Marcapomacocha
Friday, June 15th:
We left our hotel in La Oroya at around 5:45am and headed toward Lima on the Central Highway. We drove over the Ticlio Pass (aka Abra Anticona), which is 4018 meters (15,807 feet) high. Then we took the unpaved road toward Marcapomacocha.
At our first stop we quickly found the rare White-bellied Cinclodes, which has a population of perhaps 300 individuals. We also found Junin Canastero. Breakfast was being prepared while we did this.
Farther up the road we started searching for some other high-elevation birds. I spotted a fluffy young Diademed Sandpiper-Plover. We soon found both of its parents. While we were studying the sandpiper-plover, an Olivaceous Thornbill flew by and started feeding in some flowers on the ground. This afforded everyone a good look.
We got back in the bus, and headed higher in search of seedsnipe. A flock of about 15 Rufous-bellied Seedsnipe flew over the bus. We stopped to search for them, and Cal spotted two Gray-breasted Seedsnipe down the slope. We later caught up with the flock of Red-breasted Seedsnipe. Before we left, we also found an Ochre-naped Ground-Tyrant. We had expect to have to go to the pass for some of these birds, but since we had them all, we turned around and headed for Lima.
Eventually, we stopped for lunch along the Central Highway. Unfortunately, the area didn't have many birds. Later on, as we neared the Lima area, a Harris's Hawk flew overheda.
We hit familiar territory at the Santa Eulalia turnoff. The traffic in Lima wasn't too bad, and we arrived at the Ramada before dark.
My species total for today was 39. My trip list increased by 8, including 5 lifers. My current trip total is 263 species, including 85 life birds.
Ramada Costa del Sol Hotel, Lima