimson-crested woodpecker, northern barred wood creeper, ochre-bellied flycatcher, purple-throated fruitcrow, plain-coloured tanager, near the end of our morning's walk we finally caught up with beautiful woodpecker - a lovely bird and well worth waiting for.   As we neared the lodge, the children met us as they walked home from school, and they looked at photographs we had taken, and walked back with us.

Wood still being cut in the unprotected forest

At lunchtime and over our siesta time we spotted common tody flycatcher and I had great views of both pale bellied and rufous breasted hermit.   At 4 pm,  when the temperature had abated a little (humidity was over 80%), we walked to a mirador where we added swallow-tailed kite, barred puffbird, long-tailed tyrant and a crested oropendola flew over.   As we watched for any other new birds Trevor heard bare-crowned antbird, we shot off down the track back onto the main trail where we had already tried 3 times before, but this time the bird responded immediately, and I had great views.

By now it was time to return to the lodge, and several of us celebrated with a beer - a fine puff bird and endemics day.   I took video of Phil trying to remove Colin's wellies for him.    Laughing falcon was calling in the distance.

Rufous-tailed Jacamar

As we did the checklist paraque called, but sadly no hint of an owl tonight, John had a great lizard on the outside of his cabin which I took photos of. 

Day 4 - El Paujil - Colombia

El Paujil

Today we spent our time around the El Paujil Reserve - starting with a lie in - as breakfast wasn't until 5.30 am!   We left for our walk at 6am.

We walked from the lodge in Wellington boots as overnight rain had made parts of the walk muddy, slippy and gloopy.   Birds came thick and fast at one of our early stops with blue and yellow macaw flying overhead, chestnut fronted macaw, blue headed parrot, chestnut mandibled toucan, channel billed toucan and collared araçari all seen.   As we continued along the trail passing out of the
reserve, along the road and back into the reserve some 7 hours later, a host of birds were seen and heard - including: great and little tinamou (heard), Colombian chachalaca, cattle egret, turkey, black and lesser yellow-headed vulture, king vulture, hook billed kite, double toothed kite, roadside hawk, short-tailed hawk, black-hawk eagle (h), white collared swift, short-tailed swift, black-throated mango, blue chested hummingbird, broad-billed motmot, white-tailed trogon, closely followed by rufous-tailed jacamar then a rufous motmot was heard, but did not respond to playback.

Butterfly

White-fronted nun bird was seen, beautiful woodpecker was heard, responded but did not come near enough for us to see.   We had more luck with cinnamon and lineated woodpecker, wedge-billed wood creeper, straight-billed wood creeper, chestnut backed antbird, forest elaenia, brown-capped tyrannulet, sepia-capped flycatcher, black-headed today-flycatcher, Acadian flycatcher, eastern
wood-peewee, panama flycatcher, great crested flycatcher, striped manakin showed really well with it's red cap and striped breast, white bearded manakin were lekking by the side of the trail, golden headed manakin, black-crowed tityra, several black-chested jays, white-breasted  wood-wren, grey-headed tanager, golden-hooded tanager, yellow-backed tanager, ruddy-breasted seedeater, sooty-ant-tanager, bay breasted warbler, orange-crowned oriole, thick-billed and fulvous-vented euphonia.

At lunch there were the following hummingbirds at the feeders which detracted from lunch for a while; White-necked jacobin, rufous-breasted hermit, pale-bellied hermit, White-vented plumeleteer, lesser kisskidee, swallow tanager.   After lunch we had a couple of hours to rest, then we were off again at 4 pm along the river.

Rufous-tailed Jacama

Marbled wood quail, greater ani, plain-brown woodcreeper, black-striped wood creeper, streak-headed wood creeper, rusty margined flycatcher, cinnnamon becard, black-billed flycatcher was a little shy in the morning but was far more obliging in the afternoon.
As we finished for the day and the light dimmed the more enthusiastic amongst us watched pauraque, feeding on insects in the evening light.  Turtle or terrapin in the pond dived from view and a morpho butterfly found its evening roost.

