1 October 2000
by Gunnar Engblom
Description: Pelagic off Callao, Lima w Letta some 30 nm from La Punta
Species Seen: 33 + three species seen by Mikko Pyhälä
Trip data
We (Kolibri Expeditions) arranged the first ever full day whale-watching trip in Peru off Callao. The weather was overcast untill 2.30 or 3 PM and then the sun came out. Though we did not see any true whales but Common Dolphin (around 20-30) 12º14.360S, 77º35.007 some 30 and Dusky Dolphin (around 100) at 12º18.492S, 77º30.078W.
We were to start at 5.30 but actually set off at 6.30. I wanted to reach some 50 nm to reach waters that were 2000m deep. However, we only got to 30 nm off the coast, and depth here was about 1000 meters 12º17.100S 77º38.100W. A lot of seabirds where seen here including Black-browed Albatross and White-chinned Petrel
We were back in Callao at 16.30. A bit too short.
The birding was great though with a lot of variety of birds. The air-temperature was quite pleasant. The sea was a bit shaky but not too bad
Waved Albatross
Diomedea irrorata
1 individual This species breeds on the Galapgos islands and
a small island off the Ecuadorian coast (Isla La Plata)
F Black-browed Albatross
Diomedea melanophris
2 at 1000 m depth.
Mikko claims Antartic Giant Petrel also, but I want to await the photographic proofs. Mikko also saw what he believes where Brown Noddies.
Cape Petrel
Daption capense
2 at 1000m depth
White-chinned Petrel
Procellaria aequinoctialis
10-20 mostly at 1000m depth
Sooty Shearwater
Puffinus griseus
300 more or less
Wilson's Storm-Petrel
Oceanites oceanicus
common, the first storm-petrels we saw with very forceful flight
and some near the boat going out was this species
White-vented Storm-Petrel
Oceanites gracilis
Eventually we could distinguish White-vented smaller size, being
a more fragile bird, tripping on the water and more erratic flight. On
birds close to the boat we could see white bellies on at least 10-15 individuals
Wedge-rumped Storm-Petrel
Oceanodroma tethys
1 seen as we were leaving the harbour. Clearly a very large white
area, makes this observation 100% even though short. I have seen this species
often on Galapgos.
Peruvian Diving-Petrel
Pelecanoides garnotii
All in all 20 individual seen. This is the highest number I have
ever seen of this threatened species and may be the most note-worthy record
of our trip. On the Ballestas circuit close to Paracas I some times see
1-2 individuals when San Gayan island is included.
Blue-footed Booby
Sula nebouxii
We saw 30-40 individuals of this species. They were all immatures.
A bit surprising that they are still in these water being a more Northern
Breeder (Ecuador). Clearly larger than Peruvian Booby and very dark heads
and plain upper wings. White spot on the back and upper tail coverts usually
easily seen.
Peruvian Booby
Sula variegata
very common
Neotropic Cormorant
Phalacrocorax olivaceus
2 near port
Guanay Cormorant
Phalacrocorax bougainvillii
3 surprisingly low numbers
Red-legged Cormorant
Phalacrocorax gaimardi
some 10 seen near Callao (Isla Palomino and Isla San Lorenzo)
Peruvian Pelican
Pelecanus thagus
some 50 of this giant with almost prehistoric looks.
Red-necked Phalarope
Phalaropus lobatus
One small flock of 5 birds seen
Red Phalarope
Phalaropus fulicaria
About a hundred seen total. This were seen as fast flying waders
with clear white wingbands. Birds giving clear gray appearance and head
and neck whitish gray with a clear black mask.
Band-tailed Gull
Larus belcheri
The most common gull
Gray Gull
Larus modestus
(Mikko saw Grey-hooded Gull near shore)
Sabine's Gull
Xema sabini
30 We were a bit confused with this species and Swallow-tailed
Gull, but we are sure that most of the birds we saw was this species (we
saw many brown-backed immatures which are not confusable), except a flock
of immature Swallow-tails that laid on the water and lifted as we were
going out. It was mostly the adult bird in winter plumage I had problems
with, but considering that I see adult birds in Galapagos this time of
year that have black hoods, the adult birds here in winter plumage ought
to be Sabine?s Gull.
Swallow-tailed Gull
Creagrus furcatus
At least a flock of 10 immatures seen in the beginning of the
trip. Great confusion in the later part of the trip. I believe most birds
we saw later were Sabine?s Gull, as adult Swallow-tails should have black
hoods this time of year.
Elegant Tern
Sterna elegans
4 (Mikko also saw one Royal Tern)
South American Tern
Sterna hirundinacea
Several inshore. Especially when arriving to the yacht club where
they were peerching in big numbers on the yachts. At see I feel most of
the terns seen where. Personally I found the midsize Sterna terns difficult
on long distance and on shaky boats. These individuals in the port were
seen very close and the blodd-red rather heavy and somewhat down-curved
bill gives it away.
Common Tern
Sterna hirundo
1 seen for sure. But difficult to identify at sea (confusion
with South American and Arctic Tern)
Arctic Tern
Sterna paradisaea
3 seen sufficiently well to 100 % id. Many unidentified Sternas
at sea were probably this species. Wing pattern and boyant flight (and
one birds with long tail) were the details that identified the species.
Need to study up on the midsize Terns though.
Peruvian Tern
Sterna lorata
3 were seen. This small tern is similar to Least Tern. Small
size, agile and grey underparts makes it fairly easy to identify. Also
noted the white forehead.
Chilean Skua
Catharacta chilensis
8 seen as far as I could see all adults. They looked very dark
brown, but the light was not good enough to see any rufous tone.
Pomarine Jaeger
Stercorarius pomarinus
3 seen well to identify to species. We noted the heaviness of
these birds. Heavy-bellied and powerful Most Jaegers seen where without
the central elongated tail-feathers which made id difficult
Long-tailed Jaeger
Stercorarius longicaudus
we identified 2 for certain on slimness and lack of white crescents
in the wings. There were other jaegers which probably also where this species
or Parasitic Jaeger but we could not tell for sure.
Whimbrel
Numenius phaeopus
some 10 on Isla Palomino
Ruddy Turnstone
Arenaria interpres
On the shore as we arrived to the harbour
Barn Swallow
Hirundo rustica
1 30 nm from shore at the 1000 m depth and big gathering of Seabirds
------------------------------------------
Gunnar Engblom
www.netaccessperu.net/kolibri