Birding Satipo road - Introduction.

Promoting the recent community project at Satipo road we introduce this short trip that contains both excellent cloud forest birding and the endemic specialities that can not be seen on a short Carpish/Unchog trip.

For example, we shall visit sites for exciting special birds such as Creamy-bellied Antwren, Cloud Forest Screech-Owl, Oxapampa Antpitta (recently described species), Chestnut-crested Cotinga, Black-winged Parrot, Eye-ringed Thistletail, weskei form of Marcapata Spinetail, Junin Tapaculo (recently described species), Jalca Tapaculo (recently described species), Junin Antpitta Grallaria obscure (recently upgraded to species), Fire-throated Metaltail, Black-spectacled Brush-Finch, "Mantaro Wren"  (undescribed species), "Mantaro Thornbird" (undescribed species) and "Apurimac Screech-Owl" (recently described subspecies of Koepcke's Screech-Owl) and an undescribed form of Azara's Spinetail.

There are also excellent gaudy birds such as Umbrellabird, two quetzals, Masked Trogon, Cock-of-the-Rock, Torrent Duck, Lyre-tailed, and Swallow-tailed Nightjar. Satipo Road has many similarities, when it comes to birding, with the more famous Manu Road.

The community project involves improving the facilities at a building in the community of Calabaza-Apaya and training some of the residents to become local bird guides. The lodging is still quite basic, but during 2022 and 2023 when Kolibri Expeditions has been in charge of reservations we have added several improvements. There are 11 beds divided into six rooms in a community building. There are wash-up, hot shower, and toilet facilities. Linen, blankets, and pillows are provided. During 2023 we plan to make more improvements with feeders to attract birds for photography. See the Satipo Road Birding Lodge project and support by donating or paying a deposit for a trip. The birding is outstanding!

Day 0: Bus to Oxapampa

We shall take a comfortable sleeper night bus crossing the Andes with seats that fold to 180°. The bus leaves at around 20:40H.

Day 1:  Bosque Shollet and San Alberto trail. Chestnut-crested Cotinga and Masked Fruiteater

We should arrive in Oxapampa before 7 and make our way to the Bosque Shollet reserve. This is a good area to search for the rare Chestnut-crested Cotinga and the Peruvian subspecies of Black-winged Parrot. Other targets here include Bay Antpitta and recently described Oxapampa Antpitta and Buff-browed Foliage-gleaner.
On the San Alberto trail, we regularly see the endemic Masked Fruiteater, and the uncommon Olive Flycatcher. It is also good for White-capped Dipper, and tanager flocks. Recently, a weird form of Stripe-faced Wood-Quail has been found here and it is something we shall be looking out for.  Other birds we shall be looking out for this morning include Inca Flycatcher, Peruvian Tyrannulet, Cinnamon-faced Tyrannulet, Andean Guan, Scaly-naped Parrot,  Barred Parakeet, Sword-billed Hummingbird, Amethyst-throated Sunangel, Chestnut-breasted Coronet, Collared Inca,  Yellow-scarfed Tanager, Grass-green Tanager, Lachrymose Tanager, Peruvian Wren, Strong-billed Woodcreeper, and more. 
We continue in the afternoon to Satipo, passing through coffee plantations that provide additional possibilities. Night in Satipo. Hotel Torre Blanca. 

Day 2: Satipo road to Apaya.

We shall bird the lower part of Satipo Road. The possibilities are enormous Blue-browed Tanager, Rufescent Antshrike, Lanceolated Monklet, Rufous-sided Crake, Lemon-browed Flycatcher, Amazonian Umbrellabird, Fasciated Tiger-Heron, Andean Cock-of-the-Rock and many more.

Afternoon birding the midsection of the road to Apaya village with Peruvian Tyrannulet, Versicolored Barbet, Solitary Eagle, Black-and-Chestnut Eagle, Crested Quetzal, Torrent Duck, and Deep-blue Flowerpiercer.

Night in Apaya at the communal basic guest house.

Day 3: Andamarca valley. Return to Apaya.

Early morning start for Andamarca Valley. The climate is warmer and drier here. Many new species to science have been found here in recent years, such as Black-spectacled Brush-Finch, a new Thryothorus wren, a new Pheugopedius wren, a new Thornbird, and a distinctly sounding undescribed form of Azara's Spinetail. Other possibilities include Andean Ibis, White-winged Black-Tyrant, Black-backed Grosbeak, Golden-billed Saltator, and others. 

Also, here we sometimes find the Apurimac form of Koepcke's Screech-Owl on a day perch. 

On the way back to Apaya, we will bird a few kilometers above the village where we recently found weskei form of Marcapata Spinetail, the recently described Junin Tapaculo, a massive range extension of Mountain Avocetbill, and we frequently see Powerful Woodpecker here. 

Night in Apaya at the communal basic guest house.

Day 4: High altitude birding for Eye-ringed Thistletail, Jalca Tapaculo and Fire-throated Metaltail.

Birding Carrizales in the morning for Fiery-throated Metaltail, Eye-ringed Thistletail, newly described Junin Antpitta, Oxapampa Antpitta and Pardusco, Tchudi's and Jalca Tapaculo (recently described), Golden-plumed Parakeet and more. 

The temperate forest holds mixed species flocks with various tanager and Hemispingus species, as well as Gray-breasted Mountain-Toucan and Blue-banded Toucanet. 

We return to La Merced for an overnight stay at Hacienda Armorique

Day 5: Cloud Forest Screech-Owl and Cerulean-capped Manakin

Above Hacienda Armorique is an excellent area for the rare Cloud Forest Screech-Owl. We shall make a visit pre-dawn. Afterward, we continue birding the area for Cerulean-capped Manakin, Creamy-bellied Antwren, and many more. There is also a lek with Round-tailed Manakins near the lodging. 

At midmorning, we break to drive back to Lima. At Ticlio, we shall stop to look for White-bellied Cinclodes. 

We can get to the airport for flights leaving at 8 pm or later, but flights earlier than this would be risky.  If you have more time, you can consider staying overnight in San Mateo and the next day drive via Diademed Sandpiper-Plover and White-cheeked Cotinga down through Santa Eulalia Canyon with many endemics to reach a flight at 7 pm or later. Let us know!