Cerulean and Golden-winged Warbler Summit in Colombia

A bit of a specialist subject, but I though that readers might be interested that Colombia is hosting this interntaional summit. It is in Bogota and San Vicente de Chucurí, Santander. I believe it is the first time the town of San Vicente has hosted an international conference, and shows that Colombia is becomign not just a tourist destination, but also hosting more international conferences.
There is a lot of concern in North America and Colombia about the decline of these beautiful birds which winter in Colombia and breed in North America.
See http://www.ecotours.com.co/summit_eng.html

By getting better on Jul 17, 2008, 05:19 in Friendly Talkzone.

Bill Turley says on Jul 17, 2008, 05:36:

This is great. I know if more Ecotourists learn the truth about Colombia, our economy will improve. I have more species of Hummingbirds on my finca than are in all of the USA

Mr. Bill Somondoco

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dwmte7 says on Jul 17, 2008, 05:40:

thanks for the post, g. better, i've discovered bird watching in my golden years jeje...and i was always amazed at the number of birds on our property...like bill mentions. hummingbirds as big, if not bigger than our typical blackbird.

dwmte

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dwmte7 says on Jul 17, 2008, 05:41:

how much do folks pay for one of these eco tours?

dwmte

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tejasmarcos says on Jul 17, 2008, 06:47:

very cool.

trying to walk a straight line on sour mash and cheap wine...

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dwmte7 says on Jul 17, 2008, 07:15:

what, tejas? they pay 'very cool' ???

dwmte

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getting better says on Jul 17, 2008, 07:40:

I'll try and answer your question dwmte7. Most ordinary people don't want a specialist tour, they just visit soemwhere like El Dorado, and pay for example $85 per day for food and accomdation (less for nationals obviously), and bit for a guide from the local community to show them the trails and some wildlife. However if they are keen birdwatchers or butterfly specialists, and want a fully guided tour with expert guide and internal transport, this costs typically $200-250 per day for an inclusive tour.
The typical Spanish speaking poorbuthappy traveller probably won't want a specialist tour, just to visit a beautiful forest lodge, and can organise their own transport, which is what makes guided tours round several locations relatively expensive.

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Atrevido says on Jul 17, 2008, 08:00:

Colombia is supposed to have more bird species than any other country in the world at just under 1900. It is number two for amphibians. Here are two birding/ornithology organizations in Colombia

http://www.calidris.org.co/

http://www.proaves.org/rubrique.php?id_rubrique=170

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Bill Turley says on Jul 17, 2008, 08:00:

I was involved in the ecotourist industry for several years BEFORE I moved to Colombia. The target market is generally upper income levels with a good amout of descresionary income. A real ecolodge can charge $200 or more per day USD per person. Look at Costa Rica before and after ecotourism.

Mr. Bill Somondoco

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webmanco says on Jul 17, 2008, 10:12:

Thanks for the information, one need to be an early bird to watch other birds.

...A yo, déjenme queto y no me jodan má! ...

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dwmte7 says on Jul 17, 2008, 12:36:

web...it's a bad day here....the mrs has her tangas all bunched up in her nalgas....she's a real toughie on those days.

dwmte

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