Galapagos
January 2-12, 2008
Aboard the M/Y Daphne - Bird/Species Trip List
Guide Karla Glenn of the Daphne, Peg Abbott of Naturalist Journeys and 15 travelers

Galapagos Penguin – several groups of 4-6 seen off Bartoleme, with Drew getting a particularly close view while snorkeling!
Waved Albatross – a yet to fledge chick was present near the edge of the cliffs on Espanola, having moved from its nest site closer to where it would eventually go to sea. We also saw an adult wingspread over the water between Floreana and Santa Cruz
Galapagos Petrel – seen a couple of times at sea, always one individual
Galapagos Shearwater – very common and seen almost daily. Best views at Tower from the Pangas, and while snorkeling or in the pangas near Devil’s Crown
White-vented (Elliot’s) Storm-petrel – quite common, especially at Floreana, but seen in good number most days
Wedge-rumped Storm Petrel – very common, especially at the far cliffs at Tower\Seen on five days
Band-rumped (Madieran) Storm Petrel – seen on three days
Red-billed Tropicbird – gorgeous creatures, constantly harassed by frigatebirds. We were often alerted to their presence by their distress calls. Graceful flyers and beautiful plumage
Brown Pelican – seen daily
Blue-footed Booby – seen daily, even from the first launch area. Our constant companions, we never tired of watching their extraordinary aerial skills while plunge diving or their ritualized dancing, blue feet and all!
Nazca (Masked) Booby – Seen on five days, often at sea, but also nesting. We saw chicks of every size, including large almost fledgelings that closely resemble Brown Booby
Red-footed Bobby – seen on two islands, our best views on Tower where we saw both dark and light phase birds. Several had chicks on their tree platform nests’ the contrast of their delicate plumage against shiny mangroves on our afternoon walk at Tower was outstanding
Brown Booby – lone individuals seen twice at sea, one near Devil’s Crown
Magnifoicent Frigatebird – seen daily, often inches above us while we motoed between islands. They loved to perch on the rigging and follow the boat, soaring effortlessly above us. We saw them harassing other species, and on north Seymour, courting.
Great Frigatebird – seen at Espanola and also at Tower, nesting birds quite abundant at Tower
Great Blue Heron – seen on three days, quite elegant against the beaches and basalt rocks
Cattle Egret – seen in the red Susuvium on So. Plaza, then again in the highlands of Santa Cruz
Lava (Striated) Heron – we got outstanding views of this bird, often watching htem hunt, and once quite successfully – we watched it swallow a medium sized Sally Lightfoot Crab
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron – Seen on five days, as other Galapagos species they allowed a very close approach
Caribbean (Greater) Flamingo – Seen on two islands, our first day on Bachas Beach of North Baltra, and then again in the wide lagoon of Fernandina, where we counted 19 individuals. Fun to find flamingo tracks from a viewpoint, and to see their contortions while resting – tucking their long necks and odd beaks under wings.
White-cheeked Pintail – seen on the same two days as our flamingos in the somewhat brackish lagoons.
Galapagos Hawk – outstanding views of this predatory bird, seen on six of our days
