Sunrise Birding, LLC - Birding & Wildlife Tours - Colombia: Endemics & Specialties - February 5

Day 3: Laguna Pedro Paulo – Ibague (Eastern Andes to Central Andes)
Black Inca. Photo by Gina Nichol. This morning after an early breakfast we will drive the short distance to an area of scattered secondary forest surrounding a peaceful secluded lake. The forest edges and open track offer mixed flocks of tanagers including Scrub, Crimson-backed, Flame-faced, Blue-necked, Black-capped, Fawn-breasted, Lemon-rumped and Bay- headed. Wintering neotropical warblers could include Canada, Blackburnian, Black-and-white, Tropical Parula and Northern Waterthrush, but it will be other specialties that seek our attention. Moustached Brush-Finches work the thickets while nearby flowering trees attract hummingbirds such as White-vented Plumeleteer, Blue-tailed Emerald, Booted Racket-tail and if we are very lucky the endemic Black Inca (photo: Gina Nichol) or tiny Gorgeted Woodstar. We will try for Moustached Puffbird, and Colombian Wren, Ash-browed and Pale-breasted Spinetail, Plain Antvireo, Rufous-browed Peppershrike, Uniform Antshrike, Rufous-naped Greenlet, Smoky-brown, Red-crowned and Golden Olive Woodpeckers, Black-billed Thrush and both Golden-faced and Sooty-headed Tyrannulets. We will search for the Turquoise Dacnis which could prove to be the most difficult bird to see here although we have found it on past tours.

In the afternoon we will make our way toward the dry zone and the town of Ibague. We will make a few stops where we can hope to pick-up species such as Crested Bobwhite, Yellow-headed Caracara, Bare-faced Ibis, Vermilion Flycatcher, Smooth-billed Ani, Tropical Gnatcatcher, Southern Lapwing and Roadside Hawk. Once we reach the hustle and bustle of town we will check in to our hotel and have dinner. Night Ibague.

Day 4: Ibague, Juntas Valley – Cartago (Central Andes to Western Andes)

Saffron-crowned Tanager. Photo by Steve Bird. Today we make an early start to get to a scenic hidden valley and picturesque gorge that is
part of Los Nevados National Park. On the hillside beside a small stream we will search for the
endemic Yellow-headed Brush-Finch and Yellow-throated Brush-Finch, as well as Whiskered Wren, Slaty-backed Chat-Tyrant, Olivaceous Piculet, Streaked and Black-winged Saltator, and
possibly the endemic Blossomcrown. On the river, Torrent Tyrannulet, Black Phoebe and White-capped Dipper can be found and as we head higher we have more chances for the endemic Tolima Dove.

At Los Nevados National Park, we will take a short walk to the edge of the superb forest where we can look for tanager flocks that include Blue-and-Black, Blue-capped, Golden, Hepatic, Beryl-spangled, Saffron-crowned Tanager (photo: Steve Bird), and hopefully the stunning Red-hooded Tanager. Many other
birds are present and we will spend our time trying to see Yellow-billed and Mountain
Cacique, Lacrimose Mountain-Tanager, Colombian Chachalaca, Rufous-breasted Chat-Tyrant,
Andean Toucanet, Streak-necked Flycatcher, Green Jay, Azara’s Spinetail, White-tipped Swift
and hummingbirds such as Tourmaline Sunangel, Speckled Hummingbird, Wedge-billed Hummingbird, Long-tailed Sylph, Blue-tailed Emerald and Buff-tailed Coronet.

With luck we may also come across one or two of the rarer birds that inhabit this area such
as Masked Saltator or Dusky Piha. After our morning here we will head for Cartago arriving in
time for dinner. Night Cartago.

