As I mentioned in a previous post, Neotropical Birding Tours is supporting the development of ecotourism in the community of La Esperanza in northern Peru. This community was in the headlines a few months ago following the discovery of a spot where you can see the legendary Long-whiskered Owlet, a species described in the 1970′s and until very recently had only been observed by a handful of people. Forests in this community are located in a strategic area, close to the Abra Patricia Lodge and the Huembo area, where many birders flock every year to see the Marvelous Spatuletail.
Landscape at La Esperanza | © Noga Shanee/NPC
Our company has begun offering tours to the forests of La Esperanza (visit our website for details). Part of the proceeds of these tours will be donated to the Neotropical Primate Conservation NGO to support a range of programs including the formation of a conservation area in the community forests, an environmental education program, reforestation, etc.
The endemic and endangered Andean Night-monkey is also present at La Esperanza | © Noga Shanee/NPC
Despite being in the middle of one of the most interesting routes for the observation of birds of Peru, the current conditions for visitors of the forests of La Esperanza are fairly basic. There is still no accommodation for the birders who visit the area, although there is a hut where you can camp. The trail to reach the area where you can see owls is long and hard. And local community members do not yet have the skills to guide foreign tourists through its forests. But the prospect for the future of this community is quite promising and we believe that conditions to visit and stay at the forest will change soon.
We are excited to support this community as they conserve their forests and dedicate them to ecotourism. The first step of this project will be training a group of community residents as birding guides. The workshop will be held from August 23rd to the 25th and José (Pepe) Orhiuela, Neotropical Birding Tours’ guide, will be a keynote speaker. Pepe is an expert on birds of northern Peru and has taught similar workshops in the neighboring communities of San Martin Region. The first part of a day’s workshop will include lectures and the second part will involve a two-day visit to the forests of the community to implement the knowledge acquired. We are very excited about this project and we are putting our best effort and experience to train the future birding guides of La Esperanza.
Jose (Pepe) Orihuela
Do you want to be involved?
- Do you have an old pair of binoculars? Local birding guides will need binoculars and bird books. After your visit to Peru, please consider donating your old binoculars and bird guides to this project, the people of La Esperanza will be very grateful.
- If you are an adventurous birder, consider a visit to La Esperanza. The community needs the international support and practice to continue to fund the conservation of its forests. Check our program to visit this area.
- If you want to make a donation to the project please contact directly to our friends in Neotropical Primate Conservation.
