Arequipa - Juliaca 16.12.07

Aplomado Falcon at 3400 m

Baird's Sandpiper at 4500 m.
Vicuña at 4100 m.

Lower parts of the Chiguata basin 11.12.07

Burrowing Owl from the drier parts just after entering the Chiguata basin.



Andean Tit-Spinetail in the drier parts of the basin. I have only seen this species below 2900 m. Andean Tit-Spintail can be confused with Streaked Tit-Spinetail. Note the streaks at the breast.


Dark-winged Canastero sitting at the nest.



Canyon Canastero habitat before entering the Chiguata basin. I saw the Canyon Canastero here 11.12.07. I have also seen it at higher altitude. some years ago.





Canyon Canastero from the Arequipa - Juliaca road (above Yura) 16.12.07. Note the reddish tail, wings and back.

Chiguata 11.12.07

Hooded Siskin, male
Thick-billed Siskin, note the bill and less yellowish colour.
White-browed Chat-Tyrant
Band-tailed Seedeater, male

Mourning Sierra-Finch, male

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Just before the Pipeline trail there is another small gorge to the left; this is also a good place to see birds. Here are some birds from this locality.

Pipeline trail, Chiguata 11.12.07

The Black Metaltails seems to prefer gorges where they can stay in the shadows.

Human activity in the Pipeline trail

The Pipeline trail lies in the Chiguata basin. You can see the pipeline cross the fork at the left-hand side of the road. This was earlier a peaceful place with birds like White-throated Earthcreeper and Rusty-bellied Brush-Finch. The human activity in this gorge has probably scared them both. However I saw several Black Metaltails displaying in the entrance to the gorge.

Cinereous Conebill

Cinereous Conebill, at 3840 m, Moho 22.11.07

Well, you just have to publish pictures like this (Moho 22.11.07).

Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs

Above: Greater Yellowlegs, Vilquechico area 19.11.07, below: Lesser Yellowlegs, Juliaca 02.12.07.