In 2006, I visited La Mesenia village for the first time to acquire the initial plot of land for establishing the Mesenia-Paramillo Nature Reserve. The plot consisted primarily of cattle pastures, as the area was traditionally used for fattening livestock before they were sold for slaughter.
By 2010, the main station cabin was completed, allowing me to spend extended periods at the reserve. Each morning, I was awakened by the melodious song of a House Wren (Troglodytes aedon), a bird commonly found in disturbed areas and gardens. I recall having to cover the openings of the main electrical box to prevent the wren from building its nest inside. Other frequent visitors to the station included the Great Thrush (Turdus fuscater) and the Tropical Mockingbird (Mimus gilvus).
Northern House Wren (Troglodytes aedon) @hurtadobirding
Fourteen years have passed since those early days, and the transformation has been remarkable. The once expansive pastures have given way to thriving cloud forests, and the birdlife has changed dramatically. Today, the Grey-breasted Wood-Wren (Henicorhina leucophrys) sings its intricate melodies throughout the day near the station and has even built a nest behind our lab. The Red-bellied Grackle (Hypopyrrhus pyrohypogaster), once absent, is now a common sight and nests on the station grounds three to four times a year. The Andean Solitaire (Myadestes ralloides) has also made the reserve its home, while several Sickle-winged Guans (Chamaepetes goudoti) roost each evening atop a Glory Tree. Recently, the flute-like calls of the Chestnut-breasted Wren (Cyphorhinus thoracicus) have become a daily feature of the reserve’s acoustic landscape.
Grey-breasted Wood Wren (Henicorhina leucophrys) @hurtadobirding
To date, nearly 500 hectares (1,200 acres) of pastureland at the Mesenia-Paramillo Nature Reserve have been restored through a combination of active and passive reforestation efforts. This initiative has reconnected forest fragments, creating vital corridors that enable birds and other wildlife to expand their ranges and thrive.
Commentaires