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Recent bird sightings:
Sites - Buenaventura Road

Site evaluation: 3 Stars 3 Stars 3 Stars
Species:  
Elevation: sea level - 1800 m
Climate: Hot and humid
Trails: Basic
Accommodation: 2 Stars 2 Stars
Food: 2 Stars 2 Stars
Hot water: No
Electricity: No
Communications: Cell phone
Region: Choco & Cauca Valley
Location: Cali-Buenaventura, Dept. of Valle
Summary: The Cali-Buenaventura road was traditionally one of Colombia’s top birding sites, located close to the modern city of Cali. Unfortunately, extensive deforestation in the region has taken place. In addition, SECURITY ISSUES PERSIST IN THE REGION, HAMPERING SAFE VISITATION TO MANY SITES ON THE BUENAVENTURA SIDE OF THE ROAD.
Endemics: Grayish Piculet, Multicolored Tanager
Key Species: See below for each sector of the highway
Access: The closest birding sites from Cali- Kms 16 and 18- are just 30 min above Cali. Other sites are 1-2 hrs from Cali.
Site Description: There are many good birding spots along this highway. Several of the best are listed below starting from Cali, where the numbering system for highway kilometers begins (e.g. Km 18 is 18 km from Cali).

Km 18 and Km 16
A small village and roadside restaurant called “Kilometer 18” is located 30 mins above Cali, on a low pass over the Western Cordillera. Although a former birding hotspot, much of its glory has gone with the toll of deforestation and the new wealthy country homes that have sprung up on the hillside. Toucan Barbet and other specialist species have recently disappeared. However, some subtropical forest remains and this site is very convenient for short trips from Cali.

Key sp.: Wedge-billed Hummingbirds, Bronzy Inca, Fawn-breasted Brilliant, Grayish Piculet, Fulvous-dotted Treerunner, Streak-capped Treehunter, Scaled Fruiteater, Yellow-headed Manakin, Chestnut-breasted Wren, Black-billed Peppershrike, Chestnut-breasted Chlorophonia, Multicolored and Purplish-mantled Tanagers, and Blue-winged Mountain-Tanager

Logistics: From Cali follow signs to Buenaventura on the main highway. Many buses and vans leave from Cali’s bus terminal and pass by El 18. Taxis will also go, but are much more expensive.

Birding areas: From the main Cali/Buenaventura road, turn right (north-east) onto a dirt road, behind the well-signed “km 18 restaurant”. Continue straight along the eastern side of the ridge (not right at a fork) for 3 km, and past a large water tower, before entering forest.

Birding along the road from here for several km’s can be very productive; Wedge-billed Hummingbirds, Bronzy Inca, Fawn-breasted Brilliant, Grayish Piculet, Fulvous-dotted Treerunner, Streak-capped Treehunter, Scaled Fruiteater, Yellow-headed Manakin, Chestnut-breasted Wren, Black-billed Peppershrike, Chestnut-breasted Chlorophonia, Multicolored and Purplish-mantled Tanagers, and Blue-winged Mountain-Tanager.

Km 16, like Km 18 has suffered extensive deforestation from the sprawl of new mansions. Some forest patches remain, and can be accessed at a track turnoff to Queremal telecommunications tower at km 16 from Cali. Bird a trail from the tower for largely similar species to km 18; Violet-tailed Sylph, Fawn-breasted Brilliant, Pacific Tuftedcheek, Undulated Antpitta, Uniform Antshrike, Olivaceous Piha, Moss-backed Tanager, and Glistening-green Tanager.


Old Buenaventura Road Km 60 - 115
The old Buenaventura road branches off the new Cali-Buenaventura highway at km 19.5 and descends to the lowlands, re-joining the new road just before the coastal port of Buenaventura (km 106). This road is the most famous birding area in Colombia, as the road transects good subtropical and foothill forests, yielding many highly prized birds at several convenient birding sites, such as Alto Anchicayá.

Key sp.: Baudó Guan, Pallid Dove, Indigo-crowned Quail-Dove, Violet-bellied and Tooth-billed Hummingbirds, Lanceolated Monklet, Chocó Woodpecker, Esmeraldas Antbird, Club-winged and White-crowned Manakins, White-headed Wrens, Rufous-brown Solitaire, Pale-eyed Thrush, Chestnut-headed Oropendola, Pacific Cacique, Yellow-green Bush-Tanager, and Gray Seedeater.

Logistics: From Cali take the Buenaventura highway for 19.5 km, passing over the highest point in the road (Km 18) and a further 1.5 km to a dirt road on the west (left) side of the road. The first 40 km (1.5-2 hrs) is heavily degraded habitat, until El Danubio at km 60. Take a track 10 km south from this town to the Alto Anchicayá hydroelectric plant. Accommodation and meals are available with prior permission from CVC (see under Bosque Yotoco for address) at Alto Anchicayá or in the town of Danubio. For exploring the lower section of road (km 80-115) with your own vehicle it is better to be based in Buenaventura.

Birding areas: Start birding in the steep forested valley from Danubio as the first section of road is largely deforested. The track to and trails leading around the excellent foothill forests of Alto Anchicayá Hydroelectric plant are well worth spending time at. For 20 km below El Danubio to Aguaclara there are patches of lowland forest (similar to Bajo Calima road) worth exploring, particularly between km 67 to 77, that have produced Long-wattled Umbrellabird.


Bajo Calima
Close to Buenaventura a track heads north to Bajo Calima and San Isidro at km 100 on the new Buenaventura-Cali highway. Although partially logged this area is has many lowland Pacific forest specialist species.

Key sp.: Semiplumbeous Hawk, Saffron-headed and Rose-faced Parrots, Green Thorntail, Dusky Pigeon, Chocó Toucan, Five-colored Barbet, White-tipped and Blue Cotinga, Blue-whiskered, Rufous-winged, and Scarlet-and-white Tanager.

Logistics: At km 100 on the new Buenaventura-Cali highway (several km east of the old and new road intersection) is a signed road north to Bajo Calima.

Birding areas: Numerous trails that run into forest from the road are well worth exploring for many birds including Blue and White-tipped Cotingas. The new road to San Isidro and a large naval military port in Bahía de Málaga pass through excellent lowland forest, although the best areas to the military base may have only restricted entry.

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