In April 2024, I had the pleasure of guiding one of our fixed departures through Northern Peru—a region world-renowned for its endemism, diversity, and breathtaking transitions between coastal scrub, dry forest, cloud forest, and Amazonian foothills.
While April typically marks the end of the rainy season, the effects of El Niño had pushed the rains later into the year. The result? Greener-than-usual forests, active rivers, and incredibly dynamic bird activity across all habitats.
Here’s a detailed look at what we experienced from April 1 to 12 during this unforgettable journey. If you want to join our fixed departures CLICK HERE
🗓️ Overview of the Expedition
- Dates: April 1–12, 2024
- TOUR DESCRIPTION: CLICK HERE
- Regions visited: Chiclayo, Chaparri, Casupe, Bosque de Pómac, Abra Porculla, Jaén, Gocta, Abra Patricia, Alto Nieva, Arena Blanca, Waqanki, Tarapoto & ACONABIKH
- Total species observed: Over 460
- Endemics recorded: 60+
- Weather: Unseasonably lush due to El Niño rains—challenging at times, but highly rewarding
- FULL CHECKLIST: https://ebird.org/tripreport/274532
🌿 From Coastal Scrub to Chaparri’s Dry Forests
(April 1–2)
We began in Chiclayo, heading straight to a patch of carob forest—one of the last of its kind—where we had immediate success with Peruvian Plantcutter, Tumbes Tyrannulet, Cinereous Finch, and Scarlet-backed Woodpecker. Spirits were high from the start.
Along the Pacific coast, we observed Peruvian Tern, Gray Gull, Elegant Tern, and Peruvian Pipit, followed by a productive visit the dessert for Peruvian Thick-knee.
The day closed at Chaparri Reserve, where a White-winged Guan walked across the trail just minutes after our arrival—a species once thought extinct.
The following, we spotted Guayaquil Woodpecker, Tumbes Chat-Tyrant, and had a phenomenal moment watching two White-winged Guans.
After dinner that evening, we ventured into the dark and were rewarded with unforgettable views of the elusive Peruvian Screech-Owl.
🦜 Rufous Flycatchers & Endemic Hotspots of the Dry Forest
(April 3–4)
At Bosque de Pómac, our early arrival paid off with Rufous Flycatcher, Tumbes Swallow, and a vocal Peruvian Pygmy-Owl. The forest, unusually green for the season, echoed with activity.
One of the highlights was a quiet break under the shade of an algarrobo tree, where conversation turned from bird IDs to Peruvian drinks like algarrobina and chicha de jora. These human moments matter just as much.
Later, in Abra Porculla, the cloud-wrapped ridges were alive with Three-banded Warbler, Marañón Tyrannulet, White-headed Brush-Finches and foliage-gleaners, including a particularly charismatic Piura Chat-tyrant that changed one client’s mind about its entire family.
⛰️ From Jaén to Gocta: Crescentchests, Tinamous & Spatuletail Magic
(April 5–6)
Jaén, nestled in the Marañón basin, is a birding treasure. Our morning produced Marañón Crescentchest, Little Inca-Finch, Chinchipe Spinetail, and a rare encounter with Marañon Spinetail crossing a forest path.
By late afternoon, we had reached a now-iconic garden near Gocta, where a Marvelous Spatuletail hovered in golden light—fanning its extraordinary tail feathers in a moment that stopped us all in our tracks.
🌧️ Cloud Forest Riches at Abra Patricia & Alto Nieva
(April 7–8)
We transitioned into the lush cloud forests of Owlet Lodge and Abra Patricia, two of the most bird-dense locations in the entire Andes.
Species highlights included:
- Johnson’s Tody-Flycatcher
- Rusty-tinged, Ochre-fronted, and Chestnut Antpittas
- Royal Sunangel, White-capped Tanager, and Rufous-vented Whitetip
On the night of April 7th, we quietly stood beneath the trees and watched as a Long-whiskered Owlet perched at mid-canopy—silent, motionless, and magical. A first for some, a thrill for all.
🌱 Amazonian Foothills – Arena Blanca & Waqanki
(April 9–10)
The Arena Blanca Reserve offered intimate views of Little Tinamou, Rufous-breasted Wood-Quail, and Orange-billed Sparrow from blinds set at forest floor level.
At Waqanki Lodge, the hummingbird garden was dazzling with:
- Rufous-crested Coquette
- Wire-crested Thornbill
- Sapphire-spangled Emerald
- Great-billed Hermit
And along the trails, we encountered Painted Manakin, Zimmer’s Antbird, and even flushed a Stygian Owl in the dark—a reminder of how alive these forests are at night.
🌿 Final Days: Tarapoto & the Cordillera Escalera
(April 11–12)
We visited a quiet roost to observe Oilbirds, perched with eerie red eyes in broad daylight. Nearby wetlands held Sulphur-bellied Tyrant-Manakin, Comb Duck, and Stripe-chested Antwren.
Our final day at ACONABIKH Reserve brought some last-day magic: excellent views of Koepcke’s Hermit, Golden-headed Manakin at an active lek, and—most surprisingly—a glimpse of a Yellow-tailed Woolly Monkey moving quietly through the canopy.
🔚 Final Reflections
Despite the wetter conditions brought by El Niño, this April departure delivered one of the most productive and rewarding explorations I’ve led in Northern Peru. We tallied over 460 species, with more than 60 endemics, but the experience went beyond numbers.
It was about sharing early morning lifers, late-night owls, stories over tea, and the mutual awe of watching rare birds perform in their natural element.
If you’re dreaming of vibrant birdlife, remote forests, and the thrill of the unexpected, Northern Peru is waiting—and we’d love to show you what makes it so special.
See the full checklist here: https://ebird.org/tripreport/274532
If you want to know some basic tipping guideliness during Birding and Photography Tours, see here.
If you are more interested in a Birding and Cultural Trip see here.