Day 3 - Clarito Botero and El Paujil, Colombia

Clarito Botero

Another 4.45am start, and it was off in jeeps for a quick breakfast in a local 24 hour cafe.   Pastries with ham cheese and pineapple were chosen by most of the group, accompanied by milky coffee.   Breakfast over and it was time to make our journey up the hillside in our two jeeps to the area of Clarita Botero.   For some of us it was  reminiscent of our jeepney experiences in Vietnam a couple of years ago.   

Butterfly

Unfortunately, we were stopped about half way up the hill track by a fallen tree and one of the many landslides we were to see.    We started to walk, and along the way we saw: crimson rumped toucanet, red-crowned woodpecker (we heard both lineated and spot-breasted woodpecker and pale-breasted spinetail), slaty spinetail, plain xenops,bar-crested antshrike, plain antvireo, sooty-headed tyrannulet, pale-vented pigeon, southern-beardless tyrannulet, golden -faced tyrannulet, apical flycatcher for a second day, rufous-naped greenlet, black-bellied wren which gave even better views than the previous day, grey-cheeked, swainson's, and pale-breasted thrush all added to the day.  Scrub, bay headed, golden, and blue-necked tanager, were joined by black-faced and blue dacnis, bananaquit, dull-coloured grassquit, buff-throated and streaked saltator, yellow-bellied seedeater, summer tanager, rose-breasted grosbeak, tropical parula, blackburnian warbler, American redstart, rufous-capped and buff-rumped warbler, lesser goldfinch and a pair of yellow-backed oriole sat in a tree in the mid distance but their yellow plumage showed well against the green background of trees.   White-necked jacobin, green-fronted lance bill, white-vented plumleteer, and violet-crowned woodnymph added to our hummer list.

Roadside Bar

Around 9am we left the hillside in the jeeps and met our mini-bus driver with the main luggage, after a stop for drinks and snacks of banana, pears, and biscuits we were on our way to El Paujil - a 4-5 hour journey.  We stopped around 12.30 for lunch at a roadside cafe, and also did some birding as we neared the El Paujil area.   Northern screamers were our main hope, and we found 3 in nearby fields, along with black-capped donacobius, yellow-chinned spinetail, great, snowy and cattle egret, a striated heron, white-headed marsh-tyrant, great kisskidee, fork-tailed flycatcher, a tropical mockingbird was mobbing a white-tailed kite and red breasted blackbird was spotted in between the reeds.

The journey to El Paujil

El Paujil Lodge

At our second stop we saw blue-and-yellow macaw, chestnut fronted macaw, saffron finch, blue-black grassquit.   On the journey we saw ringed kingfisher, black-bellied whistling duck, Colombian chachalaca, neotropical cormorant, bare-faced ibis, turkey, black and lesser yellow-headed vulture, pearl kites seemed to enjoy sitting on the telegraph poles alongside the road, savannah and oadside hawks, a couple of laughing falcons, crested and yellow-headed caracara, purple gallinule, southern lapwing, wattled jacana, ruddy ground dove,rock pigeon, blue-headed parrot, squirrel cuckoo, greater and smooth-billed ani, vermillion flycatcher, blue-and-white swallow, southern rough winged swallow, grey-breasted martin and rufous-collared sparrow.   Eventually we had arrived in a small town literally "at the end of the road".   Here we got into boats watched by the locals just waiting for a bit of entertainment of some tourists tripping in the thick mud that led the way down to the riverside.   All safely on board it only took 20minutes or so to reach our home for the next three nights.   I had one of the further chalet rooms near the river, over rather tortuous bamboo steps and a bridge.

As we had dinner and did the checklist crested owl and tropical screech-owl called.

Day 2 - La Florida and Imbarge, Colombia

Today we went to La Florida in the Bogota suburbs, this is a golf course which has a large lake and reed beds along the edge.   The altitude is around 2600m.

