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Category: COLOMBIA
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OGNORHYNCHUS RESERVE & LIST, JARDIN
COLOMBIA

ANTIOQUIA (Compass)

Lat:00o00´S/00o00´W ha topography msl 
Protected/registered status

Best Time for visit (12th-13th August, 2006)


NOTE: Juan Carlos Luna is Director of ProAves Reserva Reinita Cerulea and coordinator of De La Estacion De Anillamiento-Yariguies. He is an avid ringer/bander and is keen to do a no-cost exchange program with a British based organisation. Juan is especially keen to study the moult, sexing and aging of migrant passerines, and to study trapping methods and census techniques as well as radio telemetry. An east coast site during migration is preferred. He has previously worked with Nick Bailey of the Wetland Trust and Mark Graham of the BTO. Juan speaks good English. If you think you may be able to offer an exchange for Juan through ProAves please contact him on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or phone 3115962545.

 

Birding Site Guide

This area is now considered a safe area for tourists to visit (ProAves). The bus journey from Ibague to Roncesvalles takes 6hrs and passes through Rouira and Playa Rica. There is a ProAves cabin in Roncesvalles for accommodation and also several hotels. It is not necessary to stay on the reserve as it is so close to town. From Roncesvalles to the reserve is 45 minutes by 4 wheel-drive, or longer by horse.

The Yellow-eared Parrots that the reserve is being established for nest in the marshes and it is possible to view them. There are trails to higher ground outside the reserve to 3,400m, where paramo species can be found.

 The 215 species includes such rarities as Yellow-eared Parrot (around 350), White-capped Tanager and several species of antpittas.

Jardin is easily reached by bus from Medellin in 3 and a half hours, costing 14,000 pesos. ‘Transporte Suroeste Antioquenia’ buses leave the terminal at 3:45pm and 5pm and probably some in the morning too. Jardin is a beautiful town where you can stay and visit the reserve and nearby areas during the day. I stayed at ‘La Casona’ just half a block from the plaza with nice rooms for about $7 per night. There are some nice restaurants around the plaza and several places to do internet. Proaves is planning to build some accommodation higher up within the reserve. 

There are several areas around town and the best thing to do is contact PROAVES and coordinate you visit with them. Jose Castano This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. is in charge of the project and knows the birds well. His mothers ‘vivero’ (nursery) is excellent for birds. There are several hummingbirds at the flowers and feeder in the garden and Red-headed Barbet and many tanager species feed on bananas on the bird table. 

One morning we waited at the top of the reserve where there is an antennae for the Yellow-eared Parrots to fly over but without success. The next day we waited at the other side of the valley and had them fly in to feed nearby. The birds are seemingly fearless and we got to within 6m of them at eye level. The antenna sight has excellent birding with many hummingbirds (even Dusky Starfrontlet has been seen) and mixed tanager flocks. A good thing to do is get to the top and walk some of the way back down. There is a bus that goes up there at 7:30 in the morning but it would be better to go with a member of ProAves. 

Red-bellied Grackle can be seen up from a cattle farm, just 20 minutes walk from the centre. Ask Jose for directions. The family’s 11 year old son, Jon Sebastian, can take you up to see the birds. I saw 85 species including 12 lifers. 


Birds seen 



Author: Charles Hesse. Juan Carlos Luna

 

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