Birding in Ecuador - Day 2 - Luis' Lane

On our second day we will be checking in at the Sachatamia Lodge which will be our "home" for the next three nights. Mercedes, the owner of the Puembo Birding Garden where we stayed the first night, suggested we should go birding on the way to Sachatamia. "I know the perfect guy who can drive you to your destination and even take you to the birding spots along the way," she offered. Early morning of our second day, the said driver, Luis, was already waiting for us.

"Our first stop would be at the Alambi," he said. Alambi Cloud Forest Reserve was indeed a must-see place for birders. It is a hummingbird heaven!

Fawn-breasted brilliant

Purple-bibbed Whitetip

Purple-throated Woodstar -female

Booted Racket-tail

Brown Inca

Brown Violetear

From there we did a short stop at Bellavista Lodge - another famous lodging area in the Tandayapa valley.

Buff-tailed Coronet

Blue-winged Mountain Tanager

After lunch at the town of Mindo, we proceeded to another birding stop-over - the San Tadeo Birdwatching. Whereas Alambi was noted for its hummingbirds, San Tadeo, on the other hand, was famous for its tanagers.

Black-capped Tanager

Golden-naped Tanager

Flame-faced Tanager

Black-chinned Mountain Tanager

Golden Tanager

Lemon-rumped Tanager

Finally, we arrived at Sachatamia. We settled in our cottage and then surveyed the surrounding area. And got good looks at a Masked Trogon.

We said goodbye to Luis. He was technically a guide because he is familiar with the roads, trails, paths and lanes of the birding spots. He even knew the owners of those places personally. Not only that he is an expert on local birds. Before leaving he said, "Look for the owl at the parking area at night."

However, we were so exhausted that as soon as we returned to our cottage, we were out like a rock.