PUCUSANA / CAÑETE / VILLA
FULL DAY TOURTOUR SUMMARY
With the opportunity to spot a few endemics and several restricted-range species in a range of habitats in just one day, this tour packs a punch and should be added to every birder’s itinerary as they travel through Lima. From the shores of Pucusana where you’ll have great chances to see the Humboldt penguins swimming the rocky shoreline, to the sweeping Cañete Valley where a slender-billed finch is likely to perch nearby, to the Villa wetlands where the many-colored rush tyrants love to forage in the reeds, this is a quick-and-easy opportunity to escape the the city and boost your checklist on your trip to Peru.
About Pucusana
Pucusana is a small fishing village south of Lima, which is also a very popular vacation destination for Peruvians during summer. As one would expect, there are plenty of seabirds in the area. Some species we can expect to find include: Humboldt Penguin, Peruvian Pelicans, Peruvian Boobies, Guanay, Neotropic and Red-legged Cormorant, Blackish Oystercatcher, Surfbird, Surf Cinclodes, Band-tailed and Kelp Gull and the magnificent Inca Tern.
About Cañete Valley
The Cañete Valley is one of the many agricultural areas along the Peruvian coast. It offers a good
opportunity to look for another set of species that like more barren, dry scrubland and riparian habitats. Some of the species that occur at this type of habitat are Amazilia Hummingbird, Peruvian Sheartail, Oasis Hummingbird, Purple-collared Woodstar, Short-tailed Field-Tyrant, Yellow-billed Tit-Tyrant, Southern Beardless Tyrannulet, Vermilion Flycatcher, Long-tailed Mockingbird, Slender-billed Finch, Blue-and-White Swallows, Chestnut-throated, Drab, and Parrot-billed Seedeaters.
About Pantanos de Villa
The Villa wetlands (Pantanos de Villa) are a small marshland near Lima where one
can expect to find a good sample of all the species occurring in coastal marshlands in Peru. More than 130 bird species have been recorded here. In 1997 Villa was declared part of the RAMSAR sites and it is under protection by the National Service of Protected Areas under the category of Wildlife Refuge. It is a popular and definite must-see destination for birders on their visit to Peru.
The area encompasses a mix of habitats that include marshes, reeds, ponds, sand, and sea shore, offering a great opportunity to see different species such as Peruvian Thicknees and Burrowing Owls around the sandy areas; Wren-like Rushbirds and Many-colored Marsh-Tyrant – one of the most colorful members of the tyrant family in the reeds; different species of aquatic birds including ducks such as White-cheeked Pintail, Andean Duck, Cinnamon Teal, and others. Also Gray, Belcher’s (Band-tailed) and Kelp Gulls are among others that can be observed by the beach. Depending of the time of the year some Boreal migrants can be found here.
Duration: 8- 10 hours (depends on traffic getting out of/into Lima)
# Recorded Bird Species: 144
Habitats visited: wetlands, scrubland, agricultural, coast, pelagic
6:00 am – Hotel pickup, drive to Pucusana (1.5 hours drive)
1st Stop – Pucusana. Once we arrive, we will begin birding around the various areas, and our first focus will be looking for the elusive Humboldt Penguins and if we’re lucky some mammals like South American Sea Lions, Marine Otters and Short-beaked Common Dolphins.
2nd Stop – Puerto Viejo marshes. Here we'll check for some waterfowl including Peruvian Thicknee and other species.
LUNCH – Picnic lunch on arrival in Cañete
3rd Stop – Cañete Valley. Here we will look for the Slender-billed Finch, a species restricted to riparian habitats fro central Peru to northern Chile. While looking we will also paying attention to others birds such as Amazilia and Oasis Hummingbirds, Peruvian Sheartails, Short-tailed Field-Tyrant, Long-tailed Mockingbird, Southern Beardless Tyrannulet and Blue-and-white Swallows.
4th Stop – Pantanos de Villa. This stop provides one more opportunity to look for some species we might still need, such as: Peruvian Thicknees and Burrowing Owls around the sandy areas; Wren-like Rushbirds and Many-colored Marsh-Tyrant – one of the most colorful members of the tyrant family in the reeds; different species of aquatic birds including ducks such as White-cheeked Pintail, Andean Duck, Cinnamon Teal, and others. Also Gray, Belcher’s (Band-tailed) and Kelp Gulls are among others that can be observed by the beach. Depending of the time of the year some Boreal migrants can be found here.
4:30 pm – Begin driving back to Lima, arrive to your hotel approximately 5:30 pm.
*Times stated are approximate based on an average traffic day in Lima. Departure time can be changed on request, however later start times may impact our ability to reach all birding stops listed.
PRICES 2018 (per person)
1 - $620
2 - $380
3 - $330
4 - $270
5 - $245
6 - $230
*Please submit a request for pricing on groups with more than six people.
WHAT'S INCLUDED
- Private transportation from/to your hotel
- Breakfast and Lunch (boxed/picnic)
- Unlimited snacks and bottled water
- Professional, English-speaking birding guide
- All reserve entry fees
- Printed destination checklist
WHY PR BIRDING
+ Peruvian-owned company founded on 20+ years experience guiding international tours
+ Custom-designed birding itineraries & small-group tours
+ Secure and easy online booking process
+ Personalized customer service with 24/7 emergency travel support
+ Commitment to supporting local communities through birding tourism