Day 5: Galapagos Road – (West side of Western Andes)

Gold-ringed Tanager. Photo by Steve Bird An early start will see us transfer to our 4x4 jeeps at the start of the famous Galapagos Road, a bumpy, muddy road that takes us through forest and up to a ridge top where many and endemics await us. This is one of those must visit sites in Colombia and you will soon realize why, as the day unfolds and we encounter some stunning species with the help of our friend and local guide here. With our picnic breakfast beside a stream and we should soon be on the hunt for the endemic Crested Ant-Tanager, as well as Andean Solitaire, Bicolored Antvireo, Yellow-collared and Chestnut-breasted Chlorophonias, Red-headed Barbet, Greenish Puffleg, Montane Foliage-Gleaner and Pearled Treerunner. White-capped Dippers often feed along the stream, while higher up we can marvel at the beautiful endemic Gold-ringed Tanager (photo: Steve Bird), as well as Green-and-black and Orange-breasted Fruiteaters, Purplish-mantled Tanager, Grass-green Tanager, Dusky-headed Bush-Tanager, Three-striped Warbler and if we are lucky Olivaceous Piha, Fulvous-dotted Treerunner or Rusty-winged Barbtail. Both Cinnamon and Handsome Flycatchers should be around as well as the delightful Ornate Flycatcher and several hummingbirds including Green-fronted Lancebill, Empress Brilliant, Violet-tailed Sylph, White-tailed Hillstar, Velvet-purple Coronet, and Bronzy Inca.

There of course a few skulkers here and we will make special efforts to see the endemic Munchique Wood-Wren as well as Choco and Narino Tapaculos, Ochre-breasted Antpitta and Black Solitaire. After a full day we will return to the little town of El Cairo and our hotel for the night. Night El Cairo.

Day 6: Galapagos Road – Otun Quimbaya
(West side of Western Andes to west side of Central Andes)

This morning we will again visit the famous Galapagos Road, but this time we will head over the ridge and down to the Choco side. Here we can expect a few different species than yesterday and our efforts will hopefully allow views of the Indigo Flowerpiercer. Photo by Steve Bird. stunning Indigo Flowerpiercer (photo: Steve Bird), the rare Black-and-gold Tanager, Rufous-throated Tanager, Golden-collared Honeycreeper, Yellow-breasted Antwren, Golden-winged Manakin, Sickle-winged Guan, Ochre-breasted Antpitta, Choco and Narino Tapaculo, Black Solitaire, and Smoke-colored Pewee. With many other birds to see including second looks at the stunning Gold-ringed Tanager, and chances to catch up with any species we missed yesterday this will be a bird filled morning.

After a picnic lunch, we will set off toward the Cauca Valley and our destination of Otun Quimbaya Reserve in the foothills of the Central Andes. A few strategic stops along the way could produce Grayish Piculet, Andean Cock-of-the Rock, Bar-crested Antshrike, Highland Hepatic Tanager or Yellow-throated Brush-Finch, and a look at a nearby tumbling river may find us Torrent Duck, White-capped Dipper and Torrent Tyrannulet among others. Night near Otun Quimbaya.

Day 7: Otun Quimbaya – Manizales (West side of Central Andes)
Cauca Guan. Photo by Steve Bird. This morning we will bird part of the reserve and then concentrate our efforts on an open quiet road where we hope to connect with several specialties The impressive Red-ruffed Fruitcrow will be high on our hit list, followed by such delights as Inca Jay, Golden-plumed Parakeet and the endangered, endemic Cauca Guan (photo: Steve Bird) in one of its last remaining strongholds. The gardens can often play host to numerous overwintering warblers, as well as Flame-rumped Tanager and possibly Highland Motmot.

Our main aim for this morning is to connect with one or more mixed feeding flocks as this will give us our best shot at the endemic Multicolored Tanager as well as a host of other species such as Marble-faced and Variegated Bristle-Tyrants, Rufous-breasted Flycatcher,
Tropical Parula, White-winged Becard, Black-billed Peppershrike, Saffron-crowned and Fawn-breasted Tanager. With luck we may come across one of the more tricky species such as Chestnut Wood-Quail, Stile’s Tapaculo or Chestnut-breasted Wren.

