Buenaventura Reserve

Overview

Eastern Slopes

The Buenaventura Reserve is where the threatened El Oro Parakeet was discovered in 1980, and is well known as probably the richest ornithological site in south west Ecuador. This is a rare remnant tropical cloud forest at about 1000m altitude on the west slope of the Andes with a rich flora. A simple lodge was completed within the reserve in early 2004.

This reserve is located near Piñas and Zaruma in El Oro province. The area is renowned for being one of the ornithologically richest and easily accessible sites in The Ecuadorian Andes. It protects a narrow zone of cloud forest habitat on the otherwise seasonally dry west slope of the Andes in Southern Ecuador.

The reserve is the type locality of the El Oro Parakeet and the El Oro Tapaculo and is home of species like the Club-winged Manakin. A lek of the globally threatened Long-wattled Umbrellabird is only a few minutes walk away from the lodge here.

The abandoned old road from Piñas to Machala goes through the middle of the reserve. During 2005 this was repaired and now can be used as a six kilometre long ecological trail by visitors, beginning near the shrine and descending back to the lodge.

Bunches of bananas are being provided as food for birds and mammals, near to the lodge. This has resulted in regular visits by Aracaris, Toucans, Coatis and the occasional Morpho butterfly.

Making A Difference
None of this important habitat was protected until July 1999, when Fundación Jocotoco purchased 300 hectares of forested land and pasture. Additional contiguous properties are soon to be purchased and protected, pending funding. The Fundación will work with local organisations, including the Piñas township, to reforest the cleared areas. The target size for this reserve is 5,000 ha (12,000 acres).

Since its inauguration in 1999, the reserve has been progressively enlarged, and by the end of 2005 extended to about 1500 hectares, with an altitude range from 450m to 1100m.

• Roger Ahlman - Many-spotted Hummingbird.
• D. Moore – Golden Tailed Sapphire

 

If you would like any more information or to chat over the details of the trip we would be delighted to help. Telephone 01482 872 716 for more information or email us today.

Facilities

Lodge

The lodge has been named “Umbrellabird Lodge”, because a lek of the globally threatened Long-wattled Umbrellabird is only a few minutes walk away.

The lodge has capacity for 12 guests – combination of doubles and triples. All rooms are ensuite, and are simple but comfortable, with a combination of lower single beds, bunk beds and double beds.

 

If you would like any more information or to chat over the details of the trip we would be delighted to help. Telephone 01482 872 716 for more information or email us today.

Birding

The Buenavista reserve is home to Puma, Ocelot, Howler Monkey and Sloths and the following globally threatened bird species:

• Rufous-headed Chachalaca
• Grey-backed Hawk
• Ochre-bellied Dove
• El Oro Parakeet
• Cloud-forest Pygmy-Owl
• Little Woodstar
• Rufous-necked Foliage-Gleaner
• El Oro Tapaculo
• Pacific Royal Flycatcher
• Grey-breasted Flycatcher
• Ochraceous Attila
• Long-wattled Umbrellabird

The reserve is also home to over 30 near threatened and restricted range (endemic) species of birds. As well as this exceptional avifauna, the reserve is also an important site for endemic and threatened plants. Examples of plants found at Buenaventura include species of the following orchids:

• Habenaria
• Sobralia
• Oncidium
• Dracula
• Macroclinium
• Brassia

 

If you would like any more information or to chat over the details of the trip we would be delighted to help. Telephone 01482 872 716 for more information or email us today.