Sanctuario Los Flamencos

Introduction

Sanctuario Los Flamencos comprises of two key areas; a) Perico, comprising Xerophytic vegetation and which is the best area to look for species that are shared only with neighbouring corner of Venezuela many of which are bio-geographical endemics. It is best to get here for dawn as it is already very hot by 9:00am; b) Camarones is on the coast with an inland lagoon.

Getting there

Perico is about 30km west of Riohacha and can easily be reached by public transport using buses between Santa Marta and Riohacha. The best birding area is about 2km north of the village. Permission is required to enter and this can be obtained from the warden in the village - ask someone where you may find him. Camarones is someway off the main road and is served by local buses from Riohacha only.

Birds to Look for

Around the village look for Rufous-vented Chachalaca. They come down early in the morning to feed on corn put out for the locals' chickens. The key here is to find the flocks of chickens and you should see the Chachalaca. Just beyond the village there is a small lake. Here you should start looking for Orinocan Saltator, Caribbean Hornero, Bare-eyed Pigeon, Green-rumped Parrotlet, Scaled Dove and Brown-throated Parakeet. The cactus-rich scrub further on is the best place for Chestnut Piculet, White-fringed Antwren, Black-crested Antshrike, Vermilion Cardinal, Straight-billed Woodcreeper, Buffy Hummingbird, Red-billed Emerald, Pileated Finch, Crested Bobwhite and Red-crowned Woodpecker. Beyond the scrub is a flat plain that is seasonally flooded. Dawn here can produce Wood Stork, Roseate Spoonbill, Greater Flamingo and during winter, calidris waders (White-rumped Sandpiper has been recorded here) and Green and Great Blue Herons. At Camarones look for migrant waders, Scarlet & White Ibis, terns, cormorants and herons and egrets - the white phase Reddish Egret is abundant here.

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