Common Moorhen – Verna spotted this bird as we were watching wild tortoises in the ponds of the highlands on Santa Cruz
American Oystercatcher – seen as pairs and family groups, flying and feeding by prying loose mussels in the intertidal zone
Black-necked Stilt – one individual seen at the flamingo lagoon on Floreana
Black-bellied Plover – one individual seen on the beach walk at Tower
Semi-palmated Plover – seen on three days, often in the intertidal zone
Whimbrel – seen on six days, often lone bids feeding in the intertidal zone
Spotted Sandpiper – seen in the harbor of Santa Cruz
Wandering Tattler – One of the more common shorebirds on Galapagos, seen on four of our days. Nice to get such good looks at this interesting species.
Ruddy Turnstone – Seen around fresh and brackish water lagoons on three islands
Sanderling – Seen at two of the lagoons
Red-necked Phalarope – Seen at sea on two days of our journey
Lava Gull – This now rare gull was still present for us to observe at close range on three islands, though numbers are declining
Laughing Gull – Seen following the ship on two days
Franklin’s Gull – One seen in a flock that also had Laughing Gulls, luckily Greg snapped some photos for us to confirm
Swallow-tailed Gull – An absolutely beautiful gull, quite common and seen almost daily at close range
Brown Noddy – Lovely elegant flyers, first encountered as we boarded the ship in the harbor at Baltra, then seen on five days
Royal Tern – Seen only on our first day leaving the harbor
Pomerine Jaeger – Tower, seen in flight
Galapagos Dove – A gorgeous dove, seen on six days of our journey
Smooth-billed Ani – Fairly common on Santa Cruz, near the station and in the highlands
Galapagos Flycatcher – Seen on four days of the trip; we sure enjoyed this friendly (often seen at three feet away!) little flycatcher
Galapagos Mockingbird – Widespread n the islands, we had this bird walk over our shoes. Great behavior to observe, and interesting vocalizations
Hood Mockingbird – Endemic to Hood Island, once there it was quite common
Yellow Warbler – This bird turned out to be one of the most photogenic and delightful species to observe, a bright jewel among many of cryptic coloration
Large Ground Finch – Seen on four days of the trip; we enjoyed this one as it was obvious for identification…
Medium Ground Finch – The most common of the Darwin Finches, seen right away at the airport, and then almost each day of the journey
Small Ground Finch – Seen on three days of our journey, one of the best sightings was among the tortoises at the Darwin Research Station
Sharp-beaked Ground Finch – Seen on two days of our journey, best views on Tower
Common Cactus Finch – Seen on two days of the journey, often feeding intensely on flowers of the tree sized Opuntia cactus
Large Cactus Finch – Seen on two islands, though the races show great variation
Vegetarian Finch – We were happy to find this species in the highlands of Santa Cruz, very good looks in the elfin forest near Twin Craters
Large Tree Finch – Seen in the highlands of Santa Cruz, near the Lava Tube and Tortoise Reserve
Small Tree Finch – Seen on the highlands of Santa Cruz
Woodpecker Finch – Outstanding views of several of this species, including one working on a nest near Twin Craters
Warbler Finch – Seen on five days, great looks at this very tame bird

