Birds of the Pacific Coast

Cerro Blanco and Salinas

Depart early from Guayaquil to bird Cerro Blanco. Leaving Cerro Blanco, continue westwards to the Ecuasal pools—salt evaporation ponds near Salinas that provide habitat for large numbers and a wide variety of water birds and seem to be magnets for rarities. Numerous water and coastal birds are resident and breeding, notably Grey-hooded and Kelp Gull, Gull-billed Tern, and Snowy Plover. Chilean Flamingos are usually here. Drive north along the coast to stay at Hostería Atamari, set on a promontory with superb views over the Pacific Ocean. The hotel grounds are good for birding.

Ayampe River

A full day birdwatching at the Ayampe River, a narrow, shallow river that doubles as a road and normally can be navigated by vehicles with reasonable clearance. Extensive deciduous and semi humid woodland and forest remains in various areas, including along the main coastal road leading south. The road passes through hills that are the only known breeding area for the endangered Esmeraldas Woodstar. Later, drive a short way north to Puerto López to stay at Mantaraya Lodge, outside the town, for 4 nights.

Isla de la Plata

An early departure and boat ride takes you to the highlight of Machalilla National Park: Isla de la Plata. Pelagics can be quite a highlight of the boat trip to the island, including White-vented Storm Petrel, Wedge-rumped Storm Petrel and Parkinson’s Storm Petrel, plus the large Waved Albatross. Before arriving at the landing site, search carefully along the cliffs and shores of the island. One of the pelagics that may be spotted is the Red-footed Booby. Enjoy a full day excursion as you land on the island and hike the trails in search of Blue-footed Boobies, Nazca (Masked) Boobies, Red-billed Tropicbirds, Magnificent Frigatebirds, Waved Albatross, and many other sea birds. Look for Short-tailed Woodstar, and the island’s endemic subspecies of Long-tailed Mockingbird. Between June and September the boat trip can also be rewarding for cetaceans.

Machalilla NP: humid forest and dry forest

Two full days’ birding at Machalilla NP and Cerro San Sebastián. Machalilla supports large populations of many Tumbesian endemics, and a host of other interesting birds. Some of your avian companions include the Pacific Royal Flycatcher, Collared Antshrike, Ecuadorian Thrush, Guayaquil Woodpecker, and more. Cerro San Sebastián is an 800m peak within the park, rising from arid shrub, through deciduous forest and woodland, to semi-humid and then cloud forest above 700m. The area is rich in endemic bird species, some of them threatened, with notably large populations of Ochre-bellied Doves, and Henna-hooded Foliage-gleaners. Despite the diverse avifauna present, very few foreign birders have discovered this area, making your visit a quite special one to this pristine location.

Birding at Machalilla NP and Cerro San Sebastián.

Shore highway—Guayaquil

This morning depart early for coastal birding along the shore highway. Parts of the road detour inland, so you can add sea and shore birds, as well as birds such as the Croaking-ground Dove, Pacific Parrotlet, Harris Hawk, Plumbeous Kite, Great Black Hawk, King Vulture, Laughing Falcon, Yellow-tailed Oriole, Scrub Blackbird and more. You arrive in Guayaquil by early afternoon in time for evening flights home, or you could stay the night in Guayaquil and fly to the Galápagos next day.