Hacienda El Bosque

We headed back up into the hills this morning and another appointment with a couple of antpittas. This time it was on the grounds of a cattle ranch, where we had a nice breakfast before driving up in a 4-wheel drive through the fields. At the top we saw at least 3 distant Grey-breasted Mountain-Toucans. A short walk down into brilliant cloud forest led us to a viewing area where a Grey-browed Brushfinch greeted us. 

Grey-browed Brush-Finch

After a tense wait a Rufous Antpitta duly appeared and fed for a few minutes before disappearing back into the forest. Wow again! 

Rufous Antpitta

It was a reasonably steep walk back up to the top of the field enlivened by Golden-fronted Whitestart and a couple of Pearled Treerunners at the forest edge. Once at the top we enjoyed closer looks at a Grey-breasted Mountain-Toucan feeding firstly at eye-level and then down the slope below us. 

Grey-breasted Mountain-Toucan

And then it was time for the main event as we walked down some steps to another viewing area where amazingly a pair of Crescent-faced Antpittas appeared almost immediately. This is one hell of a bird and one of the most-wanted Neotropical birds going and we simply lapped up the views as they fed just around 25 feet below us providing incredible views. 

Crescent-faced Antpitta

But that wasn’t all as the hummer feeders attracted 2 Sword-billed Hummingbirds, Buff-winged Starfrontlet, Sparkling Violetear, Mountain Velvetbreast etc. 

Sword-billed Hummingbird

A superb Barred Fruiteater was also seen, along with Paramo Seedeater and White-throated Tyrannulet. Eventually, after repeated views of the antpitta we dragged ourselves away and returned to the main house where a Cattle Tyrant and Purple-backed Thornbill was seen.

Barred Fruiteater

Then we set out on the 7 hour drive to Jardin. Along the way we made a couple of stops seeing the endemic Greyish Piculet, Highland Hepatic Tanager, White-winged Becard, Western Emerald, Ultramarine Grosbeak, Bran-coloured Flycatcher, Red-crowned Woodpecker and Crimson-backed Tanager. A quick lunch stop produced Carib Grackle, Shiny Cowbird and Giant Cowbird. A frustrating drive ensued with numerous roadworks despite our detour but we eventually made it to our lovely hotel in the town square.