I had been to Peru 11 times but only twice to the north. The first was a wide-ranging tour with friends in Aug/Sept 1998, the infamous Gunnar trip of little sleep and plenty vehicle trouble, but very successful for birds. The second was a 3 week bird survey of Abra Patricia with Jeremy Flanagan in Nov 98: “hard work”, with primitive accommodation but very rewarding. I had wanted to return ever since the Long-whiskered Owlet became viewable a few years ago, so when I heard Gunnar was running another northern tour with his excellent driver/assistant Julio, I decided to enrol for whole trip. It was in three parts and although I didn’t know any of the 5 other participants, it went very well:-                         

 

1. March 16-23 Chiclayo to Tarapoto: Grant & Allison McCreary, Heinz Remold, Fritz Mueller (all from USA), Per Smith (Denmark), leader Gunnar Engblom (Lima)

2. March 24-27 Barbet Extension to Plataforma: Heinz, Fritz Mueller, Per Smith, leader Alex Duran (Cusco)

3. March 28-April 4 Moyobamba to Trujillo:  Per Smith, Alex.

 

I am pleased to report that transport and accommodation were of a high standard, far superior to that on the memorable 1998 Gunnar trip. We were driven everywhere, except to Plataforma, in a large comfortable van by Julio, who also prepared very good field breakfasts on most days, and other meals when “restaurants” were not available. We stayed mostly in good “hotels”, camping on 3 nights at Abra Patricia and spent 2 nights in a locals’ house near Plataforma.  

 

The weather was rather wet on the first 10 days, dry thereafter, but the only real problem was the condition of the road to and from Plataforma - a continuous surface of deep mud and potholes. We were fortunate to get within 5km of our target (thanks to our good local driver in his 4x4), but it took all day due to numerous stops to dig the vehicle out of the mud-filled potholes.

 

Birding was good for me as I had 18 ticks, including Long-whiskered Owlet, Scarlet-banded Barbet, Pale-billed and Rusty-tinged Antpittas and Unicoloured Tapaculo. The only real disappointments were missing Buckley’s Forest-Falcon, Buff-throated Treehunter and Peruvian Martin after a lot of effort to try and see them all. I also failed to see Subtropical Pygmy-Owl, Buff-fronted Owl and Barred Antthrush, despite Alex’s efforts, but my expectations were low for these. Bird activity was disappointing at times, especially along the Abra Patricia road where tanagers were mostly surprisingly scarce. However we were very fortunate in having sightings of two Critically Endangered monkeys: Yellow-tailed Woolly-Monkey and San Martin Titi.

 

It has been difficult for me to complete this report and species list because I was rather remiss in my note-taking. I have had some help from Alex, Gunnar, Fritz and Grant, incorporating their records, and Roger Ahlman and Barry Walker kindly helped with the identification of bird photos.

 

ITINERARY

March 14 - flight to Lima, night in Lima

March 15 – pelagic from Callao, Lima, flight to Piura with Per while the others birded at Ventanilla for waders and water-birds.

March 16 – 04.30 drive to Paita and Isla Foca on NW coast (Peruvian Martin dip), back to Piura, then join Gunnar with the other group members in dry scrub at Km 82 before Olmos. All drive to Quebrada Frejolillo at  El Limon, Canchaque (White-winged Guan), then stop at a marsh near Olmos (km 97). [The others had been to Bosque Pomac (BP) and Viña reservoir (V).] Overnight at Olmos. 

March 17 – Porculla pass (Limón de Porculla), roadside at Rio Chamaya, then the Seminario near Jaen. Overnight at Jaen (Prim’s Hotel).

March 18 – xerophytic scrub near Bagua (Little Inca-Finch) and rice fields, drive to km 276-280 on Bagua-Pedro Ruiz road (Maranon Spinetail dip), then to Huembo Spatuletail Centre. Overnight at Pomacochas.

March 19 – Chido Trail, San Lorenzo (Pale-billed Antpitta), drive to Abra Patricia, camp at Fundo Alto Nieva.  

March 20 – Bird around Fundo Alto Nieva & the road close to Abra Patrica (Rusty-tinged Antpitta), camp again at Alto Nieva – Xenoglaux in evening. 

March 21 – drive down the Mayo Valley to Afluentes, Aguas Verdes, and Nueva Cajamarca rice paddies near Rioja (Painted Crake). Overnight at Moyobamba.

March 22 – drive to Santa Elena swamp, Quiscarumi gorge (Oilbird), and Morro de Calzada reserve which we explore by boat. Afternoon at Yacumama white sand forest (Buckley’s Forest-Falcon dip) and Wakanki. Night at Moyobamba.

March 23 – return to Yacumama and Wakanki (Varzea Thrush); p.m. to Tarapoto airport for Gunnar, Allison and Grant to fly to Lima, we visit the tunnel area (Koepcke's Hermit) then return to airport to collect Alex, taking over from Gunnar. Night at Hotel Monteverde at Bellavista.

March 24 – long drive by 4x4 all day to Plataforma (White-bellied Pygmy-Tyrant en route), night at house 5km short of Plataforma.

March 25 – walk to Plataforma (Scarlet-banded Barbet, Buff-throated Tody-Tyrant, Roraiman Flycatcher). Night at same house.

March 26 – birding along road for 1 hour (Black-tailed Leaftosser), most of day spent returning to Bellavista. Night at Hotel Monteverde.  

March 27 – Huallaga River ferry (Mishana Tyrannulet); p.m. to Tarapoto airport for Fritz and Heinz to fly to Lima and home; drive to Moyobamba, night at Wakanki cabins.

March 28 – hike up to Wakanki ridge (Ash-throated Antwren, Zimmer’s Antbird, Yellow-throated Spadebill). Leave Wakanki after lunch, stopping to check paddies. Night north of Moyobamba.

March 29 - Paddies (San Martin Titi monkey), Yacumama lakeland (Buckley’s FF dip), drive to the Owlet Lodge, Abra Patricia (Barred Antthrush and Cinnamon Owl dip, Sword-billed Hummingbird), night at Alto Nieva

March 30 - Alto Nieva (Ochre-fronted Antpitta, Cinnamon-breasted Tody-Tyrant), down to Afluentes area (Yellow-tailed Woolly-Monkeys). Drive to Pedro Luiz for Maranon Spinetail then to Leymebamba with stop for Koepcke's Screech-Owl.

March 31 – morning at Cixe (Buff-throated Treehunter dip, Condor), feeders at museum (Little Woodstar), drive to Chachapoyas), search for Buff-fronted Owl. Night at Casa Vieja Hostal, Chachapoyas.

April 1 – drive back to Leymebamba, then up Abra Barro Negro, birding on road for Buff-throated Treehunter, Russet-mantled Softtail, Jelski’s Chat-Tyrant. Pm long drive down to Balsas (Peruvian Pigeon), cross the Maranon River for Buff-bridled Inca-Finch and Yellow-faced Parrotlet (dip). Night at Celendin.

April 2 – Back to Balsas (Maranon Thrush, Yellow-faced Parrotlet), then return to Celendin (Grey-winged Inca-Finch) and on to Cajamarca and Rio Chonta, Sangal (Grey-bellied Comet, Black Metaltail). Night at Hospedaje Hong Kong, Cajamarca.

April 3 – drive to Trujillo, arrive 3pm. Per flies to Lima, Alex and I drive to Simbal (Black-necked Woodpecker), night at Hotel Las Americas, Trujillo.

April 4 – Sinsicap (Russet-bellied Spinetail, Unicoloured Tapaculo), Trujillo, fly home via Lima and Paris.

 

Acknowledgements

Per Smith was very helpful and generous. Gunnar’s logistics were good. Alex was an excellent guide. All participants were excellent birders and good company. Todd Mark and David Wood kindly sent me very useful site information.

