Bolivia2010-1

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Brief Trip Description: Bolivia 2010

Though Lelis Navarrete is the premiere guide for Ecuador, he also leads successful trips to other parts of
South America. His last PIB trip to Bolivia found just over 500 species (well over 400 on the main trip and
reaching past 500 with the extension). Lelis, along with Robert Ridgely , found the Jocotoco Antpitta, a bird
new to science. Besides being a fantastic bird guide, Lelis supports a number of conservation efforts. By my
estimates and experience, Lelis' skills will allow you the opportunity to see another 10 to 30 species more per
day than other bird guides in South America. You have the best bird guide for this trip.

A small trip extension of several days will provide the opportunity for additional birding along the Upper
Coroico Road, Apaapa Reserve Lake Titicaca area and Sorata.

This trip is filling very quickly and well in advance so please let us know if you are interested. A full itinerary is
presented below. Please contact us to get trip reports to get a good idea of the bird species you will see
based upon our past experiences.

Brief Itinerary

July 10, 2010: Most flights will begin on July 10 with arrival in Santa Cruz,
Bolivia on July 11. Note: We fly out of La Paz. See flight notes in full itinerary.
July 11, 2009: Arrival Santa Cruz in the early morning. Birding the
Viru-Viru airport, short nap and then afternoon birding Lomas de Arena
Regional Park.
July 12: Early morning birding Jardin Botanico and in the afternoon birding
transfer to Los Volcanes.
July 13 and 14: Two full days of birding at the Refugio Los Volcanes
Amboro National Park.
July 15: Morning birding and birding in transit to Tambo.
July 16: Full day birding Tambo and Comarapa area.
July 17: Full day birding La Siberia.
July 18: Early morning birding La Siberia and birding in transit to
Cochabamba. Some late afternoon birding in Cochabamba.
July 19: Birding the Cochabamba-Upper Chapare Road, and Tablas
Monte.
July 20: Birding Cerro Tunari.
July 21: Birding the Cochabamba- Upper Chapare Road, Subestacion
Miguelito.
July 22: Early morning birding Laguna Alalay and birding in transit to Oruro.
July 23: Early morning birding at the lakes near Oruro and some birding in
transit to La Paz via Inquisivi. Some very late night flights out are possible on
July 23.
July 24: Transfer out to International flight from La Paz. Flights leave from
the early morning to late at night. OR SEE EXTENSION trip.

Extension Day 1: July 24: Birding on way to Chulumai on the Upper
Coroico Road.
July 25 and 26: From Chulumai, birding full day at the nearby Apaapa
Reserve.
July 27: Birding through various habitats as you return to La Paz.
July 28: Early start for Lake Titicaca and Sorata.
July 19, 2010: Extension Trip return flights.

A more detailed itinerary can be found below and even more
information upon request.

Chestnut-eared Aracari (above).

Photo by Lelis Navarrete.

Rufous-faced Antpitta at La Siberia.

The PIB with Neblina Forest Tour's: Itinerary for Bolivia

July 11 and 12, 2010: Birding Near and Around Santa Cruz, including Viru-Viru Airport,
Lomas de Arena, Jardin Botanico

On July 12, 2010 (Sunday): After arriving early in Santa Cruz, we will begin by birding
at the Viru-Viru airport.
At some point in time, we will check into the hotel and take a short nap and then
continue with afternoon birding at Lomas de Arena Regional Park.
Some of the many interesting birds we may see include Whistling Heron, Rufous-
rumped Seedeater, White-bellied Nothura, Golden-collared Macaw, Guira Cuckoo,
White-eared Puffbird, White-rumped Monjita, Toco Toucan, White Woodpecker,
Campo Flicker, Chotoy Spinetail, Fawn-breasted Wren, and Red-legged Seriema.
We may have time for birding at the Jardin Botanica; however, we will likely retire early
so that we can have a good early start in the morning.

