Few people know Lima is a great city to practice birding (also known as birdwatching), the surprise is understandable. Lima, usually recognized as a busy “concrete jungle”, a city with more dessert than parks, and therefore, a city too arid to hold any fauna or flora of its own in comparison to the mighty jungle “Amazonas” or highlands region “sierra” of this country. But let me tell you dear readers, this is one of the biggest misconceptions about Lima and the thrush will be surprising. In today’s post, I will introduce Lima as a hotspot for observation of endemic birds, the only species that has adapted to the business of this area, gigantic capital with 11 million inhabitants , and will propose you sites where you can meet nature without disturbing it, suggesting observation spots not far away the center of the city, and other useful notes for the novice in this art of birdwatching.
Vermilion Flycatcher, male and female
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When I was a newbie in this pastime, the first thing I did was getting the best professional advice possible to clear up all my doubts, questions like: how to do it? where? when? what kind of equipment? etc. I got the opportunity to meet in this process the professionals of YHBirds, Yury Herrera, and his team were all amazing, they guided me into this new hobby with kindest care and lots of patience. They are true bird lovers!. They organize regular excursions and private tours in Lima specialized in bird observation , and I can’t recommend them more. Get to them directly with this email: yhbirds@gmail.com (they speak English)
Next part was knowing and learning about the species of birds that I could spot in Lima (learning about each on of the endemic species , and which ones are rare varieties is the most exiting and important part of this hobby) especially in a city that is known after Cairo the biggest in the world built on a dessert, but with a plus, due to its strategic location next to the ocean, near the foothills of the Andes and close to natural (almost extinct) marshlands this is a paradise for birds and birders ! Seabirds, wetland birds and more can be seen here.
After knowing what kind of birds I could see, the next step was to identify the spots where to see them, here my list of favorite sites within and near Lima city:
- La Punta – La Arenilla beach: Seabirds and related to them
- Olivar San Isidro (Olive Grove): Doves, flycatchers, sparrows, seedeaters, falcons, hummingbirds and more
- Park Ramon Castilla: doves, flycatchers, sparrows, seedeaters, falcons, hummingbirds and more.
- Pantanos de Villa (wetlands of Villa): Seabirds. vultures and more.
- Mercado de Percadores : Chorrillos
Amazilia Hummingbird
One last advice, get a good birds guide, the best one (also considered the bible for birdwatchers) is BIRDS OF PERU, the most complete and biggest available in the market. You can get it even through amazon.com
So, if you are a bird lover, I hope you got enough reasons to take your binoculars, camera, and run in direction to my city, Lima and its birds are waiting for you.
If you are planing to visit Lima to practice this beautiful hobby don’t forget to contact us, we organize all kinds of tours in Lima, from culinary, historic, archaeological, and of course, birdwatching tours.
Learn more about our tours in Lima and Peru starting by clicking below
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