IMG
© Juanita Olano Marín

Páramo Bordoncillo

1.15385 , -77.09817

Colombia

The Paramo Bordoncillo between Pasto and Sibundoy in Southern Colombia is one of the few places in the world to see the rare Chestnut-bellied Cotinga. It is not too difficult to find here in the shrub-dominated subparamo zone between 3300 and 3400 m. Another sought-after species at Paramo Bordoncillo is the Masked Mountain Tanager. A number of other typical species of this altitudinal zone, including the attractive Golden-crowned Tanager, are quite common here. The best habitats can be reached with a short hike, but the trail is only accessible from private property, which can be a bit tricky at times.

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

Site name was changed by Mathias Ritschard (Admin) into "Páramo Bordoncillo" (2022-04-28 20:46:16 )

Coordinates were changed by Mathias Ritschard (Admin) : 1.1538/-77.0982 (2022-04-28 19:23:13 )

Coordinates were set by Admin : : 1.1589/-77.0951 (2019-02-07 00:00:00 )

Site name was set by Admin : as "Páramo Quilinsayaco ó Bordoncillo" (2019-02-07 00:00:00 )

Edited by Mathias Ritschard (Admin) on 2022-04-29 16:11:13
The Paramo Bordoncillo between Pasto and Sibundoy in Southern Colombia is one of the few places in the world to see the rare Chestnut-bellied Cotinga. It is not too difficult to find here in the shrub-dominated subparamo zone between 3300 and 3400 m. Another sought-after species at Paramo Bordoncillo is the Masked Mountain Tanager. A number of other typical species of this altitudinal zone, including the attractive Golden-crowned Tanager, are quite common here. The best habitats can be reached with a short hike, but the trail is only accessible from private property, which can be a bit tricky at times.

  • 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)

Rainbow-bearded Thornbill (Chalcostigma herrani)
Paramo Tapaculo (Scytalopus opacus)
White-chinned Thistletail (Asthenes fuliginosa)
Chestnut-bellied Cotinga (Doliornis remseni)
Agile Tit-Tyrant (Uromyias agilis)
Crowned Chat-Tyrant (Silvicultrix frontalis)
Masked Mountain Tanager (Tephrophilus wetmorei)
Golden-crowned Tanager (Iridosornis rufivertex)
Black-backed Bush Tanager (Urothraupis stolzmanni)

Black-backed Bush Tanager (Urothraupis stolzmanni) was added by Mathias Ritschard (Admin) (2022-04-28 20:54:21)

Golden-crowned Tanager (Iridosornis rufivertex) was added by Mathias Ritschard (Admin) (2022-04-28 20:53:07)

Masked Mountain Tanager (Tephrophilus wetmorei) was added by Mathias Ritschard (Admin) (2022-04-28 20:52:25)

Crowned Chat-Tyrant (Silvicultrix frontalis) was added by Mathias Ritschard (Admin) (2022-04-28 20:51:43)

Agile Tit-Tyrant (Uromyias agilis) was added by Mathias Ritschard (Admin) (2022-04-28 20:50:31)

Chestnut-bellied Cotinga (Doliornis remseni) was added by Mathias Ritschard (Admin) (2022-04-28 20:49:55)

White-chinned Thistletail (Asthenes fuliginosa) was added by Mathias Ritschard (Admin) (2022-04-28 20:49:40)

Paramo Tapaculo (Scytalopus opacus) was added by Mathias Ritschard (Admin) (2022-04-28 20:48:43)

Rainbow-bearded Thornbill (Chalcostigma herrani) was added by Mathias Ritschard (Admin) (2022-04-28 20:47:24)

  • Timing and strategy

The Paramo Bordoncillo can be visited all year, but conditions are often difficult because rain and fog is very common here. You need to be quite lucky to catch a day with good visibility. Activity is best early morning. If conditions are good, half a day should be enough to find many of the top species. The Cotinga likes to perch on top of bushes and small trees, so the best strategy is to scan from a place with a good view in the upper part of the trail – there are not many – and to listen for the characteristic raspy calls. For many of the other species, watch out for mixed flocks in the shrub along the trail. A good local guide will be very helpful in finding your target species and in organizing the access to the site.

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 Mathias Ritschard (Admin) on 2022-04-29 16:25
The Paramo Bordoncillo can be visited all year, but conditions are often difficult because rain and fog is very common here. You need to be quite lucky to catch a day with good visibility. Activity is best early morning. If conditions are good, half a day should be enough to find many of the top species. The Cotinga likes to perch on top of bushes and small trees, so the best strategy is to scan from a place with a good view in the upper part of the trail – there are not many – and to listen for the characteristic raspy calls. For many of the other species, watch out for mixed flocks in the shrub along the trail. A good local guide will be very helpful in finding your target species and in organizing the access to the site.
  • How to get there

The starting point to reach the Paramo Bordoncillo is a private finca situated ca. one hour from Pasto at the highest point of the main road to Sibundoy. You can easily reach with your private transport or one of the frequent buses can drop you off. From here you can start birding along the trail that leads up to the large antennas on top of the mountain, but see below for access conditions. You can reach the best birding areas within a short (ca. 30 min) but steep walk. The best areas for the Cotinga, probably the most sought-after species here, are below the first antenna or along the trail between the first and the second antenna.

