Callao

by Gunnar Engblom September 29, 2010 2

Star-spangled Pelagic

Hornby's Strom Petrel. Photo Gunnar Engblom

Hornby's or Ringed Storm Petrel. Photo Gunnar Engblom

It is not often I find a reason to write a blog post about a pelagic trip, before it actually happens. But on this trip, there is a reason. Some of the participants on this shine more than the birds we will be seeing. There are several participants who have seen more than 8000 species in the world. There are experienced Peru birders. There is a former Vice minister of Tourism. Some renowned bird illustrators and one famous author and photographer. Are you intrigued?

Let me make a small presentation of the birding stars that shine brighter than the birds on this pelagic.

Hadoram Shirihai. With books such as The Complete Guide to Antarctic Wildlife and Whales, Dolphins, and Other Marine Mammals of the World Hadoram has earned a place as an authority among seabirders. Additionally, he is now in Peru to do a photographic expedition with Kolibri Expedition in his quest to photograph 7000 species of birds for the book in production with Hans Jörnvall “The photographic guide to the birds of the world”. I interviewed Hadoram in this blogpost regarding the re-discovery of Fiji Petrel.
David Beadle is a British Bird Illustrator living in Canada for many years and has illustrated work such as Birds of Chile and Warblers of the Americas. Currently he is finishing a book on Moths of NE North America and illustrating Birds of Brazil.
Eustace Barnes another British bird illustrator who made major contribution to Field Guide to the Birds of Peru and Pigeons and Doves: A Guide to the Pigeons and Doves of the World will also be onboard
Barry Walker – owner of Manu Expeditions and the person who has seen most bird species in Peru – close to 1700 species.
Hugh Buck -Currently number 3 in the world with a world list of 8523 species. My guess is that Hugh is after Markham’s Storm-Petrel or Ringed Storm-Petrel.
Phil Rostron another Brit in the 8000 club number 4 in the world with 8430 species.
Pablo Lopez de Romaña – former Vice Minister of Tourism in Peru

And then there are other well known world birders that you may have met in the field or heard about. Brian Beers, Neal Clarke, Pearl Jordan, JOhn Pennhallurik., Mark Eaton, Lieven de Temmerman and many more.

Oh yes, guess who is guiding? ME! (HELLLLLLPPPP!!!!). Not at all intimidating. I will find some corner to creap into and hide!

We have room for yet a few birders if there is someone keen on joining on Oct 2. We shall do an early start at 5 AM to have some additional time at our chumming spot. Next Pelagic is planned on Oct 4 (full) and on November 13 and November 26. Hope to see you.

Last Pelagic

To wet your appetite what we will see below follows the result from the last pelagic on Sep 25. Here are some of the highlights. I did not fill in the names yet. See if you can ID them?

: Hornby’s (Ringed) Storm Petrel. Photo Gunnar Engblom

by Gunnar Engblom October 25, 2007 1

Pelagic on August 2, 2007

South American Tern in summer plumage in the winter!

In 2005 on a pelagic in July from Lima a dark gray bellied breeding plumage Sterna Tern was seen that was tentatively identified as Antarctic Tern, which would be a first for Peru. This one looks quite like the one we saw then, though I recall the bill was shorter than this. The posterior discussion on Birding Peru Yahoo-group confirmed this bird as South American Tern.

Sooty Shearwater identification

Short-tailed Shearwater? Unfortunately not. Scrutinizing the pictures and with comments from Birding Peru yahoo group it is noted that the dark black wedge from the “arm-pit” is a good field mark for Sooty Shearwater.

Sooty Shearwater with one Pink-footed Shearwater in the center.

Northern Giant Petrel new species for Peru

Northern Giant Petrel was recorded for the first time in Peru in 2002 on a Kolibri Expeditions pelagic. It is now a regular on our pelagics of July to September. This is the first time we found a bird that is not completely brown. Can this one be aged?

Here it is with a juvenile.

Buller’s Albatross

Buller’s Albatross I only found for the first time in July 2006. This year it has been seen on a number of pelagics in July-September. And even adults and subadults (such as this photo).

Chilean and South Polar Skua in a fight. Great Show

South Polar Skua is quite regular on our pelagics during May-September

Join us on next full day pelagic Nov 17…or on our regular daily whale-watching excursion between November to March.

https://www.kolibriexpeditions.com/

Gunnar – kolibriexp@gmail.com

by Gunnar Engblom May 3, 2007 0

Storm-Petrels on whale watching trip on April 22

There are three Wilson‘s concealed in the left bottom corner among all the White-vented Storm-Petrels (Elliot’s)

Now they are in the center

One Wilson upper left turning

and turning a little bit more. Note that the White–vented SP in the top center had yellow webs.

I hope someone can forward some discussion on the molt in Wilson‘s and White–vented SP.

Last also a Salvin‘s Albatross seen quite well on this occation. Also in a bit of molt..

by Gunnar Engblom February 27, 2007 0

More Whale and Dolphin Watching

Cetaceans and seabirds

Done a few more trips to search for Cetaceans and seabirds the last two months.

On January 19 a full day at sea gave many fantastic observations of Dolphins and one whale.

This may be a Sei whale that has lost its dorsal fin.

Dusky Dolphins come close to the boat.

Common Dolphins were also often seen on this full day trip.

On February 18 we had great observations of a Bryde’s/Sei Whale.

Sei and Bryde’s whale are very similar in appearance. One needs to see the head to be able to separate them. However, since Bryde’s is the most likely this time of year

On February 23 we saw large numbers of Dusky Dolphins. The Inca Terns and Peruvian Boobies follow the moving schools of hunting dolphins is an good way to detect dolphin activity.

Dusky Dolphin Pelagic Lima. Photo: Gunnar Engblom

Also, far in the distance we saw a immense blow. This was most certainly a Blue Whale. Unfortunately, we had not time to follow up this time and the whale itself was not seen.

Robert Flood – a dedicated seabird watcher had particularily chartered the boat for the trip on February 23. The purpose of the day was to study Storm-Petrels. We had prepared a “chum” consisting of fish bones, heads and intestines, oil and pop-corn. Storm-Petrels have sense of smell and not before long we saw the first Markham’s Storm Petrels.

Black Storm Petrel, Pelagic Lima. Photo: Gunnar Engblom

More majestic were the impressive Waved Albatroses also attracted by the chum.

Waved Albatross Pelagic Lima. Photo: Gunnar Engblom

The Waved Albatross is visiting from Galapagos. It is an almost certain sight all year around.

Next whale/dolphin watching trip is planned for March 3 and April 1. Contact Gunnar at kolibriexp@gmail.com or 273 72 46.

Join the 8000 club for a Lima Pelagic