To visit the area of the newly described Scarlet-banded Barbet in 2000 it is necessary to coordinate first with INRENA. One flies from Pucallpa to Pampa Hermosa. Sometimes with a stopover at Contamana, why birding in and in the vicinity of Contamana is also possible.
Cushabatay
From Pampa Hermosa it may take as much as 2 days to reach the beach from which the trekking will start. To reach the top at ca 1500m, which has ridge-top vegetation that is very stunted, it shall also take 2 days on a very steep trail. You will have to be very fit to do this trip.
This is the home range of the Scarlet-banded Barbet, sensationally discovered here in 1996. Also here are an undescribed Tapaculo and an undescribed form of Striped Manakin (the same one as on Morro Calzada near Rioja), as well as Dotted Tanager, Sharpbill and Gray-tailed Piha. On the terra firme at the beginning of the trail Valqui mentions White Hawk, Slaty-backed Forest-Falcon, Gray-winged Trumpeter, Rufous-vented Ground-Cuckoo and Undulated Antshrike.
The river has many good river islands that can be explored.
Contamana
Contamana has a very good Macaw-lick near town, that may become a tourist attraction in this region. Also there is access to the Contamana ridge beyond town which may well hold the recently described Acre Antshrike. There is a gas company doing prospect in the area so there are some good trails that give reasonable access. This whole area holds the regionally endemic Red Urakari Monkey. | 