After lunch we will make our way to our hotel in Manizales where we should have time to check out the hummingbird feeders which will give us close looks at species such as Collared Inca, Buff-tailed Coronet, White-bellied Woodstar, Bronzy Inca, Long-tailed Sylph, Green Violetear, Sparkling Violetear, Rufous-tailed and Steely-vented Hummingbird. In the flowering bushes we could see White-sided, Masked and Bluish Flowerpiercers, while a small section of forest with patches of bamboo may produce Plushcap, Oleaginous and Black-eared Hemispingus, Canada Warbler, Cinnamon Flycatcher, Slate-throated Redstart, Brown-capped Vireo, Scrub Tanagers and Pale-breasted Spinetail. Two nights Manizales.

Day 8: Rio Blanco (Central Andes)

Brown-banded Antipitta. Photo by Steve Bird. This morning we will have a very early start to allow us to look for White-throated Screech-Owl at dawn. We will then take breakfast at the Rio Blanco reserve where we will be surrounded by dozens of hummingbirds. The majority of these will be Buff-tailed Coronets but we can also look for Tourmaline Sunangel, Fawn-breasted Brilliant and Long-tailed Sylph. The Rio Blanco reserve is a superb area to bird and we have to full day to try and do this wonderful place justice.

A scan of the tree tops may produce Black-billed Mountain Toucan, Sickle-winged Guan or Rusty-faced Parrot, but its the mixed flocks that can really set pulses racing. A walk into the reserve will start with the local worm man taking us to a feeding area where we can get close views of the once almost impossible endemic Brown-banded Antpitta (photo: Steve Bird). Chestnut-crowned Antpittas are a little easier to see and as the day unfolds we also have chances for Bicolored and Slate-crowned Antpittas. The mixed flocks can hold numerous species and we will work through them in order to find such species as Golden-fronted Redstart, Pearled Treerunner, Barred Becard, Capped Conebill, Gray-hooded Bush Tanager, Blue-winged Mountain Tanager, Blue-and-black Tanager, Black-eared, Black-capped and Superciliaried Hemispingus, Grass-green Tanager, Montane Woodcreeper, Flammulated Treehunter, Strong-billed Woodcreeper, Rufous-crowned Tody-Tyrant, Black-capped Tyrannulet, Plushcap, Buff-breasted Mountain Tanager, Ash-colored, Blackish and the fabulous Ocellated Tapaculo and Long-tailed Antbird, a bamboo specialist. Further searching should reveal Streaked Xenops, Black-capped Tyrannulet, Blue-capped Tanager, Smoky Bush Tyrant, Dusky Piha, Sharpe’s Wren, Yellow-billed Cacique, Mountain Wren, Gray-breasted Wood Wren, Black-crested Warbler, Bar-bellied and Crimson-mantled Woodpeckers, Chestnut-capped Brush Finch, Purplish-backed Thornbill and with luck the rare Masked Saltator. After what will certainly be a bird filled day we will return to Manizales. Night Manizales.

Day 9: Los Nevados - Jardin (Central Andes to east side of Western Andes)
Bearded Helmetcrest. Photo by Steve Bird. This morning as long as the access road is open we will make our way with picnic breakfast to the high paramo of Los Nevados National Park. A stop at a small pond may find us Andean Duck and Andean Teal, while the surrounding grass holds Many-striped Canastero, Andean Tit-Spinetail and Sedge Wren. Driving up to the entrance gate we will then check this area before making a slow walk downhill where we can track down calling Tawny Antpittas and search for a variety of special hummingbirds that include Bearded Helmetcrest (photo: Steve Bird), Viridian Metaltail, Black-thighed Puffleg, and Rainbow-bearded Thornbill. There will be plenty of other species to keep us busy including Black-backed Bush-Tanagers, Pale-naped Brush-Finch, Blue-backed Conebill, Scarlet-bellied Mountain-Tanager, Golden-crowned Tanager, Paramo Tapaculo, Brown-backed Chat-Tyrant, Plumbeous Sierra-Finch, Plain-colored Seedeater, Stout-billed Cinclodes, White-throated Tyrannulet and more chances for the ever elusive Ocellated Tapaculo. We have a long drive ahead of us so we will depart around 11 AM and head through the Cauca Valley to the beautiful town of Jardin in the Western Andes. If we get there in time then we can look for Andean Cock-of-the Rock at a display area. Two nights Jardin.

