Kolibri Expeditions Birdwatching Tours - Birding Peru

29/07/2024

Jag ser fram emot nästa Falsterbo Birdshow 30 aug-1sep. Här en bild från förra året med Henrik Hultén. Snygg keps!

15/06/2024

Very excited! The Philippine Eagle itinerary to Mindanao in November has been posted.
If you only have a week it is possible to fit in this tour for the Eagle. 10 days if you want to include lowland birding at PICOP.
The tour runs just before the Asian Bird Fair between Nov 11-20
The itinerary has been designed by long-time Mindanao expat birder Pete Simpson. We are guided by expert local guides. Gunnar Engblom is the tour leader.

Check it out!
https://7wondersbirding.com/philippine-eagle-birding-tour/

07/12/2023

When I haven't been hiking and hitchhiking the Satipo road looking for birds, I've been going to the school that's right across from the lodge. Photographed here are Antony, Jac and Katiana, the entire school population here at Calabaza. At their request I've been teaching them some English about an hour every two days (and they've been teaching me just as much Spanish).

I have also been teaching them about some of the common birds found around Calabaza.Today we drew Oropendolas, tanagers and toucans, and I pointed out what they may want to look out for to ID different species in the field. Both Antony and Jac have joined me birding ( Katiana may be just a tad too young still), and I've been able to get them on a couple Dusky-green Oropendolas in my binoculars!

I've also helped Jac download Merlin and the Central Peru pack on his phone, and all three of them really love listening to what different birds sound like on the app. They're truly on track to shape up into some great birders real soon.
Text and photos: Rushi Tawade

03/12/2023

Visiting the Andamarca Valley:
The lodge is located about an hour's drive from the Andamarca Valley. Here one can find the Spectacled Brushfinch, an endangered bird known only from the slopes of this valley. Additionally , unique forms of Azara's Spinetail and Plain tailed Wren are found in the valley which stand to be split and formally described as their own species' in the future. The valley is also a great place to search for other central Peru endemics like the Cream-crested Spinetail, Junin Tapaculo, and Junin Antpitta.
A special thanks to Julien and Carlos who graciously let me join their group's day trip up to Andamarca.
Spectacled Brushfinch
Text and photos: Rushi Tawade

01/12/2023

Rushi Tawade is volunteering at the incipiant community birding hostel on the Satipo road which from the end of last year is managed by Kolibri Expeditions Birdwatching Tours - Birding Peru.
Here is Rushi's first report:

Armchair birding from the Lodge: Birding from the lodge can be quite productive, with the open second floor providing a great eye-level view of birds flitting in the midstory. The staples of the local mixed flock that passes by the lodge once or twice a day include some Flame-faced Tanagers,Saffron-crowned Tanagers, and Common Chlorospingus, a couple Spectacled Redstart, some Black-eared and Black-capped Hemispingus and a Montane Woodcreeper. The regulars are joined by a pair of Barred Becards or the odd Sierran Elaenia every now and then. Besides the mixed-flock, Dusky Green Oropendolas, a couple Blue-banded Toucanet, and a pair of social flycatchers make regular appearances throughout the day. Step down from the second story perch, and one can see Mountain Wren, Russet-crowned Warbler, and Citrine Warbler flitting in the undergrowth. And ofcourse, there's always the Bay Antpitta calling intermittently from behind the lodge, sometimes tantalizingly close, but seemingly always just out of view.

Text and photos: Rushi Tawade

03/08/2023

Anyone up for an impromptu trip to the Iquitos area August 24-28. I have only one client thus far, but I will grant the list price for this short trip with a group of as few as two people.

Apart from the canopy walkway at ACTS, the Explornapo Lodge, there is great birding at the white sand forests at Allpahuayo-Mishana with the special endemics and Rufous and White-winged Potoos staked out. The full moon on Aug 28 increases our chances for the potoos.

The trip can be extended at budget price with additional lodges and birding days around Iquitos.

Contact me via messenger or email for more info.
Photo: Nocturnal Curassow at Explornapo Oct 2018 during Kolibri Expeditions Big Month celebration. Photographer: Noah Strycker.