 

DAILY LOG

March 15  The trip started with a pelagic in a small boat from Callao harbour, Lima. Although many birds were seen, especially Franklin’s Gulls, it was rather disappointing that there were very few interesting seabirds. Per and I then took a flight to Piura while the others went birding at Ventanilla, not far from the airport, seeing a good selection of North American waders. As we were checking in to our hotel in Piura, there was some commotion because an earthquake had just struck – Per and I did not notice it!

 

March 16  Gunnar had made arrangements for us to be collected early from the hotel and driven to Islilla via Paita on NW coast. We thought we would see the scarce Peruvian Martin there but no joy so we drove further south to have a good look at Isla Foca where they are known to breed. A local said they are only there in May/June till August, despite what Gunnar had been told in Lima. We travelled back to Piura with stops in dry bushy habitat where we saw several flocks of Sulphur-throated Finch, a species I had missed on previous trips, and flushed Scrub Nightjar. We also saw a family of foxes which I later identified as the Near-threatened Sechuran Fox. On the edge of Piura town we saw Chestnut-collared Swallows nesting under a wide river bridge but failed to find Tumbes Swallow as we were not allowed on the university campus where they nested. We headed inland to meet Gunnar with the other four members of the Group, spending some time birding the dry scrub and woodland near the meeting point, Km82. Here we saw Peruvian Plantcutter, Oasis and Tumbes Hummers, Necklaced Spinetail, Tumbes Tyrant, Grey-and-White Tyrannulet and White-faced Gnatcatcher. Moving on to Quebrada El Limon for White-winged Guan, it took some time before we eventually saw 2 Guans perched in a tree, but they gave good views when flying off. Other birds here included White-headed Brush-Finch, Scarlet-backed Woodpecker and Pacific Elaenia. We left for Olmos, stopping at a bridge at Km 99 to play-back Pacific Screech-Owl – heard but not seen.

The others had flown early in the morning to Chiclayo and visited Bosque Pomac for Tumbes birds such as Peruvian Plantcutter,Tumbes Swallow, White-tailed Jay and Rufous Flycatcher.

 

March 17  We started the morning at Abra Porculla, the pass from the West slope to the East Slope of the Andes. Birding along the road was quiet but we did see Black-cowled Saltator, Chapman’s Antshrike, Bay-crowned and White-winged Brush-Finches, Piura Chat-Tyrant and I had a Henna-hooded Foliage-gleaner and an Ecuadorian Piculet. Chestnut-crowned Antpitta and Elegant Crescentchest were only heard and there was no evidence of the Grey-headed Antbird that I needed (seen by Manu Expeditions in 2013). We drove on towards Jaen, spending most of the afternoon around the Seminary where we found Marañon Crescentchest, Marañon (Northern) Slaty Antshrike and Tropical (Marañon) Gnatcatcher amongst other birds. Night at Prim’s Hotel, Jaen.

 

March 18  The first task was to find Little Inca-Finch in the Bagua xerophytic scrub. It was thin on the ground but we also had good views of Collared Antshrike of the zhumbae form. We drove to Pedro Ruiz with stops for Maranon Spinetail but conditions were poor with some rain and strong wind, so we continued to Centro de Interpretacion Huembo where the hummingbird feeders attract Marvellous Spatuletail and other good birds, eg Little and White-bellied Woodstars, Andean Emerald and Emerald-bellied Puffleg. The magnificent male Spatuletail was soon under the belt, so Gunnar and I returned to Pedro Ruiz for another shot at the Spinetail, which we had missed on the 1998 trip. No luck so I enjoyed more time with the hummers before we continued to Pomacochas for the night.

 

March 19  The morning was devoted to the San Lorenzo or Chido Trail, built by the local community to reach the extensive Chusquea bamboo patches above San Lorenzo village. It was fairly steep and muddy in places, but not long so some of us were soon near the top hunting for Pale-billed Antpitta, the star bird reputed to be very difficult to see. No luck and no sign of Gunnar who was escorting the slower members of the group, so I continued higher up the hillside as I could hear a P-b Antpitta calling. It stopped and the view I had of two Foliage-gleaner types was too short – they may well have been Russet-mantled Softtails, said to be regularly seen up here. I returned to the bamboo area to find that Per and Grant were watching a semi-habituated P-b Antpitta that Gunnar had shown them down a short steep trail in the bamboo– rather annoying that he did not mention it before we set off as I had left my camera behind because it was raining. Rufous-capped Thornbill and Unstreaked Tit-Tyrant were seen by others but we all missed Golden-browed Chat-Tyrant, the schulenbergi race of Plain-tailed Wren (a possible split according to Gunnar), Rusty-tinged Antpitta (heard), Chestnut-crested Cotinga and (if lucky) Mountain Avocetbill.

 

We drove to Abra Patricia, and with several stops along the road, eventually reached the camp/lodge of Fundo Alta Nieva (FAN), near where I had spent 10 days with Jeremy Flanagan (still living at Sullana in NW Peru) on an ornithological survey of the area in 1998. The café and “pig-sty” where we stayed has totally disappeared, I regret to say, and the entrance to the knife-edge ridge where we mist-netted many birds is now restricted by a locked gate and barbed wire. We soon saw a pair of Royal Sunangel as we carried our gear to the FAN “lodge”. Then we walked a couple of good trails, seeing more hummers at a feeding station, before waiting for darkness to fall at the current “best” site for Long-whiskered Owlet. Despite a lengthy effort to attract an Owlet to call, there was no response, possibly because the nearby stream was very noisy due to recent heavy rain. 

 

March 20  We returned to the Owlet site pre-dawn for another try but again without success. On a different trail Per and I tried for antpittas. Per saw a female Ochre-fronted (which I had mist-netted in 98 but never seen in the field) while I saw a Rusty-tinged Antpitta for a couple of mins, new for me. We spent most of the day birding around the area but it was rather disappointing with no flocks apparent. A good selection of hummers were at the feeders including Rufous-vented Whitetip, Rufous-capped Thornbill and Booted Racket-tail. Bar-winged Wood-Wren, Pearled Treerunner, Johnson’s and the tricky Cinnamon-breasted Tody-Tyrants were seen along with a few tanagers. As night-time approached we went to a different site for the Owlet, and after a bit of a wait one responded to play-back. It soon came close and was spot-lit almost directly above our heads! After waiting for nearly 16 years, I had at last seen my most-wanted bird. We watched it calling for some time, before leaving it in peace. Night at Fundo Alta Nieva.

 

March 21  After breaking camp we drove down to Afluentes, stopping to check the forest for flocks with little success. I did see the only Cock of the Rock (male) of the trip. Stopping for a bite in the rain at a café, we spotted a flock of tanagers (not including the scarce Vermilion Tanager), Speckle-chested Piculet, Yellow-breasted Antwren and lots more birds. We continued down the Mayo Valley towards Moyobamba and stopped to look at swifts, two of which were the size of Chestnut-collared but seemed to have white on the chest so could have been White-chested or even White-tipped but the id was uncertain. Later we checked an area of partially dried-up paddies and were pleased to find a small crake scuttling across an exposed area of mud, concluding it to be a Paint-billed Crake. Overnight at Moyobamba.

 

March 22   We started at Santa Elena swamp, a marshland with forest patches, and saw some good birds including Point-tailed Palmcreeper, White-tailed Trogon, Bluish-fronted Jacamar, Lettered Aracari and Oriole Blackbird. Then we moved to Morro de Calzada, a wetland “eco-reserve” which we explored by boat. Birds were in short supply but we did see Green-and-rufous Kingfisher, Yellow-capped Tyrannulet and Warbling Antbird. Noisy calling from dense vegetation was thought to be from a Uniform Crake but we failed to see it. The afternoon was mainly spent in the white sand woodland of Yacumama, near Rioja. Here we hoped to find Buckley’s Forest-Falcon and Mishana Tyrannulet but had to settle for Yellow Tyrannulet and Chestnut-eared Aracari instead, while a calling Fiery-capped Manakin also proved elusive. We had a brief stop at Quiscarumi gorge to see its Oilbird colony, and the final stop was at Wakanki. Varzea Thrush was a welcome sight here but the hummingbird feeders were more spectacular with Black-throated and Reddish Hermits, Grey-breasted Sabrewing, White-chinned and Golden-tailed Sapphires, Green Violetear, Blue-tailed Emerald and the stunning Rufous-crested Coquette. Overnight at Moyobamba again.           

