Los Volcanes

by A. Bennett Hennessey and Lawrence Rubey

The final road to the lodge is washed out- not expected back until August. Might be possible to hike from river- check with birdbolivia@unete.com.bo

Los Volcanes is an interesting lodge placed on the edge of Amboro National Park. Due to management changes we recommend contacting Bird Bolivia (birdbolivia@unete.com.bo ) regarding visiting the area and reservations. The lodge has had the price of 80 USD per person.

Los Volcanes is situated at the intersection of three major South American biogeographic regions, and its bird community presents a unique mixture of elements from southern Amazonia, the central Andes as well as the Chaco. Over 170 species have so far been found in the reserve, an exceptionally high diversity for its habitat and elevation. This high diversity is largely a result of the variability of the forest, which ranges from completely deciduous on the driest slopes to nearly evergreen in a humid, south-facing canyon. The Los Volcanes bird list includes such specialties as Yungas Manakin, Black-streaked Puffbird, Military Macaw, Slaty Gnateater, and Bolivian Recurvebill. An extensive trail system provides easy access to all forest types and their birds.

Presently the area has three main birding routes. The entrance road is an excellent trail to gain access to the deciduous dry slope, well worth a full morning of birding. Here you can see foraging flocks with an assortment of tanagers and flycatchers. This forest is dominated by Black-capped Antwrens, Common Bush-Tanagers and Two-banded Warblers. Try to arrange being dropped off at the top, so you can pass the day birding down the slope. Look out for White-vented Violetear, Short-tailed Antthrush, Slaty-capped Flycatcher, Thick-billed Euphonia, and Saffron-billed Sparrow

Los Volcanes also offers two humid valley trails. The Loro trail travel up a valley eventually taking you to three lookouts. The lower forest is great for White-crowned Tapaculo, Plain Antvireo White-necked Thrush, Yungas Manakin and Red-necked Woodpecker. As you travel up in the clearings, enjoy the open areas to get looks at perched Mitred Parakeet, Green-cheeked Parakeet, Turquiose-fronted Parrot- maybe a Military Macaw- and the everpresent Dusky-green Oropendola.

The river trail follows the local river through humid valley habitat and about 8 shallow river crossings. The trail eventually climbs to another great look out. This trail covers more understory habitat and is a better place to find Ochre-cheeked Spinetail, Buff-fronted Foliage-Gleaner, Blue-naped Chlorophonia, Plush-crested Jay and river birds like White-winged Phoebe and the White-capped Dipper.

Birding at sundown just around the clearing of the lodge can be very productive with the local residents: Black-chested Buzzard-Eagle, Channel-billed Toucan, Chestnut-eared Aracari, Sayaca and Palm Tanager, Piratic Flycather, Rufous-breasted Thrush, Crested Oropendola, Hooded Siskin and many flocks of various species of parrots.

Logistics: Given the complicated entrance road to Los Volcanes, only accessible to small vehicle, one must have a reservation before visiting this lodge. Best to check with Bird Bolivia (birdbolivia@unete.com) for reservations. Los Volcanes is along the road to Semaipata from the SW Cochabamba tranca. Los Volcanes is approximetly 20 km from this tranca just before the town of Bermejo. The turn off is on the right side before a large sign that says EL SILLAR and underneath that a smaller sign that reads Serrania Volcanes 3.5 km. From the turn off one has to drive the dirt road for 5km over the crest and a bit further down to the vista on the left. From here there is the private driveway of Los Volcanes descending to the left. A better lookout is only a few feet ahead on the road. The road going down to Los Volcanes is very narrow with some very tight turns that might require backing up through their negotiation. This single road travels all the way to the lodge.

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