CERULEAN WARBLER RESERVE
COLOMBIA
LOCALE
| Area (ha): | 81 |
| # Species: | 452 |
| # Excl Vagrants: | 452 |
| # Endemics: | 16 |
| # Near Endemics: | 21 |
| Species/100 ha: | 558.0 |
| Habitat: Colombian Oak dry forest | |
ABOUT THE BIRDING
The Cerulean Warbler Reserve was created to protect critical wintering habitat of the Cerulean Warbler, whose population has declined substantially during the past 50 years. The reserve is a 545-acre tract of Colombian Oak dry forest, a unique ecosystem that has been devastated by deforestation. An impressive 150 year old stone path called the "Camino de Lengerke" goes through the reserve. This path was an important trading route between the Magdalena Valley and the mountainous interior. An excellent network of trails provides access to the forest in the reserve. Because of deforestation, the reserve has one of the highest concentrations of critically endangered species in the Americas, namely Gorgeted Wood-Quail, Chestnut-bellied Hummingbird and Colombian Mountain Grackle. The Wood-Quail is an endangered species that is secretive and especially difficult to see.
In addition to the above, endemic birds found in the reserve include Indigo-capped Hummingbird, Black Inca, and Turquoise Dacnis near the lodge and White-mantled Barbet, Beautiful Woodpecker, Parker's Antbird, and Upper Magdalena Tapaculo along the trail, which is best accessed by horseback from the lodge. Other notable birds in the reserve include Moustached Puffbird, White-whiskered Spinetail, Yellow-throated Spadebill, Rufous-naped Greenlet, Yellow-browed Shrike-Vireo, Sooty-headed Wren, Golden-fronted Redstart, and Moustached Brush-Finch.
LOCATION OF SITE
The Cerulean Warbler Reserve is located near the small town of San Vicente de Chucuri, southwest of Bucaramanga. It's about a 9-hour drive to the northeast from El Paujil Reserve.