On the morning of July 12 (Sunday), we will bird Jardin Botanico. Jardin Botanica
hosts a number of interesting hummingbirds, including Cinnamon-throated Hermit,
Glittering-bellied Emerald, and Gilded Hummingbird. Other birds in the area include
Scaly-headed Parrot, Black-banded Woodcreeper, and Stripe-backed Antbird.
We will continue birding in several different habitats (including semi-humid forest, a
riparian area on the lower mountain slopes, then perhaps a dryer forest) in transit to
Los Volcanes and Ambroro National Park. Given the habitat mix and Lelis’ sound
judgement, we will likely add a number of other species to our trip list.
We may arrive in time to hike down the entrance road looking for birds and other
wildlife.

July 13 and 14: Birding Refugio Los Volcanes and Ambororo National Park

The lodge at the Refugio Los Volcanes is conveniently located in the subtropical and
temperate forests of Amboró National Park, and will provide us with a base from
which we will explore the nearby forests and other nearby areas with a great diversity
of habitat and bird life.
The valley where the lodge is located is excellent for parrots, including Mitred
Parakeets, Blue-crowned Parakeets, Green-cheeked Parakeets, and Yellow-
chevroned Parakeets. Some birds found by Lelis in the past at this location include
Military Macaws, Two-banded Warblers, Huayco Tinamou, King Vulture, Sunbittern,
Spectacled Owl, Channel-billed Toucan, Crimson-crested Woodpecker, Black-
banded Woodcreeper, Black-capped Antwren, White-backed Fire-Eye, Slaty
Gnateater, White-crowned Tapaculo, Marbled-faced Bristle-Tyrant, Yungas Manakin,
Rufous-bellied Thrush, and Plush-crested Jay.
The area also features some very good mixed species flocks that feature a diverse
group of tanagers including the Black-goggled Tanager, Blue-naped Euphonia,
Saffron-crowned Tanager, Common Bush-Tanager, Guira Tanager, Fawn-breasted
Tanager, White-winged Tanager, and Blue-necked Tanagers.
Amboró National Park is a large wilderness area of 1.5 million acres that straddles
the eastern foothills of the Andean Mountains. With two full days of birding, we will be
able to explore four very different habitats from this single location, including the
southern rim of the Amazon Basin (humid tropical rainforests), the western edge of
the Brazilian shield (subtropical deciduous forests), the northern limit of the Chaco
(temperate woodlands), and the very diverse subtropical and temperate forests of the
Andes mountains. This mosaic of ecosystems shelters a correspondingly rich
diversity of plants and animals, including no less than 830 bird species!
Over these two days, we will be waking up very early to have breakfast before dawn,
then will 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 we try for some nocturnal birds, such
as the Spectacled Owl.

July 15 to 17: Birding Samaipata, Tambo and Comarapa Area and La Siberia

On July 15, we will start early. Based upon whatever will maximize better birding, we
will either bird at the lodge or we will drive on to another location to enjoy early
morning birding in a new location with a different habitat.
On our way to Tambo, we will stop at Samaipata. Though difficult to find elsewhere in
Bolivia, several key species which we are more likely to find here include Huayco
Tinamous, Tataupa Tinamous, Bare-faced Ground-Dove, Green-cheeked Parakeet,
Ocellated Piculet, Ochre-cheeked Spinetail, Streaked Xenops Giant Antshrike, Slaty
Gnateater, Gray-crested Finch, Ringed Warbling-Finch, Black-capped Warbling Finch,
and Dull-colored Seedeater. With Lelis as our guide we may see the elusive and very
local Sharp-tailed Streamcreeper and the White-tipped Plantcutter. Also, some of the
terrific hummingbirds we may see include Planalto Hermit, Buff-bellied Hermit, and
Slender-tailed Woodstar.
Following lunch, we will continue towards Tambo with several birding stops along the
way. We will pass through dry deciduous forests before eventually entering into a
zone of arid interandean valleys lying within a rain shadow formed by the surrounding
mountains.

