It was about time!

I wanted to get started with this for a looong time, but there were too many excuses in the way... Thesis, studies, going back home, thesis (I know I wrote thesis twice, but it is actually the one thing that drives me crazy, so... it's got a 'special' place in my heart! hahaha)

Anyway, I wanted to start a Life List sometime soon, and this morning, while reading Birdfreak.com I found out about Birdstack, downloaded a list and got started, then begun to record my observations on Birdstack also.

If you find them (to the right in this blog) please don't laugh (too hard) hahaha, it's just that I decided I would only list birds that I can remember by name and appearence and that I pictured or filmed myself in the past couple of years... On my list, I added a column to list the 'local' name, the name that natives to the region, with non bird related information call a particular bird, like the 'zarcillo' in Paracas Natural Reserve (Larosterna Inca), just looove those facts!

I know, I know, starting from zzzero... But hey, I never kept a list before, and instead of adding birds I have no clue of how they are called (just to make a larger list) I rather learn in the process...

I went outside the house and waited with my very simple-treasure-camera-sony-cybershot (I know many of you might be either laughing on the floor or shaking the head thinking 'poor thing', hahaha, don't worry, you are allowed to, hahaha) and guess what... (you already know) Not very good luck, too tall trees or too far birds for my dear camera (gift from Santa as my previous one was stolen in Buenos Aires, buuuu) and well, went back to the house with nothing, but not for long! I'll find a way soon...

So, what do you say? Any advice from REAL bird watchers/birders? Please feel free to share your wisdom with me, it will be VERY appreciated!

It's unbelievable!

Tambopata - Perú

It's been over a month since I first heard of this. It all began as a rumour of a project of law in Peru to reduce the size of the National Park Bahuaja Sonene, and it's heart Candamo, to let oil companies search for the black gold.

After some more reading I found out that it wasn't only a rumour, if they pass this law, the park will be reduced in 209,000 hectares! The Agriculture Ministry let former INRENA excecutive Luis Alfaro go because he wouldn't accept the proposal.



Madre de Dios is the peruvian region where Tambopata and Bahuaja Sonene are located, and as I found out, there are 615 listed birds in that area alone!
Ecotourists arrive to Madre de Dios every year to view the incredible spectacles of hundreds of parrots and macaws at clay licks. This is also one of the last strongholds of the world's largest otter (the Giant otter), jaguars, and other large wildlife.



I really recommend reading more about the subject on oil companies and conservation, like the info on Oil Crisis, and more specifically on these parks at sites like Amazon Watch or Park's Watch 2002 report to have an idea of what is this all about.

I tried to learn more about it and to find info on the other side of the coin, but it wasn't easy. I only found a few articles on the news mentioning president Alan Garcia's plans to overcome poverty on BBC News.

Please take your time to get informed and leave your mark in the world, personally I don't believe money (for just a few pockets) instead of life is a fair trade. I am not an expert, but I do care.

There are two sites that are currently collecting signatures to stop this project to become a law: Salvemos Candamo (with a section for foreign voters with more information on the laws, links to news, maps, etc) and on Care2 Petition Site.