Jorupe and Utuana Reserve

Overview

Jorupe

(previously named Jatunpamba), located in the Tumbesian region of south west Ecuador, consist of quality deciduous forest dominated by statuesque Ceiba trees. It supports many rare species of plants and animals, including more than 50 endemic birds, such as Henna-hooded Foliage-gleaner, and eight globally threatened.

Jorupe, is a few km north east of the town of Macara which is near the Ecuador/Peru border. It supports many endemic and rare species of plants and animals, including populations of numerous globally threatened birds, such as the Henna-hooded Foliage-Gleaner. This location has convenient access for educational purposes and for visitors. It is also quite close to the existing Jocotoco reserve at Utuana, as can be seen in the map below.

Jorupe - Making A Difference
The Tumbesian forest is a conservation priority because much of it is already cleared or badly degraded. Fundación Jocotoco intends to increase the size of this reserve in future years, if sufficient funds can be raised. This reserve has about a two square mile area of high quality deciduous forest in the Tumbesian region of south west Ecuador.

Utana

The reserve at Utuana, close to the Peruvian border in Loja province, protects a small remnant of hilltop evergreen forest at 2500m altitude in the transitional zone between humid montane forest and the dry forest of the Tumbesian endemic region. Currently around 800 hectares, it is managed jointly by Fundación Arcoiris of Loja, and Fundación Jocotoco.

Very little of this type of habitat remains, and this reserve protects one of the larger intact sections. The trees in the forest are heavily laden with epiphytic plants (see images to left). Numerous endemic birds are present in this location, including Piura Hemispingus Hemispingus piurae , Black-crested Tit-tyrant Anairetes nigrocristatus , Watkins's Antpitta Grallaria watkinsi , Rainbow Starfrontlet Coeligena iris , and Bay-crowned Brushfinch Atlapetes seebohmi .

• 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 in the Jorupe reserve is called the Urraca Lodge and is constructed over a hill overlooking the Jorupe Valley and Peru. It finds itself within the Tumbesian forest giving the visitor the feeling of belonging to the natural surroundings.

The area of the main dinner has been designed with an open concept. It is a building with ceiling windows for ventilation which permits a more natural circulation of air and also permitting birdwatchers keep an eye on the surrounding forest. The dinning room is closed by an almost invisible mesh which will not permit the entrance of insects which may bother the visitor.

It has several open porches that provide an area to birdwatch or to meet informally. Each porch is designed to make the best of the light in different angles permitting good views of birds and landscape.

The lodge has a capacity for 12 guests with six individual cabins which are simple, but comfortable. Inside, the cabins have two beds with a private bathroom. Each room also has a private porch.

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

Jorupe

Some of the bird species visited at the lodge are: White-tailed Jays, Ochre-breasted Dove, Slaty Becard, and in luck Rufous-necked Woodrails. These may be observed from the main dinning area and from the cabins. Around the lodge, many majestic Kapok trees stand being the characteristic of the dry forest. These trees are home of birds like the Gray-breasted Flycatchers, Grey-breasted or Harris' Hawks.

Utuana

Is a small reserve of about 80 hectares close to the Peruvian border and protects an unusual type of high altitude, epiphyte rich montane forest which is transitional between evergreen and the deciduous forest of the Tumbesian type. It is managed jointly with the Loja based conservation foundation, Arcoiris. It contains many endemic and threatened bird species.

Globally threatened bird species:

• Ochre-bellied Dove
• Grey-headed Antbird
• Ochraceous Attila
• Piura Hemispingus
• Rufous-necked Foliage-Gleaner

Some 15 near threatened and restricted range species, including:

• West Peruvian Screech-owl
• Pacific Pygmy-owl
• Watkins’s Antpitta
• Loja Tyrannulet
• Rufous-winged Tyrannulet
• Black-crested Tit-tyrant
• White-winged Brush-finch
• Bay-crowned Brush-finch

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.