 

March 23  We returned to Yacumama, hoping that Buckley’s Forest-Falcon would be more responsive early in the morning, but it was not to be. We re-visited Wakanki but it was fairly quiet here too. After lunch we drove to Taropoto airport for the departure of Grant, Allison and Gunnar back to Lima. The arrival of Alex’s flight was due but when we found it was going to be late, we decided to visit the tunnel area to check the hummer-feeders. Julio had been before so knew we had to go through the tunnel and on for a further few km. It turned out that the site (officially Aconabikh) was known locally as Clinton, after the man who had set up the feeders. We walked into the site, a coffee-growing farm, and saw no-one although there was an inhabited house. Several feeders were soon found but were not very active. We followed a path for some distance and came to a few more feeders on the edge of the forest. There was a lot of activity here, Koepcke's Hermit and Gould's Jewelfront being the star birds. I later read that BirdQuest had once found an antswarm here, with birds including Hairy-crested Antbird. After a rewarding viewing session we returned to the airport to collect Alex. Overnight at the pleasant Hotel Monteverde in Bellavista.   

 

March 24  The start of our trip to Plataforma was delayed because Alex had difficulty in finding a 4x4 for hire. We finally got under way in a pick-up, with Julio in the back. The first part of the drive on a fairly flat road was straightforward but then we started climbing along a sea of mud through a multitude of pot-holes, one the worst roads I have ever experienced. It was a long drive and took all day as the vehicle kept getting stuck in the pot-holes, having to be dug out. The driver must have been worn out but kept at it, with help from Alex. We stopped for some roadside birding in forest just beyond El Triunfo, the largest village en route. Alex soon spotted a White-bellied Pygmy-Tyrant, one of my needed birds. We had to give up 5km before Plataforma as the holes seemed to be even deeper but were able to overnight on airbeds on the floor of a large room in a well-built wooden house. Accommodation in Plataforma was said to be in a very basic hotel or by camping.

March 25 It was still raining as we started our walk to Plataforma but had stopped by about 9 am. Birds were not numerous but there were some good ones, notably Blackish Pewee, Buff-throated Tody-Tyrant and Roraiman Flycatcher (a tick for Alex), while 3 Black-tailed Leaftossers called but would not show. Plataforma is a small village of no obvious distinction. Scarlet-banded Barbet occurs on both sides of it so we walked through and continued our search. After about 1km I spotted a Barbet and we were soon having great views of 3 Scarlet-bandeds. After a lengthy study of these beauties we turned around and slowly walked back along the road to our lodging, seeing several good birds including Scaled and Scarlet-breasted Fruiteaters, while Alex spotted what he thought could have been a Laniisoma but it disappeared all too quickly. At 6pm it started raining heavily again but we soon reached our house.

March 26  We birded along the road for an hour, seeing a Black-tailed Leaftosser at last, more Buff-throated Tody-Tyrants but only had a distant response to play-back of Subtropical Pygmy-owl. As Fritz and Heinz had to fly home the next day and more rain seemed inevitable, it was decided we needed to go down straight away to avoid getting stuck – very unfortunate as there were certainly more good birds to be found. We soon became part of a small convoy of five 4x4s, with several pothole hold-ups, before we were all stopped at El Triunfo where the road was closed due to the conditions. We had to wait here for 3 hours before the gate was opened and we all continued for most of day slipping and sliding down to Bellavista. It was pleasant enough back there as we returned to Hotel Monteverde.

 

March 27  We drove to the Huallaga River to cross on the ferry to explore the dry forest around Laguna Azul on the other side. Unfortunately, our vehicle was stuck for some time trying to get on to the ferry via the very muddy approach track. We eventually succeeded but the same thing happened on the other side – we couldn’t get off the ferry! We had to return to the main road and make do with birding in the secondary growth along the road. The few good birds included Mishana Tyrannulet (at last!), Russet-crowned Crake, Rusty-backed Antwren and Ashy-headed Greenlet. We drove to Tarapoto airport for Fritz and Heinz to depart, then to Moyobamba to overnight at the Wakanki cabins. A good view of a perched Hook-billed Kite was the birding highlight.

 

March 28  This morning’s task was a strenuous hike up 600m elevation to Wakanki ridge. Per was having a hard time with the health of his legs so had to turn back with the Wakanki guide after a while but Alex and I continued. We were rewarded by sightings of Ash-throated Antwren, Zimmer’s Antbird, Dusky Spinetail, Fiery-throated Fruiteater, Green Manakin, Yellow-throated Spadebill, Red-billed and Rough-legged Tyrannulets, and Marble-faced Bristle-Tyrant, amongst other birds. We heard an unseen Orange-breasted Falcon but there was no evidence of Laniisoma, which has been seen on the ridge, or Hairy-crested Antbird, thought to occur at the lower elevations. Per spent time watching the multitude of hummers and was pleased to see the trip’s only Buff-tailed Sicklebill. After lunch we explored paddies and other marginal habitats, hearing but not seeing crakes. Night at Moyobamba.

 

March 29  The birding day started in another area of paddies looking for Paint-billed Crake, heard but only Spotted Rail, Pale-eyed and Oriole Blackbirds were seen. However we did see a small group of the Critically Endangered San Martin Titi monkey. We moved on to a lakeland reserve near the white-sand forest at Yacumama, a good site for Buckley’s Forest-Falcon according to Alex. Despite repeated play-back there was no response and we had to make-do with close views of Greater Yellow-headed Vulture, Green, Ringed and Green-and-rufous Kingfishers, and Buff-throated Woodcreeper.

 

We drove back to Abra Patricia, this time visiting ECOAN’s Owlet Lodge and reserve at the top of the road. The only occupant was the caretaker so we had the impressive trails and canopy tower to ourselves. Apart from the hummer-feeders, which were well-used – a Sword-billed being particularly welcome – birding was rather slow. We had good views of a few tanagers including Grass-green from the tower but could not attract a White-faced Nunbird. A play-back duel with a Barred Antthrush only just failed, much to my chagrin. At dusk we transferred to Fundo Alto Nieva and looked without success for Xenoglaux. 

 

March 30  After the failure of an early start for Cinnamon Screech-Owl, we returned to the trails and had great views of three Ochre-fronted Antpitta and a pair of Cinnamon-breasted Tody-Tyrant. Then we drove down to the upper Afluentes area to look for flocks but it was still very quiet. An unexpected bonus though was a group of large Yellow-tailed Woolly-Monkeys that we were able to watch for some 30 mins at eye-level in the forest. This species is thought to be one of the world’s rarest monkeys and was new for us all. To see two such rare monkey species in as many days was remarkable.  

We loaded up the van at FAN and drove back to the far side of Pedro Luiz to look successfully for the elusive Maranon Spinetail; then along the Utcubamba Valley to Leymebamba. We stopped for some time to look for the day-roost of a Koepcke's Screech-Owl. It wasn’t in one of its usual trees and it was only at dusk that it called briefly from a dense ornamental tree in a roadside garden and flew away before we could see it perched. Overnight at Leymebamba.

 

March 31  Early morning we drove out of Leymebamba, past the Museum and turned left to Cixe. Here at 2600m we spent a long time playing-back Buff-throated Treehunter, which Alex had seen here before, but to no avail. We did see Golden-headed Quetzal, Slaty-backed Chat-Tyrant and Grey-breasted Mountain-Toucan, and a pair of Condor soaring around the high cliffs. We returned to the Museum area to check the feeders, active with White-bellied and Little Woodstars, Purple-throated Sunangel, female Marvellous Spatuletail, Rainbow Starfrontlet and Brown Violetear. Alex and I went back to Cixe for another unsuccessful shot at the Treerunner. Back at the museum garden, Per was taking good photos of both sexes of Little Woodstar.

