The only time we got to the eastern side of The Andes and into proper forest. Birding was patchy, and I didn't find the best spot until the morning we left, but it was good nonetheless. The best place is in the grounds of the Inkaterra Lodge. It looks like a pricey spot to stay, but I asked at reception if I good look around and they said that was fine. They entice birds in with feeding stations loaded with over-ripe bananas for Tanagers, and they also have hummingbird feeders scattered around. Great for bird photographers!
The birds were as you would expect for an Andean montane forest, fantastic. Loads of Tanagers, hummingbirds, flycatchers etc. Highlights for me were;
Andean Motmot, Torrent Ducks with chicks,
Oleaginous Hemispingus (just because of the name),
White-capped Dipper (there aren't many Dippers in the world!),
Mitred Parakeet.
The journey back to Cusco was also by train, with only
Andean Guan to add to the bird list. I got the surprise of my life though when I spotted a
Spectacled Bear in a tree at eye-level to me as we chugged past!
Blue-necked Tanager.
Rust-and-Yellow Tanager.
Masked Flowerpiercer
Blue-capped Tanager
Blue-and-Yellow Tanager
Oleaginous Hemispingus
Female
Silver-backed Tanager
Blue-grey Tanager
Green Hermit
Great Sapphirewing
White-bellied Hummingbird
Mountain Velvet-breast
Chestnut-breasted Coronet
Streak-necked Flycatcher
Lemon-browed Flycatcher
Russet-crowned Warbler
Cinnamon Flycatcher
Torrent Tyrannulet
White-capped Dipper
White-crested Elaenia
White-winged Black Tyrant
White-banded Tyrannulet
Male
Torrent Duck
...and a female...
...and a
Torrent Duckling, one of four being raised in this family.
You found Paddington's long lost family!
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