Subject: Help-Ecuador
Date: Nov 20 12:11:50 1996
From: Barry Levine - levineb at belnet.bellevue.k12.wa.us


I will be heading to Ecuador in February. I will be taking along with me
a 78 year old friend who wants to live out a dream of birding there. He
is in pretty good shape and has no problem with hiking up hills that are
not too steep. A hike of a couple of miles is also not a problem for him.
With this in mind, here are my questions for any one who can be of help.

Is this during the rainy season?
How rainy is the rainy season?
What is the weather like in the Mindo region at that time of the year?
Is this a good time to be in Ecuador to see birds? Will they be
singing,breeding?
Other than Mindo where else might you recommend to someone who does not
want to be at heights over 10,000 feet?
Is renting a car a good idea? If so is a 4 wheel drive vehicle a wise choice?
If renting a car is too prohibitive, what are some other options?
What is the best place for us to stay in Mindo? My friend wants to see
the Cock of the Rock, so staying in Mindo and hiking for 3 hours to get
to the lek is not an option.
Are there other good places wh ere we can easily see this bird?
Does anyone know someone in Ecuador who would through the kindness of
their hearts takes people out to show them local birds?
Any places people would recommend in the jungle? I am familiar with La Selva.

Please bear in mind that we would be traveling on a somewhat fixed
budget.My friend is viewing this as his last journey to this area and
would like to do as much as possible. I have only a week of vacation, so
my friend will be staying for a week by himself. He would like that to be
in a place where he could bird during the days,have pleasant nights and
have a taxi pick him up and get him to the airport. This is really
important, as he is somewhat forgetful. Hence, my final question. Where
would be the best spot for him to be able to accomplish this?

Thank you for any and all help. I know I've asked quite a few questions.
But, I'm also trying to be proactive in setting up this trip, so that it
works out best.

Barry Levine
Seattle,Wa.
levineb at belnet.bellevue.k12.wa.us