Gunnar called to tell us he had made contact with a landowner near Chachapoyas who had calling Buff-fronted Owls on his land, so we set off to go back along the Utcubamba Valley. We stopped at the Koepcke's Screech-Owl site and found the roosting bird perched in the same tree. We continued to Chachapoyas, a nice old town at 2300m, checked in at the Casa Vieja Hostal and met the landowner and his wife. After a quick meal we all drove down the mountain road for 45 mins and turned off into the owl site. Koepcke's owls eventually started calling but I did not hear any Buff-fronteds, although Alex said he did hear one. We walked some distance on trails but the only notable sighting was of a large non-poisonous snake, which the owner beat to death with his stick, unfortunately. We then returned to, Chachapoyas, arriving at 10.30. It was claimed that Buff-fronted Owl had definitely been seen there by birders, but I have an open mind on this.

 

April 1  We quickly drove back to Leymebamba (2200m), where 6 mobile hospital buses were parked in the town square. Climbing up the road to Abra Barro Negro at 3050m, several stops along the road gave Coppery Metaltail,  Russet-mantled Softtail, Rusty-breasted (Leymebamba) Antpitta and Blackish Tapaculo, but Buff-throated Treehunter was only heard. After crossing Abra Barro Negro we saw 2 or 3 Chat-Tyrants; Alex called Jelski’s but the few photos Per and I took proved to be of Brown-backed Chat-Tyrant – the two bird theory? After the trip Barry Walker told me “the Chat-Tyrant issue between Jelski’s and Golden – browed in that area is far from clear. We assumed in the old days that it was G-B east of the Maranon and Jelski’s west but this has proved not to be so. Jelksi’s is east of the Maranon between Balsas and Abra Barro Negro but on the other, the Leymebamba side of Barro Negro, its Golden - browed!!

 

In the afternoon we took the long drive down to Balsas at 1200m, with Peruvian Pigeons on the way. We crossed the Maranon River and stopped on the hillside beyond - Buff-bridled Inca-Finch were common but we failed to find Yellow-faced Parrotlet. We continued in the dark for 75 mins to Celendin, at 2600m, because there was said to be no decent accommodation in Balsas.

 

April 2  We left at 05.00 back to the pass at 3000m, with low cloud most of the way, and on to Balsas to look for Yellow-faced Parrotlet and Maranon Thrush. The former took some time to find, perched on hillside cacti, but the Thrush was fairly easy in the river valley where we also saw Yellow-tailed Oriole. We returned to Celendin, stopping en route at 2200 - 3000m for Grey-winged Inca-Finch, Chestnut-backed Thornbird, Streaked Saltator and Andean Hillstar, before continuing to Cajamarca (2700m). We arrived at this large city at 2.30 and then proceeded without lunch as time was running out to look for Grey-bellied Comet, an important bird for me. It was some distance to Sangal on Rio Chonta where we stopped and birded along the road, just before it passed through a deep rocky gorge. It was dull and rather windy but we soon saw Black Metaltail, Giant Hummingbird and had distant flight views of 2 Comets. After a while, a Comet was seen much closer feeding on large pink flowers near the small footbridge over the Rio Chonta. It kept returning to these plants and was found to be resting on a low perch just over the river next to the bridge. We were able to watch it, and probably its mate, for some time. Other birds here included a flock of Andean Swifts, a Buzzard-Eagle, and a White-winged Cinclodes for Per. As we planned to make a long journey to El Molino on the morrow to see Purple-backed Sunbeam, an important bird for Per, we had intended to stay at a town on the road from Cajamarca, but it was getting late so we decided to overnight in the city. We checked in at the elderly Hospedaje Hong Kong in the central square. I was surprised to see a long queue of people lined-up outside the doors of the large Catholic cathedral and fireworks going off - some special event must have been ongoing. After I retired to my room, a note was pushed under my door saying that we could not go to El Molino because the road was closed for repairs, a bitter blow for Per. We would have a lie-in and leave at 08.00 directly to Trujillo.

 

April 3  I was up at 06.00 and walked around the quiet central area of the city, with typical “Spanish” architecture. We left after breakfast and stopped at the 3100m pass at 08.30. Birds here included White-crested Elaenia, Black-crested Warbler, Peruvian Sierra-Finch, and Rufous-naped and White-winged Brush-Finches, but no hoped for Unicoloured Tapaculo. We continued to Trujillo through extensive sandy desert – no chance of Peruvian Martin here - arriving at 3pm. We went straight to the airline office, which took some finding, so Per could change his ticket and fly to Lima today instead of tomorrow morning. Alex and I then drove to Simbal, a village at 700m some 50km to the NE at the foot of the Andes. We saw a good selection of birds including Short-tailed Woodstar, Oasis Hummer, Black-necked Woodpecker, Scrub Blackbird and Chestnut-throated Seedeater. Returning to Trujillo at dusk, we passed at least 40 Lesser Nighthawks feeding over sugar-cane plantations. Overnight at Hotel Las Americas, Trujillo. 

 April 4  5am departure saw us back to Simbal and then climbing up into the Andes for an hour on a long winding track to the mountain village of Sinsicap at 2400m. We continued for a further few km and then tried to find the very local Russet-bellied Spinetail, It proved to be elusive for most of the morning but we did see Andean Tinamou, Peruvian Sheartail, an apparent new form of Speckled Hummingbird, a dark-phased Peruvian Pygmy-Owl, and Rufous-chested Tanager. We were most excited by an unidentified tapaculo - the call of this bird was not recognized by Alex and its appearance seemed somewhat different from other species, although it was rather shy. Submission of the recording to friends led to the conclusion that it was Unicoloured, a range extension and tick for me as its range is now confined to a small area of northern Peru, other forms having been split into new species. Finally we located a pair of the spinetail and spent some time photographing them, along with a nearby male Purple-collared Woodstar. We returned to Trujillo, with a stop to look for Great Inca-Finch, conscious that too much time had been spent on photography if we were to go to our final site, Cao, on the main road south of Trujillo. We had a go anyway as I wanted to see if there was any suitable habitat for Peruvian Martin on the way. I soon realised it was going to take too long to reach Cao, where there was said to be a new form of spinetail and a good chance of seeing Grey-capped Cuckoo, according to Gunnar. I saw an access track to an off-shore island, a possible Martin site, so I settled for turning round and going there. The island was further than I had thought and there was no sign of hirundines in flight there. The only birds of note were 3 close Peruvian Thick-knee. I could not risk missing my flight to Lima, and home, so it was time to go to Trujillo airport and say farewell to Alex and Julio, both of whom had done a great job to make the trip such a success. I found Per at Lima airport, awaiting his flight back with KLM, scheduled to leave before mine  with Air France. Both flights were delayed but we made it in the end.   

NOTES

Domestic flights can be bought at www.Lan.com or direct from TACA. StarPeru and Peruvian Airlines are not recommended.

 

Electric plugs are of two types: flat parallel or thin round. Voltage is 220. Best to bring US$ cash as it is difficult to withdraw large sums at ATMs.  

 

Gunnar’s mobile is ?988 555 938. Alex can be hired as a guide: Adolfo Alex Durand Torres

 

David of Tanager Tours  info1@tanagertours.com  was very helpful and knowledgeable when I was investigating how to do such a trip.

 

Plataforma: Scarlet-banded Barbet, Buff-throated Tody-Tyrant, Roraiman Flycatcher, Vermiculated Screech-Owl, Band-bellied Owl, Grey-tailed Piha; Foothill, Yellow-breasted and Slaty Antwrens, Rufous-breasted and Short-tailed Antthrushes, Scaled Antpitta, Foothill Schiffornis, Ash-browed and Chestnut-throated Spinetails, Yellow-throated Spadebill, Andean Laniisoma, Jet Manakin and Dotted Tanager are all said to occur, and Buff-fronted Owl, Hairy-crested Antbird and Russet-mantled Softtail possibilities.

