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Conference Location
 PLAZA DE LA INDEPENDENCIA
Accommodations
The Hotel Dann Carlton, a five-star luxury hotel with 213 rooms, is centrally located near Carolina Park. It boasts a restaurant, bar, pool, and casino. The hotel is big enough to handle our conference, yet small enough to ensure that our group is not lost in a crowd of other guests. The hotel is stylish with modern amenities.
The Imperial conference room has space for 280 people seated comfortably for dinner and evening presentations. It also has a spacious and beautiful lobby area where the group can socialize. An attached smaller conference room will house the ABA registration desk as well as a display area and a place to congregate. The lobby and lounge area will host pre-dinner socials, and will be the focal point for most of our non-birding activities. Having all these places together minimizes movement and allows the conference to have a lively vibe.
The hotel is also known for having some of the finest cuisine in Quito, and the staff is used to catering for high-level city functions. Meals will be mainly western-style, and accompanied by the magnificent soups for which Ecuador is famous.
There is plenty of shopping nearby in easy walking distance at the Quicentro. If you would like to take in a bit of café culture, the Mariscal tourist district is just a 15 minute taxi ride away from the hotel and should cost no more than a few dollars. Even the airport is only 20 minutes by taxi, putting everything you can ask for within easy reach.
LETTER FROM THE MAYOR
Dear Participants of the ABA International Conference,
As Mayor of the Metropolitan District of Quito, I am honored to invite you to the American Birding Association’s 2007 International Conference to take place in a city that sits in the center of the world, as well as in the center of the birding world.
We’re delighted to have you here amid the high mountains of the Andes, at the foot of a volcano, in a valley blessed by eternal spring and surrounded by regions of vast biodiversity. Quito, the first city to be declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, offers something for everyone: from colonial art and churches dripping in history, to vibrant nightlife and fun for the young at heart, with great birding only a short drive away. We hope you will have time to discover our city and the region’s wonders during your stay with us.
We in Quito believe that this ABA Conference will be the best ever, and we are doing everything possible to ensure that all participants will have such a great time they will want to return time and time again. I extend the warmest welcome for you to join us for this conference.
Sincerely yours,
Paco Moncayo Gallegos, Mayor
Quito Metropolitan District
CONSERVATION
 BLACK-BREASTED PUFFLEG
Few places in the world have such a strong link between our passion and conservation as there is in Ecuador. Here our birding results in an injection of financial support that has allowed private reserves to be self-sustaining in areas where the government would not be able to cope with the demands of extensive projects. The Ecuadorian government recognizes the link between birding and conservation and takes our hobby very seriously. One key aspect of the conference is that through this joint venture with Swarovski Optik and the American Birding Association, we will help raise funds to purchase additional tracts of land that are attached to existing, functioning reserves. The net result will be a benefit to everyone, and we will actually be seeing the birds we are helping protect.
Both the Mindo Cloudforest Foundation and the Jocotoco Foundation are doing important work in northern Ecuador. We will be both visiting and contributing to Yanacocha and Milpe bird reserves to further their work. Below is a brief overview of the two organizations.
Mindo Cloudforest Foundation (MCF) is a non-profit Ecuadorian non-governmental organization with members from six different countries. They are leaders and innovators in harnessing bird-tourism to the needs of conservation in the Chocó Bio-region of Northwest Ecuador. Their National Strategy for Bird Tourism was published by the Ecuadorian Ministry of Tourism in June, 2006. Among other actions, it calls for the implementation of various eco-scenic birding trails (Ecorutas) designed to highlight the best of Ecuador’s birding areas. They inspire and encourage the participation of local communities in conservation management. MCF also owns and manages two important bird sanctuaries in the West Andean foothills and lowland tropics. We will visit one of the reserves, Milpe, on the day trips. At 3,600 feet, this is an important reserve in the upper foothills of the western slope which supports many threatened and near-threatened Chocó endemics.
 ROSE-FACED PARROT
To date, Fundación Jocotoco has established eight reserves protecting about 20,000 acres. While the reserves are primarily established to protect habitat for endangered birds, many other plants and animals benefit as well. The foundation’s reserves are home to about 800 species of birds, of which more than 100 are range-restricted or endemic species, and about 40 are globally threatened species. The closest of these reserves to Quito is Yanacocha, where almost all the remaining habitat for the Black-breasted Puffleg is protected within the boundaries of this one reserve. Of course we will visit the reserve to search for the puffleg.
PRE AND POST TOURS
To make the most of your trip to Ecuador, please consider one or more of the many pre and post tours offered for your birding pleasure. All trips are designed to target the endemic species of that area, however some trips are geared towards first-timers to South America, while others are species specific. There is certainly an option for everyone, and you can register now for all pre and post tours (conference registration begins 6 September 2006). All trips depart the Hotel Dann Carlton and are sure to delight!
These endorsed tours are offered as both pre and post tours:
The Lure of the Galapagos
Limited to 16 persons, this trip will include boating between islands, with all the birds and mammals in between. Birds endemic to the islands will be targeted, with delightful experiences along the way. Contact Tropical Birding at www.tropicalbirding.com. or (800) 348-5941 for details and registration.
Southern Ecuador
Take in the diverse habitats to produce the maximum number of bird species for this region, which are highlighted in Robert Ridgely’s presentation. A short extension will further explore the coastal region, and some off-shore birding for maximum shorebirds, gulls, and flamingo opportunities. Contact Tropical Birding at www.tropicalbirding.com or (800) 348-5941 for details and registration.
Northwest Ecuador
Further explore these beautiful natural areas for target species not attainable on the conference tours, especially local tanagers. Visit the lower Choco for additional tanagers, plus toucans, up to six woodpeckers, and barbets. Contact Tropical Birding at www.tropicalbirding.com or (800) 348-5941 for details and registration.
Gareno Lodge
A short flight to Tena, then a one hour drive to the lodge, for this destination near the headwaters of the Rio Napo. The allure, amongst many other birds, is the possibility of a nesting Harpy Eagle. Contact Neblina Forest Birding Tours, www.neblinaforest.com or (800)538-2149 for details and registration.
The Lower Choco (Rio Canande)
A special, space-limited tour (6 persons) to the Fundacio Jocotoco for endemics, including the Rufous-crowned Antpitta. Mostly forest trails on this tour, which is recommended for experienced birders.
Contact Tropical Birding at www.tropicalbirding.com or (800) 348-5941 for details and registration.
Eastern Ecuador
Habitats covered will include the forests of the high Andes to the rainforests of the Amazon basin, with a great diversity in bird species (1000 species reported in this region). Includes four nights at Sacha Lodge. Contact Tropical Birding at www.tropicalbirding.com or (800) 348-5941 for details and registration.
Trip to the Pied Piper of the Antpittas
This private property has evolved into a sanctuary for antpittas, with feeders and natural foods to attract a spectacle of birds! Less than a two-hour drive from the hotel to this destination. Contact Neblina Forest at www.neblinaforest.com or (800) 538-2149 for details and registration.
Amazon Special
Enjoy Sacha Lodge for six days of birding the forests, river islands, parrot licks, and famous canopy walkways. Non-birding companion program available for this trip. Contact Tropical Birding at www.tropicalbirding.com or (800) 348-5941 for details and registration.
Napo Wildlife Center
In the heartland of biodiversity, enjoy a short flight to Coca and a two hour boat ride down the Rio Napo into the Yasuni National Park. Two observation towers, two parrot licks, and a terrific variety of species will allow for fabulous birding Contact Neblina Forest at www.neblinaforest.com or (800) 538-2149 for details and registration.
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