Hummingbirds, traditions and luxury hotels

I was looking for information about hummingirds in different regions of the country when a friend told me that in a small region in Cusco there were 18 varieties at least.

I guess my face was like one of those cartoon characters with the eyes popping out, because he started laughing... He said he saw only 13 and all within the land of the hotel he has staying at!

He used the services of Inkaterra, a local company that manages luxury hotels and unique experiences.

As I will never be able to afford staying there, I decided to 'travel' around the web and find out more about it. I checked the online brochures, with info of every hotel and I must say they look BEAUTIFUL!! Maybe when I win the lottery I'll invite my friends from all over ;)

I found a small picture gallery that I thought would be nice to share with you so you could learn more about my country, the only problem is that the pictures don't have captions, so, you won't know exactly where or what it is or represents :(

I love the fact that they have a Wish List, but not just any... At every location of their hotels they do some kind of service for the community: Educational materials, conservation projects, seeds for native communities, conservation of traditions, even teaching English to locals!!
Those of you who know me better will know without a doubt that it is my favourite part of that website ;)

They also promote visits to local families, to learn about their traditions and culture and share experiences beyond the regular parametres.


In the Machu Picchu location, the birdwatching activities they promote are within the hotel area!... "Along the hotel's pathways, be on the lookout for the cock-of-the-rock, the golden-headed quetzal and many of the 18 different hummingbirds identified on the grounds, including the booted racket-tail and the green-and-white hummingbirds, which are native to the area."

YESSSS!!! Found the 18 hummingbirds part!!! So, it was true!!

Turns out that they also have the world's record of the largest number of orchids in natural state!! They have registered 372, and discovered 6 new species in their grounds.


The Amazon location has pretty cool excursions, one of them marked as a 1/4 day excursion reminded me of dear Sherry at Q's Corner and her love for butterflies: the Butterfly House!!

The twilight river one made me dream and of course the full day birding experience NOT for begginers like me :(


Anyway, what started as a quest for information on hummingbirds ended up with a lot of dream travels for me!

I hope you enjoyed the cyber-trip as much as I did, hopefully I'll be able to travel there soon, to dream places in my country, so close and so far away at the same time...

Please note: All pictures taken from Inkaterra's website.

Sunday afternoon

This is not far from home, about a 20 minute walk.

When I was a kid I loved to come here and see the ducks and geese. Most of the houses you see around were not there, so walking around the area was pretty cool.


I remember a bunch of all white geese and later on a flock of all brown ducks.

Yesterday, when we first got there, these were the only guys around. I like the different poses of the ducks.


Then I realized about that little 'patch' of bright colour feathers that these ones had on the sides/wings...


... purple...


... or blue!

Then, this guy saw me and decided it was a perfect moment to pose and wait for the-fat-girl-with-the-cam to finally!! take a picture...


... while this other one tried to keep a low profile and made me hide behind a bush to be able to get a close enough shot!


After a while, we saw this fellow... What happened to you???


By the time we had to leave, other odd looking duck-geese??? were arriving to the shore.


This is not what I remember from my childhood! Seems like someone's dad has been with the wrong mom! You know I have very little knowledge about this, so, if someone could explain or tell what these are, I would be very grateful :)


Lucky for us we had to leave, as these two didn't like to have their pics taken... 'What are YOU looking at?!!'

Taking a walk

Many of my blog friends find the idea of me, discovering the joy of observing nature, as a strange thing. Most of them either grew up with nature or are surrounded by it in one way or the other.

I am a city girl, grew up in the capital of the country. Smog, pollution, rubbish, noise, that's what you get instead of birdsongs and amazing landscapes. I always loved to travel. Peru is an amazing place to travel within, coast, mountain, rainforest, so many possibilities. I've been to some pretty cool places, but never really paid attention to my surroundings as I do now, and I'm sorry for that. I've been to places where most birders could dream of going, Arequipa (to find andean condors in their habitat), Cusco, Junín, Tumbes, Lambayeque, Ica, etc, etc, etc. and never noticed the FULL package, the beauty of it all.

Today, as I'm working on my thesis and have no job, I can only walk around some parks nearby and try to absorve like a sponge everything I see, hear, smell, touch.


I've been a little sad thinking about the 'wasted opportunities'. Even though I get to find (along with my love and sidekick Tommy) some nice looking fellows and observe pretty cool and sometimes funny behaviors, it feels like I've lost precious time and locations.


I'm thinking about going through old pictures (those that were taken with FILM instead of memory cards!!!) and try to find some hidden treasures, even if they are in the background. Maybe I could find one or two to scan and post here for you.