 

On the first part of the road from Bellavista there is good dry habitat to look for birds such as Huallaga Slaty Antshrike, Ashy-headed Greenlet, Planalto Hermit, Rufous Casiornis, Mishana Tyrannulet and Stripe-chested Antwren. Higher up look for Napo Sabrewing, Chestnut-tipped Toucanet, Scaled and Scarlet-breasted Fruiteaters, the foothill race of Long-tailed Woodcreeper, Rose-fronted Parakeet, Grey-mantled Wren, and many tanagers such as Blue-browed, Golden-eared and Straw-backed. The local form of White-crowned Tapaculo is said to be worth checking.

 

My friend Richard Hopf went shortly after me and had to walk for 20km to reach Plataforma, the mud being too bad to drive! He found some good grassland patches near Moyobamba, including one several kilometers west of town where there were about 6 Ocellated Crakes calling – one was seen well.   

 

Subtropical Pygmy-owl: Todd Mark found it vocalizing in May during the day near Plataforma at about 1200 to 1400 m. To find the track, go up on the uphill track before you get to the water source. The track summits and then descends past a coffee finca and then you'll pass a huge felled tree. Keep going up this track. When it reaches a new summit look for a foot-trail that is well-worn and will take you along the ridge down-hill. It goes quite far but is excellent the whole way.

The infrastructure has changed in the area. Todd suggests hiking down the road from Plataforma to Incaico, some distance but you'd get the lower elevation birds as well.

 

 

LIST OF BIRDS AND MAMMALS RECORDED

 

no. /day. C=Common, F=few, H = heard only, [ ] not seen by JH, Bold = new to JH

 

