NORTH PERU - BIRD TOURSJUNE 2014
Tour 1 – 21 days
Extension at Chaparri
Tour 2 – 15 days
Leaders: Detlef & Carol Davies
FIRST TOUR STARTS
Tues3 June–PUMARINRI
Arrive Tarapoto in evening. Transfer by minibus to Pumarinri Amazon Lodge, about a 40 minute journey. o/n Pumarinri Lodge
Wed 4 June–PUMARINRI – trails, boat trip.
Recover from very long travelling day. Pumarinri is a quality lodge with comfortable spacious ensuite rooms, set on the slopes of the Huallaga River at c.230 metres altitude. There are trails through the dry forest along the road or by the river. There is good birding and some amazing poison dart frogs around the Lodge.Boat trip upriver in afternoon and trail on south side of river. Spotlighting by the Lodge in the evening if still awake.
o/n Pumarinri Lodge
Possible birds: Yellow-rumped Cacique, Cinnamon-throated Woodcreeper, Black-fronted Nunbird, Yellow-browed Tody-Flycatcher, Blue-grey, Palm, Turquoise & Paradise Tanagers, honeycreepers, various parrots, White-winged & White-banded Swallows, Drab Water-Tyrant, Black Phoebe, Chestnut-eared Aracari, Green-backed Trogon, Hoatzin, Ladder-tailed Nightjar, Fasciated Tiger-Heron, Pied Lapwing. Evening: Tropical Screech Owl, Ferruginous Pygmy Owl, Band-bellied & Crested Owls.
Thurs5 June–PUMARINRI – Pucayaquillo Waterfall
All day Pumarinri, local trails. Waterfall trail, good forest birding & opportunity to swim in the waterfall pool. Cave trail later for antbirds. Spotlighting around lodge in eve.
o/n Pumarinri Lodge
Possible birds: Peruvian Warbling, Black-faced, Spot-winged and Chestnut-tailed Antbirds, Fiery-capped Manakin, White Hawk, Swallow-tailed Kite, White-browed Purpletuft, White-winged Becard, White-collared Swift, woodcreepers, tanagers. Evening: owls, Pauraque.
Fri6 June–QUEBRADAUPAQUIHUA & HUALLAGA RIVER
Early start, leave Pumarinri for the day & drive south down main road past roadside wetland, eventually to a little village called Buenos Aires. Head north-west from there up rough road to some good areas of dry forest at Quebrada Upaquihua. Return from Buenos aires to Pumarinri by river boat. o/n Pumarinri Lodge
Possible birds: Masked Duck, Wattled Jacana, Green Kingfisher, Black-capped Donacobius, Cobalt-winged & Canary-winged Parakeets, Pearly-vented Tody-Tyrant, Bluish-fronted Jacamar, Great Antshrike, Barred Antshrike, Violaceous Jay, White-browed Antbird, Northern Slaty Antshrike, Chestnut Woodpecker, Blue-crowned Trogon, Mishana Tyrannulet, Lafresnaye’s Piculet, Ashy-headed Greenlet, Comb Duck, Pied Lapwing, Sand-coloured Nighthawk, Brown-crested Flycatcher, Stripe-chested Antwren.
Sat7 June– JUAN GUERRA, TARAPOTO
Early start, leave Pumarinri & drive back in direction of Tarapoto, spend morning at the dry forest at Juan Guerra. Late lunch at Tucan Suites, a very new hotelat edge of town, local birding in afternoon or relax, tour the town, etc. o/n Tucan Suites, Tarapoto
Possible birds: Troupial, Short-crested Flycatcher, Yellow-tufted Woodpecker, Southern Beardless Tyrannulet, Blue-crowned Motmot, Stripe-necked Tody-Tyrant, Hook-billed Kite, Rufous Casiornis, Chestnut-capped Puffbird, White-browed Antbird, Green Jay, Lettered Aracari, Speckled Chachalaca, Black-throated Mango, Great Antshrike.
