Birdwatching · When to go
When to visit for birdwatching
Best months, best hours, what to bring, and how to plan your birdwatching visit to El Nido Andino.
Best months
La Mesa has a subtropical climate with rain year-round — there is no true dry season, just drier and wetter windows. Timing also depends on boreal migration: species like Summer Tanager are present only September through April.
| Window | Rating | Why |
|---|---|---|
| December – February | The driest window of the year coincides with boreal migrants present. Best photo light, firmer trails, highest possible species count. | |
| July – August | Second dry window of the year. Residents only (no migrants), but very stable conditions for hiking and photography. Ideal for European/North American summer holidays. | |
| September – November | Arrival of boreal migrants — species counts climb. But October and November are wetter: expect typical afternoon downpours. | |
| March – May | The wettest months of the year in La Mesa. Muddy trails. Boreal migrants departing. Birding is still possible, but not recommended for visitors coming exclusively for birds. |
Climate sources: Climate-Data — La Mesa · boreal migration calendar from Cornell Lab of Ornithology and eBird Colombia references.
Best hours of the day
Bird activity is not constant through the day. There are two peaks, with a long lull in the middle:
| Hour | Activity |
|---|---|
| 5:30 – 7:30 AM | Dawn chorus — the main peak of the day. Most species announce themselves vocally, defend territory, and feed actively. |
| 7:30 AM – 4:30 PM | Low activity, especially at midday. A good time for rest, coffee, or processing photos. |
| 4:30 – 6:00 PM | Second, less intense peak. Birds return to feeding before sunset. |
Practical implication: if birds are your primary interest, stay at least one night. The day pass (9 AM – 6 PM) covers the second half of the day and the afternoon peak but misses the dawn chorus.
Trails on the finca
Birding is self-guided. On arrival we provide a trail map. The finca has several habitats — each one favours different species:
| Habitat | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Coffee plantations | Tanagers, euphonias and woodpeckers. A good place to start. |
| Secondary forest | Best probability for the Bar-crested Antshrike (endemic) and the jacamar. |
| Bamboo grove | Shaded habitat preferred by some antbirds and woodcreepers. |
| Lake and water bodies | Green Kingfisher, Bare-faced Ibis, and water-associated birds. |
| Gardens and edges | Highest density of hummingbirds — best place for close-up photography. |
| Viewpoints | Good for raptors flying over the valley (Roadside Hawk, Yellow-headed Caracara). |
Distances are short and trails are well marked. A full walk takes 2–3 hours at observer’s pace.
What to bring
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Binoculars
8x42 or 10x42 is the standard. If you don’t have any, we can lend a basic pair (check availability).
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Camera
For photography, a telephoto of at least 300mm. For hummingbirds in the gardens, shorter lenses work fine.
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Notebook or app
A notebook or the Merlin/eBird app on your phone to keep your sightings list.
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Clothing
Neutral colors (greens, browns). Layers — dawn can be cool; midday warm.
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Closed shoes
Boots or sneakers with firm soles. Trails can be wet, especially early in the morning.
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Sunscreen & repellent
Andean sun is strong even with clouds. Mosquito repellent for late afternoon.
Frequently asked questions
Is a guide necessary?
No. Birding is self-guided and we provide a trail map. If you prefer a professional guided outing, we can recommend certified local guides in the area.
How many species will I see in a day?
On a typical day visitors see between 8 and 15 species. We've observed more than 70 species at the finca over time (43 already photographed) — a guest staying 2–3 nights typically records over 20.
Are there feeders or hummingbird gardens?
We do not maintain artificial feeders. Hummingbird activity occurs in the natural gardens and flowering trees of the property. If you are coming specifically for hummingbirds at feeders, other reserves in Cundinamarca are set up for that.
Can I come on a day pass just for birding?
Yes, the day pass runs 9 AM – 6 PM. It covers the second daily peak (4:30–6 PM) and the garden activity. But you will miss the dawn chorus, which is the richest moment. For serious observation we recommend at least one overnight stay in a room or camping.
How do I get to El Nido Andino?
We are 2 hours from Bogotá, in La Mesa, Cundinamarca. Access is via Colegio Ernesto Aparicio, then 3 km on a rural road in good condition. We can help organize private transfers from Bogotá if you prefer — message us on WhatsApp with your arrival date. More details in our FAQ.
Do you have an official eBird list?
We are in the process of registering the finca as an eBird hotspot. In the meantime, the 43 photographed species are on our species page, each one with a link to its official eBird species page. If you bird during your stay, share your checklist with us via WhatsApp — every sighting feeds our database and, soon, the hotspot.