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© Juanita Olano Marín

Hacienda Versalles

2.07387 , -77.08306

Colombia

Hacienda Versalles is a large (close to 300 ha) private property in the Patía River valley (Cauca department) at an altitude of 600 m. It is an ideal stopover if travelling by road between Popayan and Pasto, a region which is poor in accessible birding sites. The property is largely a cattle farm with some remains of tropical dry broadleaf forest and easy access to the Patía river. Most vistors come to search for the Scarlet-backed Woodpecker, which has it's only occurrence in Colombia here and in the immediate vicinity. Other typical species of the zone are Grayish Piculet and Apical Flycatcher. Guests can stay at the main building of the hacienda, which is a beautiful, traditional country house surrounded by large shady trees.

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The introductory text should contain general information about the site, which may include for instance:
• geographic/ biogeographic location
• habitat and vegetation
• typical bird species/bird communities
• protection status
• land use and history
• importance for birdwatching

Coordinates were set by Mathias Ritschard (Admin) : 2.0739/-77.0831 (2022-12-25 01:37:14 )

Site name was set by Mathias Ritschard (Admin) as "Hacienda Versalles" (2022-12-25 01:37:14 )

Edited by Mathias Ritschard (Admin) on 2022-12-25 22:35:00
Hacienda Versalles is a large (close to 300 ha) private property in the Patía River valley (Cauca department) at an altitude of 600 m. It is an ideal stopover if travelling by road between Popayan and Pasto, a region which is poor in accessible birding sites. The property ist largely is largely a cattle farm with some remains of tropical dry broadleaf forest and easy access to the Patía river. Most vistors come here to look search for the Scarlet-backed Woodpecker, which has it's only occurrence in Colombia here Colombia here and in the immediate vicinity. Other typical species of the zone are Grayish Piculet and Apical Flycatcher. Guests can stay at the main building of the hacienda, which is a beautiful, traditional country house surrounded by large shady trees.
Edited by Mathias Ritschard (Admin) on 2022-12-25 21:40:42
Hacienda Versalles is a large (close to 300 ha) private property in the Patía River valley (Cauca department) at an altitude of 600 m. It is an ideal stopover if travelling by road between Popayan and Pasto, a region which is poor in accessible birding sites. The property ist largely a cattle farm with some remains of tropical dry broadleaf forest and easy access to the Patía river. Most vistors come here to look for the Scarlet-backed Woodpecker, which has it's only occurrence in Colombia here and in the immediate vicinity. Other typical species of the zone are Grayish Piculet and Apical Flycatcher. Guests can stay at the main building of the hacienda, which is a beautiful, traditional country house surrounded by large shady trees.
Edited by Mathias Ritschard (Admin) on 2022-12-25 21:17:30
Hacienda Versalles is a large (close to 300 ha) private property in the Patía River valley (Cauca department) at an altitude of 600 m. It is an ideal stopover if travelling by road between Popayan and Pasto, a region which is poor in accessible birding sites. The property ist largely a cattle farm with some remains of tropical dry broadleaf forest and easy access to the Patía river. Most vistors come here to look for the Scarlet-backed Woodpecker, which has it's only occurrence in Colombia here and in the immediate vicinity. Guests can stay at the main building of the hacienda, which is a beautiful, traditional country house surrounded by large shady trees.

  • Top species

List up to ca. 25 species that:
• have a limited distribution range and/or are rare on a global level
• are most sought-after by birdwatchers at this site
• and are relatively easy to see at this site (year-round or seasonally)

Grayish Piculet (Picumnus granadensis)
Scarlet-backed Woodpecker (Dryobates callonotus)
Spectacled Parrotlet (Forpus conspicillatus)
Bar-crested Antshrike (Thamnophilus multistriatus)
Apical Flycatcher (Myiarchus apicalis)

Apical Flycatcher (Myiarchus apicalis) was added by Mathias Ritschard (Admin) (2022-12-25 21:36:55)

Bar-crested Antshrike (Thamnophilus multistriatus) was added by Mathias Ritschard (Admin) (2022-12-25 21:34:34)

Spectacled Parrotlet (Forpus conspicillatus) was added by Mathias Ritschard (Admin) (2022-12-25 21:34:02)

Scarlet-backed Woodpecker (Dryobates callonotus) was added by Mathias Ritschard (Admin) (2022-12-25 21:32:34)

Grayish Piculet (Picumnus granadensis) was added by Mathias Ritschard (Admin) (2022-12-25 21:32:04)

  • Timing and strategy

Hacienda Versalles can be visited all year. During daytime it often gets very hot and sunny here, many birds are most active till mid morning and, to a lesser extent, in the late afternoon. The Scarlet-backed Woodpecker is easiest to find in the high trees at the entrance and around the hacienda building. Listen for the typical calls. To find most of the typical species of the area, walk along the dirt road till the Patía River. The owner Alejandra and some of the employees who take care of the guests have a good knowledge of the local birdlife. Rubber boots are recommended to cross muddy sections and also as a protection against snakes, which are frequent here.