La Florida

Our main hopes for the morning were Apolinar's wren, yellow-hooded blackbird and numerous water related species.

We walked alongside the fairway, and as it was only around 5.30 am, there were few golfers on the course to watch out for.   We spotted the area of reed bed ahead of us, but seemingly beyond a large area of flooding.   As we neared the pool we saw that there was in fact a wooden block causeway just under the water.
A pair of bare-faced ibis flew up as we stopped to view the scene.   Amongst the birds seen here were northern waterthrush, house wren and tropical kingbird.   Barn swallow and brown-bellied swallow swooped over the water. 

Eastern Wood-pewee

Our guide heard Apolinar's wren which immediately responded to playback appearing in front of us.   A second bird called from further away.   The first bird stayed close to us allowing the more sophisticated photographers the chance of a good shot.
We walked along the side of the water area in soggy ground where our Wellington boots came into their own.   an eastern wood peewee caught flies as it darted from a dead branch.   An oriole sang from one of the trees but was left for another day.

On the large lake were black-bellied whistling duck, Andean teal, blue-winged teal and ruddy duck.  A yellow-billed cuckoo was spotted nearby and a snipe was flushed ahead of us, but remained unidentified between noble or wilsons.

Soon it was time for us to leave so we retraced our steps back to the reed bed where we started to give one last chance for some new birds.   A broad-winged hawk perched in a nearby tree, yellow-hooded blackbirds were screeching in defence, but the hawk didn't appear interested.   A merlin flew through,

Rufous-collared Sparrow

reminding us of home, then a peregrine appeared.   The merlin flew back and landed in a nearby tree, showing off the barred tail which this subspecies has.   In the distance a white-tailed kite was mobbed by a brave tropical kingbird.

After a very welcome snack in the 19th hole of hot chocolate and traditional Colombian potato cake, we were off on our lengthy journey to Imbargé at 800m.  
On the way we stopped at Payande where we saw large numbers of scarlet fronted parakeets, spectacled parrotlet, orange chinned parakeet, sparkling violetear, and barred ant shrike.   We had great views of silvery-throated spinetail and sub-tropical doradito, a very smart black-bellied wren,  slate-headed tody-flycatcher, great-crested flycatcher, and our main hope for the site - apical flycatcher which showed well initially,  but after a while we had at least three birds flying around.   Our whole visit to this site was accompanied by the shreeking from the scarlet-fronted parakeets which just about drowned out the sound of anything else.   A rufous-browed peppershrike did it's best to be heard.

Eventually it was rime to move on to our bed for the night, in the town of Imbargé.   The hotel was okay with slightly run down rooms, but it was ideally placed for our next day's journey.

Colombia - Day 1 - Chingaza NP

Our first day of birding in Colombia, and a great start with good birds and weather.

Chingaza NP

We left our hotel at 5am to drive to Chingaza National Park which lies at up to 3200m above sea level. The weather was cool when we first arrived, but warmed up as the day wore on. Sunny spells gave way to overcast skies in the afternoon.

On a rock in a stream on the way to the main birding area Phil spotted a white-capped dipper so the bus stopped to let everyone have a good view.    Whilst we were checked into the park by our guides we watched a rufous wren.    We moved off to investigate two other nearby sites, where we saw white throated tyrannulet, rufous-browed conebill and golden-fronted whitestart.    Soon it was time to move on to a more secluded part of the park which is sectioned off with a locked gate - a guard came with us to unlock.    Our primary target in this area was brown-breasted parakeet, but on the way to them we had a long, steep walk (not helped by being at altitude) and a lot more birds to see.   We panted and puffed our way up the slope.

Chingaza NP

Red-crested cotinga, great thrush, scarlet-bellied, hooded and buff-breated mountain-tanager, blue and black tanager, plain-coloured seedeater, pale-naped brush-finch, glossy flowerpiercer, plushcap, slaty brush-finch, black-crested warbler, mountain and yellow-billed cacique, white-chinned thistletail, white-browed spinetail and Andean siskin were seen.

