Chiguata

Chiguata is my homepatch one again (last time back in 1995/96), there is nothing more relaxing than a walk in this area. The people are gentle and the scenery extraordinary. There are also a lot of interesting birds in the area, just around Chiguata itself there are 70+ species to be seen, but if you add the polilepis wood and "Salinas" we talk about 140+ species.

Harvestime

White-throated Earthcreeper is one of the specialities in the area.
The church in Chiguata.

A colourful Black-hooded Sierra-Finch is hiding between the branches.

Moho area 02-03.04.2009

Andean Lapwing

Puna Teal
Yellow-billed Pintail
Peruvian Sierra-Finch

Pectoral Sandpiper

Chiguata 14.03.09

This and the next post shoves 10 of the 34 species observed during an early morning walk (06-08 AM) in the grassland and scrub above Chiguata.

Black-hooded Sierra-Finch, male
Mountain Parakeet

Dark-winged Canastero

Chiguanco Thrush

Cream-winged Cinclodes

Chiguata 14.03.09

Band-tailed Seedeater, male
Mourning Sierra-Finch, male

White-throated Earthcreeper

Thick-billed Siskin

Yellow-billed Tit-Tyrant

Colca valley, the pass 27.12.08

Vicuña

White-throated Sierra-Finch

White-throated Sierra-Finch

Plumbeous Sierra-Finch

We also saw some other good bird at this site, among others Diademed Sandpiper-Plover (three very shy birds) and White-winged Diuca-Finch.

Colca valley 26-27.12.08

Ash-breasted Sierra-Finch, it is a common but also a nice bird when it perches like this.

Mourning Sierra-Finch, this is one of the most common birds in the valley.

Yellow-billed Tit-Tyrant

A Chiguanco Thrush is finding something to eat.

Andean Condor, we did not get it any closer.

Birds from Moho, Lake Titicaca

During a trip to Moho 1-4.09.08 I observed among others more than 100 Titicaca Grebes. It seems to be easy to count these birds at this time of the year. I have earlier posted photos of Titicaca Grebe, and here I post pictures of some other birds seen in Moho. All of them are quite common species. Above: Chiguanco Thrush.
Peruvian Sierra-Finch

Plain-colored Seedeater
Spot-winged Pigeon

Black-crowned Night-Heron

Parque ecologico, Alto Selva Alegre, Arequipa 06.03.08

Cactus Canastero (immature). More to be publiched, but not on the blog.


Greenish Yellow-Finch, singing male.


Ash-breasted Sierra-Finch, male

I visited this spot togheter with, among others, Mauricio Ugarte-Lewis today. This is a protected (but threatened) area with cactus just outside Arequipa. Several good birds as the photos indicates. I saw both Mourning Sierra-Finch, Greenish Yellow-Finch and the Cactus Canastero feed on the fruits of the cactus.

Trip to Capachica, Lake Titicaca 20.01.08

Puna Yellow-Finch, along the road to Capachica
Bright-rumpet Yellow-Finches having a bath in the lake.
Andean Hillstar
Plain-breasted Earth-
creeper




Ash-breasted Sierra-Finch

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

__________

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.

Moho: Some common birds

Here I present some common birds from Moho. All photos taken between 19-23 of November. The birds: Black-throated Flowerpiercer, Andean Ibis, Chilean Flamingo & Peruvian Sierra-Finch.