Lelis Navarete is a native of Ecuador and has led birding tours extensively, not just in Ecuador, but throughout South America. A Biology B.Sc. graduate, his 18 years of experience in this profession is complimented by a host of conservation achievements. Lelis has a number of new species records for Ecuador that have included the rediscovery of Striated Antbird while being the first person to see Peruvian Antpitta in the wild, he also played an integral part in the discovery of Jocotoco Antpitta. Furthermore, Lelis has acted as board member on the Jocotoco Foundation and worked with John Moore making significant contributions to the Ecuadorian Birds Songs publication. He has an astounding knowledge of bird calls, essential on any tour to South America, and this, combined with his people skills, attentiveness, good humor and organizational skills makes him one of the finest leaders on the South American continent.

"What a trip! Beautifully organized, and thanks especially to those super-sharp eyes and ears of Lelis we recorded a phenomenal number of great birds. We also all learned a lot...Here's hoping that we can bird again soon, somewhere in the wonderful Neotropics. Best wishes for the holidays, Bob"

Robert S. Ridgely
Author of various guide books including Birds of South America, Birds of Ecuador and Birds of Panama.

"Thanks again for a SUPER trip. Everyone enjoyed it thoroughly, and we are all amazed at your capabailities as a birding leader. Congratulations. Dave"

David L. Pearson
School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University
Author of "Ecuador and the Galápagos Islands" for the Traveller´s Wildlife Guides.