Black-billed mountain-toucan made us work for the sighting, but it was well worth the effort. Hummingbirds were also seen with tyrian metaltail, glowing puffleg, shining sunbeam, and amethyst throated sunangel showing well.

White-throated tyrannulet

The parakeets we were seeking flew noisily overhead a couple of times but always out of view so it was decided that we would have to continue down the track to an area where there were
nest boxes, and hopefully sight of these delightful parakeets.    After our guide had done some exploratory work we trooped into a field where we soon saw a bird perched on a tree in the middle distance.   Good views with the scope and even some digiscoping.   White-collard swift flew over our heads as we picnicked in the field with more of the parakeets flying about.

We took the return journey uphill very slowly with our lungs working at full stretch, we hadn't been in Colombia for a whole day yet!   Mountain caciques were seen as were yellow-billed cacique. Black-chested buzzard-eagle soared overhead, white-tailed kite, roadside hawk and broad-winged hawk were all seen whilst in the park.

Brown-breasted Parakeet

Once back at the bus we had the job of pushing the vehicle out of a mud bath, not easy with several of us getting covered in flying mud as the wheels failed to get a grip.   After about 20 minutes we finally got on our way, and were off to Guasca National Park.   On the journey we saw band-tailed pigeon, Andean guan and great egret. After we had negotiated a couple of bridges made of pallets we were on our way to some ponds for water birds, and Bogota rail in particular.  
The rail was seen easily by Colin B, and soon we all had the chance to look at it through the scopes. Andean teal, blue-winged teal, masked duck, striated heron, a black vulture, and a couple of white-tailed kite, common and spot-flanked gallinule, american coot and southern lapwing were all added to our day's list.

Eventually we had to leave for the journey back to the city, dinner and an early night as we were all exhausted from our first day's Colombian birding.

Greeb eyed fly

On the way back to the hotel we were stopped by the police who decided that we needed to have yellow lights rather than the White ones that had been used around Bogota for the last year or so. After about 15 minutes we negotiated our departure, and arrived back around 7.15 pm, with dinner and checklist at 8.

Dungeness

Just a quick entry about today's trip to Dungeness.   After a few grey dull days, it was great to be out in some warm autumn sunshine.   Dungeness, as always, did not disappoint.   We concentrated on the RSPB reserve in the morning, where we saw many ducks including, tufted, mallard, teal, pochard, wigeon and pintail.   A water rail showed fleetingly and was confused with moorhen by a couple of other birders in the hide - until we put them straight!

Cormorants and greylag geese, great crested and little grebe, herring gull, great black-backed gull and black-headed gull shared one of the larger islands, and lapwings took over most of the smaller islands, with several dunlin and golden plover.   Beyond the Scott hide a small group were looking for a Pallas' warbler which had been seen in the last few days.   We caught up with blue and great tit, robin, dunnock, wren and chaffinch.

At Denge Marsh hide a kingfisher flew past as we arrived, for our lunch.   We watched little egret, great white egret more lapings and gulls, and a glossy ibis on the pool.   A marsh harrier was hunting over the reeds and crows squabbled over tenancy of the smaller islands.   A few dunlin were feeding in a large flock of lapwing, taking protection from the larger birds.

We walked back to the car park, giving the Pallas' warbler one last chance to see us, unfortunately the bird had other ideas, but a short-eared owl gave us great views both from the track and also flew past us as we drove off to the Hanson hide at the ARC pit reserve.   Here we added smew and goldeneye to our day's list.   Along the road we scanned for a long-tailed duck which had been reported.    I spotted a small diving duck at the back of the pool by the reeds, and when we had the telescope on it, confirmed the long-tailed.

On the way back we took a circuitous route via Lydd to see if any swans were on the fields, but we were disappointed on this occasion.

