Penny Sparkes – 2013

I was recently given the opportunity to spend ten days in the Santa Lucia Cloud Forest Reserve, (Bosque Nublado Santa Lucia) Ecuador, as part of my degree course. On arrival, we were greeted by a spectacular, panoramic view of the Tropical Andes, sprawling in all directions, carpeted with rainforest trees and partially shrouded in mist, and at once I knew that the long haul flights and subsequent gruelling trek up to the reserve were more than worth it.

We learned about the flora and fauna of the area. Not only was it amazing to see the diversity of the rainforest first hand, but it also gave us the chance to apply theory of field experiments we had learned on course into practice. One of the most rewarding parts was when we conducted our own experiments in groups. My group’s experiment looked at how size affected feeding behaviour across different hummingbird species. We observed their behaviour at various nectar feeders on the site. It was strange to see colourful hummingbirds and tanagers on the bird feeder as opposed to blue tits and sparrows.

I learned a lot from the field trip but another appealing aspect was that we were helping out with
conservation by partaking in ecotourism. All the food provided at reserve was locally-sourced and nothing was wasted. The wood cabins we stayed in were powered by solar panels and there was only electricity for a few hours a day. In the evening you had to use candles which is a lot more fun than it sounds. The outside shower provided easily one of the best views from a shower that I imagine can exist.

I often felt like we were sharing our quarters with some of the large insects and arachnids of the jungle. On one occasion someone left the light on in their room and came back to find nearly every surface had been settled by moths. The teacher found it especially amusing that while many of the girls were scared of spiders, a scorpion in the girls’ room was met with nothing but excitement despite the greater jeopardy.

I personally found it very fulfilling to feel that close to nature and that I was helping out with the
conservation of such a beautiful fragile ecosystem.

My personal highlights were swimming in a waterfall in the forest, and overcoming the trauma of getting up at 4am for a mountain top hike in the dark to a secluded spot to watch the mating displays of the scarlet Andean Cock-of-the-Rock bird as the sun gradually came up and light filtered in through the trees. I was also very happy to have seen a coati sitting in a tree. These mammals are usually shy and very difficult to spot, so it felt very special to have seen one. And last but certainly not least, the impromptu fiesta that arose one evening with lots of dancing, locally sourced (and lethal) rum punch and a live, traditional band courtesy of the staff.

I cannot thank the Old Wandsworthians enough for their contribution towards this wonderful
experience.

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