Birding La Segua on the way to Isla de la Plata

Took a trip to the coast to a place known as "the poor man's Galapagos." Isla de la Plata is about 25km off the coast of Manta and hosts many of the same birds as the Galapagos but is far easier and cheaper to reach. Birding along the way as well as the La Segua Wetlands, it was a truly beautiful experience despite the spartan conditions. There are many wading and waterbirds along the many farms you can pull off onto for viewings. We were able to see a great variety this way including: Black-necked Stilt #197, Ringed-kingfisher #198, and the elusive sun bittern #199. Also seen were many white-edged orioles #200, Wattled Jacana #201, Wilson's plover #202, White-faced pintail #203, tri-color heron #204, neotropical cormorant #205, vermillion flycatcher #206, peruvian meadowlark #207, tropical mockingbirds #208, boat-tailed grackle #209, least grebe #210, southern yellow grossbeak #211, paraque #212 and saffron finches #213. La Segua was teeming with birds despite being very hot. Many lifers here for me including: #214 Cocoi Heron, Purple Gallinule #215, Supercilliated Wren #216, Silver-throated kingbird #217 striated heron #218 Many smooth billed #219 and groove-billed anis #220, Also had the green kingfisher #221, The american pygmy kingfisher #222, grey-breasted martin #223, brown-chested martin #224, Many doves were in attendance. White-tipped dove #225, peruvian dove #226 and these beautiful croaking ground doves #227, Along the entire coast, there are large flocks of cute Pacific Parrolets #228 Last but not least were two kraiks...both completely new to me. The white-throated kraik #229 and this grey-breasted krail #230!

Urban Jungle Premiere Sunday Night

Although the hawk section got pared down considerably, it was still cool working on this project. Cant wait to see the finished product!

More Hummers

Because it was Spring, there were many nesting hummingbirds this time around such as: Andean Emerald 183, Purple-throated Woodstar 184, Green violet-ear 185, Green-thorntail 186, and amazilas 187. Also seen: fawn-breasted brilliant 187, white-whiskered hermit 188, empress brilliant 189, rufous tailed hummingbird 190, booted rackettail 191, tiny woodstar 192, brown inca 193, collared inca 194, brown violet-ear 195, and the incredible white-necked jacobin 196.

Mindo Endemics

Green crowned brilliant 175, Violet-tailed Sylph 176, Purple-crowned Fairy 177, Sparkling violet-ear 178, green violet-ear 179, Hook-billed Kite 180, Plate-billed Mountain Toucan 181 and Crested Quetzal 182.

Ecuador 2014

Making new friends! 172, Gorgeted Sun Angel. 173 Buff-winged Coronet. 174 Velvet purple coronet.