Anyway, I have to go back to thesis writing and later in the day, dive in old pictures ;)

I'm trying to become a member!

I've been attending meetings as a guest for over a month, and I finally begun the process to become a member.

But, what is this?

BFS (Brigada de Fauna Silvestre) would translate very much like 'Wildlife Brigade' and it is a group of young people, students and professionals, volunteering their time, hands, brains and talents to both learn and teach the community about the importance of conservation and issues related to our native natural wonders. The group has people with different backgrounds and studies and that makes the meetings extraordinary, diversity is the perfect word to define it. Its first anniversary will be on February 13th.

The main objective is EDUCATION, to learn and grow as a person and a professional, and to teach others later on... And I can't wait to get started!

In the following days I'll be going out with them to watch them in action, mostly with kids and teens, and start learning the million things I need and want to know. We'll be going to museums and parks with our big smiles and teaching material. I'm sooo excited!!!

I have to pass a series of tests: knowledge, public speaking, interaction with kids and teens, etc, and the final one: I have to create educational materials for kids (ages still unknown) based on peruvian flora/fauna! I'm shaaaking! hahaha, but also happy, it is a fun challenge and it will not only get me into the group, but my contribution will help spread their amazing work!

And that is not all, even if I don't become a member, I am already involved in a project with native communities in our Amazon jungle (will tell you more about it in the future, because it is BIG)

Anyway, I just wanted to let you know about this group and how happy I am to be able to join them!

I went to the park today...

I had a meeting this morning, about an hour from home.

After the meeting I decided to walk around and visit 'El Olivar' (The Olive Grove), a small park in the district of San Isidro.

I've been there hundreds of times in the past, but never noticed all the things I saw today, in the past I was busy walking across it to go to class and never stopped.

Today I took my mini camera and my new 'bird watching eyes' with me and saw many beautiful creatures, too bad my camera doesn't have a good zoom and I have not enough practice yet, but even though I couldn't picture the prettier ones I'm happy!


One thing that made me smile a lot was that on the main path that goes to the middle of the park where a small pond is, I found a few information boards with descriptions of the birds that often visit the park! It's so great! Not many people looked at them but I was stopping by each one of them, trying to memorise names, colours and shapes... First time I found something like that in a public park in Lima!


Once by the pond... Care for a bath?


And an unexpected 'visitor'...


On the way back found a new kind of bin that it's suppoused to be for dog owners use... A girl, that couldn't be more than 5 years old was horrified trying to ask her mom about it... 'Look mom! Is it to throw away puppies???' (with a face that could break any heart), the mom started laughing while the poor girl cried...


And well, I couldn't really get too close but I tried...

And at the end I found this guy sitting on a power line, when I downloaded the pic it looked, it looked a little bit like a flag to me...

'Welcome to birdsnation'

Peru: World's Catalogue

Hi everyone!

I was searching for videos about peruvian fauna and I found this one, it isn't exactly what I was looking for, but I thought it could be interesting to watch for those of you who haven't been to Peru 'yet'...

The video loads slowly, but if you are curious about what Peru is all about, you should take your time and see it! (I've been to few of the places shown here and want to visit more, hopefully soon!!!)

Enjoy!

Manu

Manu has been called many names: the last refuge, the last jungle without men, the living edens, the paradise, etc.

I want to go there. In fact, I'm thinking about it very hard... I WANT TO GO THERE.

Since I was a kid, I heard about the amazing stories in our Amazon Jungle, saw breathtaking pictures, documentaries, read books, magazines, and lately, websites and blogs that keep up my curiosity and intensify the desire.

You may have heard of it, it is the best kept tropical forest in Peru, of almost 2 million hectares (half the surface of Switzerland!) protected since 1973 from the greed of civilization. Now, it is considered one of the best preserved territories on the planet! It shelters more than 1300 species of butterflies, 1000 types of different birds, 2000 species of vascular plants, 13 of primates and more than 100 bats (although that last fact/figure is not my favorite!).
There is not an acurate report about the insects population, but if you consider that in just one tree of these forests, more species of ants than the total found in all the British islands were registered, well... it makes you wonder!


In these large populations of flora and fauna we can also find endangered species or under threat of extinction like the black caiman, the giant otter, the happy eagle and some species of macaws.

According to specialists, it is the most diverse on Earth! And that's why UNESCO declared it as Natural Patrimony of Humanity.