Sun8 June– THE TUNNEL at CERRO ESCALERA
Early morning departure with packed lunch north-eastwards from the town to the high forested ridge at Cerro Escalera. We stop at the highest point at the 100 metre ‘Tunnel’ which cuts through the top part of the 900 metre mountain. This is cloud forest habitat with different avifauna from the dry forest down below. Rest of the day at various sites at this altitude. We may use Henri as a local guide here. o/n Tucan Suites, Tarapoto
Possible birds: White-tipped Swift,Andean Cock-of-the-Rock, Koepcke’s Hermit, Yellow-crested, Yellow-bellied, White-winged & Dotted Tanagers, Short-billed & Purple Honeycreepers, Blue-naped Chlorophonia, Black-faced Dacnis, Lineated & Red-stained Woodpeckers, Slaty-capped Shrike-Vireo, White Hawk, Blackish Pewee, Dusky-chested and Cliff Flycatchers, Mishana Tyrannulet, Black Antbird, Channel-billed Toucan, Golden-collared Toucanet, Blue-crowned Manakin, Orange-breasted Falcon.
Mon9 June– TARAPOTO to MOYOBAMBA
Early morning departure westwards. Stop on route at Oilbird roost site under Quiscarrumi Bridge, then to Wakanki Reserve to view up to 15 species of hummingbirds. Lunch on site & afternoon walking trail at Quebrada Mishquiyacu with local guide. Late afternoon at Morro de Calzada, an isolated forested hill, stay till dusk here for Rufous Nightjar & other nocturnal species. o/n Wakanki
Possible birds: Oilbird, White-eyed Parakeet, Russet-backed Oropendola, White-necked Jacobin, Rufous-crested Coquette, Sapphire-spangled Emerald, Green & Brown Violetears, Long-billed Starthroat, Golden-tailed Sapphire, Great-billed, Black-throated & Rufous-breasted Hermits, Fiery-capped Manakin, Yellow-bellied Tanager, Short-tailed Hawk, Chestnut-bellied Seedfinch, Lafresnaye’s Piculet, Rufous Motmot, Coraya Wren, Long-tailed Tyrant, Rufous Nightjar, other possible nightjars.
Tues10 June– MOYOBAMBA to ABRA PATRICIA
Early morning at Yacumama on main road west of the town for Point-tailed Palmcreeper & Russet-crowned Crake, other roadside stops. Up to higher altitude, arriving Abra Patricia by mid-afternoon.A prime birding site in Peru – Owlet Lodge was built in 2007. o/n Owlet Lodge, Abra Patricia
Possible birds: Point-tailed Palmcreeper, Russet-crowned Crake, Lyre-tailed Nightjar, Cinnamon Flycatcher, Speckle-chested Piculet, Great Thrush, various cloud forest hummingbirds, high altitude tanagers & flowerpiercers, Barred Becard, Lulu’s Tody-Tyrant, Rufous-naped Brush-finch, Pearled Tree-runner.
Wed 11 June– ABRA PATRICIA
All day at Abra Patricia (2,300 metres), birding the trails and roadside on foot from the lodge in morning and late afternoon / evening, evening walk to site for the elusive Long-whiskered Owlet. o/n Owlet Lodge, Abra Patricia
Possible birds: Chestnut, Ochre-fronted, Rusty-tinged & Rusty-breasted Antpittas, Lulu’s Tody-Tyrant, Long-tailed Antbird, Grass-Green, Yellow-scarfed, Flame-faced & Silver-backed Tanagers, Green & Black Fruiteater, Sickle-winged Guan, Striped Treehunter, hummingbirds, tanagers etc as yesterday, Chestnut-crested Cotinga, Long-whiskered Owlet, Common Potoo.
Thurs 12 June– ABRA PATRICIA & evening drive to GOCTA
Abra Patricia morning birding, drive to nearby sites for Royal Sunangel & other species. Depart late afternoon & continue west to Pedro Ruiz. Turn south here onto minor road to Cocochimba and to Gocta Lodge. The Falls were revealed to the outside world in 2006 & the Lodge opened a couple of years later. o/n Gocta Lodge
Possible birds: As yesterday, White-faced Nunbird, Red-hooded Tanager, Royal Sunangel, Bar-winged Wood-Wren, Equatorial Greytail, White-capped & Vermilion Tanagers.
