Galapagos Cruise: Tandayapa Pre-Trip: Nov 28—29, 2008

A highly recommended pre-cruise activity provides opportunity for sampling the species-rich cloud forests of the spectacular northwestern Andean slopes, where highlights include the world's greatest hummingbird show, and colorful toucans, tanagers, and barbets.

Participation on this optional pre-trip is strongly encouraged for all Galapagos cruise participants as protection against travel delays in the event you (or your baggage) do not arrive in Quito as scheduled.

Our destination is the remarkable northwestern slope of the Andes, only an hour-and-a-half from Quito. Leaving the lofty capital city behind, we shall descend into a whole other world of pristine cloud forest, rushing streams, a plethora of tropical birds, and glorious mountain scenery. The centerpiece of the day's activities is a visit to the private home of Tony and Barbara Nunnery, who happen to host the world's most extraordinary hummingbird show. Their home is set on a hillside overlooking the picturesque Tandayapa Valley and boasts an expansive outdoor deck, beautiful garden, and as many as 20 hummingbird feeders. What awaits the visitor is a hummingbird show unlike any other. The feeders are continually swarming with hummingbirds of all shapes, sizes, and colors. The middle elevation holds some of the highest diversity of hummers anywhere, hosting numbers of resident types, but also attracting numerous other species normally found at higher and lower elevations.

It is not uncommon to see as many as 15 species in a two-hour period, with some of the world's most beautiful and striking hummers among them. Species we can expect include Green and Sparkling violet-ears side by side, Western and Andean emeralds, Fawn-breasted Brilliant, Buff-tailed Coronet, Brown Inca, Violet-tailed Sylph, and others. If we are truly fortunate, we will encounter the incredible Booted Racket-tail, lovely Gorgeted Sunangel, and glittery Green-tailed Trainbearer. Even the Collared Inca, one of the world's most captivating birds, both in beauty and style, is likely.

Most of the surrounding valley and cloud forest is lightly populated and largely preserved. The setting is idyllic and lends itself to further exploration. If we can pull ourselves away from the entertainment at the Nunnery property, a check of the surrounding forest may reveal some of Ecuador's most sensational birds. The list of possibilities is long and varied, but the "blue ribbon" species that we will watch for include Masked Trogon, Golden-headed Quetzal, Toucan Barbet, Crimson-mantled Woodpecker, Turquoise Jay, and the extraordinary Plate-billed Mountain-Toucan. These same cloud forests are also home to one of the highest diversities of tanagers that grace the Neotropics. Their names are as attractive as the birds themselves. We hope to find Golden Tanager, Beryl-spangled Tanager, Blue-capped Tanager, Blue-necked Tanager, Metallic-green Tanager, and others. Though unlikely, the Grass-green Tanager is possible, and the beautiful and bold Blue-winged Mountain-Tanager is probable.
 
Returning to Quito, a stop along a rushing stream in the bottom of the valley may yield White-capped Dipper and Torrent Tyrannulet. On our return to the hotel we'll make a brief stop north of the city to view the monument demarcating the location of the equator.

An easy and relaxed day in the field in relative proximity to the hotel; cool conditions with light rain or fog possible; superior birding opportunities.