Batan Grande (Bosque de Pomac) (Sep 22)

Early this morning we flew from Lima to Chiclayo (on the northern coast of Peru). From there, we headed to the Sanctuary of Bosque de Pomac, near Batan Grande in the coastal plain West of the Andes. This was a fairly low elevation semi-arid forest habitat harboring some great birds and mammals.


I only saw one squirrel on this whole trip. This is most likely a Guayaquil Squirrel (Sciurus stramineus).

The biggest terrestrial mammal we found on the trip was this fox, likely either a Culpeo Fox (Pseudalopex culpaeus) or a Sechura Fox (Pseudalopex sechura).

The fox was quite tame. When it spotted us, it came toward us fairly close to check us out before heading off into the woods again.

Pale-legged Hornero nest. These nests look like traditional adobe ovens, hence the name of the bird (Hornero) is from the Spanish word for oven, horno.

Looking for swifts and swallows in the foothills above the sanctuary. (Left to right: Harry, Derb, Blan, David, Dan)


Quebrada el Limón (Sep 22-23)

We departed Batan Grande early afternoon to drive to Quebrada el Limón, home of the White-winged Guan, one of our primary target birds for this location. White-winged Guans are another of Peru's most endemic and endangered species, with the 1997 population estimated to be ca. 100 individuals. This semi-arid region also had a fair share of butterflies. Check out some of them on my butterfly pages.

En route, we stopped at the town of Olmos to re-stock some supplies. Derb, Blan and I took this opportunity to seek out the famed "Pisco", Peru's home brew and key ingredient for "Pisco Sours"! We had to stop and ask "Hay Pisco aqui? Se vende Pisco?" in about a dozen different little shops before finding our quarry!

The hunters proudly showing off their kill.

After a LONG, and DUSTY drive, we reached our campsite near Quebrada el Limón. The next morning a local guide met us and we hiked to the guan territory. There's guans in them thar hills!

Success! We're watching a family of White-winged Guans! Unfortunately, we were too far away for me to get a photo of the guans, but here's a photo of us watching the guans. From left to right: Lina Rico (our local guan guide), Derb, Blan, David, Harry, Dan, Goyo

Now that Derb's seen one of the best birds in the world, his focus turned to goat herding . . .

Pale-legged Horneros were common here, and this one walked around on the ground near our group for quite a while!

Cool lizard in the family Tropiduridae, possibly in the genus Liolaemus (thanks Mel!).


Continue Tour: Limón de Porculla to Jaen (Sep 23-24)

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Created on ... October 26, 2003 | jeffpippen9@gmail.com