Entrance is restricted to a small number of visitors a day, in order to preserve the habitats of all species. Some native communities living in the Reserve keep their traditions alive and share their knowledge with the respectful visitors. Just a few companies are allowed to operate within the area developing ecotourism projects with a strong conservation component.

The perfect place to be...

... And I want to be there!!!

Found this video while looking for info for my thesis, although it's made by the brazilian side of the Amazon Rainforest, it applies perfectly to the Peruvian side too. I think it is worth viewing, so we won't forget.

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.

What do potatoes have in common with birds?


Actually, in this post, absolutely NOTHING.

It's just that I came across a peruvian project that is currently a finalist in the World Challenge 2007.

Details on the project read:

"The farmers of Peru's high Andes are among the poorest in the country, with average incomes of under US $1 per day. Yet these farmers are sitting on something of a goldmine, for the region is home to some 3000 varieties of potato. These native strains bear little resemblance to the familiar staple of Western diets – many are brightly coloured (inside and out) and strangely shaped, as well as vitamin-packed and organically grown. T'ikapapa was set up to bridge the gap between the Andean farmers and the potato market, allowing them to see the benefit of their premium goods. The project's ‘participatory market chain approach' is now being applied to potato chips and other value-added products."

I truly believe this is worth voting for, to do it just visit World Challenge 2007

Maybe it is because I miss home...


Less than a couple of months ago, Promperu, the Government Office that should promote all the wonders of my homeland, changed the old microsite dedicated to birding they used to have on their website for a brand new one, that can be accessed from Peru Birding Routes and has details on birding routes (printed screen here shows the map of the country divided in North, Center and South), they also have a multimedia section with pictures, audios and videos and a section they call utilities, with their publications, bird listings, links, forum, postcards, etc.

Last September 2007, Peru organized its very first International Birdwatching Fair (International Nature Bird Fair), trying to promote its wonders, in an effort to place the country among the favorite destinations, specially for extreme birders, as many services to make the regions "visitor's friendly" are not yet adecuate.

Anyway, it's great to know that finally someone saw the potential of the region, let's just hope that it grows without damaging the enviroment and involving the native communities in the development of projects and education for conservation.

Back after a while...

First of all, I must apologize for neglecting this blog, I've been quite busy studying and also got robbed! Yes, I lost my camera :-( on my way to the university a few weeks ago.

Anyway, as I can't post pictures I've taken or recordings I've made now (like if I was posting much! hahaha) and I really don't want to use someone else's pictures to ask the world for information on guys I haven't seen, I'll try to post more about things I found online, like cool (for me to learn) info, interesting websites or blogs, all related to this, and of course asking for help of the cool birders I've met so far! (and new ones, of course!)

I hope you don't mind, it will still be some sort of notebook for me, easier to continue learning until I get close to an open area, garden, park, mountain, river, etc with eyes wide open and a big smile (...and a new camera, which sadly won't be fast - she says with a broken heart - due to being a foreign student with no money to spend besides the uni, but I'll make it!)...

Maybe it will be when I'm back home next January, back to Peru (miss home soooo much!!!), a perfect place to actually begin (and continue!!!) with this in the way I want to.

Zarcillos in Ballestas

After sad news on Paracas, I decided to keep posting about what I found there months ago, hopefully these guys are still around...

This bird is called "zarcillo" (zarcillo means earing, locals say that they named it like that because of the line on the side of the head, which simulates an earing), the scientific name is Larosterna Inca. I haven't found much information on this one, so, it would be great if someone could help me complete this information (come on Shaun! give me a hand! hahaha)
They are brownish or grey when they are young and have red beaks and feet, along with a yellow carnosity under the beak. They live along the coasts of Peru and northern Chile.
It's a beautiful bird to watch, specially in the caves of the Ballestas Islands.

Such sad news.
August 15, 2007. Earthquake. Pisco, Paracas, Chincha, Ica, Lima. Not only human lives and cities lost, also natural beauties and fauna from the region.
"La Catedral" (shown here), "El Fraile" and the birdwatching point in Paracas were destroyed, first the shake, then the ocean.
I've been there a few times in the past, too bad there's not much left for the future generations and visitors to see. I haven't heard about Ballestas Islands yet. Let's hope for the best, and in nature's wisdom.

Humboldt Penguin

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Sphenisciformes
Family: Spheniscidae
Genus: Spheniscus
Species: S. humboldti

Humboldt Penguins are medium-sized penguins, they grow up to 65-70 cm (26-28 in) long and weight around 4.7 kg (10.4 lbs). Their black head have a white border running from behind the eye, around the black ear-coverts and chin and join on the throat. They have blackish-grey upperparts and whitish underparts, with black breast-band extending down the flanks to the thigh. They have a fleshy-pink base to the bill. Juveniles have dark heads and no breast-band.

