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Santa Marta Screech-Owl Tanager Finch, Barred and Green-and-black Fruiteaters, Lachrymose Mountain-Tanager, White-capped Tanager, Slate-crowned and Rufous Antpitta, White-browed Spinetail, Streaked Tuftedcheek, Pearled Treerunner, Flammulated Treehunter, Black-billed Mountain Toucan, Black-throated and Rufous-crowned Tody-Tyrants, Rufous-headed Pygmy Tyrant, Slaty Brush-Finch and Northern Mountain Cacique. Later we head to Jardin where we stay for the next two nights. If time permits we may visit an Andean Cock-of-the-Rock lek this afternoon as well. The next morning we visit the Yellow-eared Parrot Reserve to look for this endangered species as they leave their roost at dawn and then spend the rest of the day birding slowly back down the road. We have a second chance to look for Tanager Finch as well as Chestnut-crested Cotinga, a species with a patchy Andean distribution. The mix of temperate species is similar to that of the previous morning but we will also look out for Yellow-vented Woodpecker, Grass-green and Metallic-green Tanager, Oleaginous Hemispingus, Ocellated and Spillmann’s Tapaculos, Speckle-faced Parrot, White-capped Dipper, Rusty-winged Barbtail and Buff-breasted Mountain -Tanager. We expect to return to Jardin in the early evening. Day 8 We leave Jardin early this morning and drive to the Cuaca valley. Our main targets here are three endemics: Greyish Piculet, Apical Flycatcher and Colombian Chachalaca. We can also look out for lower elevation species including Barred Antshrike, White-whiskered Puffbird, Specklebreasted Wren and Pale-eyed Pygmy Tyrant. Later we head to Medellin to catch a flight to Santa Marta. After lunch, and a siesta at out hotel near the airport, we can check a nearby site for the endemic Chestnut-winged Chachalaca. Days 9 to 11 Today we head towards the Minca area and start looking for the many Santa Marta specialties that can be found here. We can take a packed lunch to give us flexibility and will work our way gradually up to El Dorado Lodge where we stay for three nights. Most of the day will be spent birding on our way and we aim to arrive in the late afternoon for a little more birding from the lodge balcony. We have two full days to explore the Santa Marta Mountains in search of the many endemics that occur there. This will be some of the most exciting birding of the whole tour with so many endemic species confined to these montane forests. Birding at elevations from 2,300m to 2,700m we look for Santa Marta Woodstar, Blossomcrown, Yellow-crowned Whitestart, Santa Marta Toucanet, Santa Marta Tapaculo, Golden-breasted Fruiteater, Santa Marta Warbler and Santa Marta Brush-Finch. Further exploration of the San Lorenzo ridge may reveal Band-tailed and Sickle-winged Guans, the endemic Santa Marta Parakeet, White-tailed Starfrontlet, Black-backed Thornbill, Whitetipped Quetzal, Streak-capped Spinetail, the endemic Rusty-headed Spinetail, Santa Marta Bush-Tyrant, Santa Marta Mountain-Tanager and Santa Marta Brush-Finch. The Santa Marta Antpitta can, like the majority of antpittas, be difficult to see but feeding techniques like those used in Ecuador are being introduced here to make this species easier to find. It is worth noting some of the distinctive subspecies here like the Cinnamon Flycatcher. We spend a full day at the higher elevations on the ridge and the one day at mid to low elevations nearer the lodge during our stay at Santa Marta, but the lodge with its feeders and nearby trails is worthy of close inspection. Day 12 We spend the morning birding areas below the El Dorado Lodge in search of Santa Marta Tapaculo and Rusty-breasted Antpitta before returning to the lodge for lunch and making a slow descent to Minca birding along the way for Rosy Thrush-Tanager and other species. We spend the night at Minca. Day 13 In the morning we can bird around Minca, watching the hummingbirds and checking out the forested roadside before taking an early lunch and driving over to the Guajira Peninsula to Rio Hacha where we overnight. We finish our day in the arid scrub looking for Vermilion Cardinal, Chestnut Piculet, Russet-throated Puffbird, White-whiskered Spinetail and Glaucous Tanager. Day 14 We spend the morning birding the desert scrub at Los Flamencos National Park in search of species we may have missed yesterday plus wetland species such as Reddish Egret, Roseate Spoonbills and shorebirds. Later we