Los Nevados National Park, in the
central Andes, encompasses 38,000 ha (93,900 ac) and is home to three glaciated
peaks. Birding is done along a lightly traveled road that winds up the mountain
through patches of elfin forest that give way to paramo (tropical grassland
above tree line). The scenery is delightful, with velvety frailejon (Espletia)
plants adding a touch of surrealism to the experience. Temperatures can be
cold, and many species can be found upwards of 4,000 m (13,100 feet).
A
paradise for high elevation specialists, targets include: Black-chested
Buzzard-eagle, Bearded Helmetcrest, Scarlet-bellied Mountain-tanager, Capped
Conebill, Golden-crowned Tanager, Paramo Tapaculo, Black- backed Bush-Tanager,
and the endemic and very hard to find Rufous-fronted Parakeet. Also fun to
watch are Tawny Antpitta, who are very tame in this area. We will also be able
to bird near a glacial lagoon called Laguna Negra, where it is possible to see
Many-striped Canastero, White- tailed Hawk, Black-chested Buzzard-Eagle, Andean
Tit- Spinetail, White-chinned Thistletail, Ruddy Duck, Grass Wren, and
Pale-naped Brush-Finch. A bonus is the variety of seedeaters in the Paramo,
including Plumbeous Sierra- Finch, and Paramo and Plain-colored Seedeaters.