On July 16, we will start early for a full day of birding the Tambo and Comarapa area.
This remote area has a much warmer and dryer habitat than we have birded so far on
the trip. Early morning birding will be rewarded with a cooler start and the potential to
see some terrific bird species, including Ocellated Piculet, White-fronted
Woodpecker, Striped Woodpecker, Golden-breasted Woodpecker, Cream-backed
Woodpecker, and Ochre-cheeked Spinetail. We will hope to see the endemic Bolivian
Earthcreeper, Greater Wagtail-Tyrant, Cliff Flycatcher, Saffron-billed Sparrow, and the
striking Ultramarine Grosbeak. Other interesting birds include King Vulture and
Large-tailed Dove.
In the Andean foothills and the semi-deciduous woodlands and shrub-desert near
Tambo, we may be rewarded with a view of Andean Condor. Sometimes a number of
Condors are seen at one time.
As if this was not enough of a reason to bird in this remote area of Bolivia, we will also
seek out the endemic Red-fronted Macaw. This species is not only one of the most
spectacular of all macaws, it also ranks as one of the rarest birds in South America.
We will take lunch, and a break and perhaps a nap, before continuing birding in the
later afternoon after the whether cools off and the birding picks back up.

On July 17, we will bird the La Siberia area. With such a comforting name, we know
the birding will be good. This cloud forest habitat represents the southernmost limit
of humid-temperate cloud forest in South America. It also marks the southern end of
the range for numerous species of high-elevation forest birds, including the endemic
Rufous-faced Antpitta and the Grey-bellied Flowerpiercer. With Lelis as the bird
guide, we may have the opportunity to see these species.
A few incredible hummingbirds in the area include the Violet-throated Starfrontlet, the
Blue-capped Puffleg, along with the endemic Black-hooded Sunbeam.
Other local specialties include several difficult to find birds, including the Black-
winged Parrot, the Chestnut-crested Cotinga, and the Band-tailed Fruiteater.
We will also look for White-throated Hawk, Mountain Caracara, Light-crowned
Spinetail, Rusty-vented Canastero, Spot-breasted Thornbird, Andean Tyrant, Brown-
capped Redstart, Pale-legged Warbler, Spotted Nightingale-Thrush, White-browed
Conebill, Chestnut-bellied Mountain-Tanager, Rufous-sided Warbling-Finch, Rusty-
browed Warbling-Finch, and Fulvous-headed Brush-Finch.
We will bird along level roads and on trails (with some climbing near Siberia) in both
the arid zone and in the cloud forest.

Itinerary for Bolivia - Continued

July 18 to 21: Birding from Cochabamba, including the Cochabamba-Upper Chapare Road, Tablas Monte, Cerro Tunari, and Subestacia
Miguelito

On July 18, we will leave the hotel early so we can have another early morning bird watching trek at the nearby La Siberia. Hopefully, we
will find a few of the cloud forest species which we may have missed the day before.
After leaving La Siberia, we will then bird in transit at a few spots on the way to Cochabamba. Some of the species we may find include
Wedge-tailed Hillstar hummingbird, Rock Earthcreeper, Brown-capped Tit-Spinetail, Stripe-crowned Spinetail and the nearly endemic
Citron-headed Yellow-Finch.
We will then have an opportunity for some late afternoon birding in Cochabamba.

