Author Archives: peter

Choco Rainforest (Colombia) – Trip Report (Sept 2017)

In mid-September, Bob Lewis and I returned to Colombia for a two week tour focusing on the Choco rain forests. Our first stop was the Anchicaya Valley and our second major stop was a return trip to Cerro Montezuma. Afterwards we toured the Tolima region of the central Andes. Once again our guide was Daniel Uribe with help from a couple of local guides. We saw almost 400 species including the rare Tooth-billed Hummingbird, an amazing array of colorful tanagers, and numerous sulking species such as antbirds, ant-vireos, … The trip report provides detailed logistical information and directions to key birding sites.

Click here to link to the trip report:
Colombia2017

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British Colombia Loon Workshop (June 2015)

In early June, Bob Lewis and I traveled to Lac Le Jeune near Kamloops, British Colombia for an amazing four day photography workshop hosted by Greg Downing and Alan Murphy. Although the primary objective was to photograph loons and their chicks, we also got incredible photos of a variety of other species

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Click here to link to the trip report
BC-Loons2015

Posted in Trip Reports

Eastern Andes Trip Report (May 2015)

In early May, I once again joined Boris Herrera starting in Tarapoto, Peru for a two week tour of the eastern Andes. The objective was to visit some of the sites we missed last year. We discovered a couple of new HB feeder sites near Abra Patricia (Arena Blanca and Alto Mayo Station), finally found the rare and endangered Neblina Metaltail at Yacurri NP, were yet again rained out at Tapichalaca, photographed a possible new subspecies of Loja HB near Saraguro, and revisited Wild Sumaco and Guango before finishing the tour in Quito. We saw 62 species of hummingbirds (33 seen in one day around Tarapoto) and numerous endemic species. The trip report provides detailed information and directions to key birding sites.

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Click here to link to the trip report
EasternAndes2015Report

Posted in Trip Reports

Long-wattled Umbrellabird Video

A one minute YouTube video clip of a male Long-wattled Umbrellabird at Buenaventura Reserve in SW Ecuador near dusk. The last 30 seconds show its remarkable courtship display call. It uses the long wattle to produce a low-pitched booming sound that resonates through the forest. Without doubt, the strangest bird i have seen in the Americas.

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Marvellous Spatuletail Video

Short YouTube video clip of a male Marvellous Spatuletail displaying at the lek near the Huembo Reserve in Peru

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South Ecuador Trip Report (October 2014)

In early October, i joined Boris Herrera starting in Guayaquil for a two week tour of Southern Ecuador. We visited the renowned Jocotoco Foundation lodges at Buenaventura and Tapichalaca, Copalinga Lodge near Zamoro, and the paramo sections of Cerro Toledo and El Cajas NP. We saw 63 species of hummingbirds and numerous endemic species. The trip report provides detailed information and directions to key birding sites.

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Click here to link to the trip report

SouthEcuador2014Report

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SE Arizona Trip Report (August 2014)

In late August, I joined Bob Lewis for a quick 5 day tour of several lodges in SE Arizona during the southward hummingbird migration. The trip report provides an update on lodges & facilities, visiting policies, .. at several notable birding sites. We managed to see all 10 of our target species.

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Click here to link to the tour report

ArizonaTour2014

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Northern Peru Trip Report

In early January/2014, Bob Lewis and I ventured to Peru for a two week tour of the northern Andes and Santa Eulalia regions. Our focus was to photograph both hummingbirds and endemic species. The trip report once again includes site information, GPS co-ordinates, photos and videos from the trip which will be useful for anyone planning a similar trip along the Northern Peru Birding Route. We saw over 60 hummingbird species and 29 endemic species. The highlight of the trip had to be the Marvelous Spatuletail which we saw at the Huembo Conservation Centre near Pomacochas.

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Click here to link to the tour report
PeruTour2014

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Hummingbirds of Colombia Video#1

I have added a short 4 minute video on You Tube showing 16 species of hummingbirds from the Feb trip to Colombia

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Colombia Tour (Feb/2013)

In late February/2013, Bob Lewis and I returned to Colombia for a two week tour of the central Andes and Santa Marta regions. The trip report includes site information, GPS co-ordinates, photos and videos from the trip which will be useful for anyone planning a similar trip.

Click here to link to the tour report
ColombiaTour2013

Posted in Trip Reports