Fri 13 June–RIO CHIDO TRAIL & HUEMBO
Early morning drive back east to Rio Chido Trailat San Lorenzo for some special rarities including several antpittas. On to Huembo in the afternoon for a variety of hummingbirds including Marvellous Spatuletail. o/n Gocta Lodge
Possible birds: Pale-billed, Rusty-tinged & Rusty-breasted Antpittas, Rufous-breasted Chat-Tyrant, Variable Hawk, Rufous-capped Antshrike Smoky Bush-Tyrant, Mountain Velvetbreast, White-capped Tanager, Peruvian Wren, Torrent Duck; Marvellous Spatuletail, Chestnut-breasted Coronet, Green & Sparkling Violetears, Bronzy Inca, Green-tailed Trainbearer, White-bellied & Little Woodstars.
Sat 14 June– GOCTA FALLS (the low road)
The spectacular fallsare visible from the lodge. Walk directly from Lodge to foot of Gocta Falls (c.4 hours but birding will make it longer), take packed lunch. Evening walk in nearby scrub. o/n Gocta Lodge
Possible birds: Andean Cock-of-the-Rock, Maranon Thrush, Andean Solitaire, Smoky Brown Woodpecker, White-bellied Hummingbird, Golden-bellied Grosbeak, Hooded Siskin, Golden-rumped Euphonia, Russet-backed & Crested Oropendolas, Olive-backed & Montane Woodcreepers, Emerald Toucanet, Blackish Tapaculo, Rufous-winged Tyrannulet, Mitred Parakeet, Buff-bellied, Blue-necked, Beryl-spangled & Flame-faced Tanagers, Sparkling & Green Violetears.
Sun 15 June–ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE ATKUELAP
Leave early for day at Kuelap ruins, an ancient Chachapoyas settlement high above the road, with local guide, some birding.Lunch in nearby village. o/n Gocta Lodge
Possible birds: Plumbeous Rail, Band-tailed Pigeon, Mountain Caracara, Streaked Tuftedcheek, White-browed Chat-Tyrant, White-banded Tyrannulet, Black-throated Flowerpiercer, Rufous-naped Brush-Finch, Buff-browed Foliage-Gleaner, Sword-billed Hummingbird, Shining Sunbeam, other hummingbirds.
Mon 16 June– GOCTA to LEYMEBAMBA, UTCUBAMBA RIVER
Drive south from Gocta, road rises slowly along Utcubamba River, roadside stops for Torrent Duck & other specialities. Arrive Leymebamba for lunch. Visit Mummies Museum in afternoon. Birding in museum gardens, spotlighting here for Band-winged Nightjar & Koepcke’s Screech Owl. Casa Mallqui is within the Museum complex itself. o/n Casa Mallqui,Leymebamba
Possible birds: Fasciated Tiger-Heron, Torrent Duck, Spot-throated Hummingbird, Torrent Tyrannulet, White-capped Dipper, Sword-billed Hummingbird, Spectacled Whitestart, Amazon Kingfisher, Scarlet-fronted & Mitred Parakeets, Hepatic Tanager, Black-necked Woodpecker, Rainbow Starfrontlet, Band-winged Nightjar, Koepcke’s Screech Owl.
Tues 17 June–ABRA BARRO NEGRO & UPPER MARANON VALLEY
Day trip to Abra Barro Negro, the high pass rising to 3600 metres, roadside stops for high altitude specialities, then down to Chaconta in the hot, dry Maranon valley. Back to Leymebamba at dusk. o/n Casa Mallqui, Leymebamba
Possible birds: Moustached Flowerpiercer, White-chinned Thistletail, Rusty-crowned Tit-Spinetail, Tufted & Black-crested Tit-Tyrants, Rufous Antpitta, Brown-backed Chat-Tyrant, Shining Sunbeam, Tyrian & Coppery Metaltails, Great Sapphirewing, Plumbeous Sierra-Finch, Plain-coloured Seedeater, Black-necked Woodpecker, Buff-bridled Inca Finch, Scarlet-fronted Parakeet, Peruvian Pygmy Owl, Bare-faced Ground-Dove, Black-chested Buzzard-Eagle, Aplomado Falcon, Fasciated Wren.