This penguin nests on islands and rocky coasts, burrowing holes in guano and sometimes using scrapes or caves.

The current status of this penguin is vulnerable, due to a declining population caused in part by over-fishing. Historically it was the victim of guano over-exploitation. Penguins are also declining in numbers due to habitat destruction. The current population is estimated at between 3,300 and 12,000. (References from Wikipedia)


I took these pictures in Paracas, around the Ballestas Islands, before they got into the Pacific ocean and start swimming with the sea lions.
These penguins were on their way to the ocean, walking slowly on the rocky ground until they finally made it!

Yesss!!! This is one of the first things I learnt!

In January 2007 I visited the Paracas Natural Reserve (Ica-Peru)

I didn't know I would get interested in birdwatching a few months later, but even then I took a few pictures to keep the memory. Today, I was sorting out my pics and found them!

Following the advice I received so far (thank you 'bo' the Fat Birder!) I looked for one of the birds online, it wasn't easy to find (remember I am a beginner!) but when I got it I was sooo excited!!! I found this guy by the Pacific Ocean in Paracas beach fishing for lunch!

Some of what I found on Wikipedia (making reference to BirdLife International (2004). Egretta thula. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. Retrieved on 12 May 2006. Database entry includes justification for why this species is of least concern. Stiles and Skutch, A guide to the birds of Costa Rica ISBN 0-8014-9600-4. National Geographic, Field Guide to the Birds of North America ISBN 0-7922-6877-6):

The Snowy Egret (Egretta thula) is a small white heron. It is the American counterpart to the very similar Old World Little Egret, which has established a foothold in the Bahamas.
Adults are typically 61 cm long and weigh 375 g. They have a slim black bill and long black legs with yellow feet. The area of the upper bill, in front of the eyes, is yellow but turns red during the breeding season, when the adults also gain recurved plumes on the back, making for a "shaggy" effect. The juvenile looks similar to the adult, but the base of the bill is paler, and a green or yellow line runs down the back of the legs.

Their breeding habitat is large inland and coastal wetlands from the lower Great Lakes and southwestern United States to South America. They nest in colonies, often with other waders, usually on platforms of sticks in trees or shrubs. Their flat, shallow nests are made of sticks and lined with fine twigs and rushes. Three to four greenish-blue, oval eggs are incubated by both adults. The young leave the nest in 20 to 25 days and hop about on branches near the nest before finally departing.

In warmer locations, some Snowy Egret are permanent residents; northern populations migrate to Central America and the West Indies. They may wander north after the breeding season, very rarely venturing to western Europe—the first bird sighted in Britain wintered in Scotland from 2001–2002.

The birds eat fish, crustaceans, and insects. They stalk prey in shallow water, often running or shuffling their feet, flushing prey into view, as well "dip-fishing" by flying with their feet just over the water. Snowy Egrets may also stand still and wait to ambush prey, or hunt for insects stirred up by domestic animals in open fields.

At one time, the beautiful plumes of the Snowy Egret were in great demand by market hunters as decorations for women's hats. This reduced the population of the species to dangerously low levels.
Now it is protected by law, under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, this bird's population has rebounded.

National bird of Peru!!!

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Cotingidae
Genus: Rupicola
Species: R. Peruviana

This is the national bird of Peru, called the Cock-of-the-rock, and it is a South American cotingid bird.
It can be found in tropical and subtropical rain forests close to rocky areas, where they build their nests. Just like other cotingids it has complex court behaviour, performing impressive lek displays.
The males are magnificent, not only because of their bright-orange or reddish colours, but because of the very prominent fan shaped crests they have, they are polygamous. They are wary animals and feed, basically, on fruits and nuts.
There are two different species of Cock-of-the-rocks, the Andean Cock-of-the-rock (Rupicola peruviana, shown in this picture) and the Guianan Cock-of-the-rock (Rupicola rupicola), both species found only in the northern part of South America.
The Andean Cock-of-the-rock, Rupicola peruviana is a medium-sized, approx. 32cm (12½ in) long, passerine with a large disk-like crest and scarlet or brilliant orange plumage. It has black tail and wings. The female is significantly darker and browner than the male and has a shorter crest.

References
Some facts retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cock-of-the-rock". BirdLife International (2004). Rupicola peruvianus. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. Retrieved on 29 October 2006.

I started my research today, and found this on YouTube - I start with my homeland: PERU! (I miss home!!!)