Cinereous Tinamou, Crypturellus cinereus	H	Moyabamba lowlands
Little Tinamou, Crypturellus soui	H	Morro de Calzada
Pale-browed Tinamou, Crypturellus transfasciatus	[1]	Quedadabra El Limon
Tataupa Tinamou, Crypturellus tataupa	H	Common in the west
Andean Tinamou, Nothoprocta pentlandii	1	Sinsicap
Humboldt Penguin, Spheniscus humboldti	10	Pelagic
White-chinned Petrel, Procellaria aequinoctialis	3	Pelagic
Pink-footed Shearwater, Puffinus creatopus	2	Pelagic
Sooty Shearwater, Puffinus griseus	2000	Pelagic
Wilson's Storm-Petrel, Oceanites oceanicus	3	Pelagic
White-vented Storm-Petrel, Oceanites gracilis	1	Pelagic
Wedge-rumped Storm-Petrel, Oceanodroma Tethys	2	Pelagic
Peruvian Diving-Petrel, Pelecanoides garnotii	4	Pelagic
Peruvian Pelican, Pelecanus thagus	C	Pelagic & Islilla
Blue-footed Booby, Sula nebouxii	20	Pelagic
Peruvian Booby, Sula variegate	C	Pelagic & Islilla
Neotropic/Olivaceous Cormorant, Phalacrocorax brasilianus	1	Pelagic
Guanay Cormorant, Phalacrocorax bougainvillii	10	Pelagic
Red-legged Cormorant, Phalacrocorax gaimardi	15	Pelagic
Magnificent Frigatebird, Fregata magnificens	10	Islilla & S of Trujillo
Great Egret, Ardea alba	F	Small numbers throughout
Little Blue Heron, Egretta caerulea	[1]	near Rioja
Snowy Egret, Egretta thula	C	Small numbers throughout
Cattle Egret, Bubulcus ibis	C	widespread in the lowlands
Striated Heron, Butorides striatus	F	Widespread
Black-crowned Night-Heron, Nycticorax nycticorax	1	Islilla
Limpkin, Aramus guarauna	F	Santa Elena
Green Ibis, Theristicus melanopis	2	Santa Elena
Torrent Duck, Merganetta armata	1	Abra Patricia
Black Vulture, Coragyps atratus	C	Widespread
Turkey Vulture, Cathartes aura	C	Widespread
Greater Yellow-headed Vulture, Cathartes melambrotus,	2	lakeland near Yacumama
Andean Condor, Vultur gryphus	2	Cixe
King Vulture, Sarcoramphus papa,	1	Upper Plataforma road
Hook-billed Kite, Chondrohierax uncinatus	1	Huallaga River ferry road
Swallow-tailed Kite, Elanoides forficatus	10	a few sites
Pearl Kite, Gampsonyx swainsonii	2	near Bagua
Snail Kite, Rostrhamus sociabilis	10	near Moyobamba
Harris' Hawk, Parabuteo unicinctus	F	Quedadabra El Limon, Seminario
Roadside Hawk, Buteo magnirostris	F	several sites
Broad-winged Hawk, Buteo platypterus	F	Moyabamba lowlands
White-rumped Hawk, Buteo leucorrhous	1	El Limon
Short-tailed Hawk, Buteo brachyurus	2	El Limon, Abra Patricia
Variable Hawk, Buteo polyosoma	F	Piura - El Limon
Swainson's Hawk, Buteo swainsoni	1	Abra Patricia, Plataforma
Black-chested Buzzard-Eagle, Geranoaetus melanoleucus	1	Sangal near Cajamarca
Black Caracara, Daptrius ater	4	Yacumama
Mountain Caracara, Phalcoboenus megalopterus	F	in the Andes
Yellow-headed Caracara, Milvago chimachima	F	Yacumama & Plataforma road
Northern Crested Caracara, Caracara cheriway	1+	near the west coast
American Kestrel, Falco sparverius	F	Widespread
Aplomado Falcon, Falco femoralis	1	Cajamarca airport
Bat Falcon, Falco rufigularis	2	Santa Elena
Orange-breasted Falcon, Falco deiroleucus	H	Wakanki ridge trail
Speckled Chachalaca, Ortalis guttata	H	Santa Elena swamp
Andean Guan, Penelope montagnii	1	Sinsicap
White-winged Guan, Penelope albipennis	2	Quedadabra El Limon
Sickle-winged Guan, Chamaepetes goudotii	1	Abra Patricia
Rufous-breasted Wood-Quail, Odontophorus speciosus	H	El Limon & Upper Plataforma road
Hoatzin, Opisthocomus hoazin	2	lower Plataforma road - rice paddy area
Russet-crowned Crake, Anurolimnas viridis	H	Huallaga River ferry
Paint-billed Crake, Neocrex erythrops	1	paddy near Moyobamba
Spotted Rail, Pardirallus maculatus	1	Mayo Valley
Purple Gallinule, Porphyrula martinica	F	Mayo Valley
Common Moorhen, Gallinula chloropus	F	Widespread
Wattled Jacana, Jacana jacana	F	Nueva Cajamarca rice paddies, Rioja
Black-necked Stilt, Himantopus mexicanus	F	Mayo Valley
Peruvian Thick-knee, Burhinus superciliaris	3	south of Trujillo
Spotted Sandpiper, Actitis macularia	2	Pelagic
Ruddy Turnstone, Arenaria interpres	20	Pelagic
Surfbird, Aphriza virgata	30+	Pelagic
Semipalmated Sandpiper, Calidris pusilla	3	Pelagic
Grey Phalarope, Phalaropus fulicaria	8	Pelagic
(Band-tailed)Belcher's(Band-tailed) Gull, Larus belcheri	F	Pelagic
Grey Gull, Larus modestus	F	Pelagic
Kelp Gull, Larus dominicanus	C	Pelagic & Islilla
Franklin's Gull, Larus pipixcan	10K	Pelagic
Elegant Tern, Sterna elegans	12	Pelagic
Royal Tern, Sterna maxima	1	Callao
Sandwich Tern, Sterna sandvicensis	30	Pelagic
Common or South American Tern, Sterna hirundo/ hirundinacea	10	Pelagic
Inca Tern, Larosterna inca	1000	Pelagic
Band-tailed Pigeon, Columba fasciata	F	Pedro Ruiz
Peruvian Pigeon, Columba oenops	10	Balsas
Plumbeous Pigeon, Columba plumbea	F	Plataforma road
Ruddy Pigeon, Columba subvinacea	1+	Wakanki, Plataforma road
Eared Dove, Zenaida auriculata	C	in the west
West Peruvian Dove, Zenaida meloda	F	Piura - El Limon
Ecuadorian Ground-Dove, Columbina bukleyi	F	Seminary, Bagua
Ruddy Ground-Dove, Columbina talpacoti	F	eastern lowlands
Croaking Ground-Dove, Columbina cruziana	C	near coast
Blue Ground-Dove, Claravis pretiosa	H	Seminary
Bare-faced Ground-Dove, Metriopelia ceciliae	1+	Balsas
White-tipped Dove, Leptotila verreauxi	2	El Limon, heard elsewhere
Grey-fronted Dove, Leptotila rufaxilla	1	Plataforma
White-throated Quail-Dove, Geotrygon frenata	H	Andes
Mitred Parakeet, Aratinga mitrata	300	Abra Patricia, Huembo
Scarlet-fronted Parakeet, Aratinga wagleri	H	Quedadabra El Limon
White-eyed Parakeet, Aratinga leucophthalmus	C	Widespread
Rose-fronted Parakeet, Pyrrhura roseifrons	6	Plataforma road
Pacific Parrotlet, Forpus coelestis	C	locally common - El Limon, Seminary, Sinsicap
Yellow-faced Parrotlet, Forpus xanthops	3	Balsas
Blue-winged Parrotlet, Forpus xanthopterygius	F	Plataforma road
Cobalt-winged Parakeet, Brotogeris cyanoptera	17	Morro de Calzada, Yacumama, Plataforma road
Golden-plumed Parakeet, Leptosittaca branickii	8	Chiido Trail
Red-billed Parrot, Pionus sordidus	F	Abra Patricia, Balsas
White-capped (Speckle-faced) Parrot, P. tumultuosus seniloides	2	Afluentes
Scaly-naped Parrot, Amazona mercenaria	4	Huembo, Abra Patricia
Hoatzin,  Opisthocomus hoazin	F	in lowlands from Bellavista to Plataforma
Squirrel Cuckoo, Piaya cayana	3	several sites
Smooth-billed Ani, Crotophaga ani	F	Common in the eastern lowlands
Groove-billed Ani, Crotophaga sulcirostris	C	widespread in West, Balsas
Striped Cuckoo, Tapera naevia	1	above Balsas, heard widely
Koepcke’s Screech-Owl, Megascops koepckeae	1	daytime roost on way to Leymebamba, 3 heard near Chachapoyas
Peruvian Screech-Owl, Megascops roboratus,	H	near Jaen
White-throated Screech-Owl, Megascops albogularis	H	Abra Patricia
Rufous-banded Owl, Ciccaba albitarsis,	H	Abra Patricia
Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl, Glaucidium brasilianum,	1	Santa Elena swamp
Peruvian/Pacific Pygmy-Owl, Glaucidium peruanum	4	Balsas, Sensicap
Sub-tropical Pygmy-Owl, Glaucidium parkeri	H	Plataforma
Long-whiskered Owlet, Xenoglaux loweryi	1	Abra Patricia
Oilbird, Steatornis caripensis	F	Quiscarumi gorge
Lesser Nighthawk, Chordeiles acutipennis	40	near Trujillo
Sand-coloured Nighthawk, Chordeiles rupestris	10	near Moyobamba
Pauraque, Nyctidromus albicollis	1	Wakanki & near Chachapoyas
Scrub Nightjar, Caprimulgus anthonyi	2	near Piura, El Limon
Blackish Nightjar, Caprimulgus nigrescens,	1	Yacumama
White-chested/ White-tipped Swift, Cypseloides lemosi /Aeronautes montivagus	2+	near Afluente, id uncertain