Flatford Mill

After our Cambridge travels we decided to come back to Kent via Flatford Mill.   Although foggy on the way there, it was lifting by the time we arrived at the Mill.   The light mist added an ethereal quality to the scenes.

Flatford Mill Pond and Willy Lott's House

On the corner of the building a chain had worn deep marks in the brickwork.   A large flock of ducks, comprising mallard, farmyard and hybrids were begging for bread and as a couple of adult mute swans fed a youngster came along to share in the feast and got a hefty peck from the adult male.

In the trees around Willy Lott's House I heard blue tit, great tit, blackbird, wren and chaffinch.   Crows were calling from the nearby fields.

Tea was taken at the cafe, I bought a couple of Christmas presents in the National Trust shop and then we moved on to a nearby pub for lunch.

Cambridge

Here for the weekend, not much opportunity for nature watching, although mallard, black-headed gull,canada geese, magpie, blue tit all found alongside the Cam whilst a keen young man punted us along!

Oare

Those of you who know my friend Malcolm, will understand today's dilemma.   There were two women out on the loose, Irene and myself being the only two remaining members of our Wednesday walkers - but we managed our identifications without assistance.

We decided on Oare as it always produces a good number of waders and there is always the chance of a harrier or other bird of prey.   Although we arrived at the lowest of tides, it did not disappoint.

The old jetty

We started out walking west along the seawall towards the old jetty.   On the mud there were over 100 redshank, at least 200 dunlin, a few curlew and several grey plover.   On the fields behind the sea wall crows fed around the feed of the konick ponies.   A few mallard and teal were enjoying the peace and quiet of a small pool in the field.   At the pond behind the jetty there were reed bunting, robin, chaffinch, dunnock and wren.   Herons stood stoically in the reeds waiting for a tasty morsel to pass within reach.

Grey Plover

On the way back to the car park we also saw oystercatcher, meadow pipit and shelduck.   After collecting our lunch we moved off towards the hide at the mouth of the creek.   There were more redshank, curlew and a huge number of avocet on the mud at the waters edge, a cetti's warbler called from a nearby bush.   Soon after we arrived at the hide all the avocets flew up - something had disturbed them.   As we watched, a short-eared owl appeared, it was mobbed by the avocet until it moved away from them, it came towards us gliding along on those strong wings making no sound.   It flew past the hide and onto the reserve.   The avocets started to settle back down, some in front of the hide and the rest joining others on the far side of the creek.  

Waders disturbed by Short-eared Owl

After taking our lunch, we were ready to move on along the side of the creek.   Within seconds we spotted the owl again, quartering over the long grass inside the seawall.   As it moved around the reserve it's presence was announced by the disturbance caused to the dunlin, black-tailed godwit and lapwing.    We stood on the seawall for about 10 minutes watching the owl, at one stage it sat on the ground in the long grass, as it turned the white edged face with huge eyes presented an eerie sight.  
Eventually, it moved over the seawall and disappeared from view.

Avocets galore

As we continued along the path a female marsh harrier rose from the reeds where we had seen it land earlier.   In the southerly corner of the pool godwit, teal, lapwing, mallard, and starling were huddled in the sunshine.   We had been bemoaning the lack of beareded tit and within minutes we heard the distinctive 'ping' and on turning around there were at least six feeding on the seedheads of the reeds.   We watched for a while as at least two striking males and their harems moved along the line at the edge of the field.   Mixed in with a flock of lapwing were some ruff.

Pintail and lapwing

A greenfinch heralded our arrival at the final hide from where we saw another female marsh harrier with far more cream on its head and shoulders.   From the hide we could see wigeon, moorhen, coot, little egret, little grebe, grey heron, ringed plover, more avocet, and at least six pintail.

Pheasant and blackbird were added to our day's tally before we left for home.

