Ecuador 10: Back to Loja, Quito

Once more it was time to pack our bags and head off to pastures new. We took the opportunity to get out early and were immediately justified in doing so by getting great views of a splendid Barred Antthrush in the trail at first light, one of the birds of the trip. We added a couple more new birds, including the rather nice Rufous-capped Tody-Flycatcher, before everyone was ready to go back to the lodge to prepare for the off. I had another plan though, and borrowed the MP3 player for one more crack at Slate-crowned Antpitta. This time I was in luck, and eventually saw two birds. Antpitta no. 7.

Our taxi driver arrived, so we said our farewells to everyone at the excellent Casa Simpson and started the long journey back to Loja. We stopped off at Vilcabamba for chicken and chips, beer and Saffron Finch and Fasciated Wren, and then birded the area around the airport in Loja before our flight. Several new species were added here, including Croaking Ground-Dove and Band-tailed Sierra-Finch.

We checked into a hotel and prepared for the next exciting leg of the trip. Eleven more species were added today, bringing the list up to 265.