take a flight back to Bogotá and spend the night in the capital. Days 15 & 16 This morning we visit Laguna de Tabacal to look for the near-endemic Grey-throated Warbler, Barcrested Antshrike, Rusty-breasted Antpitta and Rosy Thrush-Tanager before ending our tour at “The Enchanted Garden” watching hummingbirds as we relax with a coffee. The endemic Indigo-capped Hummingbird may be seen as well as Gorgeted Woodstar and more common and widespread species such as White-necked Jacobin, Green Hermit, Brown Violetear, Black-throated Mango, White-bellied Woodstar, White-vented Plumeleteer, Violetcrowned Woodnymph and Rufous-tailed Hummingbird. We return to Bogotá in the afternoon for our evening flight back to London which arrives the next day. Blossomcrown Outline Itinerary Day 1 Depart London, arrive Bogotá Day 2 Medellin Days 3-5 Las Tangaras Days 6-7 Jardin Day 8 Santa Marta Days 9-11 El Dorado Day 12 Minca Day 13 Rio Hacha Day 14 Bogotá Day 15 Depart Bogotá Day 16 Arrive London Party Size Maximum of eight clients. Accommodation Comfortable accommodation in twin/double and single rooms with private facilities. Transport By small coach, minibus and four-wheel drive vehicles. Includes All flights, meals, accommodation, transport, entry fees, services of the leaders, airport taxes and tips. Gradings Good 500 Bogotá Rail Mainly Warm Moderate Special Moderate Good Moderate Scheduled C O LO M B I A To make a booking please call Ornitholidays on 01794 519445 35
B R A Z I L Brazil Atlantic Forest Special Saturday 26 July – Monday 04 August 2014 Leaders: David Walsh and local guides Saturday 06 September – Monday 15 September 2014 Leaders: Mike Witherick and local guides Sunday 14 September – Tuesday 23 September 2014 Leaders: Mike Witherick and local guides 2014 Cost £2,699 single room supplement £80 BRAZIL REGUA Rio de Janeiro São Paulo razil is one of the world’s most exciting birding destinations. Its huge size and diverse range of habitats enable it to harbour a staggering 1,700 bird B species, nearly 200 of them only found in Brazil. The coastal forests in the southeast of the country have been seriously depleted over the last two centuries with less than 7% of the original cover remaining, much of it fragmented. These Atlantic Forests are important refuges for bird species, once widespread here before the impact of man on the landscape. REGUA (Reserva Ecológica de Guapiaçu) protects one of the last stands of tropical rainforest left in the severely depleted Atlantic Rainforest, or Mata Atlântica, in Brazil. REGUA’s primary objective is to protect the remaining forest and biodiversity from deforestation, hunting and over-extraction of natural resources. We are indeed fortunate to be able to spend our one-centre tour here, travelling out to various sites to bolster the impressive list of birds (currently around 435 species) available at the reserve. The Guapiaçu Bird Lodge is ideally situated for our requirements with birding on our doorstep. Green-headed and Ruby-crowned Tanagers, Blond-crested Woodpecker, Swallow-tailed Hummingbird and Chestnut-backed Antshrike may be found in the borders of the garden. There are many trails accessed by foot or after a short ride in the vehicle and we will see a great variety of Atlantic Forest endemic birds which may include White-necked and Mantled Hawks, Crescent-chested Puffbird, Rufous-capped Motmot, Pin-tailed Manakin, Bare-throated Bellbird, Spot-billed Toucanet, several dazzling tanagers and with luck the rare Elegant Mourner (Shrike-like Cotinga). After a great day in the field we can relax with a Caipirinha (a delicious Brazilian cocktail) outside the lodge with the sound of rails and crakes ringing out from the wetland bordering the forest. There is even a swimming pool if you want to cool off that way. In September the holiday can be extended, either by taking the two tours back-to-back, or by joining the Pantanal tour. Please ask for a special price. Please note that this area of Brazil is non-malarial and has no yellow fever. ITINERARY Days 1 to 8 We leave London on a direct flight to Rio de Janeiro. We arrive into Rio de Janeiro in the evening and we are met by our driver and transfer to Guapiaçu Bird Lodge in the REGUA reserve. The journey takes approximately an hour and a half. Staying at the lodge throughout this tour for eight nights our program will be flexible, but will include birding in the forest and wetlands nearby, as well as some excursions