Chestnut-collared Swift, Streptoprocne rutila	20+	Widespread
White-collared Swift, Streptoprocne zonaris	F	Widespread
Grey-rumped Swift, Chaetura cinereiventris	C	Widespread
Andean Swift, Aeronautes andecolus	F	Sangal, Cajamarca
Fork-tailed/Neotrpical Palm-Swift, Tachornis squamata	F	Santa Elena swamp & Morro de Calzada
Buff-tailed Sicklebill, Eutoxeres condamini	[1]	Wakanki
Planalto Hermit, Phaethornis pretrei	I	Tarapoto tunnel
Black-throated Hermit, Phaethornis atrimentalis	1	Wakanki
Great-billed/Amazonian Hermit Phaethornis malaris moorei	1	Wakanki, Tarapoto tunnel
Tawny-bellied Hermit, Phaethornis syrmatophorus	2	Abra Patricia
Koepcke's Hermit, Phaethornis koepckeae	1	Tarapoto tunnel
Reddish Hermit, Phaethornis ruber	1	Morro de Calzada, Wakanki
Grey-chinned (Porculla) Hermit, Phaethornis griseogularis porcullae	1	El Limon
Green-fronted Lancebill, Doryfera ludovicae	1	near Afluentes
Grey-breasted Sabrewing, Campylopterus largipennis	1	Wakanki, Tarapoto tunnel
White-necked Jacobin, Florisuga mellivora	F	Widespread
Black-throated Mango, Anthracothorax nigricollis	F	Rioja, Wakanki
Brown Violetear, Colibri delphinae	1	Wakanki, Leymebamba
Green/Andean Violetear, Colibri thalassinus crissalis	2	Huembo and Wakanki
Sparkling Violetear, Colibri coruscans  coruscans	F	Widespread
Rufous-crested Coquette, Lophornis delattrei	2	Wakanki
Violet-headed Hummingbird, Klais guimeti	3	Wakanki
Blue-tailed Emerald, Chlorostilbon mellisugus	1	Wakanki
Fork-tailed Woodnymph, Thalurania furcata	1	Tarapoto tunnel
White-chinned Sapphire, Hylocharis cyanus	1	Wakanki
Golden-tailed Sapphire, Chrysuronia oenone	1	Wakanki, Tarapoto tunnel
Tumbes Hummingbird, Leucippus baeri	3	near El Limon
Spot-throated Hummingbird, Leucippus taczanowskii	F	Seminary, Bagua
White-bellied Hummingbird, Leucippus chionogaster	F	Huembo, Leymebamba
Amazilia Hummingbird, Amazilia amazilia	F	El Limon, Seminary, Simbal
Andean Emerald, Agyrtria franciae	2	Huembo, Tarapoto tunnel
Sapphire-spangled Emerald, Polyerata lactea	1	Wakanki
Glittering-throated Emerald, Polyerata fimbriata	1	Tarapoto tunnel
Speckled Hummingbird, Adelomyia melanogenys	F	Chido trail, Abra Patricia, maculata form at Sensicap possible split
Gould's Jewelfront, Heliodoxa aurescens	2	Tarapoto tunnel
Violet-fronted Brilliant, Heliodoxa leadbeateri	1	Abra Patricia
Fawn-breasted Brilliant, Heliodoxa rubinoides	2	Abra Patricia
Shining Sunbeam, Aglaeactis cuprepennis	1	Abra Barro Negra
Andean Hillstar, Oreotrochilus estella	1	Balsas - Celendin pass
Chestnut-breasted Coronet, Boissonneaua matthewsii	F	Widespread
Bronzy Inca, Coeligena coeligena obscura	4	Abra Patricia, Huembo
Collared Inca, Coeligena torquata	2	Abra Patricia
Violet-throated Starfrontlet, Coeligena violifer	1	Abra Patricia
Rainbow Starfrontlet, Coeligena iris flagrans	2	Leymebamba
Sword-billed Hummingbird, Ensifera ensifera	1	Owlet Lodge, Abra Patricia
Amethyst-throated Sunangel, Heliangelus amethysticollis	1	Abra Patricia
Purple-throated Sunangel, Heliangelus viola	1	Utcubamba Valley, Leymebamba
Royal Sunangel, Heliangelus regalis	5	Abra Patricia
Sapphire vented Puffleg, Eriocnemis luciani	1	Marañon Valley
Emerald-bellied Puffleg, Eriocnemis alinae dybowskii	F	Huembo, Abra Patricia
Greenish (Buff-thighed) Puffleg, Haplophaedia aureliae affinis	F	Abra Patricia
Rufous-vented Whitetip, Urosticte ruficrissa	2	Abra Patricia
Booted Racket-tail, Ocreatus underwoodii peruanus	F	Abra Patricia
Black-tailed Trainbearer, Lesbia victoriae juliae	1	Leymebamba
Green-tailed Trainbearer, Lesbia nuna pallidiventris	2	Porculla Pass & Huembo
Grey-bellied Comet, Taphrolesbia griseiventris	2	Sangal near Cajamarca
Giant Hummingbird, Patagona gigas peruviana	2	Sangal near Cajamarca
Tyrian Metaltail, Metallura tyrianthina	2	Abra Barro Negro
Coppery Metaltail, Metallura theresiae	1	Abra Barro Negro
Black Metaltail, Metallura phoebe	3	Sangal near Cajamarca
Rufous-capped Thornbill, Chalcostigma ruficeps,	[1]	Chido Trail, Abra Patricia
Long-tailed Sylph, Aglaiocercus kingi	F	Abra Porculla,Chido Trail, Abra Patricia
Marvellous Spatuletail, Loddigesia mirabilis	5	Huembo and Leymebamba
Long-billed Starthroat, Heliomaster longirostris	[1]	eastern lowlands
Oasis Hummingbird, Rhodopis vesper	2	El Limon, Simbal
Purple-collared Woodstar, Myrtis fanny	3	megalura at Balsas, fanny at Sinsicap
Short-tailed Woodstar, Myrmia micrura	1	Abra Porculla, Simbal
White-bellied Woodstar, Chaetocercus mulsant	F	Huembo, Abra Patricia, Leymebamba
Little Woodstar, Chaetocercus bombus	3	Leymebamba,  2 Huembo
Amethyst Woodstar, Calliphlox amethystina	1	Wakanki
Peruvian Sheartail, Thaumastura cora	1	Sensicap
Amazonian White-tailed Trogon, Trogon viridis	2	Santa Elena swamp
Collared Trogon, Trogon collaris	1	Plataforma
Masked Trogon, Trogon personatus	H	Abra Patricia
Blue-crowned Trogon, Trogon curucui	1	Wakanki, Morro de Calzada
Golden-headed Quetzal, Pharomachrus auriceps	1	Cixe
Ringed Kingfisher, Ceryle torquatus	F	several sites
Green Kingfisher, Chloroceryle americana	1	Yacumama lakeland
Green-and-rufous Kingfisher, Chloroceryle inda	1	Morro de Calzada, Yacumama Lakeland
Rufous Motmot, Baryphthengus martii	1	Plataforma road
Bluish-fronted Jacamar, Galbula cyanescens	2	Santa Elena swamp, Wakanki
Black-fronted Nunbird, Monasa nigrifrons	6	Morro de Calzada
Swallow-wing, Chelidoptera tenebrosa	2	Santa Elena swamp, Morro de Calzada
Gilded Barbet, Capito auratus	F	a few sites eg Yacumama
Scarlet-banded Barbet, Capito wallacei	3	Plataforma
Black-throated (Emerald) Toucanet, Aulacorhynchus atrogularis	1	Huembo
Chestnut-tipped Toucanet, Aulacorhynchus derbianus	2	Yacumama & Plataforma
Chestnut-eared Aracari, Pteoglossus castanotis	1	Yacumama
Lettered Aracari, Pteroglossus inscriptus	3	Santa Elena & Morro de Calzada
Grey-breasted Mountain-Toucan, Andigena hypoglauca	1	Cixe & Abra Barro Negro
Channel-billed Toucan, Ramphastos	H	one heard at Morro de Calzada
Golden-collared Toucanet, Selenidera reinwardtii	2	Morro de Calzada
Ecuadorian Piculet, Picumnus sclateri	1	Abra Porculla
Speckle-chested Piculet, Picumnus steindachneri	[2]	Afluentes
Yellow-tufted Woodpecker, Melanerpes cruentatus	F	a few sites
Scarlet-backed Woodpecker, Veniliornis callonotus	4	El Limon
Little Woodpecker, Veniliornis passerinus	1	Yacumama
Black-necked Woodpecker, Colaptes atricollis	2	Simbal, heard Balsas
Andean Flicker, Colaptes rupicola	1	Abra Barro Negro
Golden-olive Woodpecker, Piculus rubiginosus	1	Plataforma
Peruvian Seaside Cinclodes, Cinclodes taczanowskii	2	Pelagic
White-winged Cinclodes, Cinclodes atacamensis	[1]	Sangal
Pale-legged (Pacific) Hornero, Furnarius leucopus cinnamomeus	1	Bagua, Santa Elena
Azara's Spinetail, Synallaxis azarae	F	widespread high in Andes, elegantior form at Abra Porculla
Cinereous-breasted Spinetail, Synallaxis hypospodia	H	Yacumama
Dusky Spinetail, Synallaxis moesta	1	Wakanki
Russet-bellied Spinetail, Synallaxis zimmeri	3	Sinsicap
Marañón Spinetail, Synallaxis maranonica	2	near Pedro Ruiz
Chestnut-throated Spinetail, Synallaxis cherriei	H	Wakanki ridge trail
Necklaced Spinetail, Synallaxis stictothorax	2	near El Limon
Line-cheeked Spinetail, Cranioleuca antisiensis	1	Seminary
Baron's (Line-cheeked) Spinetail, Cranioleuca (antisiensis) baroni	1	Abra Barro Negro
Peruvian (White-chinned) Thistletail, Schizoeaca (fuliginosa) peruviana	1	Abra Patricia
Russet-mantled Softtail, Phacellodomus berlepschi	2	Abra Barro Negro
