This trip to Tumbes gives a multitude of species in much more pristine habitat than in Southern Ecuador. Almost all Tumbesian endemics can be seen in Tumbes National Forest. It is about time that birders find their way to this side of the border. The birding is great.

Best time to visit for top activity among the birds is in the rainy season January-February. From May onwards the rains have stopped good birding can still be done, but the song-activity may not be as high.

Due to the recent suspension of the only flights to Tumbes (though LAN will soon start flying) we have been forced to fly to Piura and travel overland to Tumbes. By doing so we realized that this opens for new options. Why not through in a pelagic from the North! Also, the mangroves at Vice is one of Peru's best sites for Peruvian Tern.
 

Day 1. Evening flight to Piura and transfer to Punta Sal resort. Late arrival.

Day 2. We shall be doing some unique exploring of the sheltered but very rich waters near Punta Sal, famous for resident Humpback Whales in July-September. Pelagic birds we hope to see include Magnificent and Great Frigatebird, Peruvian, Blue-footed, Nazca and Red-footed Boobies, Galapagos Petrel, Galapagos Shearwater, Waved Albatross, Ringed, Black, Markham's, White-vented, Wedge-rumped and Madeiran Storm-Petrels, Swallow-tailed Gull and Red-billed Tropicbird and many more.

At mid-morning we make a visit to the Mangroves of Tumbes, which includes species like White Ibis, Mangrove Black Hawk, Mangrove (Yellow) Warbler, Masked Water-Tyrant, Ruofus-necked Woodrail, Bare-throated Tiger-Heron, Magnificent Frigatebird, Tricolored Heron, Brown Pelican and many others. In the afternoon we shall transfer to Tumbes Forest.

Day 3-6. Tumbes Forest. Four full days here. We will visit the areas of El Caucho and Campo Verde during these days. We have seen displaying Pacific Royal Flycatcher and Grey-backed Hawk in the past. Higher up birds like Henna-hooded Foliage-Gleaner, Grey-breasted Flycatcher, Blackish-headed Spinetail and Rufous-headed Chachalaca occur. Other birds include Crested Guan, Slaty Becard, Scrub Antpitta, Ecuadorian Trogon, Grey-necked Parakeet, Guayaquil Woodpecker, Saffron Siskin, etc.

Day 7. Morning birding at el Caucho. Around midday we shall leave for Piura. On the way there are good sites for Peruvian Plantcutter and Tumbes Tyrant. At the mangroves of Vice one of the best populations of Peruvian Tern is present. We also hope to pick up Tumbes Swallow on the way. Evening flight to Lima (or continue with our North Peru programs).