Full-day pelagic birding trip
See all of it and lots of it:
For birders this trip is a “must-go” with 51 species of marine and shore birds having been registered by us in the area. There are not many pelagic birding trips around the world where you can see up to 5 storm petrel species, up to 3 albatross species, as well as other endemic, threatened or rare coastal marine and pelagic bird species in one single trip. You are not only going to be surprised by the number of species you will see
on this trip but also by the unbelievable number of specimens.
On our tour you are guaranteed to see the endemic Peruvian sea-side cinclodes and the endemic and highly endangered Peruvian diving petrel as well as the equally endangered Humboldt Penguin. Off-shore the highlights are Markhams storm-petrels, Ringed storm-petrels, Wedge-rumped storm-petrels, Waved albatross, Southern giant petrel, Shy albatross, Bullers albatross, Cape petrel and so on.
Of course many other marine birds endemic to the Humboldt Current are guaranteed to be seen on our tours, like the Guanay cormorant, Peruvian pelican and Peruvian booby. During our bird feeding activity you will be able to get dozens of the beautiful and endemic Inca tern close-up in front of your camera lens.
We operate with small groups of 5-12 birders. Our Off-shore boat, the Ocean Spirit is a recreational fishing yacht adapted to your needs. It offers room to stand and turn around for optimum observation and photography. It is fast, so you don’t lose time on
the way and have more time off-shore and it has a toilet on board (small but important detail). Most importantly we are offering you the safest way for pelagic birding on the central Peruvian coast (please read our safety advice before choosing a pelagic birding tour in Peru).
While enjoying your birding tour you are guaranteed to observe South American sea lions and Dusky dolphins, as well as having a good chance to see common dolphins, Bottlenose dolphins and several species of whales.
After finishing this tour we are sure you will agree with us: This is the ultimate and supreme trip for pelagic birding on the central Peruvian coast.
Price valid till 31.12. 2013 (does not include tax): 618 Nuevos Soles
Minimum number of participants required to confirm trip: 5
Cost of chum: 240 Nuevos Soles (shared by all trip participants)
Includes:
• Tour briefing at Pucusana port
• English/Spanish/German speaking guide
• Box lunch (regular, vegetarian or vegan) and drinking water
• Seven hours boat ride
• Bird watching in and near Pucusana port
• Bird feeding activity near port and chumming off-shore
• Trip to 40-50 miles off-shore (depending on marine conditions and species presence)
• Dolphin watching
• Sea lion observation
• Comfortable life jacket
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Book your birding tour or get more information
You can also phone us at: (0051) (1) 994 10 42 06
For information on our boats, please CLICK HERE
Please read our Safety Information. We will ask you to sign a “no-liability” form for this trip.
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Travel with biologist Stefan Austermühle, Executive Director of the Peruvian nature conservation group Mundo Azul and founder of Nature Expeditions. Stefan is deeply involved in nature conservation and biological research in Peru since 1998. Originally a cetacean researcher he has become an experienced and dedicated birder while working all over the country. He carries on ecological research on bird populations and trains bird guides at the Peruvian Institute for Tourism Education (CENFOTUR). To read more about his work click here.
To see his bird life list click here.
To see his bird videos click here.
To see his bird pictures click here.
