MANGLARES CHURUTE - EL CAJAS NP - YUNGUILLA

Breakfast at 6.15am was a luxury followed by just over an hour’s drive to the mangroves at Manglares Churute. On the drive in we stopped to see our first Savanna Hawk and a pair of Pale-mandibled Aracari stealing eggs from a Pacific Hornero’s nest, plus we had a flock of Bronze-winged Parrots flying over, Groove-billed and Smooth-billed Anis, Grey-and-gold Warbler and a Social Flycatcher. Our first attempt at Jet Antbird proved to be a little frustrating as it only showed briefly, but our second try was much better with some great views. A Common Black Hawk was perched at the entrance to the boardwalk but we couldn’t find any Rufous-necked Wood-rails, instead just had a Green Kingfisher, Tricoloured Heron, Roseate Spoonbill and a Mangrove Warbler.

 

Leaving here we drove to another area for Horned Screamer, which was seen well through the scope. Along the way we had Grey-lined Hawk and Crested Caracara and on the drive out we well and truly nailed Scarlet-backed Woodpecker. An abortive attempt was made at seed-finches as the stake-out has been destroyed so we carried on to Quizas Hoy. Here we had great looks at Baron’s Hermit, along with Yellow-olive Flatbill, Violet-bellied Hummingbird, White-shouldered Tanager and best of all, a pair of White-whiskered Puffbirds. But we will have to return as there were no Pacific Royal Flycatchers today. 

El Cajas National Park

So we stopped nearby for lunch and then drove up to 4,160m at El Cajas National Park. Amidst this spectacular setting we had excellent views of a pair of Polylepsis specialist Giant Conebills and at another spot we found a pair of awesome Tit-like Dacnis feeding beside a lake. 

Giant Conebill

Tit-like Dacnis

And this area was good for Blue-mantled Thornbill, Plumbeous Sierra-Finch, Tawny Antpitta and Mouse-coloured Thistletail. Other species seen included Pearled Treerunner, White-spectacled Redstart, White-throated Tyrannulet, Stout-billed Cinclodes, and a pair of Andean Teal. From here it took nearly 2 hours to reach our hotel in Yunguilla, but boy the beers were good!