by minibus. REGUA boasts a bird-rich wetland within easy reach of the lodge, in fact many of the roosting egrets can be seen from the lodge grounds and rails and crakes can be heard from the garden. This habitat provides us with a nice gentle introduction to REGUA’s avifauna and quality birds may include Masked Duck, Capped Heron, Rufescent Tiger-Heron, Slaty-breasted Wood-Rail, Blackish Rail, Rufous-sided Crake, three species of kingfisher, Wing-banded Hornero, Yellow-chinned Spinetail, White-headed Marsh-Tyrant and Masked Yellowthroat. The route to the wetland along the forest borders provides an opportunity for us to become acquainted with some of the more common Atlantic Forest endemics such as Yellowlored Tody-Flycatcher, Long-billed Wren and the stunning Brazilian Tanager. We will linger a while in patches of forest, listening intently for the repetitive song of the handsome Crescent-chested Puffbird, a species found only in the Atlantic Forests of Brazil and quite numerous here. In the more open areas we will scan the sky for Black Hawk-Eagle or Grey-headed Kite and listen for passing flocks of Orange-winged Parrots. In the evening we may see Pauraque, Tawny-browed Owl or Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl near the lodge. Some days involve spending a little bit more time away from the lodge with a packed lunch. The Waterfall Trail is worthy of almost a full day with the reward of taking lunch overlooking a spectacular waterfall deep in the heart of REGUA’s forest. We Blue-winged Macaw stop at a few feeders in a clearing on the way, where we should see Violet-capped Woodnymph and Saw-billed Hermits, before entering the forest trail where we may encounter our first Rufousbreasted Leaftosser and Blue Manakin. The stands of bamboo here are the haunt of the Slaty Bristlefront, a strange ground-dwelling tapaculo that sometimes struts into view like a miniature clockwork chicken. Deep sided banks are the breeding sites of Rufous-capped Motmot so we can linger a while in any suitable places for this rather unobtrusive species. The path passes through a few small clearings where Spot-billed Toucanets can sometimes be seen and the loud clanging song of Bare-throated Bellbirds are heard over the distant forest canopy. Slowly but surely we can begin to increase our bird list as each corner and recess reveals different Atlantic Forest specialities. Star-throated Antwrens scold from the undergrowth while overhead the distinctive song of the Spot-backed Antshrike can be detected as this range-restricted species manoeuvres through the vine tangles above us. Pin-tailed Manakin, Surucua Trogon, Spot-breasted Antvireo, Streakcapped Antwren, Plain-winged Woodcreeper and Brassy-breasted and Red-necked Tanagers can all be seen on this trail if we find a mixed feeding flock. Elegant Mourner (Shrike-like Cotinga) is almost a REGUA speciality, but it is an altitudinal migrant and at this time of the year they have moved to the higher part of the reserve which requires some physical effort to see them. We try to see this rare bird and we are bound to chance upon many other spectacular birds here with Black-cheeked Gnateater, Buff-bellied Puffbird, Scaled Antbird, White-shouldered Fire-eye, Pale- 36 For a previous tour report or further information please call: 01794 519445
Page 1 and 2: ORNITHOLIDAYS 2014 49 Our Forty-Nin
Page 3 and 4: 49 Our Forty-Ninth Year ORNITHOLIDA
Page 5 and 6: I S O R N I T H O L I D AY S R I G
Page 7 and 8: L AT E 2 0 1 3 T O U R S Summary of
Page 9 and 10: T O U R G R A D I N G Tour Grading
Page 11 and 12: G R E E N TA X E S A N D C A R B O
Page 13 and 14: Bryce Canyon, Utah, USA
Page 15 and 16: U S A - U TA H & A R I Z O N A USA
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Page 19 and 20: U S A - N E W E N G L A N D USA - N
Page 21 and 22: U S A - F LO R I D A USA - Florida
Page 23 and 24: U S A - H A W A I I USA - Hawaii Ii
Page 25 and 26: M E X I C O Mexico Western Mexican
Page 27 and 28: C O S TA R I C A Costa Rica Classic
Page 29 and 30: C U B A Cuba Endemic Birds & Winter
Page 31 and 32: T R I N I D A D & T O B A G O Trini
Page 33 and 34: S T LU C I A St Lucia at Leisure Pi
Page 35 and 36: G U YA N A Guyana Rainforests, Wate
Page 37: C O LO M B I A Colombia Birding’s
Page 41 and 42: B R A Z I L Brazil - Photographic T
Page 43 and 44: E C U A D O R Ecuador Tumbesian & A
Page 45 and 46: Waterhole at Etosha, Namibia
Page 47 and 48: S O U T H A F R I C A South Africa