SEO on Elmley

After a few grey dank days it was great to get out in the gentle sunshine of Elmley today.   Along the entrance track it was obvious that the area was extremely dry, with rills and pools completely empty.   In view of that we were lucky to see a few birds on the way to the RSPB reserve proper.   Marsh harrier, kestrel, curlew, starling and lapwing were viewable from the car.   Once we arrived at the car park, a quick view over the wall added mallard, teal, pochard, wigeon and magpie.    After a short interlude where Sally managed to trap her fingers in the car door, we were off.

Elmley in the Sunshine

Near the RSPB office linnet, goldfinch, greenfinch and house sparrow fed in the orchard.  As we walked the path towards the hides reed bunting were busy feeding in the reeds, a grey heron stood stoically by the side of a nearby pool.   In the distance large numbers of canada geese, greylag and golden plover swooped in from the river as the tide rose.   A couple of pheasant strutted between the reeds, mute swan flew to one of the remaining pools, and meadow pipits fed along the edge of the same pool.   A red admiral butterfly was a pleasant surprise.

In front of the first hide the pool has completely dried up, partly to dry out an algae problem, but the lack of rain has meant that the pool has stayed dry longer than anticipated.   A buzzard was spotted high over a distant barn later reappearing on a fence post.   From the Counterwall hide (where there was more water) teal and mallard were seen.

Short-eared Owl

A second red admiral greeted us as we moved back towards the river to continue towards the next hide.   A stoat ran along the side of a nearby dyke, and a group of hares washed in the sunshine.   Just as we approached the path running across the fields a short-eared owl was spotted on the ground.   As we got our telescopes ready the bird flew and disappeared behind the reeds beyond the hide.   We continued to the hide, where the owl was spotted once more, great views were had by all 14 of the group.   Cormorant, little egret, ringed plover and green sandpiper were joined by great black-backed gull, black-headed gull, curlew and more golden plover were present.

Although swale hide is closed we carried on to the area, using the hide as cover as we got to the sea wall.   Although there were huge flocks a long way off we did managed to identify avocet, great crested grebe, black-tailed godwit, redshank, turnstone, pintail, brent geese and wigeon.   A common seal also watched us from a safe distance.

The return to the car was uneventful. 

Slash & Burn ~ my sort of gardening!

Today was spent on a "slash & burn" project at my local Plantlife reserve where an area of scrub needed to be cleared to create an area suitable for orchids.

Lopping back

Three hours went quickly as we used loppers and saws to clear the area.   A large bonfire soon dealt with the cuttings and although tired we all left happy with our work.

Almost there

Thanks to Sally for the photos.

Essex bound

From Stanford to Cliffe

This week's outing took us through the Dartford tunnel to Essex. We had planned to visit either Canvey Island or Two Tree Hill, but finally decided on the marshes just outside Stanford-le-Hope. Our welcome to Stanford was a bullet hole or two through the reserve sign, but a couple of locals gave us helpful advice on the best way to walk.  They also explained that enroachment had been allowed which had resulted in a new seawall route. Armed with sound advice, we set off.

Along the flooded river side were large flocks of shelduck, teal, and black-headed gulls.   In the shrubby area alongside the path, fieldfare took advantage of the berries, a blackbird gave an alarm call, robin and chaffinch were also calling.   On the inside of the old sea wall redshank, curlew, grey plover and a turnstone sheltered.   Looking across the river we could see the familiar sights of Cliffe with the Black Barn and the Radar showing well.

On our return to the car, we spotted a group of little grebe on a pond.   A kestrel hovered for a short while.

Caddis Fly

Muddy Creek

Our next stop was Wat Tyler Country Park.   Here there are several visitor facilities, with an RSPB centre and educational area.   The Wat Tyler Country Park centre with a shop, cafe and picnic tables.   After our lunch we obtained a key for the two RSPB hides and started on our walk.   The muddy creeks around the reserve are a haven for gulls, waders and ducks.   Little egret, pochard, mallard, teal, herring gull, great and lesser black-backed gull, curlew and black-tailed godwit.   A lone avocet fed with black-headed gulls.   A jay was spotted in a distant tree, and a bird of prey shot through the trees away from us - mobbed by eight magpies.   In the bushes and trees lining the path there were blue tit, great tit, and long-tailed tit, linnet, robin, and starling.   A redwing flew overhead, and large numbers of starling created their distinctive artistic patterns in the sky.