Day 10: Jardin (East slope of Western Andes)
White-capped Tanager. Photo by Gina Nichol. The exquisite town of Jardin is a delightful base from which to explore the surrounding
hills and its many special birds. With a picnic lunch and joined by another friend and local
guide we will travel up a bumpy track until we reach the top of one particular hill where we
have chances to see the endangered endemic Yellow-eared Parrot. From here we will spend the rest of the day slowly walking downhill to try and connect with a multitude of species that could include such delights as Red-crested and sometimes Chestnut-crested Cotingas, White-capped Tanager (photo: Gina Nichol), Purplish-mantled Tanager, Barred Fruiteater, Mountain Cacique, Golden-headed Quetzal, Slate-crowned and Chestnut-naped Antpittas, Ocellated Tapaculo, Tanager Finch, the rare Munchique Wood-Wren and roving flocks that are sure to excite each and every one of us.

Black-billed Mountain Toucan. Photo by Steve Bird. There are several hummingbirds to look for including Mountain Velvetbreast, Tourmaline Sunangel, Collared Inca and possibly Sword-billed Hummingbird, while tanagers could include Golden-hooded, Blue-capped, Grass-green, Beryl-spangled, Blue-and-Black and Lacrimose, Hooded and Buff-breasted Mountain Tanagers, With plenty of other species to keep us busy such as Black-billed Mountain-Toucan (photo: Steve Bird), Golden-fronted Redstart, Streak-throated Bush Tyrant, Slaty-backed, Rufous-breasted, and Yellow-bellied Chat-Tyrants, Masked Trogon, Barred Becard, Black-capped, White-banded, White-throated and White-tailed Tyrannulets, Streaked Tuftedcheek, Pearled Treerunner, Streaked Xenops, Rufous Spinetail, Smoke-colored Pewee, Cinnamon Flycatcher, Pale-edged Flycatcher, Rufous-headed Pygmy Tyrant, Russet-crowned Warbler, Slaty Brush-Finch and Sharpe’s Wren, this will surely be a day to remember. The evenings around the town square in Jardin can often be hustle of activity and entertainment and an experience not to be missed. Night Jardin.

Day 11: Jardin - Medellin
(East slope of Western Andes to west slope of Central Andes)
Grayish Piculet. Photo by Steve Bird. Today we will go and check out a close Andean Cock-of-the Rock lek if needed, and then head for an area where we hope to find the attractive Red-bellied Grackle. There should be a few other species around such as Russet-backed Oropendola, Yellow-backed Oriole, Andean Solitaire, Olive-backed Woodpecker and maybe Yellow-throated Brush-Finch or White-collared Swifts. We will then move on and make a few strategic stops on the long drive to Medellin. In particular we will be looking for the endemic Apical Flycatcher, alongside Grayish Piculet (photo: Steve Bird) and other species that might include Red-crowned Woodpecker, Streak-headed Woodcreeper, Cattle Tyrant, Mouse-colored Tyrannulet, Southern Beardless Tyrannulet, Black-striped Sparrow, Bar-crested Antshrike, Cinereous Becard, Black-throated Mango, Vermilion Flycatcher and who knows what else. Arriving in Medellin we will enjoy an excellent dinner. Night Medellin.

Day 12: Medellin - Rio Claro

(West slope of Central Andes to eastern slope of Central Andes)
Beautiful Woodpecker. Photo by Gina Nichol. An early start will see us out of the city and on to our breakfast stop. Feeders with fruit can attract a variety of tanagers including Lemon-rumped, sometimes Swallow Tanager and numerous Thick-billed Euphonias. From here we will take a walk to a secret site (only known to our guide!) which is an excellent spot to find several endemics including White-mantled Barbet and the aptly named Beautiful Woodpecker. Other species include Red-rumped, Red-crowned and Spot-breasted Woodpeckers, Olivaceous Piculets and we will search for Western-striped Manakin, Pacific Antwren, Spectacled Parrotlets, Rufous-tailed Jacamar, Yellow-crowned, Sooty-headed and Golden-faced Tyrannulets, Bran-colored Flycatcher, Yellow-tufted Dacnis, Bay Wren, Pale-breasted Thrush, Purple-crowned Fairy and maybe Long-billed Starthroat as well as a variety of wintering warblers.