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

Edited by Mathias Ritschard (Admin) on 2022-12-18 22:58
The starting point to reach the Paramo Bordoncillo is a private finca situated ca. one hour from Pasto at the highest point of the main road to Sibundoy. You can easily reach with your private transport or one of the frequent buses can drop you off. From here you can start birding along the trail that leads up to the large antennas on top of the mountain, but see below for access conditions. You can reach the best birding areas within a short (ca. 30 min) but steep walk. The best areas for the Cotinga, probably the most sought-after species here, are below the first antenna or along the trail between the first and the second antenna.
Edited by Mathias Ritschard (Admin) on 2022-04-29 16:36
The starting point to reach the Paramo Bordoncillo is a private finca situated ca. one hour from Pasto at the highest point of the main road to Sibundoy. You can easily reach with your private transport or one of the frequent buses can drop you off. From here you can start birding along the trail that leads up to the large antennas on top of the mountain, but see below for access conditions. You can reach the best birding areas within a short (ca. 30 min) but steep walk.

The access to the birding trail in only possible from a private property. It is highly recommended to call the owners ahead (Luis Antonio: +57 321 7537971). They will ask for a fee (around COP 20'000 per person) to enter their property and leave your car. The entry gate to the finca is situated at the left side of the main road when coming from Pasto. Take the short gravel road after the gate to reach the farm house. If you arrive without an appointment there's a risk that the owners are not at home or are not in the mood to receive visitors.

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.

Edited by Mathias Ritschard (Admin) on 2022-12-18 22:31
The access to the birding trail in only possible from a private property. It is highly recommended to call the owners ahead (Luis Antonio: +57 321 7537971). They will ask for a fee (around COP 20'000) 20'000 per person) to enter their property and leave your car. The entry gate to the finca is situated at the left side of the main road when coming from Pasto. Take the short gravel road after the gate to reach the farm house. If you arrive without an appointment there's a risk that the owners are not at home or are not in the mood to receive visitors.
Edited by Mathias Ritschard (Admin) on 2022-12-18 22:30
The access to the birding trail in only possible from a private property. It is highly recommended to call the owners ahead (Luis Antonio: +57 321 7537971). They will ask for a small fee (around COP 10'000) 20'000) to enter their property and leave your car. The entry gate to the finca is situated at the left side of the main road when coming from Pasto. Take the short gravel road after the gate to reach the farm house. If you arrive without an appointment there's a risk that the owners are not at home or are not in the mood to receive visitors.
Edited by Mathias Ritschard (Admin) on 2022-04-29 16:57
The access to the birding trail in only possible from a private property. It is highly recommended to call the owners ahead (Luis Antonio: +57 321 7537971). They will ask for a small fee (around COP 10'000) to enter their property and leave your car. The entry gate to the finca is situated at the left side of the main road when coming from Pasto. Take the short gravel road after the gate to reach the farm house. If you arrive without an appointment there's a risk that the owners are not at home or are not in the mood to receive visitors.
  • Other attractions

If there's no fog, you can enjoy great views across the Laguna de la Cocha and the surrounding paramos.

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)

Edited by Mathias Ritschard (Admin) on 2022-12-18 22:32
If there's no fog, you can enjoy great views across the Laguna de la Cocha and the surrounding paramos.

There are no facilities within the site, but you can find a variety of accommodation and catering options at the nearby Laguna de la Cocha.

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

Edited by Mathias Ritschard (Admin) on 2022-04-29 17:00
There are no facilities within the site, but you can find a variety of accommodation and catering options at the nearby Laguna de la Cocha.

The area has been very safe, also because access is only possible through private property. The main annoyance at Paramo Bordoncillo are the very unstable weather conditions and the frequent fog, which can make birding virtually impossible at times.

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

Edited by Mathias Ritschard (Admin) on 2022-04-29 17:03
The area has been very safe, also because access is only possible through private property. The main annoyance at Paramo Bordoncillo are the very unstable weather conditions and the frequent fog, which can make birding virtually impossible at times.
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.

Gallery

Reports

Season:
to
Species:
2018-08-18 to 2018-09-16 Southern Colombia Fabian Schneider and Nina Perret-Gentil
Páramo Bordoncillo - Orniverse