The rain beating against the window today reminded us of our time in Ecuador in January last year. We experienced some unseasonable rains and got a good soaking on more than one occasion. Our diary for last year shows how we struggled to see some amazing birds. You would not want to be a Seedsnipe…
It was another pre-dawn start and the 5am alarm call was most unwelcome. However we were soon on the road and heading uphill towards the radar station at Papallacta. Unfortunately the weather wasn’t on our side, with cold wind and rain and thick fog, not ideal conditions for birding (or for birders for that matter!). But we struggled on and managed to dig out some great specialist highland species. We reached the summit in heavy rain and low cloud. Nick enthusiastically jumped out of the vehicle and ordered us to follow him. At around 13,000 feet, the altitude really makes itself felt so even just a few steps uphill really made your lungs burst. Add to that the biting cold and poor visibility; we weren’t too keen to follow Nick. Where was he taking us? Nick soon disappeared into the fog as we failed to keep up with his long strides. He soon reappeared, waving energetically for us to run and catch him up. We did our best and gasping for breath we joined him on the top of a steep slope. Unbelievably, there just a few feet below us was a pair of Rufous-bellied Seedsnipe! These birds have been incredibly difficult to find in recent months and rumour had it that the birds had been either shot or trapped as no-one had seen them for so long. But there they were, alive and well and showing off at very close range right in front of us, and seemingly enjoying the weather conditions! Suddenly it was smiles all round, the cold and wet forgotten as we celebrated a fantastic addition to our list.A truly memorable day and we can now share a picture of the star bird, Rufous-bellied Seedsnipe. What a contrast to today as we have spent it slogging away on the keyboard our only escape watching Fulmars with their stiff wing beats over the cliffs above our flat.Local bird highlights have included reports of a flock of Waxwings at Weper Park, Connah’s Quay and six Snow Buntings at the Point of Ayr RSPB reserve but we resisted the temptation to twitch them.