From the final hide we saw 12 little grebe, green sandpiper, tufted duck coot, moorhen, two young little grebes were near their nest, and in the reeds a snipe fed.   A wren appeared in front of us in the reeds, but just as quickly flew, not to be seen again.

On the way home we took a quick tour around Tesco's car park in Pitsea, just in case there were any birds feeding on the berries.   Then it was time for the trip home, which was made in good time - there being no delays on the M25.

Ipad

Just got an iPad -love it already - get ready for blogs from all over the place!

Super Sheppey

When I meet new people and discuss where we live I often get "Oh, you're so lucky to have all those good sites near you".   Today just confirmed how right they are and how brilliant the area is for getting out and seeing great birds.

Having checked a few websites last night, the Sheppey area seemed our best bet for seeing some new birds for the autumn so we set off for Leysdown and Shellness.   The tide was far out at Leysdown so we decided to make for Shellness and take a stroll on the inland track along the seawall towards Harty.   Starlings, house sparrow and goldfinch greeted us as we arrived at the car park, but "I'm not here to watch starlings!" rang in our ear from one member of the group . . . . . . indeed we hadn't . . . . .

A (very distant) Rough-legged Buzzard

                                       we had heard that rough-legged buzzard, hen harrier and short-eared owl had been seen in the area over the last few days so as we donned boots and packed our bags we discussed the possibilities for these species in particular.  

Imagine our surprise when within five minutes we had rough-legged buzzard and hen harrier in our sights with marsh harrier close behind.   We followed the rough-legged until it landed in a field and enjoyed great views through the telescope.   A female hen harrier flew through as the buzzard took off and complicated things for a short time, but we soon sorted them out again as they settled back into flying over the nearby fields looking for prey.   At one stage a sparrowhawk swooped across the sea-wall and away from us at speed, sending meadow pipits dispersing in its wake.   Skylarks were singing above the white clouds, declaring their ownership of territory, and grey heron stood stoically along the edge of the fields.

Shells

We wandered along the path for an hour or so and then decided that we should return to Shellness to see how the tide was doing.   Although it hadn't come in a great deal there were plenty of waders and gulls to see, so we settled by the sea wall out of the wind to watch and enjoy lunch.   Large numbers of knot, oystercatcher and grey plover fed on the mud, along with curlew, little egret, cormorant, turnstone, herring gull and black-headed gull.   From here all the way to Leysdown brent geese waddled in the shallows - we counted 225 at one stage.   On the seawall a pied wagtail hunted for food.

Now it was time for us to move inland to Harty Ferry and Capel Fleet, and as we drove through Leysdown several red-legged partridge were spotted in a field by the road.   We decided to move to Harty initially, stopping a couple of times on the way.   Our first stop by the lake on the corner gave huge numbers of mallard and teal, in one of the fields just past the Capel Fleet viewpoint we spotted a flock of lapwing, starling and in amongst them large numbers of golden plover.   A stonechat showed briefly on top of a bush as we drove past.



Curlew

 At Harty there were few birds to find, a couple of curlew on the marshes, some distant brent geese and at one point Sally heard a fieldfare but despite seeing some blackbirds we had no evidence of the thrush.

Back to the viewpoint and although Sally had been spotting birds all day, she really came into her own now!   Kestrels on the telegraph wires, marsh harriers, more red-legged partridge and a flying great white egret were all down to her.   Add to that wheatear, male hen harrier, and short eared owl and you have a perfect birding day.

Shame we didn't have a better telescope though, eh Malcolm?     and an SLR camera with a zoom lens (if you're reading this Jeff)