Fragile ecosystems in the Colombian Andes are particularly susceptible to human intervention. They exhibit a unique diversity of species that have so far avoided extinction, but are often reduced to small fragments of surviving forest. However, these forest patches cannot guarantee the long-term survival of niche-restricted and endemic species, especially as what forest remains continues to be destroyed.

For this reason, ProAves has focused its conservation efforts towards saving the last remnants of key habitat through our Protected Areas Program which has proved to be highly successful.

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El Dorado Bird Reserve

Named after the legendary city of gold, El Dorado is ProAves’s flagship reserve and the Holy Grail for birding in the Americas. The Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, a unique massif totally separated from the Andes, yet rising precipitously from the Caribbean beaches to 19,000 feet, hosts the highest concentration of continental range-restricted bird species found anywhere in the world.

The 1,600 acre Reserve is the sole accessible subtropical to montane forest in the Sierra Nevada, being situated on its humid NW slope, just two hours drive from the popular tourist city of Santa Marta.

All but two of the Sierra Nevada endemics can be readily seen from a road that meanders up through the reserve’s excellent primary subtropical and montane forests. Strategically located at 1,900 meters beside the road are the beautiful Sierra Nevada EcoCentre and Jeniam EcoLodge, providing exceptional facilities for visitors and built entirely from non-native pines that are being cleared in the reserve for reforestation with native tree species.

A tree house at the highest part of the reserve provides spectacular contrasting views of the towering glacier-covered peaks of the Sierra Nevada and Caribbean beaches! Nearby, is the world’s core breeding population of the Santa Marta Parakeet which is assisted by nest boxes.

The reserve also holds one of the highest concentrations of endemic and threatened amphibian species, and almost all flora and most of the fauna above the EcoLodge are endemic. Yet, the Sierra Nevada remains remarkable little known, with at least two new bird species discovered in 2007, including a new species of Screech-Owl that roosts beside the EcoLodge!

Key Facts

· Altitude: 900-2600 meters (1900M Lodge)

· Climate: Mild 18C (65F), misty. Dry Season: Nov-april

· Bird species recorded: 415

· Threatened species: Santa Marta Parakeet, Santa Marta Sabrewing, Santa Marta Brush-Tyrant, Blossomcrown, Santa Marta Antpitta.

· Target species: All, but two Santa Marta endemics, including two new species, (Screech-owl and Foliag-gleaner), Black-fronted, Wood quail, Band-Tailed Guan, White-tipped Quetzal, Golden-winged Sparrow.

· Other biodiversity: “Santa Marta” Night Monkey (new species), San Lorenzo Harlequin frog, Red-crested tree rat.

Facilities

· The Jeniam ecologde overlooks the Caribbean and its rooms are spacious.

· Gasa-heated shower and main electricity.

· Comfortable Shared rooms

· Two hours drive from Santa Marta airport.

· Accessible within a day from US, with flights from Miami to Barranquilla.

· Easy walking and excellent birding.

· Three healthy meals are provided daily.

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Cerulean warbler Bird Reserve

This fabulous 545 acre Colombian Oak forest reserve is a small but significant relict of a unique ecosystem that has been devastated across the Eastern Andes of Colombia. A sad reflection is the extraordinary concentration of threatened bird species at the site, including the highest number of Critically Endangered species in the America’s (Gorgeted Wood-Quail, Chestnut-bellied Hummingbird and Colombian Mountain Grackle).

The reserve and surrounding shade coffee farms are also a Mecca for North American migrants, including a core wintering area for the rapidly declining Cerulean Warbler.

In 2005, with support from Robert Giles and American Bird Conservancy, the reserve was established with a 45 acre shade coffee farm added to establish a comfortable lodge and develop Cerulean Warbler Conservation Coffee. The reserve now buffers the recently established Yariguíes National Park.

The reserve boosts an impressive 150 year old stone path called “Camino de Lengerke” that was a vital trading route between the Magdalena river and interior. The meter wide trails gently winds up the Yariguíes mountain from the subtropical coffee plantations into the oak forest reserve.

Key Facts

· Altitude: 1400-2500 meters (1400M Lodge)

· Climate: warm 21C (70F), humid. Dry Season: Dec-april

· Bird species recorded: 270

· Threatened species: Gorgeted Wood-Quail, Colombian Mountain Grackle, Chestnut-bellied hummingbird, Black Inca, rusty-faced Parrot, White-Mantled Barbet, Upper Magdalena Tapaculo, Turquoise Dacnis-Tanager, Cerulean Warbler, Recurve-billed Bushbird.

· Target species: Violet-bellied Hummingbird, Indigo-capped Hummingbird, Yellow throated, Moustached and Yaguaries Brush-Finch, Bar-Crested Antshrike, Parker’s Antbird.

· Other biodiversity: Crab eating fox, Spectacled Bear, Santander poison frog.

Facilities

· A permanent cook, forest guard, and director.

· Visitors arrive directly by vehicle to the lodge.

· Comfortable Shared rooms

· Two hours drive from Bucaramanga airport.

· Excellent trail network with easy to moderate conditions and excellent birding.

· Three healthy meals are provided daily.

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El Paujil Bird Reserve

The critically endangered Blue-billed Curassow is perhaps Colombia’s most enigmatic species, being virtually unknown until a ProAves expedition located a viable population in the Magdalena valley in 2003. Locally called “El Paujíl”, the curassow was an important symbol in ancient Pre-Colombian indigenous culture, with many gold figures depicting this spectacular bird.

With support from American Bird Conservancy and Conservation International, ProAves was able to acquire 3,000 acres of some of the last remaining humid lowland forest in the Magdalena Valley, just six hours from the capital Bogotá.

Today, the reserves is one of the last refuges for many endangered and endemic lowland forest species, including the Variegated Spider Monkey (one of the 25 rarest primates on earth), the Magdalena Lowland Tapir, and Fallox Robber Frog.

The reserve boasts excellent accommodation in the heart of the reserve (the curassow has been seen close-by), with air conditioning and electricity.

Key Facts

· Altitude: 170-700 meters (170M Lodge)

· Climate: Hot 35C (95F), humid. Dry Season: Feb-april

· Bird species recorded: 320

· Threatened species: Blue-billed Curassow, Northen Screamer, Saffron-headed Parrot, White-mantled Barbet, Antioquia Bristle-tyrant, Black-billed Flycatcher, Turquoise Dacnis, Sooty Ant-tanager.

· Target species: Colombian Chachalaca,Red-Billed emerald, Ruby-Topaz Hummingbird, Blue-chested Hummingbird, Chestnuts-mandibled Toucan, beautiful woodpecker, Black-breasted puffbird, Dull-mantled Antbird, Bicolored Antbird, Bare crowned Antbird, Streak-chested Antpitta, white-bibbed Manakin, blue cotinga, Thick-billed seedeater.

· Other biodiversity: Variegated spider monkey, Jaguar, American crocodile, Magdalena Tapir.

Facilities

· Satellite internet Available in the reserve

· The dining area overlooks the Ermitaño River serving excellent local dishes.

· Main electricity

· Visitor arrive by vehicle or boat directly to the lodge.

· An extensive network of trails. Moderate to difficult conditions.

· Three healthy meals are provided daily.

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More information in English in Ecovolunteers or with Gloria Castillo in gcastillo @ proaves.org