IMG
© Julio Cesar Acosta Burgos

Laguna de Alegria

13.49257 , -88.49336

El Salvador

The Tecapa volcano is located in the Eastern province of Usulutan, it is an active volcano with a lot of geyser activity in the northern slope which is being used to generate power in the second largest geothermal plant of the country. The actual crater is a sulphuric lagoon called Laguna de Alegria named after the nearby town. The altitude of the volcano is approximately 1600 meters above sea level. The forests that surrounds the summit are secondary forest that provide shade to coffee plantations. There are two endemic to north central america species that are relatively easy to spot: Bar-winged Oriole and White-faced Ground-sparrow.  

Delete exact location

The introductory text should contain general information about the site, which may include for instance:
• geographic/ biogeographic location
• habitat and vegetation
• typical bird species/bird communities
• protection status
• land use and history
• importance for birdwatching

Coordinates were set by Julio Cesar Acosta Burgos : 13.4926/-88.4934 (2021-08-13 03:30:19 )

Site name was set by Julio Cesar Acosta Burgos as "Laguna De Alegria" (2021-08-13 03:30:19 )

Edited by Julio Cesar Acosta Burgos on 2021-08-13 12:40:42
The Tecapa volcano is located in the Eastern province of Usulutan, it is an active volcano with a lot of geyser activity in the northern slope which is being used to generate power in the second largest geothermal plant of the country. The actual crater is a sulphuric lagoon called Laguna de Alegria named after the nearby town. The altitude of the volcano is approximately 1600 meters above sea level. The forests that surrounds the summit are secondary forest that provide shade to coffee plantations. There are two endemic to north central america species that are relatively easy to spot: Bar-winged Oriole and White-faced Ground-sparrow.  

  • Top species

List up to ca. 25 species that:
• have a limited distribution range and/or are rare on a global level
• are most sought-after by birdwatchers at this site
• and are relatively easy to see at this site (year-round or seasonally)

White-bellied Chachalaca (Ortalis leucogastra)
Buffy-crowned Wood-Partridge (Dendrortyx leucophrys)
Rufous-browed Peppershrike (Cyclarhis gujanensis)
Yellow-green Vireo (Vireo flavoviridis)
Spot-breasted Wren (Pheugopedius maculipectus)
White-faced Ground-Sparrow (Melozone biarcuata)
Bar-winged Oriole (Icterus maculialatus)
White-winged Tanager (Piranga leucoptera)
Blue Bunting (Cyanocompsa parellina)

Yellow-green Vireo (Vireo flavoviridis) was added by Julio Cesar Acosta Burgos (2021-08-13 03:48:05)

Rufous-browed Peppershrike (Cyclarhis gujanensis) was added by Julio Cesar Acosta Burgos (2021-08-13 03:47:54)

White-winged Tanager (Piranga leucoptera) was added by Julio Cesar Acosta Burgos (2021-08-13 03:45:09)

Spot-breasted Wren (Pheugopedius maculipectus) was added by Julio Cesar Acosta Burgos (2021-08-13 03:44:56)

Blue Bunting (Cyanocompsa parellina) was added by Julio Cesar Acosta Burgos (2021-08-13 03:44:35)

Buffy-crowned Wood-Partridge (Dendrortyx leucophrys) was added by Julio Cesar Acosta Burgos (2021-08-13 03:44:21)

White-bellied Chachalaca (Ortalis leucogastra) was added by Julio Cesar Acosta Burgos (2021-08-13 03:44:06)

Bar-winged Oriole (Icterus maculialatus) was added by Julio Cesar Acosta Burgos (2021-08-13 03:43:53)

White-faced Ground-Sparrow (Melozone biarcuata) was added by Julio Cesar Acosta Burgos (2021-08-13 03:43:36)

  • Timing and strategy

There is good birding along the whole year around the lagoon, it just gets better for the migration time between November to April. The best time of the day to do it is early in the morning when you can start walking along the road to the lagoon and once you get to the lagoon you pay the fee to enter and walk around the crater along the road. The lagoon's mirror of water can be smaller or bigger depending the time of the year. It can take you around an hour to get to the lagoon and another hour to walk around. You can also drive along the whole two trails. Since the birding happens mostly along a road guiding is reccomendable but not mandatory.

Give recommendations for making your visit as productive as possible.
This may include for instance:
• best season
• best time of the day
• how much time to spend at the site
• best means of locomotion within the site
• recommended routes / areas within the site
• guiding

Edited by Julio Cesar Acosta Burgos on 2021-08-13 13:05
There is good birding along the whole year around the lagoon, it just gets better for the migration time between November to April. The best time of the day to do it is early in the morning when you can start walking along the road to the lagoon and once you get to the lagoon you pay the fee to enter and walk around the crater along the road. The lagoon's mirror of water can be smaller or bigger depending the time of the year. It can take you around an hour to get to the lagoon and another hour to walk around. You can also drive along the whole two trails. Since the birding happens mostly along a road guiding is reccomendable but not mandatory.
  • How to get there

There are paved roads to get to Alegria and you can access by the town of Santiago de Maria or Mercedes Umaña. Either way is accesible with a normal car. The distance is around 140 kilometers either way. The road to the lagoon is not paved but in good condition if you decide to drive along. If you want to get there by bus from San Salvador you need to take bus 303-A at "Terminal de Oriente". It is much better to travel the day before and stay in the small town of Alegria. If you decide to do a day trip by car you need to leave San Salvador at around 4 a.m. 

Explain from where and how to get to this site with private and public transport.

Edited by Julio Cesar Acosta Burgos on 2021-08-13 13:16
There are paved roads to get to Alegria and you can access by the town of Santiago de Maria or Mercedes Umaña. Either way is accesible with a normal car. The distance is around 140 kilometers either way. The road to the lagoon is not paved but in good condition if you decide to drive along. If you want to get there by bus from San Salvador you need to take bus 303-A at "Terminal de Oriente". It is much better to travel the day before and stay in the small town of Alegria. If you decide to do a day trip by car you need to leave San Salvador at around 4 a.m. 

Provide information on how to enter this site, which may include:
• entry points
• entry permits / entry tickets and fees
• opening hours / opening season
• other restrictions

Note that this section should only contain information on how to ACCESS (= enter) a site. Info on how to REACH a site should be added to "How to get there" section.

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  • Other attractions

Add information about other attractions at this site, including
• wildlife (apart from birds)
• sights (natural, cultural, archaeological, etc.)
• activities (e.g. for non-birding companions)

Not available yet

Provide information about what type of facilities are available at
or near this site, including:
• information centers / information points
• catering
• accommodation
• hides and watchtowers
• restrooms / toilets

Not available yet

Are there any security issues or other annoyances at this site? For
instance, these may include:
• offenses like robbery or theft
• natural hazards
• dangerous or annoying animals or plants (mosquitoes, leaches, thorn bushes, etc.)
• noise pollution

Not available yet
All information about this site was contributed by Orniverse users. Neither Orniverse nor the contributors accept responsibility for the completeness and accuracy of the information provided.

Local guides

Gallery

Reports

Season:
to
Species:
2021-11-24 to 2021-11-30 Birding El Salvador with Nigel Marven 2021 Julio Cesar Acosta Burgos
2020-02-19 to 2020-02-22 Lorenz Hintz Birding Tour Julio Cesar Acosta Burgos
Laguna de Alegria - Orniverse