28/03/2023

Two very uncommon birds in LIMA - Streak-backed Canastero and Black-and-White Seedeater - were seen and photographed during the two-day Santa Eulalia/Ticlio birding tour. https://kolibriexpeditions.com/Birding/Peru_Tours.aspx?TOUR=birding-santa-eulalia-canyon-Marcapomacocha&idtourk=88

We also saw Andean Condor, Diademed Sandpiper and White-bellied Cinclodes on this trip.

03/10/2022

Just posted a newsletter. Did you get it?
Here is my photo of Shoebill on our recent Uganda trip.
Anyone up for Spain in mid-October?
Any Scandinavians up for Chile Oct 31-Nov 15
Or anyone for Madagascar in late November.
Or perhaps Northern Peru bird photography Jan 1-7. 2023

28/07/2022

Golden-collared Tanager
Iridosornis jelskii
Tangara de Jelski, ​ Tangara de Collar Dorado
Carpis Huanuco Perú

Julio 2022

15/07/2022

Coppery Metaltail
Metallura theresiae
Metalura de Teresa
Bosque de Unchog Huanuco Perú

Julio 2022

06/01/2022

Episode 3 of Bucket List Birding Podcast.
James Wolstencroft has been published. Expert Tanzania guide for Wings and Eagle Eye Tours, is collecting data about how COVID has affected ecotourism initiatives and in consequence bird and habitat conservation. Listen to Gunnar and James in this wide-ranging conversation about conservation, and bucket list natural history experiences, whereever you get your podcasts.
There are shownotes and video clips on https://7wondersbirding.com/james-wolstencroft-bucket-list-tanzania-spain-and-peru/
Don't forget to leave a review and subscribe. Thanks!

26/12/2021

One of the highlights of 2021 - the year of so much uncertainty - was the successful expedition to Ayacucho with Peter G. Kaestner to look for recently described Ayacucho Antpitta .
I just published the interview I did with Peter on the Bucket List Birding podcast, where Peter talks about his recent travel in Peru, about India and his eBirding. Check it out!
https://7wondersbirding.com/peter-kaestner/
There are very few photos of the Ayacucho Antpitta. In spite of branches in the way and very backlit, I was lucky to get one shot that was sharp enough to share.
Merry Christmas!

25/12/2021

A short live session to wish you all Merry Christmas, and update you on the latest news.
1. How is the COVID situation in Peru?
2. Bucket List Birding Podcast is out
3. Recent trip in Brazil
4. New Year's resolution for Christmas
5. Birding in January - February.

23/12/2021

Here's a show-note page with videos to illustrate the first Bucket List Birding podcast episode with Nigel Marven,
as well as links from the most important podcast platforms.
Check it out.
https://7wondersbirding.com/nigel-marven/
Hope you like it.

Nigel Marven tells bird and wildlife stories from around the world. Apart from Andean C**k of the Rock, Marvelous Spatuletail, and Andean Condor in Peru, NIgel Marven reveals his top three Natural History Bucket List experiences.

20/11/2021

Lima land of the giants
Santa Eulalia valley

November 2021

25/10/2021

From our newsletter just published:
https://archive.aweber.com/awlist5245228/9n3rU

Peru is the safest country in Latin America (together with Dominican Republic and Bolivia), according to the US Center for Disease Control. Formerly, Peru was on Level 3 (High Risk) and has been downlisted to Level 2 (Moderate Risk). If you are vaccinated, you should have very little to worry about if you come to Peru, especially as social distancing and use of masks are still obligatory here. Check out this graph from today below with average daily values (over 7 days) of new COVID cases per 100 000 inhabitants. Where would you rather be?

11/10/2021

I just sent out a newsletter! Did you get it?
There is a Harpy Eagle staked out on Manu road.
Not on the list? Message me with your email!

Photo. Vlad Sladariu - last week

27/08/2021

Rufous-browed Hemispingus
Poospiza rufosuperciliaris
hemispingo cejirrufo
Bosque Unchog Huanuco Perú

Agosto 2021

25/08/2021

Dream of birding and summiting Kilimanjaro?
Highest peak of Africa - you shall feel like you are on top of the world!
Unique birder's summit program in 6 days. Possible with just taking 5 days off from work!