Wed 18 June– RIO ATUEN VALLEY, LEYMEBAMBA to GOCTA
Morning up the Rio Atuen valley in local 4WD vehicles to private forest with hummer feeders. Lunch at café near the museum, then leave to return to Gocta via Chachapoyas.
o/n Gocta Lodge
Possible birds: Andean Condor, Rainbow Starfrontlet, Sword-billed Hummingbird, Booted Racket-tail, Purple-throated Sunangel, Grey-breasted Mountain Toucan, Golden-headed Quetzal, Masked Trogon, Blue-capped & Blue & Yellow Tanagers, Russet-mantled Soft-tail, Fasciated Tiger-Heron, Torrent Duck.
Thurs 19 June– GOCTA FALLS (the high road)
Another visit to the Falls today starting with a drive up to San Pablo with packed lunch, walk through varied habitat to viewpoint and on to centre point of Falls. o/n Gocta Lodge
Possible birds: Yellow-bellied and Black & White Seedeaters, Maranon Thrush, Azara’s Spinetail, Rufous-capped Antshrike, Chestnut-crested Cotinga, Chestnut-crowned Antpitta, Montane Woodcreeper, Golden-winged & Lulu’s Tody-Tyrants, Flavescent Flycatcher, tanagers, Lineated Foliage-gleaner, Rusty-winged Barbtail, White-eared Solitaire.
Fri20 June– GOCTA to JAEN
Leave Gocta, head back to Pedro Ruiz & go west along the highway beside the Utcubamba River to Jaen. Roadside stops for birding. Check in to hotel El Bosque, a quality town hotel & have lunch there. Afternoon in riverside and marsh habitat along Bellavista road north of Jaen. o/n Hotel El Bosque, Jaen
Possible birds: Fasciated Tiger-Heron, Savanna Hawk, Long-tailed Mockingbird, Spot-throated Hummingbird, Vermilion Flycatcher, Collared Antshrike, Scarlet-fronted Parakeet, Red-crested Finch, Peruvian Pigeon, Yellow-tailed Oriole, Rufous-fronted Thornbird, Greater Ani, Spotted Rail, Lesser Nighthawk.
Sat21 June– GOTAS DE AGUA, JAEN to TUCUME via ABRA PORCULLA
Morning at local reserve, Gotas de Agua with owner & local guide, Luciano Troyes. Dry bush & scrub habitat. Lunch in Jaen, then depart for Tucume via the pass at Porculla. Evening birding / spotlighting. o/n Los Horcones de Tucume Possible birds: Collared Antshrike, Red-crested Finch, Tataupa Tinamou, Maranon Crescentchest, Little Inca Finch, Scarlet-backed Woodpecker, Peruvian Pygmy Owl, Yellow-tailed Oriole, Rufous-fronted Thornbird, Maranon and Chinchipe Spinetails; Fasciated Wren, Purple-collared Woodstar, Three-banded and Grey & Gold Warblers, Chapman’s Antshrike, Piura Chat-Tyrant, White-headed Brush-Finch, Line-cheeked Spinetail, Lesser Goldfinch, Plumbeous-backed Thrush, Amazilia Hummingbird, Peruvian Pygmy Owl, Short-eared Owl, Scrub Nightjar.
Sun22 June– BOSQUE DE POMAC
All day in the Bosque de Pomac area & visit the Pyramids. We are now west of the Andes and within range of many new species, restricted to this dry area. Optional afternoon visit to the Museo Tumbes Reales in Lambayeque. o/n Los Horcones de Tucume
Possible birds: Pacific Parrotlet, Grey & White Tyrannulet, Baird’s Flycatcher, Streak-headed Woodcreeper, Peruvian Plantcutter, Tumbes Sparrow, Cinereous Finch,Superciliated Wren, Scarlet-backed and Guayaquil Woodpeckers, Necklaced Spinetail, Cinereous Conebill, Tawny-crowned Pygmy-Tyrant.
Mon 23 June– PUERTO ETEN CHICLAYO
FIRST TOUR ENDS, EXTENSION STARTS
Leave Tucume and head for the coast via the town of Chiclayo. Explore the coastal lagoons, sand dunes and marshes between Pimentel & Puerto Eten. Sea-watching from top of hill south of Puerto Eten.
