Kolibri Expeditions Staff

Although edited briefly in 2010, this page is somewhat out of date and need some revision. However, there is an updated presentation of Kolibri Expeditions's team on Gunnar's blog.

About Kolibri Expeditions

Since 2006 Kolibri Expeditions has fine-tuned a very solid team to carry out the tasks of the two different programs - Kolibri Expeditions and Marvelous Spatuletail Tours (MST). There is much interaction between the two set-ups. MST needs meticulous planning with all aspects that are not birds i.e. hotels, food, vehicles, safety, nothing is left to chance. During improvised parts on the Kolibri trips we learn how to deal with unexpected situations. When it comes to birds our leaders easily switch between the endemic little brown jobs that interest the hard core birder to general natural history which is of interest to slower pace birders. You will have the best of both worlds.

Kolibri Expeditions take pride in training Peruvians to become bird-guides. Some people we have trained have started their own birdwatching businesses. Choosing Kolibri Expeditions creates work for Peruvians.

Gunnar Engblom.

General Manager. Guide. Biologist from University of Stockholm, Sweden. Has birded in Peru since 1990, when he come here as a student of Jon Fjeldså. Apart from a number of expeditions into the hinterlands of Peru looking for rare species and finding undescribed new forms, he is also down-to-earth, giving birdwatching courses for the general public in Lima, trying to create a local interest for birders. He has worked as a professional tour guide since 1987 and has un-equaled experience in catering both for hard-core birdwatchers, as well as for the more comfort demanding easy-pace birders.

Gunnar is also well read on culture in general, arts, history and archeology and has broad general natural history knowledge.

Gunnar is a very active conservationist. During 2001 he has started three internet discussion groups: INCASPIZA which is a network for the conservation of threatened birds in Peru in Spanish; EXPEDITION BIRDING which discusses the concept of world birders focused on rare species and endemics rather than long lists which ultimately will provide local NGO:s and local communities incentives to protect the habitat of the threatened species for sustainable development through eco/avi tourism; and finally also BIRDINGPERU egroup for the discussion of Peruvian birds to stimulate the interest of birding in Peru and contribute to the general knowledge of the birdlife of this country.

In January-February 2002 and April-May 2003 Gunnar was travelling in the U.S. giving lectures on conservation of threatened birds in Peru.

Alex Durand

Posibly the most talented birder in Peru. In spite of only having birded a few years. He does not cease to impress even the most experiences Neotropical guide. Alex is finishing his 3 year academic studies to become an official guide in 2010 and spend the rest of the time guiding exclusively for Kolibri Expeditions all over Peru.

Antonio Coral

Now lives in Toronto, but shall be guiding exclusively for Kolibri Expeditions in 2010 between late June and November. He is a very talented birder native of Puerto Maldonado. A short story about Antonio recently appeared in Gunnar's blog. Oh my God! There is a Puma in the boat!.

Alejandro Tello Guevara.

Coordinator and guide. A very skilled Peruvian nature photographer and conservationist. He has immense experience in travelling all over Peru and coordinated the trips to the Scarlet-banded Barbet in 2001. Alejandro is an active conservationist and is currently managing a wetland restoration project at Pantanos de Puerto Viejo and Paraiso lagoon and has been involved in surveys and conservation of Pantanos de Villa and Lake Junin. Guides in Lima and Central Peru but is starting to venture to other areas of Peru

Juan Jose Chalco.

Guide. A mature Arequipenian, he has been working with us since early 2003, and knows the areas around Lima, the north and the central parts of Peru. He has experience with Naturetrek, and works on the pelagic expeditions.

Jorge Quevedo.

Administrator. Being our office slave, does not mean that Jorge is ignorant about birds. He has concluded the recent five day birdwatching course in Pantanos de Villa, and been driver and cook on our successful Montañita trip in 2001. Jorge speaks good English.

Julio Benites.

Driver and profesional mechanic. He has been working with Kolibri since 2002 and he has already done all our tours in Peru as well as the last Patagonia tour in December 2003 (Chile, Argentina.) Julio is making sure that all our vehicles are well maintained and specially prepared for the tough conditions in the Peruvian Andes. He is also an excellent provider of picnic breakfasts and lunches.

Renzo Hidalgo.

Chummer on our pelagics and cook on some of our more remote expeditions

Ashley Banwell.

UK. A world birder with considerable experience in Peru and South America. Ash travelled with Kolibri Expeditions in 1998 for 5 weeks and came back to do another month in Apurimac and Cushabatay (the Scarlet-banded Barbet trip) in 2001. During 2002 2003 he has guided several areas in Peru including Tambopata, Manu road, Machu Picchu, Abra Malaga and North Peru. Ashley will also be involved in training some of our Peruvian local guides both in English and identification skills.

Roger Ahlman.

Sweden. Roger has been guiding for Kolibri Expeditions during 2005. Now Roger has settled down in Mindo, Ecuador (which he for some reason likes better than Lima!?). Nevertheless, Roger will keep guiding trips for Kolibri Expeditions on request.