Bosque Unchog is a must-visit site not far from Huanuco and the Central Highway and offers easy access to elfin forest where star-birds like Golden-backed Mountain-tanager, Rufous-browed Hemispingus, Bay-vented Cotinga, Pardusco and Coppery Metailtail can be seen. Other birds at this site includes Andean Snipe, Line-fronted Canastero, Undulated Antpitta, Golden-collared Tanager, White-chinned Thistletail of the plengei-race (a possible spilt), Swallow-tailed Nightjar, Brown-flanked Tanager (dry side) and a selection of high altitude species.
To get here drive east from Huanuco along the Central Highway. Turn left and cross a bridge near a toll booth and ask for directions to Cochabamba 24 kms up in the mountains. Here you have to ask for permission a pay a entrance fee (20$ per person). The road ends 8 kms further up and you can camp here. Continue walking the track over the grassy bog and bird the patches of forest. After a few hundred metres you will see a cross and the trail descends through forest. This is the best area for the Golden-backed Mountain-tanager and the Cotinga. Note that this is at high altitude (3400-3600 m) and it gets cold during the night. The road up here can be rough and a sturdy car is useful.
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