Returning for lunch we will then set off toward Rio Claro where we expect to arrive in time for a little birding around our forest lodge in the late afternoon. Of particular interest, we will look for Barred Puffbird, Cinnamon Woodpecker, Dusky-faced Tanager, White-tailed Trogon, Buff-rumped Warbler and Band-backed Wren. Night Rio Claro.

Day 13: Rio Claro - Victoria (East side of Central Andes)
Antioquia Bristle Tyrant. Photo by Steve Bird. There will be more fantastic birding today as we set off to explore the nearby forest and an Oilbird Cave. These extraordinary birds can be seen in the dim light as they perch on the cave walls. Following a stream through the forest we will have many opportunities to find sought after species such as the endemic Antioquia Bristle-Tyrant (photo: Steve Bird). Other memorable birds may include Yellow-backed Tanager, Citron-throated Toucan, Slaty-winged Foliage-Gleaner, Gray-cheeked Nunlet, Black-chested Jay and Slate-colored Grosbeak, and if we are lucky even Blue Cotinga. Other more expected species include Collared Aracaris One-colored Becard, Yellow-rumped Cacique, Giant Cowbird, Greater Ani, Piratic Flycatcher, White-thighed Swallow, Gray-lined Hawk (Gray Hawk), Band-backed Wren, Blue-headed Parrot, Green and Purple Honeycreeper, Black-headed Tody Flycatcher, Yellow-tufted Dacnis, Blue Dacnis, Golden-hooded Tanager, Swallow Tanager, Crested and Chestnut-headed Oropendola, White-shouldered Tanager, White-bearded and Blue-crowned Manakin, Bright-rumped Attila, Plain Xenops, Black-bellied Wren, Cocoa, Olivaceous, Wedge-billed and Plain-brown Woodcreepers, Rufous Motmot, Dot-winged and White-flanked Antwren, Ochre-bellied and Streaked Flycatcher, Cinnamon Becard, Fulvous-vented Euphonia, Blue-black Grosbeak, Gray-headed Tanager, Chestnut-backed Antbird. If we are lucky another shot at White-mantled Barbet or even Black-faced Antthrush. All in all this will undoubtedly be a bird filled morning.

Departing this area we will make our way to the small quaint town of Victoria. Birds to keep
a look out for along our journey include Savanna Hawk, Swallow-tailed Kite, King Vulture,
Wattled Jacana, White-winged Swallow, Gray-breasted Martin and Ringed Kingfisher. As we near the town we should have time to search an area along the roadside for species such as
White-eared Conebill, Velvet-fronted Euphonia, Red-breasted Blackbird, Lesser Yellow-headed
Vulture and Yellow-naped Parrots. Night Victoria.

Day 14: Victoria – Bogota – End of Tour - or optional extension to Santa Marta
Indigo-capped Hummingbird. Photo by Steve Bird. Our last day on this main tour will see us up early and into the forest near Victoria. We will focus on a few target species namely Sooty Ant-Tanager, White-bibbed Manakin, Golden-
headed Manakin, Beautiful Woodpecker and White-mantled Barbet. Other species may include Golden-rumped Euphonia, Little Tinamou, Guira Tanager, Rufous-naped Greenlet, Rufous-capped Warbler, Short-tailed Swift, Scrub Greenlet, Western Slaty Antshrike, Orange-billed Sparrow and possibly Ruddy Quail-Dove. Later in the morning we will leave the area and head toward Bogota.

A stop along the way at a private garden will be a true delight and fantastic finale to our main tour. This small walled garden has to be seen to be believed. With fifty or so feeders
the immediate garden plays host to over 200 hummingbirds at any one time with hundreds of others perched in bushes and nearby trees – what a spectacle! The species present include
the endemic Indigo-capped Hummingbird (photo: Steve Bird), plus Black-throated Mango, Rufous-tailed Hummingbird, Gorgeted Woodstar, White-bellied Woodstar, White-vented Plumeleteer, White-necked Jacobin, Green Hermit, Sparkling Violetear, and Violet-crowned Woodnymph. Occasionally they even get visits from the stunning Ruby Topaz.

