After an early breakfast we drive to Rio Silanche Reserve, a tropical lowland reserve that covers 70 hectares (175 acres). Here it is possible to see incredible species diversity, especially from its 15 m high observation tower that puts you eye-to-eye with awesome mixed foraging flocks. This important site, situated in low foothills between 300 and 350 m, is located along an all-weather road and it is one of the last remaining accessible forest remnants found in this key area.
It is home to many important Choco and Tumbesian endemic bird species, including the Dusky pigeon, Purple-chested hummingbird, Little woodstar, Choco trogon, Double-banded graytail, Stub-tailed antbird, Slate-throated gnatcatcher, Scarlet-breasted dacnis, Scarlet-and-white tanager, Blue-whiskered tanager,Gray-and-gold tanager, Rose-face parrot, Blue-headed parrot, Marron-tailed parakeet, White-bearded manakin, Scarlet-thighed dacnis, Chestnut-mandibled toucan, Black-headed tody-flycatcher and Slaty-capped shrike-vireo among many others. Enjoy a boxed lunch surrounded by this amazing nature.
In the afternoon we visit Milpe Bird Sanctuary, a reserve that is considered ‘An Important Bird Area’ by Birdlife International. It comprises 62 hectares (155 acres) that covers an altitudinal range from 1,020-1,150 m (3,350-3,770 ft) and includes two small rivers that converge at the bottom of a steep, forested valley. It is located along an all-weather road that many local birders consider to be one of the finest sites in all of Ecuador. Here 247 species were found included many of the most spectacular Choco endemic species, such as Plumbeous forest-falcon, Moss-backed tanager, Glistening-green tanager, Chocó trogon, Choco toucan, Club-winged manakin, Indigo-crowned quail-dove, Double-banded greytail, Fulvous-vented euphonia, Emerald tanager, Scarlet-and-white tanager, the near-threatened Blue-whiskered tanager and the Long-wattled umbrellabird. We return to our lodge in the late afternoon.