End of Tour 1 - a taxi will do a shuttle service to & from Chiclayo airport (either morning, afternoon or both) for those leaving today & those arriving for the Extension and Tour 2.
Evening transfer to Chaparri Lodge, a rustic but comfortable forest lodge, for new arrivals & those staying on. o/n Chaparri Lodge
Possible birds: Cinnamon Teal, herons & egrets, Kelp, Grey & Grey-hooded Gulls, Wren-like Rushbird, Many-coloured Rush-Tyrant, Yellowish Pipit, Burrowing Owl, Peruvian Thick-knee, Tawny-throated Dotterel, shorebirds, Coastal Miner, Peruvian & Blue-footed Boobies, Neotropic, Guanay & Red-legged Cormorants, possible Waved Albatross, skuas & shearwaters, Inca, Peruvian & Elegant Terns, Harris’s & Savanna Hawks.
Tues 24 June – CHAPARRI LODGE
All day birding trails around the Lodge – area is extensive and hilly dry forest & scrub. Site of captive breeding program for the endangered White-winged Guan. Local guide. o/n Chaparri Lodge
Possible birds: White-winged Guan, White-tailed Jay, Tumbes Tyrant, Elegant Crescentchest, Pacific Elaenia, Grey & White Tyrannulet, Baird’s Flycatcher, White-edged Oriole, Collared Warbling-Finch, Andean Tinamou, Short-tailed Woodstar, Tumbes Sparrow, Tumbes Hummingbird, Red-masked Parakeet, Pacific Parrotlet, Parrot-billed Seedeater, Cinereous Finch, Short-tailed Field-Tyrant.
Wed 25 June –CHAPARRI LODGE
Another day birding the area, walking higher trails with local guide. Possibility of mammals including Collared Peccary, Sechura Fox and even Spectacled Bear.
o/n Chaparri Lodge
Possible birds: as yesterday, perhaps Henna-hooded Foliage-Gleaner & others.
Thurs 26 June– CHAPARRI – CHICLAYO – PUERTO ETEN - TUCUME
EXTENSION ENDS, SECOND TOUR STARTS
Leave Chaparri for Chiclayo.Explore the coastal lagoons, sand dunes and marshes between Pimentel & Puerto Eten. Sea-watching from top of hill south of Puerto Eten (as on 23rd June).
End of Extension - a taxi will do a shuttle service to & from Chiclayo airport (either morning, afternoon or both) for those leaving today & those arriving for Tour 2.
Evening drive to Tucume for new arrivals & those staying on.
o/n Los Horcones de Tucume
Possible birds: Cinnamon Teal, herons & egrets, Kelp, Grey & Grey-hooded Gulls, Wren-like Rushbird, Many-coloured Rush-Tyrant, Yellowish Pipit, Burrowing Owl, Peruvian Thick-knee, Tawny-throated Dotterel, Coastal Miner, Peruvian & Blue-footed Boobies, Neotropic, Guanay & Red-legged Cormorants, possible Waved Albatross, skuas & shearwaters, Inca, Peruvian & Elegant Terns, Harris’s & Savanna Hawks.
Fri 27 June– BOSQUE DE POMAC
All day in the Bosque de Pomac area & visit the Pyramids. Look for specialities of the western side of the Andes. Lunch at Los Horcones. Spotlighting in evening.
o/n Los Horcones de Tucume
Possible birds: Pacific Parrotlet, Grey & White Tyrannulet, Baird’s Flycatcher, Streak-headed Woodcreeper, Peruvian Plantcutter, Tumbes Sparrow, Superciliated Wren, Cinereous Finch, Scarlet-backed and Guayaquil Woodpeckers, Necklaced Spinetail, Cinereous Conebill, Tawny-crowned Pygmy-Tyrant, Fasciated Wren, Peruvian Pygmy Owl, Short-eared Owl, Scrub Nightjar.
Sat 28 June– TUCUME TO JAEN via ABRA PORCULLA
Leave Tucume early & head east to Chamaya, stop on route at Abra Porcullo. Arrive Jaen for lunch, check-in at hotel. Afternoon in riverside and marsh habitat along Bellavista road north of Jaen. o/n Hotel El Bosque, Jaen