Page 49 and 50: S O U T H A F R I C A & B O T S W A
Page 51 and 52: TA N Z A N I A Tanzania - Photograp
Page 53 and 54: G H A N A Ghana In search of Picath
Page 55 and 56: E T H I O P I A Ethiopia Undiscover
Page 57 and 58: U G A N D A Uganda Birds & Primates
Page 59 and 60: N A M I B I A Namibia Etosha & the
Page 61 and 62: T H E G A M B I A The Gambia A Tast
Page 63 and 64: E GY P T Egypt Birds & History Frid
Page 65 and 66: M O R O C C O Morocco High Atlas &
Page 67 and 68: M O R O C C O Morocco Atlantic Coas
Page 69 and 70: Sing-sing with Huli, Papua New Guin
Page 71 and 72: J O R D A N Jordan Birds & History
Page 73 and 74: K U W A I T Kuwait Birding in the G
Page 75 and 76: I N D I A India - Goa Birds, Beache
Page 77 and 78: S R I L A N K A Sri Lanka Teardrop
Page 79 and 80: M O N G O L I A Mongolia Eastern St
Page 81 and 82: TA I W A N Taiwan Island Endemics S
Page 83 and 84: B H U TA N Bhutan Birds & Buddhism
Page 85 and 86: N E PA L Nepal Chitwan, Koshi & Phu
Page 87 and 88: V I E T N A M Vietnam Land of the D
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B O R N E O Borneo Island in the Cl
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PA P U A N E W G U I N E A Papua Ne
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N E W Z E A L A N D New Zealand Kiw
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Boating on the Danube Delta, Romani
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G R E E C E Greece - The Island of
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G R E E C E Greece - The Island of
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S PA I N Spain - Coto Doñana & Sie
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S PA I N Spain - The Canary Islands
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S PA I N Spain - Coto Doñana & Ext
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S PA I N Spain - The Island of Meno
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S PA I N Spain - Southern Catalonia
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S PA I N Spain - Catalonia - Photog
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S PA I N Spain - The Pyrenees Monta
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S PA I N Spain - Tarifa & Coto Doñ
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S PA I N Spain - Aragon Cranes, Lam
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P O R T U G A L Portugal at Leisure
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P O R T U G A L Portugal at Leisure
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I TA LY - S I C I LY Italy - Sicily
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I TA LY Italy Po Delta Po Delta Pal
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I TA LY Italy at Leisure Birds & Wi
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F R A N C E France - Wallcreeper To
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F R A N C E France - The Camargue,
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N E T H E R L A N D S Netherlands W
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I C E L A N D Iceland Winter Wonder
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I C E L A N D Iceland Land of Ice &
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T U R K E Y Turkey Turkish Delight
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B E L A R U S Belarus Europe’s La
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F I N L A N D Finland Owls, Woodpec
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H U N G A R Y Hungary Spring Tour S
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H U N G A R Y Hungary at Leisure Cr
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R O M A N I A Romania Danube Delta
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B U L G A R I A Bulgaria at Leisure
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O U R T E A M O F L E A D E R S Our
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O U R T E A M O F L E A D E R S Blu
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C A L E N D A R Calendar 2014 JANUA
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C O N D I T I O N S O F B O O K I N
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C O N D I T I O N S O F B O O K I N
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ORNITHOLIDAYS 29 Straight Mile Roms
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