The time difference between the UK and Bolivia should help us to be up and about bright and early this morning as we plan to depart Santa Cruz very early (probably 0430 or 0500) in order to reach our first birding trail during peak morning activity. En-route, we will enjoy a picnic breakfast in semi-humid forest along a rushing river on the lower mountain slopes, then hike a dry, gently undulating trail through the forest. Continuing westward, we will eventually reach the southern boundary zone of Amboró National Park.
Amboró is a large wilderness area of 1.5 million acres that straddles the eastern foothills of the Andes in the Department of Santa Cruz. It is conveniently situated at the confluence of four very different biogeographical zones: the southern rim of the Amazon Basin (with its humid tropical rainforests), the western edge of the Brazilian shield (with its subtropical deciduous forests), the northern limit of the Chaco (temperate woodlands), and the very diverse subtropical and temperate forests of the Andes. This mosaic of ecosystems shelters a correspondingly rich diversity of plants and animals, including no less than 830 bird species! The comfortable Refugio Los Volcanes is conveniently located in the subtropical and temperate forests of Amboró National Park, and will provide us with a good base for two nights from which we will explore the nearby forests.
The lodge is located in a valley which is favoured by many species of parrots, including Mitred, Blue-crowned, Green-cheeked, and Yellow-chevroned Parakeets, and in November the strikingly beautiful Military Macaws breed here. Two-banded Warblers are almost guaranteed, and we have also had past success with King Vulture, Sunbittern, Band-bellied Owl, Toco Toucan, Crimson-crested Woodpecker, Ocellated Woodcreeper, Black-capped Antwren, White-backed Fire-Eye, the shy and elusive Slaty Gnateater, Bolivian Tapaculo, Sclater’s Tyrannulet, Sepia-capped Flycatcher, Yungas Manakin, Rufous bellied Thrush, and Plush-crested Jay. We’ll hope to track down good mixed species flocks that feature a diverse group of tanagers including a distinct race of Common Bush- Tanager, Guira Tanager and Black-goggled Tanager. Between the months of May and November, cold fronts from the Antarctic drive higher altitude species down to lower elevations providing us with opportunities to see Whitewinged, Saffron-crowned and Blue-necked Tanagers. This is definitely one of the most exciting times to visit the lodge as figs begin to fruit during this time period. Other species we will be looking for include Andean Condor, King Vulture, Black-chested Buzzard-Eagle, Yungas (Large-tailed) Dove, Military Macaw (seasonal), Scaly-headed Parrot, Turquoise- fronted Parrot, Planalto Hermit, Buff bellied Hermit, Versicolored Barbet, the endemic Bolivian Recurvebill (rare), Ochre-cheeked Spinetail, Gray-throated Leaftosser, Blue-naped Chlorophonia and Straw-backed Tanager (seasonal), amongst others. Looking for birds in the more disturbed habitat along the way from the main highway, from the small village of Montero to Refugio Los Volcanes, might produce the very rare Huayco Tinamou, White-eared Puffbird, Giant Antshrike and Green-winged Saltator.
The pace at the lodge is normally relatively relaxed. We will be waking up very early to have breakfast before dawn, then bird until late in the morning when the sun becomes too hot and the bird activity dies down. This is a perfect time to enjoy the crystal-clear waters of the streams found near the lodge and we will even have the opportunity to swim in a natural pool that has formed at the base of a small waterfall. We will continue birding in the afternoon and into the early evening when nocturnal birds such as Band-bellied Owl will become our target.
