We’re now back in the highlands of Ecuador near Antisana, and birding with Nick Athanas from Tropical Birding, an absolute ace at bird calls. A 5.30 am start had us at the Virgin Viewpoint in the Cordillera de Guacamayos at first light. Rufous-bellied Nighthawk was Bird No. 1 for the day. We birded a narrow forest trail just as it was coming to life. The undoubted highlight here was the stunning close-up unobscured view of Ocellated Tapaculo. Normally this bird is heard rather than seen, but we were totally spoiled. We then descended altitude and birded along the road. We were very fortunate and hit several large mixed feeding flocks. Birding chaos ensued when we hit a flock, so many birds to look at and so many new exciting species to take in and in so little time. The colours of some of these species had to be seen to be believed, a complete paintbox had run riot amongst them: Paradise Tanager, Vermilion Tanager and Flame-faced Tanager to name just three. We were also very fortunate in seeing a Dusky Piha. Late afternoon we headed back uphill to Papallacta and birded the lower slopes, again adding more species to the list. New species recorded today a staggering 77, giving us a total year list to date of 813!!
20.1.08