Give recommendations for making your visit as productive as possible.
This may include for instance:
• best season
• best time of the day
• how much time to spend at the site
• best means of locomotion within the site
• recommended routes / areas within the site
• guiding

Edited by Mathias Ritschard (Admin) on 2022-12-25 22:29
Hacienda Versalles can be visited all year. During daytime it often gets very hot and sunny here, many birds are most active till mid morning and, to a lesser extent, in the late afternoon. The Scarlet-backed Woodpecker is easiest to find in the high trees at the entrance and around the hacienda building. Listen for the typical calls. To find most of the typical species of the area, walk along the dirt road till the Patía River. The owner Alejandra and some of the employees who take care of the guests have a good knowledge of the local birdlife. Rubber boots are recommended to cross muddy sections and also as a protection against snakes, which are frequent here.
Edited by Mathias Ritschard (Admin) on 2022-12-25 21:52
Hacienda Versalles can be visited all year. During daytime it often gets very hot and sunny here, many birds are most active till mid morning and, to a lesser extent, in the late afternoon. The Scarlet-backed Woodpecker is easiest to find in the high trees at the entrance and around the hacienda building. Listen for the typical calls. To find most of the typical species of the area, walk along the dirt road till the Patía River. Rubber boots are recommended to cross muddy sections and also as a protection against snakes, which are frequent here.
  • How to get there

Hacienda Versalles is situated a few kilometres outside of the village of Patía close to El Bordo along the Popayan-Pasto road. It can be reached by a dirt road which at times can be difficult to pass with a normal vehicule. Ask about the current situation before arriving. 

Explain from where and how to get to this site with private and public transport.

Edited by Mathias Ritschard (Admin) on 2022-12-25 22:06
Hacienda Versalles is situated a few kilometres outside of the village of Patía close to El Bordo along the Popayan-Pasto road. It can be reached by a dirt road which at times can be difficult to pass with a normal vehicule. Ask about the current situation before arriving. 
Edited by Mathias Ritschard (Admin) on 2022-12-25 22:01
Hacienda Versalles is situated a few kilometres outside of the village of Patía along the Popayan-Pasto road. It can be reached by a dirt road which at times can be difficult to pass with a normal vehicule. Ask about the current situation before arriving. 

To book your stay at Hacienda Versalles, contact the owner Alejandra by Whatsapp or phone (+57 318 803 12 54) or through their Facebook page.

Provide information on how to enter this site, which may include:
• entry points
• entry permits / entry tickets and fees
• opening hours / opening season
• other restrictions

Note that this section should only contain information on how to ACCESS (= enter) a site. Info on how to REACH a site should be added to "How to get there" section.

Edited by Mathias Ritschard (Admin) on 2022-12-25 22:08
To book your stay at Hacienda Versalles, contact the owner Alejandra by Whatsapp or phone (+57 318 803 12 54) or through their Facebook page.
  • Other attractions

Hacienda Versalles is a great place to experience the typical farm life in rural Colombia. Depending on the season, it is also a popular place to take a bath in the Patía river.

Add information about other attractions at this site, including
• wildlife (apart from birds)
• sights (natural, cultural, archaeological, etc.)
• activities (e.g. for non-birding companions)

Edited by Mathias Ritschard (Admin) on 2022-12-25 23:20
Hacienda Versalles is a great place to experience the typical farm live life in rural Colombia. Depending on the season, it is also a popular place to take a bath in the Patía river.
Edited by Mathias Ritschard (Admin) on 2022-12-25 22:11
Hacienda Versalles is a great place to experience the typical farm live in rural Colombia. Depending on the season, it is also a popular place to take a bath in the Patía river.

The spacious, traditional main building of the hacienda offers basic but very comfortable accommodation and tasty meals. It even has a swimming pool and lots of spaces to relax.

Provide information about what type of facilities are available at
or near this site, including:
• information centers / information points
• catering
• accommodation
• hides and watchtowers
• restrooms / toilets

Edited by Mathias Ritschard (Admin) on 2022-12-25 22:18
The spacious, traditional main building of the hacienda offers basic but very comfortable accommodation and tasty meals. It even has a swimming pool and lots of spaces to relax.

The Cauca department has been a "hot" zone in Colombia for many years with a lot of conflicts and social unrest. However, travelling along the main roads is generally safe and within Hacienda Versalles, which is a private property, you should not worry about any security issues. Still it is advised to enquire about the current situation before travelling. Bring a good insect repellent and drink enough liquid, it can get very hot here. Also, beware of snakes on the trails.

Are there any security issues or other annoyances at this site? For
instance, these may include:
• offenses like robbery or theft
• natural hazards
• dangerous or annoying animals or plants (mosquitoes, leaches, thorn bushes, etc.)
• noise pollution

Edited by Mathias Ritschard (Admin) on 2022-12-25 23:21
The Cauca department has been a "hot" zone in Colombia for many years with a lot of conflicts and social unrest. However, travelling along the main roads in is generally save safe and within Hacienda Versalles, which is a private property, you should not worry about any security issues. Still it is advised to enquire about the current situation before travelling. Bring a good insect repellent and drink enough liquid, it can get very hot here. Also, beware of snakes on the trails.
Edited by Mathias Ritschard (Admin) on 2022-12-25 22:26
The Cauca department has been a "hot" zone in Colombia for many years with a lot of conflicts and social unrest. However, travelling along the main roads in generally save and within Hacienda Versalles, which is a private property, you should not worry about any security issues. Still it is advised to enquire about the current situation before travelling. Bring a good insect repellent and drink enough liquid, it can get very hot here. Also, beware of snakes on the trails.
All information about this site was contributed by Orniverse users. Neither Orniverse nor the contributors accept responsibility for the completeness and accuracy of the information provided.

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