Bosque de Pomac sits about 45 kilometres south-east of Chiclayo, protecting one of the largest remaining stands of algarrobo dry forest on the Pacific coast of South America. The terrain is flat to gently rolling, threaded with sandy tracks between ancient huaca mounds left by the Sicán civilisation — you are essentially birding through an archaeological landscape, which gives the whole experience a particular atmosphere.
The forest itself is open and thorny, with good visibility between the trees once you push away from the main path, and the light at dawn is excellent for picking out movement in the canopy.
Get here early. The park gate opens at dawn and the first two hours are comfortably the most productive, before the heat settles and bird activity drops sharply. The White-winged Guan is genuinely rare — fewer than a thousand individuals are thought to exist — and your best chance is along quieter trails in the denser algarrobo stands.
The Peruvian Plantcutter is easier, often sitting conspicuously on exposed perches, and the Necklaced Spinetail works low scrub reliably well. The Tumbes Tyrant requires a bit more patience but is a consistent find here.
Access is by combi or taxi from Chiclayo to Batán Grande, then onwards to the reserve entrance. Hiring a local guide through the park administration is straightforward and genuinely worthwhile — they know which trails are productive and which sections hold the guan. There is no accommodation inside the reserve; most birders stay in Chiclayo and make early starts.
Go between April and September when conditions are drier, trails are passable, and the forest birds are most active; bring strong sun protection, sturdy shoes, and plenty of water.