Colombia is known for having the greatest bird diversity in the world (1,908 species) and the Cauca Valley has recorded 1,000 of those species in an area that constitutes only 2% of the land area of the country. Join Katie Towler and Jim Sparrell as they present stories and photos from their trip in August of 2023 with Colombia Birdwatch, a local company that has a strong commitment to building the young birding/guiding community in the region. In a 12-day trip, they encountered hundreds of birds, mammals, plants, and insects and met many local families who invited them into their homes to share their birds and home-cooked meals.

Bio: Jim Sparrell and Katie Towler are recreational birders who have lived in the seacoast area for 33 years. They have served as the winter season editors for New Hampshire Bird Records for NH Audubon. Jim has worked as a psychologist for over 40 years and Katie is a writer who has published 3 novels and a memoir. In addition to Colombia, they have birded internationally in Costa Rica, Vietnam, and Europe.

All of the in-person programs start at 7:30pm, with 7pm refreshments. For more information see the chapter website.