Field Reports

Filled with anticipation, plans, and questions, I traveled to Peru to begin my study of the birds occupying high Andean “bogs”.  I chose to focus on the peat-producing wetlands above tree line in the grasslands of central and southern Peru. This is the puna to those in the know, a seasonal grassland dotted with an archipelago of wetlands. This remote and unique system harbors birds that are resident, stopover migrants, and wintering birds from the north and south. I freely admit the paucity of information for these birds was attractive. The reason for the dearth of studies would soon be evident.

At 16,000 feet, the air is thin, the wind is strong, and the nights are cold. Walking can be a challenge especially with a backpack loaded for several days in the field. Acclimatization takes a few days, but the body adjusts to the rarified air and then you have the place to yourself -if you exclude the omnipresent pastoral companions comprised of shepherds, cattle, sheep, alpaca, goats, and llamas.

After a month of getting my feet wet, literally, Jano Nuñez, of the Center for Ornithology and Biodiversity and Phred Benham, a recent LSU graduate, joined the team. This was the White-bellied Cinclodes (Cinclodes palliatus) search team. We searched the departments of Junin and Huancavelica to develop a population estimate for this critically endangered bird. The short story is our month-long search produced only one bird outside the stronghold of Marcapomacocha in northern Junin. Although there are many areas still to search, the species’ absence from numerous sites with seemingly appropriate habitat provided no reason to increase the current population estimate of 200-1000 individuals. We’ll continue the search in January during the rainy season.

All the while, we gathered bird transect data in the peatlands. Some interesting patterns are suggested, but you’ll have to stay tuned for developments.

Finally, I’ll share our misadventure. After finishing the Cinclodes palliatus search, Jano returned to Lima and Phred and I were heading south to Cusco, Puno, and Arequipa to find more peatlands and birds. Unfortunately, Phred and I were held up in Pisco. Our cab driver and accomplice took us out to a field at knifepoint and robbed us of all of our gear. We were left barefoot, bound, and penniless, effectively ending the field season with no binoculars, GPS units, camping equipment, or money to continue. I successfully pleaded to keep my field journal so the data is saved. Wait there’s more. Upon returning to Baton Rouge, Josephine Nix suggested submitting a proposal to the Coypu Foundation to replace the equipment. There were no guarantees of course, but said it was worth a shot. Dr. Remsen guided the proposal through the LSU system in record time and after review by the Coypu foundation trustees, it was approved.