On July 19, we will get up and drive a short distance to begin birding several spots along the Cochabamba-Upper Chapare Road as we
drive towards Tablas Monte. The road goes through superb elfin, temperate, and subtropical yungas forests on the northeastern Andean
slopes. This stretch of road is considered by many to be one of the best birding sites in South America. Four endemics, Black-hooded
Sunbeam hummingbird, Black-throated Thistletail, Rufous-faced Antpitta, and Grey-bellied Flowerpiercer can be found here. Several other
near endemics, which we would be fortunate to find, include Stripe-faced Wood-Quail, Black-winged Parrot, Hazel-fronted Pygmy-Tyrant,
and Slaty Tanager. This is also one of the best sites in Bolivia to find Hooded Tinamou, Hooded Mountain Toucan, White-throated Antpitta,
Chestnut-crested Cotinga, and Band-tailed Fruiteater. With Lelis as your bird guide, you are bound to see several real gems.
Other birds we will hope to see include Brown Tinamou, Sickle-winged Guan, Violet-throated Starfrontlet, Versicolored Barbet, Golden-
headed Quetzal, Masked Trogon, Red-necked Woodpecker, Buff-browed Foliage-gleaner, Light-crowned Spinetail, Barred Fruiteater,
Yungas Manakin, Bolivian Tyrannulet, Buff-banded Tyrannulet, Ochraceous-breasted Flycatcher, Rufous-bellied Bush-Tyrant, White-eared
Solitaire, Andean Solitaire, Three-striped Hemispingus, Rust-and-yellow Tanager, Saffron-crowned Tanager, Chestnut-bellied Mountain-
Tanager, Moustached Flower-piercer, Deep-blue Florwerpiercer, and Dusky-green Oropendola.

On July 20, we will enjoy a bird watching trek at Cerro Tunari, enjoying different avifauna as we explore some very different habitats. The
first part of the morning will be spent traveling up the lower slopes of Cerro Tunari where we hope to get good looks at Andean Tinamou,
Torrent Duck, and Red-backed Hawk. We will also have a chance at some great hummingbirds, including Red-tailed Coronet, Andean
Hillstar, Great Sapphirewing, and Giant Hummingbird. Other birds in this mountain area include Grey-hooded Parakeet, Olive-crowned
Crescent-Chest, White-capped Dipper, Grey-bellied Flowerpiercer, Plain-breasted Earthcreeper, Rock Earthcreeper, and the endemic
Bolivian Blackbird.
By mid-day, mountain-top birding in puna grassland will likely be reward with some views of Maquis Canastero, Grey-breasted
Seedsnipe, White-winged Diuca Finch, Short-tailed Finch, several Ground Tyrants species, and Yellow-Finches.
As we become weary of the high altitude, we will move back down the slope to bird an excellent patch of Polylepis woodland . At our last
stop we will make a great effort to see rare Rufous-webbed Bush-Tyrant, the endemic Cochabamba Mountain Finch, and the endemic
Bolivian Warbling Finch. We may also see Rufous-bellied Saltator, and Giant Conebill.

On July 21, we will bird the lower elevations of the Cochabamba- Upper Chapare Road along the Subestacion Miguelito. The forest along
this route is a better location to find Black-and-Chestnut Eagle, Stripe-faced Wood-Quail, White-throated Quail-Dove, Crested Quetzal,
Black-winged Parrot, Buff-browed Foliage-Gleaner, Yellow-rumped Antwren, Leimebamba Antpitta, Yungas Pygmy Tyrant, Unadorned
Flycatcher, Yellow and Slaty Tanager, Blue-banded Toucanet, Upland Antshrike, White-throated Antpitta, Chestnut-crested Cotinga,
Bolivian Tyrannulet, and the rare Straw-backed Tanager.

CONTINUED ABOVE IN THE RIGHT HAND COLUMN BELOW THE CHESTNUT-EARED ARACARI.

Photo by Lelis Navarrete.

Olive-crowned Crescent-Chest near La-Siberia -
Comarapa.

PIB and Neblina Forest Tours: Itinerary for Bolivia

......continued from the left hand column ...