See below our bird species list for this trip
Ep = Endemic to Peru, Ehc = Endemic to Humboldt current, P = Protected in Peru, T = Threatened
Common species all year round
Humboldt penguin (Ehc,P,T) Species fact sheet Picture Slideshow Video
Peruvian diving-petrel (Ep, P, T) Species fact sheet Picture Slideshow Video
Peruvian seaside cinclodes (Ep) Species fact sheet Picture Slideshow Video
Waved albatross Species fact sheet Picture Slideshow Video
Southern giant-petrel Species fact sheet Picture Slideshow Video
Buller’s albatross Species fact sheet Picture Slideshow Video
Shy albatross Species fact sheet Picture Slideshow Video
Pink-footed shearwater Species fact sheet Picture Slideshow Video
Sooty shearwater Species fact sheet Picture Slideshow Video
White-chinned petrel Species fact sheet Picture Slideshow Video
Cape petrel Species fact sheet Picture Slideshow Video
Ringed storm-petrel Species fact sheet Picture Slideshow Video
Wedge-rumped storm-petrel Species fact sheet Picture Slideshow Video
Markham’s storm-petrel Species fact sheet Picture Slideshow Video
Wilson’s storm-petrel Species fact sheet Picture Slideshow Video
White-vented (Elliot’s) storm-petrel Species fact sheet Picture Slideshow Video
Parasitic jaeger Species fact sheet Picture Slideshow Video
Long-tailed jaeger Species fact sheet Picture Slideshow Video
Pomarine jaeger Species fact sheet Picture Slideshow Video
Chilean skua Species fact sheet Picture Slideshow Video
Peruvian booby (Ehc, P) Species fact sheet Picture Slideshow Video
Blue-footed booby Species fact sheet Picture Slideshow Video
Neotropic cormorant Species fact sheet Picture Slideshow Video
Guanay cormorant (Ehc, P) Species fact sheet Picture Slideshow Video
Red-legged cormorant (Ehc, P) Species fact sheet Picture Slideshow Video
Peruvian pelican (Ehc, P) Species fact sheet Picture Slideshow Video
Inca tern (Ehc, P) Species fact sheet Picture Slideshow Video
Arctic tern Species fact sheet Picture Slideshow Video
Kelpgull Species fact sheet Picture Slideshow Video
Belcher’s (Band-tailed) gull (Ehc) Species fact sheet Picture Slideshow Video
Swallowtailed gull Species fact sheet Picture Slideshow Video
Blackish oystercatcher (Ehc) Species fact sheet Picture Slideshow Video
Ruddy turnstone Species fact sheet Picture Slideshow Video
Surfbird Species fact sheet Picture Slideshow Video
Snowy egret Species fact sheet Picture Slideshow Video
Black-capped night heron Species fact sheet Picture Slideshow Video
Blue-and-white swallow Species fact sheet Picture Slideshow Video
Vermillion flycatcher Species fact sheet Picture Slideshow Video
Occasional species all year round
Common tern Species fact sheet Picture Slideshow Video
South Amerikan tern Species fact sheet Picture Slideshow Video
Laughing gull Species fact sheet Picture Slideshow Video
Migratory species
Royal tern Species fact sheet Picture Slideshow Video
Elegant tern Species fact sheet Picture Slideshow Video
Sandwich tern Species fact sheet Picture Slideshow Video
Gray gull (Ehc) Species fact sheet Picture Slideshow Video
Franklin’s gull Species fact sheet Picture Slideshow Video
Gray-hooded gull Species fact sheet Picture Slideshow Video
Red-necked phalarope Species fact sheet Picture Slideshow Video
Red phalarope Species fact sheet Picture Slideshow Video
Wilson’s phalarope Species fact sheet Picture Slideshow Video
Book your birding tour or get more information
You can also phone us at: (0051) (1) 994 10 42 06
How to get to Pucusana:
Book your transport with us: 60 Soles per person (not incl. tax) Lima-Pucusana-Lima (including hotel pick-up): add an extra 3 hours to your trip time.
Public transport: Take a taxi to a bus station for overland busses. Catch a bus that goes south (direction to Paracas). Ask the bus driver to let you off the bus at the Panamerican Highway exit to Pucusana. At the exit you grab a taxi, a moto-taxi or a mini-bus to Pucusana. On your way back you will have to wait at the roadside of the Panamerican highway and stop a bus. You may be able to make your way to Lima and back for as less as 30-40 soles per person if you negotiate well, but there are risks involved (especially when travelling back at night): calculate 3-5 additional hours to your trip time
Rent a car: calculate 150-210 Soles per day + motorway fees and gasoline: add an extra 3 hours to your trip time
Hire a car with driver: calculate minimum 240 Soles + additional rates if you are
staying more than the agreed number of hours: add an extra 3 hours to your trip time.
