Napo Wildlife Center
Saladero I
Saturday, July 12, 2008: It seemed the drugs did the trick for Paul, and he seemed pretty much well this morning. We again got an early start, and headed downstream toward the Rio Napo. Today we would visit the clay licks, the saladeros. Along the Añanguyacu creek, I finally saw an American Pygmy Kingfisher. This bird had eluded me in Costa Rica and Venezuela. In one case, I was the only one of the group who didn't see it. Finally, I saw it. The lower water level seemed to bring out the kingfishers as we saw all 5 of the neotropical kingfishers today.
We also spotted some Dusky Titi Monkeys along the creek. At the warehouse area, we transfered to a motorized canoe and headed downriver to one of the saladeros. Only a few Yellow-crowned Amazons were present, and they quickly disappeared. Some Mealy Amazons and Blue-headed Parrots were hanging out in the trees, but none came down for a good view. I guess the Roadside Hawk was to blame! I did get a few lifers in the area: White-chinned Jacamar, Yellow-billed Nunbird, Guianan Warbling-Antbird, and Spot-winged Antbird.
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| White-chinned Jacamar | Yellow-crowned Amazons | Butterfly |
|---|---|---|
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| Heliconia | Crimson-crested Woodpecker | Social Flycatcher |
Saladero II
We went back to the boat and headed for the other saladero. Drab Water-Tyrant was seen along the river. The trail to the other saladero is much longer. It had previously been paved with cobblestones (some of it still is), but is being upgraded to a concrete path. We had to walk beside part of it that hadn't set yet.
We took a short side path to a Crested Owl roost. We also found a Gray-breasted Sabrewing nest nearby. Great-billed Hermits were present along the path. The saladero was very quiet. Although Cobalt-winged Parakeets and Dusky-headed Parakeets were around, they wouldn't come down.
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| White-eared Jacamars | Urania Moth |
|---|---|
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| Swallowtails | Eighty-eight |
Warehouse and Creek
This saladero is near the warehouse, so we just walked back there for lunch. Some of the same birds were around as one the first day: jays, barbets, socials. I didn't get a proper look at the Yellow-tufted Woodpecker the first day, but I did this time. I finally saw a Ferruginous Pygmy Owl, which has been something of a nemesis bird (I've heard them enough!). I also saw Blue-winged Parrotlet and Opal-rumped Tanager. The open areas with mud were butterfly magnets. I photographed only a few of the many species present, some of which are shown above.
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| White-fronted Capuchin | Common Pauraque | Cobalt-winged Parakeets |
|---|---|---|
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| Rufescent Tiger-Heron | S. Three-toed Sloth | Red-bellied Macaws |
Eventually, we headed back up the Añanguyacu toward the lodge, adding Plumbeous Kite, Blue-crowned Trogon, Dot-backed Antbird, and Tschudi's (Ocellated) Woodcreeper. We also saw Monk Saki Monkeys. One thing I haven't mentioned is that every time came back to the lodge, they had fruit juice waiting for us at the dock. It's one of the little things that made us feel pampered at the Napo Wildlife Center.
Today's totals were 59 species, 17 lifers, making a grand total of 126 bird species including 73 lifers.
Napo Wildlife Center