10 Mar 18 - Colombia: The Final Afternoon On The Guajira Peninsula

Finally, we had to head back into the heat of the mid afternoon sun on the Guajira Peninsula. There had been a bit of a breeze by the coast, as well as, some shade. But we lost both of those benefits once we got back to the bushes. But first, there was the chance to check the Birds feeding along the estuary.

Fish drying on a local boat

Little Blue Heron: Adult. A bit easier to identify compared to a white youngster if one turned up in the UK

Tricoloured Heron

Great White Egret: The white phase of Great Blue Herons also occur in Northern Colombia, but they have pale yellow legs & pale blue lores

Scarlet Ibis dropping in by two Snowy Egrets

Scarlet Ibis

It was time to head to the bushes.

The habitat was even more arid than where we had been in the morning

A close up

Crested Caracara

There was a reasonable selection of Birds that were still active despite the heat.

Buffy Hummingbird: This had been a Tick in the morning, but I hadn't managed to get any photos

Green-rumped Parrotlet: They occur in arid Colombia, Venezuela, the Guianas and arid Northern Brazil

Grey Kingbird: A species that occurs from the coastal SE of the US, to Colombia & Venezuela & the Caribbean

Brown-crested Flycatcher: A species that occurs from the SW of the US, through Central America to Colombia & Venezuela to Brazil & Northern Argentina

Tropical Mockingbird: Running off with a large berry

Tropical Gnatcatcher: Another common resident of this arid scrub

We ended the day, walking along a short track in the failing light as it was a roosting site for Rufous-vented Chachalacas. We were successful in seeing, but not photographing, them.

Cattle Tyrant: The light was just about good enough to photograph this Cattle Tyrant on this large pile of rotting fruit

We had the final evening cooling down back at the Hotel La Jorara. There was a final pre-dawn start so that we could be at a site for Chestnut-winged Chachalaca at first light. We were successful in seeing them in the trees before the dispersed to feed. After that, we had a final couple of hours of Birding in some mangroves at the Isla Salamanca National Park, which produced my final three Ticks of the trip. However, I've no photos from this final day, as I wasn't expecting to do a lot of photography & the cameras were packed. In the end there was more than I had expected. After a couple of hours in the minibus, we arrived at Barranquilla airport around lunchtime. As Brian & I were checking in, we asked if they had any earlier flights back to Bogota & managed to get onto a flight that was departing in about two hours time, rather than early evening. There was just time for a rushed final drink with the others before we headed off for the departure gate. It was a good flight to Bogota & gave us the afternoon & evening to have a leisurely meal & final chill out before getting our international flights. Brian flew back to the UK & I caught the late evening flight to Chile for the next part of my adventure. Little did either of us know that this was the last time we would see each other. I spoke to Brian a few times after I returned home in May & was planning to visit him later in the Summer. Sadly, he had a sudden & fatal heart attack at Porthgwarra in late July.

Brian: Thanks for another great trip with many happy memories

10 Mar 18 - Colombia: Early Morning On The Guajira Peninsula

It was a long drive to our first stopping point on the Guajira Peninsula & for once, we arrived just after first light, rather than before dawn. However, it had only been light for a short period of time before we stopped. We started to see new Birds as soon as we were out of the minibus.

Bare-eyed Pigeon: This is restricted to the arid coast of Northern Colombia, Venezuela & a few offshore islands

Bare-eyed Pigeon: Later in the morning, we had better views of this local speciality

The first Bare-eyed Pigeon, was quickly followed by a Vermilion Cardinal.

Vermilion Cardinal: This sign on a house gives you an idea of how bright they are

A habitat shot showing how dry & arid the site is

Soon after, a patch of flowering bushes which were hosting my first Buffy Hummingbirds & Red-billed Emeralds. However, the light was poor, everything was flighty & Janos was quickly moving us on. Given it was going to get hot very quickly, it was good to keep looking, before the activity dropped off. We were soon at a fairly large waterhole among the arid bushes. Obviously, this was a magnet for Birds.

Crested Bobwhite: The whiter faced male has just put its head up. This is the only Bobwhite species & it occurs from Guatemala to Colombia, Venezuela & the Guianas

Crested Bobwhite: I am assuming that the left hand individual is the female with the other back two being the youngsters

Pale-legged Hornero: This species occurs from Colombia & Venezuela to Ecuador & Brazil

Pied Water-tyrant: They are always a delight to see

Pied Water-tyrant: They look quite different as they turn

Pileated Finch: This had also appeared close to the Pied Water-tyrant for a drink

White-whiskered Spinetail: This must be one of the best-looking Spinetails. A pity it was skulking in the vegetation

White-whiskered Spinetail: Fortunately, we had better views of this cracking species later in the morning

Black-crested Antshrike: Female

Greyish Saltator

At the far end of the waterhole, was a mixed group of feeding White Ibis, Scarlet Ibis and Snowy Egrets.

White Ibis, a paler Scarlet Ibis & a Snowy Egret

White Ibis

Scarlet Ibis: A well marked individual

Snowy Egret

Yellow-headed Caracara

It was time to move on to another local track. More in the next Blog Post.