Continuing on we will get to Bogota International Airport in the evening where those continuing on to Santa Marta will catch the evening flight or those finishing the tour will connect with their departing international flight.

Leaders (Main Tour): Diego Calderon, Gina Nichol & Steve Bird

SANTA MARTA EXTENSION: February 18 - 24, 2012
Note: We have added an extra day to our Santa Marta extension so we have adequate time to
connect with the target species.

Day 1: Santa Marta
Blue-naped Chlorophonia. Photo by Gina Nichol. Evening flight from Bogota to Santa Marta where we spend the night in local hotel ready for
an early morning start. Night Santa Marta.

Day 2: Santa Marta - Eldorado Lodge
This morning we will depart early and head into the lowlands of the Santa Marta Mountains. A
few stops along the way will see us search for species such as Black-chested Jay, Bicolored
Wren, Yellow Oriole, Rufous-breasted and Rufous-and-white Wrens, Collared Aracari, Whooping Motmot, Crested Oropendola, Golden-winged Sparrow, Long-billed Gnatwren, Zone-tailed Hawk and the endemic Black-backed Antshrike. There should be time to stop at an area of flowering bushes where we can hope to see another endemic, the superb Blossomcrown, and nearby we could pick up Santa Marta Brush Finch and White-lored Warbler, Rusty Flowerpiercer, Black-headed Tanager, Blue-naped Chlorophonia (photo: Steve Bird), Green Violetear, Violet-crowned Woodnymph and if we are lucky the stunning Rusty-breasted Antpittas and much more difficult Santa Marta Tapaculo.

Black-fronted Wood Quail. Photo by Steve Bird. We will then continue on toward Eldorado Lodge looking for Pale-eyed Pygmy Tyrant, Streaked Saltator, White-collared Swift, Golden-olive Woodpecker, Yellow-tailed Oriole, Rufous-
capped Warbler, Orange-billed Nightingale Thrush, Ochre-bellied Flycatcher and possibly Yellow-billed Toucanet or Sooty-capped Hermit.

We will arrive at our lodge around mid afternoon and after settling in we can have a look at the hummingbird feeders where we hope to see endemic White-tailed Starfrontlet and Santa Marta Woodstar. A further exploration around the gardens and nearby trail that goes into the forest may reveal Colombian Brush-Finch, Black-hooded Thrush, Golden-breasted Fruiteater, Red-billed Parrot, Crested Oropendola, Yellow-legged Thrush and possibly Gray-throated Leaftosser or even the secretive Santa Marta Antpitta. Maybe the Black-fronted Wood-Quail (photo: Steve Bird) will be on the compost pile again! Night El Dorado Lodge.

Day 3: Santa Marta Mountains
Santa Marta Warbler. Photo by Steve Bird. This morning we will have an early breakfast before attempting to find the rare and endemic Santa Marta Screech-owl. We will then continue on to the scenic heights of the Lorenzo Ridge, a spectacular overlook of the Santa Marta mountain range and a stunning area to bird. There are many endemics up here and we will walk the quiet road in search of the Santa Marta race of Rufous Antpitta, Santa Marta Toucanet, Santa Marta Parakeet, Santa Marta Warbler (photo: Steve Bird), Santa Marta Mountain-Tanager, Santa Marta Bush-Tyrant, Santa Marta Brush-Finch, Yellow-crowned Redstart, White-lored Warbler, Rusty-headed and Streak-capped Spinetails, Strong-billed Woodcreeper, White-throated Tyrannulet, Yellow-bellied Chat-Tyrant, Blue-capped Tanager, Golden-bellied Grosbeak, Golden-bellied Fruiteater, Brown-rumped Tapaculo and more attempts to see Santa Marta Antpitta. Night El Dorado Lodge.

Day 4: Eldorado - Minca
Rusty-breasted Antpitta. Photo by Steve Bird. If we failed to see Santa Marta Screech-Owl yesterday then we can have another try this morning. We will then take a slow walk downhill looking for any species we may have missed yesterday. Mixed flocks can always turn up a few surprises but its our aim to show you all the available endemics of this unique area.

