From Tropical to Top of the World, Birdwatching at it's Finest, 628 Species.

Birdwatching around the area of Santa Marta is the best of the best, to travel Colombia is to see more bird species than any country in the world and Santa Marta has about 1/3 or 628 species located in 1.5% of the country, about the same number that you will find in all of North America Another bonus is along with the bird watching you will get to spend time on the Caribbean coast and enjoy great times and have fantastic adventures.

Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta

• 628 known bird species
• Richest bird country on the planet.
• Equal number of birds species to all of North America
• Important wintering areas for the decreasing numbers of birds from Canada and the United States.
• Many bird species can be found only in this area.

The areas for birding in the area starting at sea level and travelling west to east are

Vía Parque Isla de Salamanca Biosphere Reserve
Location: An island in the delta of the Rio Magdalena, the largest river in Colombia, the area is comprised of mangrove forests, woodland scrub and beaches and is accessed by highway 90 between the cities of Santa Marta and Barranquilla at mile 7 or kilometer 11 from the bridge crossing at the Rio Magdalena.

Tayrona National Park The entrance road and the trail to Arrecifes both pass through good forest. Camping and hammocks are available at Arrecifes, which has a restaurant as well. There are also cabins available.

Santuario de Flora y Fauna Los Flamencos
Near Camarones only a few minutes drive and about 15 from Riohacha.This is great birdwatching country.

• Local boat tours available for viewing birds.
• Lagoons
• Beaches

Minca

• Minca located just 45 minutes drive from Santa Marta along the route to San Lorenzo ridge
• Biodiversity and beauty
• Birdwatcher delight.
• 70 migratory species that migrate from the United States and Canada

El Dorado Bird Reserve
ProAves’s 1,600 acre reserve a Colombian Non Government Organization Reserve.Views of the Caribbean, the city of Santa Marta and Cienaga Grande This is a premier world birdwatching location. The lodge is very well reviewed for comfort, location, scenery and most of all birdwatching which is spectacular.4WD vehicles required to get to San Lorenzo ridge, the road is rough. Jeniam Ecolodge and Blue Moon Restaurant are close by. Location about 6200 feet beside the road with great views down to the Caribbean Sea 30 miles away.

• Book through Ecoturs
  
• Elevation: 6400 ft or 1950 meters.
• Climate: Cool
• Located on a NW facing mountain slope.

News from April 7, 2010
The first confirmed siting of the Santa Marta Sabrewing (hummingbird) in over 60 years. The photo was taken by Laura Cardenas at about 6,200 feet at El Dorado Reserve. http://sayitaintsoalready.com/

To get to some of these locations takes some planning and resolve yourself to accept a little discomfort at times due to rough roads or isolation, but if there was a 4 lane highway to these places there probably would not be any birds to see or trees for the birds to live in.

Traveling around the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta is a great adventure and you just can't beat Colombian people who are truly friendly and helpful and always creative when you need to get something done.

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