Papallacta--radio antennas Area

eBird Hotspot Link: Papallacta - - Radio antennaa

Species - 203

Checklists - 2160

Projected Time at Site: Moderate (≈ 2 hrs.)

About the Area: 

High in the Andean páramo at over 4,300 meters (14,000 feet), the Papallacta radio antennas sit atop a windswept ridge within the Reserva Ecológica Cayambe-Coca, surrounded by a hauntingly beautiful landscape of mist, moss, and silence. The terrain is dominated by low, cushiony vegetation adapted to the cold and wet conditions, interspersed with glacial lakes and boggy wetlands that shimmer under fleeting sunlight. The air is crisp and thin, and visibility often shifts dramatically with the rolling fog, revealing dramatic views of nearby volcanoes like Antisana when the clouds part. Despite its utilitarian purpose, the site is a magnet for birders and hikers, offering a rare glimpse into Ecuador’s high-altitude wilderness.

The surrounding lands are a biodiversity hotspot, especially for highland bird species. The area is known for sightings of the Andean Condor, Black-chested Buzzard-Eagle, and the elusive Rufous-bellied Seedsnipe. Trails leading to the antennas are rugged but accessible, winding through gravel paths and marshy stretches that challenge and reward with panoramic vistas and intimate wildlife encounters. The region’s stark beauty and ecological richness make it a favorite among nature enthusiasts, photographers, and scientists alike—where the hum of antennas is often drowned out by the wind and the call of birds echoing across the páramo.

Top Target Species:

Andean Teal, Ecuadorian Hillstar, Blue-mantled Thornbill, Rufous-bellied Seedsnipe, Variable Hawk, Carunculated Caracara, Tawny Antpitta, Chestnut-winged Cinclodes, Stout-billed Cinclodes, Andean Tit-Spinetail, Many-striped Canastero, White-chinned Thistletail, Plain-capped Ground-Tyrant, Brown-backed Chat-Tyrant, Brown-bellied Swallow, Grass Wren, Great Thrush and Plumbeous Sierra Finch.

Recap and Reflections (How it played out)

(Stay tuned...)