July 22 and 23: High Altitude Birding: Includes Laguna Alalay, Oruro, Lake
Uru, and More Birding as We Ascend to La Paz (including Inquisivi)

On July 22, we will start with a short drive to Laguna Alalay. We will hope
to see White-tufted Grebe, Silvery Grebe, Yellow-billed Pintail, Rosy-
billed Pochard, Puna Teal, Red Shoveler, Plumbeous Rail, Andean Gull,
and Puna Ibis. Nearby we will also look for Cinereous Harrier, Wren-like
Rushbird, Many-colored Rush-Tyrant, Grey-bellied Shrike-Tyrant,
Cinereous Ground-Tyrant, White-winged Black-Tyrant, Short-billed Pipit,
Blue-and-yellow Tanager, and Greenish Yellow-Finch.
As we begin our travels to Oruro, we will make several birding stops
along the way. Road conditions will require a slow but study ascent of
the mountain, as we enjoy the Bolivian altiplano. Throughout the day
we will be looking for a number of species of tinamous, raptors, ground
tyrants, miners, canasteros, and earthcreepers. We should arrive at our
hotel in Oruro around sundown.

On July 23, we will begin early and bird the lakes near Oruru. If the water
levels are suitable, we’ll spend the morning birding Lake Uru-Uru in
search of Flamingos (3 different species), Andean Avocet, White-tufted
Grebe, Andean Goose, Andean Lapwing, Andean Gull, Andean Negrito,
Bare-faced Dove, Andean Flicker, Slender-billed Miner, and Wren-like
Rushbird.
Once activity dies down around Uru-Uru, we will stop to bird in puna
scrub and at a few small lakes as we continue our ascent to La Paz at
12,500 feet. Having slowly worked our way up in elevation, we should
be ready for the high altitude of La Paz.

July 24: Transition Day: Fly Home or Extend to July 29

Note: Extension description detail below the Cliff Parakeets.

Proposed Extension Itinerary: Chulamani and Lake
Titicaca, including Upper Coroico Road, Apaapa
Reserve, and Sorata

Please contact us to discuss the logistics, pricing and interest level in the
extension.

We will spend a day going up to Chulamani via the very birdy Upper
Coroico Road. Likely species include Black-throated Thistletail, Rufous-
bellied Seedsnipe, Violet-throated Starfrontlet, Scaled Metaltail, Pearled
Trerunner, Plain-breasted Earthcreeper, Tawny Tit-Spinetail, Light-
crowned Spinetail, Streak-throated Canastero, Line-fronted Canastero,
Scribble-tailed Canastero, Stripe-headed Antpitta, Barred Fruiteater,
Bolivian Diademed Tapaculo, White-crowned Tapaculo, Black-billed
Shrike-Tyrant, Bolivian Tyrannulet, White-collared Jay, White-eared
Solitaire, Three-striped Hemispingus, Golden-collared Tanager, Scarlet-
bellied Mountain-Tanager, Chestnut-bellied Mountain-Tanager, Short-
tailed Finch, Moustached Flowerpiercer, and Rusty Flowerpiercer.
We will then spend a few days (or a day and a morning) at the Apaapa
Reserve. Likely species include Hooded Tinamou, Brown Tinamou,
Sickle-winged Guan, Stripe-faced Wood-Quail, White-rumped Hawk,
Barred Parakeet, Black-winged Parrot (Black-eared), Plum-crowned
Parrot, Montane Foliage-Gleaner, Trilling Tapaculo, Sclater’s
Tyrannulet, Ochre-faced Tody-Flycatcher, Rufous-bellied Bush-Tyrant,
Band-tailed Fruiteater, the extremely rare and local Scimitar-winged
Piha, Pale-footed Swallow, White-eared Solitaire, and Slaty Tanager
among many others.
Birding on the return trip will also be productive.
Then one day for Lake Titicaca and Sorata. With a few key endemic
species like the flightless Short-winged Grebe and Berlepch’s
Canastero, this will be a very good day. We will also hope to find Ornate
Tinamou, Short-billed Pipit, Many-colored Rush-Tyrant, Yellow-winged
Blackbird, and Giant Coot.
Flights out the next day is warranted.