Birding the Peruvian Amazon

Lago Soledad Lodge (formerly known as ARCC) sits near the banks of the Las Piedras River, in south-eastern Peru. The lodge offers comfortable, spacious rooms amidst a wonderful primary rainforest reserve of some 26,000 acres. For many years, the lodge has hosted clients on our ‘Peru’s Rainforest Mammals’ holiday, and our groups have been captivated by the resident family of Giant River Otters, together with large troops of Spider Monkeys, up to eight other primate species, and occasional sightings of Jaguar, Ocelot, Brazilian Tapir and Giant Anteater.

The birdlife around the lodge is equally impressive — its current bird list stands at 619 species! During our six nights here, we will explore the lodge’s private trails in search of such sought-after species as Pale-winged Trumpeter, Striated Antthrush, Banded Antbird and Rufous-fronted Antthrush, plus many other antbirds and furnarids. Stands of Guadua Bamboo hold a number of rare bamboo specialists, such as Bamboo Antshrike, Peruvian Recurvebill, Rufous-headed Woodpecker, the recently described Rufous Twistwing, Sulphur-bellied Tyrant-manakin, and Humaita Antbird. Violaceous Quail-dove, Black-faced Cotinga and Fulvous-chinned Nunlet are other key targets.

The lodge’s 35-metre high canopy tower is another attraction, from which colourful mixed-species flocks of tanagers and other birds can be observed passing close to the platform in the early morning and late afternoon. Species to look out for include Blue Dacnis and Plum-throated Cotinga, plus Paradise, Green-and-gold, White-shouldered, Turquoise, Opal-crowned and Masked Crimson Tanagers. There are four clay-licks accessible from the lodge, the most impressive of which is a macaw and parrot clay-lick just a 20-minute boat ride upriver. A hide (blind) on top of the cliff just 25 metres from the clay-lick affords excellent opportunities for observations and photography. Red-and green Macaws are frequent visitors, together with flocks of up to 200 other birds including Duskyheaded, Cobalt-winged and Tui Parakeets. Other species visiting the clay-lick include Chestnut fronted and Red-bellied Macaws, Mealy, Blue-headed and Yellow-crowned Parrots, White-eyed Parakeets, Orange-cheeked Parrots, White-bellied Parrots, Scarlet Macaws, Blue-and-yellow Macaws, piping guans and chachalacas.

This new tour can be combined with our popular ‘Surf & Turf’ itinerary which focuses on the special birds of Peru’s coast and central Andes. When booked together, the cost of one air fare is saved (£600). The tour will be led by well-known Peruvian ornithologist/guide Thomas Valqui or José Antonio Padilla.