Colombia Birding Trip 2010

Speckled Hummingbird Cinnamon Flycatcher Blue-winged Mountain Tanager

I had a great birding tour this year, we saw over 175 species, including several lifers for me. Six clients from California went with me to Cali, Colombia and we spent nine days birding four distinct habitats: south of Cali, open fields and riparian habitat on the river Cauca valley area; west of Cali, highlands jungle area (over 6600 ft); north of Cali, wetlands at Laguna de Sonso, and finally, we visited Nirvana Reserve on the Central Mountain Range east of Cali.

West of Cali, up in the mountains on the very first day the clients saw not one but three Multicolor Tanagers, a Colombian Endemic very much prized by birders all over the world. Another rare sighting, seen through a scope at the wetlands north of Cali, was a Horned Screamer a majestic looking bird.

Birding Laguna de Sonso, Colombia

Having a great time in Colombia, spending time with family and friends! The birding has been fantastic, yesterday I visited the Laguna de Sonso , north of Cali, and saw an amazing number of birds. That place is a haven for local and migratory birds! A good friend drove me there, a quick 50 minutes drive north of Cali. We brought lunch and spent several hours at the place. The weather was good, although we did get some rain drops. Once we got there we had some trouble finding the entrance, but after asking for directions it was easy. The dirt road to the actual site was in good condition and the bird life was fantastic. We saw: Orioles, Ibis, Hawks, Cormorants, Waterfowl, Parakeets, Kingbirds, Flycatchers, Parrots, Egrets, and Blue Herons. This is a must visit site for bird watchers while in the Southwest of Colombia!!!!!

Laguna de Sonso Nature Reserve

Location: West of City of Buga, in the state of Valle del Cauca.

Surface Area: Over 5000 acres -1840 acres of wetland and 3212 acres of mixed land between forest and grassland.

Altitude: 3071, ft. above sea level.

Number of Species of Birds: 162 species, between resident and migratory birds.