We provide the most efficient altitude acclimatization with the best birding strategy.
Are you fit enough to join us?
Check out the itinerary.
https://7wondersbirding.com/birding-kilimanjaro-summit-trek/

02/08/2021

COVID SAFE BIRDING IN EARLY OCTOBER?
Where do you want to go birding?

I am thinking of adapting the 7 Wonders Birding offerings for late September-early October to an with little travel restrictions, as I also have time and opportunity for guiding outside of the Neotropics. As I would be in Europe anyway (remember I am running Berlin Marathon) and I could easily reach Africa or Asia from there.

Would you be interested in a 7-14 days tour with me to either of these places, COVID permitting? I believe most if not all are open for vaccinated US travellers without quarantine. Some Europeans would be eligible to travel, too, but more difficult for people in the UK, Australia and New Zealand. South Africa residents are banned from many countries presently - including Peru - but could possibly travel to some of these destinations.

✅ Southern Spain - Iberian Lynx
✅ Namibia - keen to search for Pangolin
✅ Bhutan - Buddhism and Birding.
✅ Uganda - Shoebill, Gorilla and Chimps
✅ Tanzania - climbing (including Summiting) and birding Kilimanjaro
✅ Tanzania - Safari including Serengeti and Ngorongoro.
✅ Egypt - Culture and birding

All, but Namibia and Tanzania, have itineraries already on the website. Namibia and Tanzania programs will soon be added.

Let me know which you are most interested and I will try to get a group together!

If you want to go to Peru, now we are enjoying the lowest COVID levels since the onstart of the pandemic. No quarantine needed.

Photo: Creative Commons from WIkipedia by Charles Asik from Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Somewhat cropped and added contrast to the original.

24/07/2021

Spot-billed Ground-Tyrant
Muscisaxicola maculirostris
La dormilona chica o piquipinta
San Lorenzo de Huachupampa Lima Perú

Julio 2021

18/07/2021

Pale-tailed Canastero ssp huancavelicae - recognized by IOC, but not by ebird yet, where it is a subspecies of Creamy-bellied Canastero.

Recorded from the recent Ayacucho trip Gunnar did with Peter Kaestner. Easily seen at the Wari archaeological site close to Ayacucho.

15/07/2021

Buff_fronted Owl
Aegolius harrisii
Mochulo Canelo
Hacienda Armorique la Merced

Junio 2021

23/06/2021

Peruvian sheartail
Thaumastura cora
colibrí de cora​
Santa Eulalia valley Lima Peru

Junio 2021

19/06/2021

Green Jay
Cyanocorax yncas
Quien quien
Apaya Calabaza Satipo Road Junin

Junio 2021

08/06/2021

Which is missing from the Bucket List Birding Podcast Logo?
✅ Resplendent Quetzal
✅ Marvelous Spatuletail
✅ Spoon-billed Sandpiper
✅ Andean C**k of the Rock
✅ Gurney's Pitta
✅ Wilson's BoP
✅ Southern Cassowary
17 year old birder Zafeer A. Shaikh from Pakistan has made a great job with the design.

03/06/2021

Ringed Storm-Petrel also known as Hornby's Storm-Petrel is one of the best birds of the Humboldt Current. It can be seen on Kolibri Expeditions pelagics from Punta Lomas, south of Nazca. Next pelagic coming up on Saturday, June 6.

30/05/2021

Gray-breasted Mountain-Toucan
Andigena hypoglauca
tucán andino pechigrís
Satipo Road _Junin Peru

Mayo 2021

21/05/2021

Peru #1 again. A fantastic result considering the reluctance for people to travel with lockdown on Sundays in most of the country.
Los amigos de Colombia struggled this year because the civil unrest, and therefore had far less participation than usual.

This result is very inspiring to a lot of new birders that have formed during lockdown and it is a showpiece to the world of the enormous birding potential of the country.
Congratulations Peru!

20/05/2021

Least Seedsnipe
Thinocorus rumicivorus
Agachona chica​
Lomas de Lachay _Lima Peru

Mayo 2021