ANTISANA ECOLOGICAL RESERVE
ECUADOR
PICHINCHA, NAPO (Compass)
Lat:00o29´S/78o08´W, 120,000ha, 1,400-5753m paramo, montane cloud and elfin forest with some Polylepis
Protected/registered status
Best Time for visit (time visited)
Birding Site Guide
From the Quito to Papallacta road take the turning to Pifo, heading for Sangolqui. At Alangasi turn se (left) onto the dirt road for Pintag, and at both Hacienda Pinantura (18km) and El Hato (c.55) visitors should make themselves known and pay the entry fee. The biological station further up at is at 3,900m, here it is possible to drive (certain areas) or walk to bird. There is no accommodation and public transport is not recommended for visitors. Food is available to groups of more than 8 people at the Hacienda Antisana, but this has to be pre-booked with the owners.
This area is one of the most scenic high mountain areas in Ecuador, with permanent snow-capped peaks and glaciers. The ecological reserve although not including the summit, does protect a large area of threatened high altitude habitats. The area is however a working farm and is grazed by thousands of sheep, and though these may cause some damage to more fragile flora, dead sheep undoubtedly help sustain the Andean Condors, which are regular here. Other special birds including Silvery Grebe are seen at Laguna Micacocha (a km or so se of Hacienda El Hato). Carunculated Caracara and Black-faced Ibis are also regular. The small patches of forest should be checked for other specialist birds.
Species seen by Jane Lyons and group 17th August 2005 Silvery Grebe Podiceps occipitalis, Yellow-billed Pintail Anas georgica, Black-faced Ibis Theristicus melanopis, Andean Condor Vultur gryphus, Variable Hawk Buteo polyosoma, Carunculated Caracara Phalcoboenus carunculatus, Aplomado Falcon Falco femoralis, Andean Coot Fulica ardesiaca, Lesser Yellowlegs Tringa flavipes, Andean Lapwing Vanellus resplendens, Andean Gull Larus serranus, Black-winged Ground-Dove Metriopelia melanoptera, White-collared Swift Streptoprocne zonaris, Ecuadorian Hillstar Oreotrochilus chimborazo, Blue-mantled Thornbill Chalcostigma stanleyi, Stout-billed Cinclodes Cinclodes excelsior, Paramo Pipit Anthus bogotensis, Paramo Ground-Tyrant Muscisaxicola alpine, Plumbeous Sierra-Finch Phrygilus unicolor.
- Don José Delgado, Hacienda Antisana
- TelFax: (5932) 2462013
- Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
A total of -- species of mammals.
There are -- recorded species of amphibians and reptiles.
Author: BSG
www.birdingsiteguide.com