After lunch we will continue walking down where we have chances for several species not found higher up. The Santa Marta Foliage-Gleaner will be on our hit list as will White-tipped Quetzal, Scaly-naped Parrot, more chances for Santa Marta Tapaculo and Rusty-breasted Antpitta (photo: Steve Bird), Lined Quail-Dove and with luck Coppery Emerald. Eventually we will arrive at our lodge situated in the town of Minca still in the foothills of Santa Marta and a haven for birds. Night Minca.

Day 5: Minca - Riohacha
Russet-throated Puffbird. Photo by Steve Bird. This morning we will take a leisurely stroll downhill in order to secure any species previously missed. We can look out for Zone-tailed Hawk, King Vulture, Keel-billed Toucan, Golden-winged Sparrow, Emerald Toucanet, Orange-crowned Oriole, Streaked, Yellow-margined, Panama and Venezuelan Flycatchers, Golden-olive Woodpecker, Lineated Foliage-Gleaner, Southern Beardless-Tyrannulet and Trinidad Euphonia. We will also have second chances for Black-backed Antshrike.

After a picnic lunch we will set off on the three hour drive to the dry coastal area of Riohacha. A few stops along the way will introduce us to a selection of quite different species such as Yellow Oriole, Carib Grackle, Black-crested Antshrike, Brown-headed Flycatcher, Slate-headed Tody-Flycatcher, Pale-eyed Pygmy-Tyrant, Pale-legged Hornero, maybe Rufous-vented Chachalaca and the superb Russet-throated Puffbird (photo: Steve Bird). Night Riohacha.

Day 6: Riohacha – Santa Marta
Ruby Topaz. Photo by Steve Bird. We will have most of today to explore the bird rich dry scrub and also coastal marshes and pools. An early start will take us to Camarones and Los Flamencos where we will first check out an area of coastal dry scrub. A few specialties exist here and we will make an effort to find Tocuyo Sparrow, Vermilion Cardinal, Glaucous Tanager, Chestnut Piculet, White-whiskered Spinetail, Slender-billed Inezia, Ruby Topaz (photo: Steve Bird), Buffy Hummingbird, Red-billed Emerald, Northern Scrub Flycatcher, White-fringed Antwren, Orinocan Saltator, Pileated Finch, Pearly-vented Tody-Tyrant, Green-rumped Parrotlet and possibly White-tailed Nightjar.

Moving on to the tidal mudflats and bay we will look for American Flamingo, Roseate Spoonbill, Scarlet Ibis, Reddish Egret, Tricolored Heron, Collared Plover and a variety of
other shorebirds. Among the Royal Terns and Laughing Gulls we could find Cabot’s Tern and
quite often a surprise or two. Later in the afternoon we will make the journey back to Santa
Marta we will stay for our final night. Night Santa Marta.

Day 7: Santa Marta – Isle de Salamanca – Bogota – End of tour
Terns at Isla Salamanca. Photo by Gina Nichol. We need to up and out early in order to see the very localized Chestnut-winged Chachalaca which only sits out on the cactus tops at dawn. We should also find Bare-eyed Pigeons, Brown-throated Parakeet, Cocoi Heron, Magnificent Frigatebirds, Northern and Yellow-headed Caracaras, White-cheeked Pintail, Caspian Tern, plus a selection of shorebirds that could include Wilson’s Plover, Short-billed Dowitcher, Willet, Whimbrel, Least, Western and Semipalmated Sandpipers, possibly Stilt Sandpiper and others.

We will then check and area of mangrove and coastal scrub where we hope to find Sapphire-throated and the rare Sapphire-bellied Hummingbirds, as well as Bicolored Conebill, Least Grebe, Bicolored Wren and Straight-billed Woodcreeper. With possibilities for Pearl Kite we will make our way to Santa Marta airport in time for our early afternoon flight back to Bogota. Please make sure that your flight from Bogota is in the evening or even the following morning.

Leaders (Santa Marta Extension): Waly Naranjo, Gina Nichol & Steve Bird