Alombe Reserve / Bellavista Cloud Forest Reserve – Day Trip from Quito
Turkey Vulture – seen flying between Quito and Alombe
Sickle-winged Guan – seen by the parking lot where we parked the bus, by part of our group just before lunch
Eared Dove – perched on phone wires near Quito
Red-billed Parrot – a vocal pair flew over our heads but with poor visibility, clear was the shape and the call
Chestnut-collared Swift – these fast flying little swifts attracted our attention by calling, at Bella Vista
White-collared Swift – flying above the road we walked after lunch at Bella Vista.
Tawny-bellied Hermit – Bella Vista – on flowers away from the feeders
Brown Violetear – Bella Vista feeders
Western Emerald – a single individual at the feeders at Alombe
Green-crowned Woodnymph – several individuals as Alombe
Andean Emerald – common at both feeders – Alombe and Bella Vista
Rufous-tailed Hummingbird – Alombe, one of the most common at the feeders
Speckled Hummingbird – feeders at Bella Vista
Fawn-breasted Brilliant – Seen at both Alombe and Bella Vista, posed well for our photos at Alombe
Green-crowned Brilliant – both the spotted female and the day-glow male were knock-outs at Alombe
Brown Inca – Bella Vista, just one individual at feeders
Collared Inca – very common at Bella Vista feeders
Buff-tailed Coronet – Bella Vista, easy to spot by its habit of landing at feeders open winged
Gorgeted Sunangel – Bella Vista
Purple-bibbed Whitetip – Bella Vista
Booted Racket-tail – likely a winner of the favorite hummingbird contest, seen well at both Alombe and Bella Vista
Violet-tailed Sylph – diligent feeder watchers watched this beauty come in for a short time at Bella Vista
Purple-throated Woodstar – male and female of this little beauty came in to feeders at both Alombe and Bella Vista
White-necked Jacobin – seen and photographed at Bella Vista
Crested Quetzal – eagle eyed Greg and Judy spotted this beauty from the bus, noting its white undertail
Masked Trogon – we ventured a short way down the trail before lunch at Bella Vista and spotted this beauty
Toucan Barbet – a teaser, only heard at a distance this day.
Crimson-mantled Woodpecker – with such bright color this little beauty was one we could identify amid the amazing mixed flock seen in the rain at Bella Vista
Powerful Woodpecker – spotted by Verna on our walk after lunch at Bella Vista, in time several of us got on either the male or female of the pair
Spotted Woodcreeper – seen on the trail just before lunch
Pacific Hornero – seen by Deb and Caitlin at Alombe, heard by others
Azara’s Spinetail – Gabriel tried to tape in this secretive bird, a few of the group got glimpses of this secretive but highly vocal bird
Pearled Treerunner – seen in the garden at Alombe and in the mixed flock at Bella Vista
Streaked Tuftedcheek – our savoir species at the height of frustration, coping with intense rain on a mixed flock of 80-100 birds. The spotlight cheeks of this bold species stood out, and all got good looks as it thrashed among the bromeliads
Linneated Foliage-gleaner – seen on the trail before lunch at Bella Vista
Chestnut-crowned Antpitta – heard only, calling below trails at Bella Vista
Spillman’s Tapaculo – one of Earth’s most amazing bird sounds – heard only but WOW.
Green-and-black Fruiteater – heard only, trail at Bella Vista
Andean Cock of the Rock – a female fly by seen at Bella Vista
Rufous-headed Pygmy Tyrant – seen by guide Gabriel and a few standing near him, what a cutie1
Southern Beardless Tyrannulet – this distinctive call heard while on the trail at Alombe
White-tailed Tyrannulet – seen well at Bella Vista
Flavescent Flycatcher – seen below the lunch room porch at Bella Vista by Peg and Patrick
Cinnamon Flycatcher – one of the more recognizable species of our Bella Vista mixed flock
Smoke-colored Pewee – another very recognizable species of our Bella Vista mixed flock
Black Phoebe – Alombe, calling form the wires
Barred Becard – quick views in the mixed flock at BV
Blue-and-white Swallow – quite common throughout the day
Southern Rough-winged Swallow – perched on the wires at Alombe
Sepia-brown Wren – Heard only BV
Plain-tailed Wren – Heard only BV
House Wren – Alombe
Gray-breasted Wood Wren – HO BV
Great Thrush – quite common at Bella Vista
Turquoise Jay – such a gorgeous jay, seen at close range at BV
Brown-capped Vireo – mixed flock at BV
Blackburnian Warbler – good looks at several in flocks at both Alombe and Bella Vista
Slate-throated Whitestart – BV, near the lunch place
Spectacled Whitestart – in the legendary mixed flock that erupted during the rain…
Russet-crowned Warbler – Bella Vista, seen while walking
Capped Conebill – treetop views while observing the BV mixed flock
Grass-green Tanager – spotted by Drew, low in the canopy of the mixed BV flock, at the front end of activity
Dusky Bush-Tanager – quite common in the mixed flock at BV
Lemon-rumped Tanager – handsome male and female at Alombe
Blue-gray Tanager – seen well at both locations
Blue-capped Tanager – what a beauty, seen at BV in the mixed flock
Blue-winged Mountain Tanager – seen by some of the group that went down the trail before lunch
Thick-billed Euphonia – great views as it came into the banana feeder at Alombe
Golden Tanager – one of the tanagers we could recognize in the mixed flock at BV
Rufous-collared Sparrow – Quito
Tri-colored Brush Finch – seen from the rim near the bus dropoff at BV
Blue-back Grassquit – molting males and female seen at Alombe
White-sided Flowerpiercer – seen by Deb and Caitlin at BV
Buff-throated Saltator – seen on the banana feeder at Alombe
Variable Seedeater – fields at Alombe

