Peru's winged wonders stir birders' competitive passions

Peru's winged wonders stir birders' competitive passions
December 13, 2012
By Marie Sanz

Competitive birdwatching might sound like an oxymoron. Try telling that to ornithologists from around the world racing around Peru on a six-day marathon vying to become best birder.

"I am covered in bug bites, my legs are killing me and I got sick and threw up from the altitude," Ryan Terrill, 26, a member of the winning American team, told AFP. "Despite all that, I have been able to see all the birds I have always wanted to see," added Terrill, all smiles. Twenty-four seasoned bird specialists from Britain, South Africa, Brazil, Spain and the United States took part in "Birding Rally Challenge Peru." Decked out in shorts and caps, binoculars and cameras around their necks, these guys could be mistaken for random outdoorsy tourists, maybe on their way to Macchu Picchu. But they are super-specialists, indeed. Some competitors are among the world's best known and most respected authorities on bird life.

More: http://phys.org/news/2012-12-peru-winged-birders-competitive-passions.html#jCp

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Birding Rally Challenge’ will bring together ornithologists experts in Peru
10-16-2012

The Birding Rally Challenge Peru 2012 is a birding competition that brings together renowned birders from Brazil, Spain, South Africa, United Kingdom and USA.

The competition consists in the registration of as many species of birds by sight or sound during the route (the responsible use of bird calls playback is allowed).

The team that registers the largest number of species will be the winner.

The Birding Rally Challenge will cover 700 km of an exceptional trip that includes iconic natural areas of Peru, such as the Tambopata National Reserve and the History Sanctuary of Machu Picchu.

Connecting both areas are the tracts 2 and 3 of the South Interoceanic highway (ISUR), going through more than 10 life zones.

More:
http://www.bluechannel24.com/?p=15468