Related links:
Nature Adventures: Whale and dolphin watching - Birding – Scuba diving - Diving and swimming with sea lions - Sea kayaking
Stay in touch: Follow Nature Expeditions on Twitter - Nature Expeditions Facebook Page - Visit Stefan Austermuhle’s website
Help protect nature in Peru: Be a dolphin conservation volunteer - Kayak based marine research - NGO Mundo Azul on Facebook - Facebook Page: Volunteering in Peru
Take part in nature exploration: Become an expedition member of Mundo Azul in Peru
Join, share, protect on Facebook: Pelagic Birding Peru – Birding Peru – Kayaking Peru – Whale and Dolphin Watching Peru
Things to consider:
Sunburn and sea sickness are the most common problems our clients encounter. Please read and follow the advice below in order to fully enjoy your trip:
Sunburn
During summer months from December to March skies are mostly permanently blue and without clouds. Therefore sun-exposure at sea is very high. We recommend for the entire year (even in winter) bringing a hat and sunglasses, as well as using sun-block with the highest level of sun protection possible (45 or higher).
During the winter months from June to August temperatures are still around 16 degrees Celsius. The Peruvian coast will often be covered in fog in the morning that later on clears up and gives way to a grey and sometimes blue sky at around noon time. All marine travel programs are equally possible under these weather conditions but we recommend bringing warm and waterproof clothing. Sea sickness
Sea sickness results when the eyes are seeing one thing – e.g., the stationary inside of the boat – while the balance organ (the semicircular canals) detects another – your movement up and down. The brain gets confused, trying to figure out why your eyes tell you are stationary, but your inner ear tells your brain you are moving. Other factors can compound the problem: they include alcohol ingestion, anxiety, fatigue, odors (e.g., diesel fumes), being overheated and inner ear injury or infections.
The smaller the boat, the larger your potential for sickness, as smaller boats tend to rock more quickly. Signs and symptoms include sweating, nausea, headache, drowsiness, increased salivation and a sensation of spinning or dizziness. Vomiting may make you feel better, but the symptoms will not resolve until the inner ear acclimates to the motion or you use another form of treatment.
Once you are sea sick no medicine will help – To be honest about it: you will probably throw up the pills before they can start having an effect – However symptoms will disappear almost immediately when stepping back on the pier upon your return.
How to avoid sea sickness and involuntary fish feeding
• Don’t make the mistake to NOT eat before your boat ride. An empty stomach is as bad as one being too full. Be adequately hydrated, nourished and rested. However, if you start to feel apprehensive about the boat ride, don’t eat a large meal before departure. Munch on crackers and sip water or a sport drink.
• Positioning – If the boat is rocking bow to stern, seek out a spot in the middle of the boat for the least movement.
• Fix on an object – Look beyond the boat: use the horizon as a reference point. This helps your brain to adjust more easily to the instable environment. Avoid focusing tasks like reading, setting up diving equipment or writing.
• Fresh air – If you are feeling ill, nothing worsens it like diesel fumes. Find a spot, where fresh air blows.
• Keep something in your stomach – Stay well hydrated before and during your trip. Sip water, juice or sport drinks, but avoid carbonated drinks, alcohol and caffeine. If you are nauseated, don’t drink lots of water since it will create an unpleasant sensation of sloshing in your stomach. Eat saltines or bred to absorb stomach fluids.
• Remedies for prevention – There is no cure for sea sickness, but plenty of remedies thought to alleviate its symptoms. However – any medicine has to be taken before you step on board. Once you are seasick it is simply too late. If you have discovered a safe system that works for you, stick with it. “Anti-nausea” medications are called antiemetics and are manifactured by many companies, i.e. Bonine (meclizine), Dramamine(dimenhydrinate), Marezine (cyclizine), and Benadril (diphenhydramine). Side effects of these medicines may impair your ability to dive safely, which is why we do not recommend taking them before diving. Some cause drowsiness. Because of this they carry warnings about operating heavy equipment or performing hazardous tasks. Before using antinausea medications always read the accompanying information.