Mammals
Central American Agouti
Red-tailed Squirrel

Antisanna National Park – Day Trip from Quito
Carunculated Caracara – amazingly common, both adults and juveniles, from any viewpoint once in the high reaches of our day we’d see 40-50 or more!
Andean Condor – how thrilled we were near the lake mid-day when Karl yelled ‘Look up, Condor…’ We had great views of a juvenile bird, wings spread, catching a thermal to ascend to great heights
Aplomado Falcon – three cheers for Verna’s keen eye that picked this bird out just as it perched, and we could get scope views. Another seen flying over the grassy vegetation as we left the hacienda where we had lunch
Variable (Red-backed) Hawk – great views perched on a fence post, another seen later in flight
Black-winged Ground Dove – several groups seen, and three perched birds gave us good scope views
Eared Dove – leaving Quito and into the lower elevations of our day
Rock Dove – Quito
Ecuadorian Hillstar – amazing views of a family group at the first bridge, with adults
feeding young, then at the feeders at the hacienda
Giant Hummingbird – one individual buzzed our three botanists who were engrossed in flowers as the birders missed it further down the road!!
Yellow-billed Pintail – one individual at the lake
Blue-winged Teal – four to five individuals of this migrant species at the lake
Andean Teal – great looks and common at the lake
Greater Yellowlegs – one individual at the lake
Andean Lapwing – great views of this handsome bird at the lake and in open grassands
Andean Gull – very common in moist meadows at higher elevations
Black-faced Ibis – one individual spotted by Peg as we left the hacienda, we got out for scope views
Andean Coot – nesting pair and several individuals at the lake
Tawny Antpitta – heard by everyone and seen well by Verna, who looked in just the right place at the right time!
Bar-winged Cincloides – fairly common but new for most of the group, great views
Stout-billed Cincloides – less common than Bar-winged, but still great views
Brown-backed Chat Tyrant – one individual in shrubs below the bus, seen well as we were out already to look at the shrike-tyrant!
Paramo Ground Tyrant – seen well on the roof and grounds of the hacienda
Black-billed Shrike Tyrant – seen flying above the ridge line and perched for scope views above the bus as we drove up in elevation
Blue-and-white Swallow – quite common early in the day
Plumbeous Sierra Finch – first seen at the bridge, then the lake, then quite common near the hacienda
Band-tailed Seedeater – flocks of this active small bird seen throughout the higher elevation areas
Hooded Siskin – seen in shrubbery near the road on the way down

Mammals
Brazilian Rabbit

Pre-trip Extension to Hacienda Pinsiqui – including Otavalo area and (Cuicocha) Reserve* and Lago San Pablo
Pied-billed Grebe
Silvery Grebe
Black-chested Buzzard Eagle*
American Kestrel
Cattle Egret
Great Egret
Andean Coot
Spotted Sandpiper
Andean Gull
Eared Dove
White-tipped Dove
Sparkling Violetear
Black-tailed Trainbearer
Tawny Antpitta (HO)
Azara’s Spinetail (HO)
Tufted Tit Tyrant
Tropical Kingbird
White-crested Elaenia
Vermilion Flycatcher
So. Beardless Tyrannulet
Stripe-breasted Bush Tyrant
Smoke-colored Pewee
Eastern Wood Pewee
Red-crested Cotinga*
Blue-and-white Swallow
House Wren
Great Thrush
Blackburnian Warbler
Fawn-breasted Tanager
Blue-and-yellow Tanager
Palm Tanager
Summer Tanager
Cinereous Conebill
Glossy Flowerpiercer*
Masked Flowerpiercer*
So. Yellow Grosbeak
Hooded Siskin
Ashy-breasted Sierra Finch
Rufous-collared Sparrow
Golden-rumped Euphonia

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