I
do so hope that you will follow my adventures. You can do so via
this blog and also by my Biking Birder Facebook page and Twitter
feed.
or
via my personal Facebook page :
I
am trying to raise money for two charities and obviously I would love
you to donate to them.
Birdlife
International
Chaskwasi-Manu
Children's Project
OK!
The adventure starts on Sunday next, the first of April, at Los Pantanos de Villa nature
reserve, south of Lima, Peru. After the day spent there birding with
friends, the adventure of my lifetime is ahead; six months of
cycling, packrafting and birding. Six months to experience oceanic
coastline, desert, mountains and rainforest. Six months to try and
see more than 618 bird species, the incredible Green Birding list
that is the current World Green Birding Year list record held by
Dorian Anderson of the USA.
28th
March 2018 – Parque San Isidro, Lima, Peru
What
a strange afternoon! A morning of sorting and sleeping, an attempt to
put the body clock into the Peruvian time, I go to The nearby famous
Olive Tree park in the afternoon. Every visit to this lovely park is
different but how different this time.
Lots
of Long-tailed Mockingbirds are on the grass in the first area yet
are outnumbered by Saffron Finches. Little pockets of what appear to
be family groups are everywhere. A couple of the dark variety of
Vermilion Flycatcher are outshone by a dazzling red male.
I
stroll along, that is what one does here stroll. Well, either stroll
of sit on a shaded park bench or on the lush green grass. I reach the
largest pool in the park and feed the sizeable goldfish some broken
biscuits. Pigeons arrive to ask for morsels too. I share my packet
with a couple of locals and have the fun stopped by a lady security
guard who tells that feeding fish and fowl is not permitted. How the
park has changed since my first visit in 2013. Then it was a lot
rougher, with the pool having duck and Night Heron and then central
pathway having cyclists. Major landscaping has gone on in the
intervening years and the park is tidier.
There
are still lots of birds though, Shiny Cowbirds are common and by
pishing near the olive trees I manage to get Bananaquits and Southern
Beardless Tyrrannulets close to me. Overhead, flashing around the
treetops are dozens of Blue & Black Swallows.
I
am startled from my serene slumber-like stroll by a medieval
strolling minstrel. Every word I utter he sings it back to me!
Perhaps I am a bit too sceptical but I have no money on me, not a
Sole and worry about him asking for some. He, Gonzalez doesn't want
money he just wants to sing to me and for me to join in. I suggest we
get the security guards, including the fish starver, to join in.
As
we sing together, as you do, a film crew comes closer. It turns out
that Gonzalez has a Youtube channel and he spends his days performing
for unsuspecting people in the park and then posts their reactions
online. We had spent fifteen minutes laughing and singing. I wonder
what twenty seconds of worthwhile footage they will post.
I
talk with the two security guards for a while. They are very friendly
and quick to laugh and smile at my antics and answers. The man of the
pair speaks some English.
Left to right . . . Rachel, Laura and Diana
As
I walk away, three beautiful young girls stop me to ask whether I
would like to have a go on their display board. A large, Wheel of
Fortune-like' wheel had sections with Spanish phrase in each. Each
phrase detailed how one could help the environment by reduce, reuse
or recycle. Stop plastic pollution, the message is being spread here
in Peru. I have a turn and win a recycle messaged keyring. That will
go nicely on the bike. It is fantastic to see these three girls,
Rachel, Laura and Diana doing this as they leave me and attend to the
group of people who had gathered.
I
go the smaller pool further north in the park and put my finger into
the green water and have it sucked by a large carp. Terrapins watch suspiciously. Another security
guard tells me that that isn't allowed also!
Butterflies!
Small blue species, a skipper species, and no I don't know the
species names but I will look them up. A passing Monarch I do know
though.
The
park has a lot of diminuitive cleaners. Face-masked and with bright
yellow florescent jackets they litter pick and sweep. I join one of
them in picking up small pieces of plastic litter, much to the lady's
amusement. Other workers are gardening or maintaining the trees. How
many hundred olive trees here I am not sure but my temptation to pick
the beautiful looking olives, ready and ripe, is resisted. Most
likely . . . not allowed.
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