The female Calliope Hummingbird continues at the private residence within the
Bowie CBC circle. Thanks to Phil Davis for fielding emails about visiting
this bird in my absence. Now that I'm back, direct questions on visitation to
me at live4birds AT aol.com or Mary AT Paulagics.com. Thanks to everyone for
respecting the local community and not arriving before 9 AM and parking in
unnumbered spaces. The homeowners report that their neighbors continue to be
tolerant of the additional traffic and continue to enjoy the local celebrity in
the neighborhood.
I've just returned from a two week trip to Ecuador organized by Neblina
Forest (http://www.neblinaforest.com/main.php). These folks can organize a custom
tour for you in Ecuador, as well as offering a two week trip across the country
and an annual birders week in the Galapagos. We opted for a week divided
between the Mindo area on the west slope and the San Lorenzo area (with Choco
endemics). We had a great time, with all airport transfers, hotels, lodges,
meals, driver, and bird guide organized by Neblina Forest. DON'T go to Ecuador
and rent a car! You will want 4WD, you will need a better map than we found
(there are few street signs much less signs to birding sites), and many sites we
visited were private lands.
The second week we went to the new and wonderful Napo Wildlife Center
(http://www.ecoecuador.com/) as recommended by Neblina Forest. The NWC is a new
community owned eco-lodge off the Napo River in Amazonian Ecuador and has a
fantastic bird guide in residence. Birders should not opt for the 4 day/3 night or
5 day/4 night options but should (unless pressed for time) do a week at the
lodge. The birding, food, transfers, were all fantastic. Jiovanny Rivadeneira
is the local bird guide, and we had a second guide, Jorge Jose Fabre, for the
week as well. We shared these two birders with another couple for two days
and then had four more days with them.
Don't hestitate to email me about these places and good birding!
Mary Gustafson |