Rio Blanco Reserva is just 8 km or about 20 to 30 minutes from Manizales. It is maintained by Aguas de Manizales, the local water company, as it provides about 1/3rd of the fresh water supply to 400,000+ residents so it is critically important. In addition, there are over 300 birds species recorded with 22 being endemic. Access into the Reserva is highly restricted to only property owners and their guests.
Manizales Birding Adventures provides exclusive access to 230 hectares in Río Blanco Reserva that no other birding company in the world can offer.
Our affiliate, Mr. Victor Kruger, a US citizen and resident of Colombia, owns about 230 hectares (568 acres) and is the largest private land owner in the Reserva. He has been working closely for 4 years with the major government agencies responsible for the Reserva...Vivocuenca is an organization of Aquas de Manizales (the water company), Corpocaldas (oversees environmental and development), CHEC (the electricity company) and EMAS (the trash company).
Mr. Kruger committed to improving the bird habitat, reducing erosion and protecting water supplies in addition to the idea to create a Center for Biodiversity and Eco Lodge. He has donated land and allowed Vivocuenca to plant 10,000 trees with more on the way. He commissioned a 9 month study by one of the top biodiversity and bird experts in Latin America, Professor Juan Sebastian Restrepo which resulted in a published Plan of Action which Mr. Kruger has been implementing.
According to Audubon: Río Blanco is high enough that it holds montane forests, moist and luxurious, with a mix of species entirely different from the lower elevations. If you had to describe what makes Río Blanco unique, the answer is decisive and clear: Antpittas. Nine (9) species.
The various antpittas: Brown-banded Antpitta. Photo: Juan Antonio Ocampo; Ocellated Tapaculo. Photo: Arnulfo Sánchez/Mistrató Neblina Birds vary in how difficult they are to see, and four species come in regularly including the endemic Brown-banded Antpitta, Chestnut-crowned as well as the Bicolored and Slate-crowned antpittas. The ability to see this many Antpitta species in one morning is unrivaled. Mr. Kruger´s biologists recorded 134 species on his land in a 30 day period and sent the results to Ebird.com.
Río Blanco’s montane forests also have many other wonderful species. The White-crowned Tanager, an odd, large tanager may be seen here, along with some stunning or hard-to- find birds. These include the Black-billed Mountain-Toucan, Rusty-faced Parrot, Golden-plumed Parakeet, Streak-headed Antbird, Ocellated Tapaculo, Strong-billed Woodcreeper, Dusky Piha, Black-collared Jay and Masked Saltator. During the slow hours in the middle of the day, pay attention to the hummingbird feedersto see Collared Inca, Long-tailed Sylph, among many others.
https://ebird.org/hotspot/L2241379
