8 Mar 18 - Colombia: Yellow Is Today's Colour

On the final morning in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta mountains, Janos decided we would head back to the top of the ridge. This time I was in the front 4WD & had the camera primed in case we saw any Owls. We were successful with a second Santa Marta Screech-owl & I had a quick opportunity for one photo. Not the best of photos, but it was the only photo of this individual & it was only the group in the first 4WD that managed to see it.

Santa Marta Screech-owl

We reached the ridge line just before first light. Another cold morning with clear skies, but it warmed up fairly quickly once the sun appeared.

Early morning views

Early morning views

It was pretty dry up at the top: The pool looked to be only half full at best

There were a number of the same species around the track as on the first morning, but also some of the expected species that we had missed on the first visit, showed up. There was a strong yellow theme to the morning.

Yellow-bellied Chat-tyrant

Yellow-bellied Chat-tyrant

Santa Marta Warbler: The first endemic Tick of the day

Yellow-crowned Whitestart

Myrtle Warbler: We weren't the only tourists, as this Myrtle Warbler (AKA Yellow-rumped Warbler) was here for the Winter

Santa Marta Mountain-tanager: Not being particularly photogenic this morning

Santa Marta Brush-finch: We has seen around ten on the first morning at the ridge, but they had been camera shy

Southern Yellow Grosbeak: They occur from Colombia & Northern Venezuela to Ecuador & Peru

There were a few other new species for the trip.

Scarlet-fronted Parakeet: Another species that occurs from Colombia & Northern Venezuela to Ecuador & Peru

Black-backed Thornbill: One of only two that we saw on the tour. A pity it didn't turn its head as they have a bright lime-green throat

Tyrian Metaltail: A female all puffed up after a preening session

Rusty-headed Spinetail: That's another Santa Marta endemic seen

One of the Birds we had missed on the first visit was Rufous Antpitta. We had seen it earlier in the trip at Cerro Guadalupe, but this was the Santa Marta subspecies which is a potential split. It was skulking in the Bamboo & there were a couple of small gaps where if you knelt down, it was possible to see into the Bamboo. Brian & I had already seen it close, by kneeling down, but the rest of the group then tried to get views. Given it was sitting low down, I wonder how many, other than the other Brit Rob, saw it.

Looking for the Rufous Antpitta

The late Brian Field & myself on the track: The photos copyright remains with Judy Spisak who took the photo & kindly allowed me to include it on the Blog

It was time for a late breakfast before we started on the long journey back to the El Dorado Lodge.

At the breakfast stop, Brian found a fitness regime that he approved off

Rufous-collared Sparrow: Coming in to look for some free breakfast

Rufous-collared Sparrow: One of the most ubiquitous of Latin American species

American Painted Lady: This Northern American species has its Southern limit in Colombia

Back at the lodge, there was time for a quick check of the feeders & rubbish tip. The highlight was a Crab-eating Fox: although this one wasn't living up to its name.

Crab-eating Fox: This one has gone vegie

Waiting for the stragglers to bring their bags so we could leave

We had enjoyed a great time at the El Dorado Lodge & the staff had been very friendly. But now it was time to start the long bumpy ride down the mountain & stop for some lower elevation Birding.

6 Mar 18 - Colombia: Posh Catalina

It was our first opportunity for any Birding in the endemic rich Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta mountains, having arrived after dark the evening before. The plan of getting to the top of the Santa Marta ridge above the El Dorado lodge, was complicated by the need to get going earlier to look for Owls. We had three 4WDs & unfortunately I was in the back one as we left. Therefore, we were a bit behind Janos, when he stopped the first 4WD for a recently described Santa Marta Screech-owl. As a result, it was looking away by the time I was trying to get some photos. Fortunately, I was a bit better prepared when Janos picked up a Stygian Owl later on. A two Owl Tick morning is a good way to start any day.

Santa Marta Screech-owl: This species had been known to be an undescribed species for at least the last decade, before finally been described in 2017

Stygian Owl: A species I had looked for unsuccessfully in a few Latin American countries. It occurs from Mexico to the Caribbean & as far South as Argentina. The name comes from the Greek for very dark

The rest of the drive to the ridge was uneventful, except for a few Band-winged Nightjars all flushed off the track by the lead 4WD & which we weren't aware of until we reached the top: fortunately not a Tick. There was a reasonable amount of early morning activity, but many species were quick to disappear back into the dense Bamboo & bush cover either side of the track.

 Santa Marta Mountain-tanager: Some of the names could be a bit more imaginative

Yellow-crowned Whitestart: That's another Santa Marta endemic seen

After checking various parties of Scaly-naped Parrots & Scarlet-fronted Parakeets, we finally saw our first Santa Marta Parakeets.

Santa Marta Parakeet

It had been a good start on the top of the ridge, but it was getting close to breakfast time. Not for us, as we had already had a snack, but for Catalina. She was a girl that was quite fussy about her food & when she wanted it. We headed down the hill to the met station where she lived.

Santa Marta Antpitta: After a bit of calling, Catalina appeared at the edge of the forest

Santa Marta Antpitta: Another Santa Marta endemic

Santa Marta Antpitta: Catalina took about a year to get used to being fed. Eventually, she would generally appear when called. The lady who was calling her in removed the plate & for several weeks, she refused to appear. It was only when the plate was returned, that Catalina started coming in again for food

Nearby, we tried a short forest trail which proved productive for Trogons with Masked Trogon & my first White-tipped Quetzal.

Masked Trogon: We had previously seen Masked Trogon at Rio Blanco, but this is the sanctaemartae subspecies

White-tipped Quetzal: Female

White-tipped Quetzal: We found the male nearby excavating a nest hole

White-tipped Quetzal: Male

It was late morning & we headed back to the El Dorado Lodge. But there was plenty of activity to keep us busy around the feeders. More in the next Blog Post.