Rufous-fronted (Peruvian) Thornbird, Phacellodomus rufifrons peruvianus	3+	Seminary, Yacumama
Chestnut-backed Thornbird, Phacellodomus dorsalis	1	Balsas – Celendin
Spotted Barbtail, Premnoplex brunnescens	[1]	Abra Patricia
Pearled Treerunner, Margarornis squamiger	1	Abra Patricia
Streaked Xenops, Xenops rutilans	1	Abra Patricia
Montane Foliage-gleaner, Anabacerthia striaticollis	1	Affluente
Streaked Tuftedcheek, Pseudocolaptes boissonneautii medianus	2	Abra Patricia, Abra Barro Negro
Buff-throated (Peruvian) Treehunter, Thripadectes scrutator	H	Abra Barro Negro
Striped Treehunter, Thripadectes holostictus	1	below Abra Barro Negro
Point-tailed Palmcreeper, Berlepschia rikeri	2	Santa Elena swamp
Rufous-rumped Foliage-gleaner, Philydor erythrocercus ochrogaster	1	Plataforma
Buff-fronted Foliage-gleaner, Philydor rufum	1	Plataforma
Dusky-cheeked Foliage-gleaner, Anabazenops dorsalis	H	Wakanki trail
Buff-throated Foliage-gleaner, Automolus ochrolaemus ochrolaemus	1	Wakanki
Henna-hooded Foliage-gleaner, Hylocryptus erythrocephalus	1	Abra Porculla
Black-tailed Leaftosser, Phlegopsis erythroptera	1	Plataforma
Olivaceous Woodcreeper, Sittasomus griseicapillus amazonus	1	Yacumama
“Foothill” Long-tailed Woodcreeper, Deconychura longicauda connectens	1	Plataforma
Streak-headed Woodcreeper, Lepidocolaptes souleyetii	2	El Limon
Wedge-billed Woodcreeper, Glyphorynchus spirurus	1	Morro de Calzada
Cinnamon-throated Woodcreeper, Dendrexetastes rufigula	1	Abra Patricia
Buff-throated (Lafresnaye's) Woodcreeper, Xiphorhynchus guttatus guttatoides	1	Yacumama Lakeland
Tschudi's (Ocellated) Woodcreeper, Xiphorhynchus chunchotambo napensis	1	Plataforma
Olive-backed Woodcreeper, Xiphorhynchus triangularis	1	Abra Patricia
Amazonian Barred Woodcreeper, Dendrocolaptes certhia	1	Wakanki ridge
Montane Woodcreeper, Lepidocolaptes lacrymiger	1	El Limon
Great Antshrike, Taraba major	1	Santa Elena swamp
Collared Antshrike, Sakesphorus bernardi	2	Near coast (piurae) & Bagua (shumbae form)
Barred Antshrike, Thamnophilus doliatus	H	Huallaga River ferry road
Chapman's Antshrike, Thamnophilus zarumae palamblae	2	Bagua
Lined Antshrike, Thamnophilus tenuepunctatus	1	Balsas & Plataforma
Marañon (Northern) Slaty-Antshrike, Thamnophilus punctatus leucogaster	2	Seminary
Huallaga Slaty-Antshrike, Thamnophilus punctatus huallagae	1	Huallaga River ferry
Plain Antvireo, Dysithamnus mentalis tambillanus	1	Abra Patricia
Slaty Antwren, Mrymotherula schisticolor	1	Wakanki
Yellow-breasted Antwren, Herpsilochmus axillaris puncticeps	2	Afluentes, Plataforma
Ash-throated Antwren, Herpsilochmus parkeri	2	Wakanki ridge
Rusty-backed Antwren, Formicivora rufa urubambae	3	Huallaga River ferry
Streak-headed (Long-tailed) Antbird, Drymophila (caudata) striaticeps	H	Abra Patricia
Blackish Antbird, Cercomacra nigrescens aequatorialis	H	Wakanki, Plataforma road
(Peruvian) Warbling Antbird,  Hypocnemis cantator peruviana	1	Morro de Calzada, Wakanki
Zimmer's (Northern Chestnut-tailed) Antbird, Myrmeciza castanea centunculorum	1	Wakanki ridge trail
White-backed Fire-Eye, Pyriglena leuconota castanoptera	[1]H	Abra Patricia
Spot-backed Antbird, Hylophylax naevioides	1	Wakanki
Black-faced Antthrush, Formicarius analis	H	Plataforma road
Rufous-breasted Antthrush, Formicarius rufipectus thoracicus	H	Wakanki ridge trail & Plataforma
Short-tailed Antthrush, Chamaeza campanisona punctigula	H	Wakanki ridge trail & Plataforma
Barred Antthrush, Chamaeza mollissima	H	Abra Patricia
Scaled Antpitta, Grallaria guatimalensis regulus	H	Plataforma road, Wakanki ridge trail
Chestnut-crowned Antpitta, Grallaria ruficapilla	1	Chido trail, heard at Abra Porculla & Abra Patricia
Pale-billed Antpitta, Grallaria carrikeri	1	Chido trail
Rusty-tinged Antpitta, Grallaria przewalskii	1	Abra Patricia, heard at Chido trail
Rusty-breasted (Leymebamba) Antpitta, Grallaricula flavirostris leymebambae	1	Abra Barro Negro
Ochre-fronted Antpitta, Grallaricula ochraceifrons	3	Abra Patricia
Elegant Crescentchest, Melanopareia elegans	H	Abra Porculla
Marañón Crescentchest, Melanopareia maranonica	2	Seminario
Blackish Tapaculo, Scytalopus latrans	1+	Abra Barro Negro
Rufous-vented Tapaculo, Scytalopus femoralis	[1]H	Abra Patricia, heard frequently
Trilling Tapaculo, Scytalopus parvirostris	H	Abra Patricia
(Northern) White-crowned Tapaculo, Scytalopus atratus atratus	1	Plataforma
Unicoloured Tapaculo, Scylatopus unicolor	1	Sensicap - heard (recorded) then seen at 2400m
Peruvian Plantcutter, Phytotoma raimondii	2	near El Limon
Red-crested Cotinga, Ampelion rubrocristata	[1]	Abra Patricia
Green-and-black Fruiteater, Pipreola riefferii	1	Abra Patricia
Fiery-throated Fruiteater, Pipreola chlorolepidota chlorolepidota	1	Wakanki ridge trail
Scarlet-breasted (Bluish-crowned) Fruiteater, Pipreola frontalis	2	Plataforma
Scaled Fruiteater, Ampelioides tschudii	1	Plataforma
Andean Cock-of-the-rock, Rupicola peruviana peruvianus	1	male in flight at Afluentes
Green Manakin, Chloropipo holochlora	1	Wakanki
Fiery-capped Manakin, Machaeropterus pyrocephalus	H	Yacumama & Wakanki
Blue-backed Manakin, Chiroxiphia pareola	H	Yacumama
Sooty-headed Tyrannulet, Phyllomyias griseiceps	1	Huallaga ferry road
Black-capped Tyrannulet, Phyllomyias nigrocapillus	1	Yacumama and Wakanki
Yellow Tyrannulet, Capsiempis flaveola	2	Yacumama
Mouse-coloured Tyrannulet, Phaeomyias murina	1	Seminary
Tumbesian Tyrannulet, Phaeomyias tumbezana	4	El Limon
Yellow-crowned Tyrannulet, Tyrannulus elatus	1	Morro de Calzada, Wakanki
Pacific Elaenia, Myiopagis subplacens	1	El Limon
Grey-and-white Tyrannulet, Pseudelaenia leucospodia	1	El Limon
Yellow-bellied Elaenia, Elaenia flavogaster	F	Widespread
White-crested Elaenia, Elaenia albiceps	1	Cajamarca-Trujillo pass
Forest Elaenia, Myiopagis gaimardii	1	Wakanki, Plataforma
Sierran (Andean) Elaenia, Elaenia pallatangae intensa	1	Abra Patricia
Tumbes Beardless-Tyrannulet, Camptostoma obsoletum sclateri	2	El Limon
Torrent Tyrannulet, Serpophaga cinerea	[1]	Abra Patricia
Inca Flycatcher, Leptopogon taczanowskii	1	above Afluentes
Slaty-capped Flycatcher, Leptopogon superciliaris	1	Wakanki
Sepia-capped Flycatcher, Leptopogon amaurocephalus	1	Morro de Calzada
Rufous-headed Pygmy-Tyrant, Pseudotriccus ruficeps	2	Abra Patricia
Plumbeous-crowned Tyrannulet, Phyllomyias plumbeiceps	1	Wakanki
Marble-faced Bristle-Tyrant, Pogonotriccus ophthalmicus	1	Wakanki ridge trail
Variegated Bristle-Tyrant, Pogonotriccus poecilotis	1	Wakanki
Golden-faced/Peruvian Tyrannulet, Zimmerius viridiflavus	2	Abra Patricia, Wakanki ridge trail
Red-billed Tyrannulet, Zimmerius cinereicapillus	1	Wakanki ridge trail
Mishana Tyrannulet, Zimmerius villarejoi	1	Huallaga River ferry
Rough-legged Tyrannulet, Phyllomyias burmeisteri	1	Wakanki
White-tailed Tyrannulet, Mecocerculus poecilocercus	1	Abra Patricia
Rufous-winged Tyrannulet, Mecocerculus calopterus	1	Abra Porculla
Sulphur-bellied Tyrannulet, Mecocerculus minor	1	Abra Patricia
White-throated Tyrannulet, Mecocerculus leucophrys	2	Abra Patricia, Abra Barro Negro
Unstreaked Tit-Tyrant, Anairetes agraphia	[1]	Chido trail (GM)
Black-crested Tit-Tyrant, Anairetes nigrocristatus	1	Abra Barro Negro
Tufted Tit-Tyrant, Anairetes parulus	1	Abra Patricia
Scale-crested Pygmy-Tyrant, Lophotriccus pileatus	1	near El Limon
Tawny-crowned Pygmy-Tyrant, Euscarthmus meloryphus	2	Seminary
White-bellied Pygmy-Tyrant, Myiornis albiventris	1	near largest village on the way to Plataforma