Various Oregon Birding Piks: TAPICHALACA REVISITED

Hi All, Almost 2 years ago Rosie and I went to the Tapichalaca Reserve, and I’ve been itching to return ever since. This is the place that was set aside by the Jocotoco Foundation because of the discovery of the Jocotoco Antpitta in the late ‘90s. Plus, one of the guides I was with in the Palanda area, Diego, works there on occasion. We invited another couple, Charlie and Delisa. Both like to get out exploring, and Charlie has decades of experience with photography from which I can benefit from. We were intending to go on Tuesday, but Diego informed me no guides would be there that day, but he would be there Thursday, so we put it off a couple days.

The reserve is an hour south of town, and we planned to get there early. We arrived at 06:45 and met Diego in the reception area. The usual hummers were in attendance: Amethyst-throated and Little Sunangels, Collared Inca, Chestnut-breasted Coronet and Fawn-breasted Brilliant.

LITTLE SUNANGEL

COLLARED INCA

AMETHYST-THROATED SUNANGEL

CHESTNUT-BREASTED CORONET

FAWN-BREASTED BRILLIANT

Before heading out on the trail system, we saw a Barred Becard, Mountain Wren, Rufous-capped Tody Tyrant and Black-and-green Fruiteater.

RUFOUS-CAPPED TODY TYRANT

BLACK-AND-GREEN FRUITEATER

BARRED BECARD

MOUNTAIN WREN

Usually at this time of year the trails tend to be muddy from the rains, but not today. Early on we could tell it would be warm and dry, which was welcome for a while, but the bird activity probably lessened as the morning wore on. It took us a good 25 minutes to run into a mixed flock. Trying to see individual birds was really frustrating! Both the undergrowth and overhead foliage was thick, but we eventually saw Rufous Wrens, Bar-bellied Woodpecker, Buff-throated Mountain Tanager, Buff-breasted Tanager, Pearled Treerunners, Yellow-billed Cacique, Yellow-breasted Brushfinch, Rufous-breasted Chat-tyrant, Blue-backed Conebill, and Plushcap.

Every now and then there would be a clearing and we could see the scenery. Even the town of Palanda was visible some 15 miles to the south.

We eventually made it to the place where the Antpittas are fed. Diego did not bring any food for them, and I am not sure how consistently they are fed. But after about a 10 minute wait one showed up, and I got a brief view and pic.

JOCOTOCO ANTPITTA

While waiting a lifer came by: A Southern Emerald Toucanette.

SOUTHERN EMERALD TOUCANETTE

After seeing the Jocotoco we sauntered farther along on the trail. Now and then some Bearded Guans showed.

BEARDED GUANS

A couple nice finds were a pair of Capped Conebills and a Crimson-mantled Woodpecker, neither of which cooperated for photos. And the flock of 8 Golden-plumed Parakeets did not consider landing nearby. I saw 4 nest boxes put out for them, 2 of which were now the hives of honey bees.

Eventually we made it to the end of the trail, which actually ends on the highway above the reserve entrance. It would be at least 1/2 mile down the road to it. Some interesting birds once on the highway were Brown-bellied Swallows, White-collared Swifts and a Lesser Elaenia. Near the entrance we were treated to a dozen Swallow-tailed Kites soaring overhead. A half dozen Black Vultures were mixed in as well.

BACK ON THE HIGHWAY

Upon reaching the reception area who should we see but Christian, the other guide I was with in the Palanda area about a month back. He and I will be birding a couple areas hours north of where we live the weekend after next, to places I’ve never been to before.

We found a picnic table and ate while we enjoyed the hummers coming and going. I don’t remember anything else of interest showing up. The weather was very pleasant while at Tapichalaca - something I missed once back in town where it was around 90 degrees. (At least it is a dry heat). I’d say it was a successful jaunt. We listed 50 species, 3 of which were lifers for me. I wish we had more success with photographing the birds, but that is how it often goes in the cloud forest where the vegetation is soooo thick.

The following pics give a good idea of the greenery, thick vegetation and different plant life. Enjoy.