Hi ,

 

If you are not British - congratulations! Birding in Peru the next couple of months is easy for double vaccinated people. 

If you are British, it is of course a great leap forward for the overseas birding tourism as 47 countries have been taken off the Red list in the UK from Monday Oct 11. No more hefty fines or quarantine when you return. UK birders can now plan trips to Mexico, Costa Rica and Brazil, for example. (7 Wonders Birding Tours provide short trips to the best birds of all these countries and these trips can be set up on short notice.)
 

But seven countries are still on the red list. Among these are the top birding destinations of Panama, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru. 

 

I find it outrageous that Peru, in spite of having among the lowest rate of new COVID cases in the region, is still on the red list. Just check this graph from Saturday. 

Strange, huh? Where would you rather be in order not to get infected?

Some people have reacted and made a petition which UK citizens and residents can sign so that the parliament addresses the issue. 
If you are eligible - please click and sign.
 

If you know anyone in the UK who would consider traveling to Peru, please send them this link.

 

With only 100 000 signatures, it will be addressed by parliament. It is the law. 

PromPeru, with the help of Blue Sky Wildlife, is doing a social media promotion campaign in the US from October. Hopefully, this campaign will bring some visitors to Peru. 

Please, let me know as soon as you see any ads about Peru.

If you have travelled with us in the past, it would be of great help if you would leave a smashing review on the Blue Sky Wildlife Kolibri Expeditions page. The more reviews, the higher up on the Blue Wildlife Tour Operator page you will find us. 

While residents of most other countries don't have any problems of coming to Peru right now, there are still far too few bookings during the coming months. 

Most what you find in the calendar on the web-page is confirmed, but the group sizes are just one-two people. It barely keeps us afloat. 

The advantages for any new punters signing up are plenty. 

Do yourself, and us, a favor. Sign up for a trip on short notice. We shall give you 10% discount on any of the scheduled Peru trips and excursions, and 15% discount if you book a trip to Central Peru, either the complete Central Peru 16 day trip, or either of 5 days Carpish, Unchog and Junin or Satipo road and La Merced. 

Yes, that is right. On Manu road, right now. A nest with a large juvenile is seen practically daily. The parent comes by every two days or so. Check Vlad Sladariu's photo from last week. When do you want to go?

Even though it is premature to say for certain, hearing colleagues around the world pointing out that many local conservation projects and rural ecotourism away from the Coca Cola trail of traditional tourism have a hard time to cope. Ecotourism is needed in those places and it should not be shamed.

Mitigate with carbon offset, chose less beef and dairy, use your car less and finally vote for politicians who care about the environment and your conscience should be clean to keep on flying to give personal support to many great initiatives that depend on visiting tourists. 

I just had a very interesting conversation with James Wolstencroft - tour guide in East Africa for Wings and Eagle-Eye, about this topic. Our conversation shall be broadcasted shortly on my forthcoming Bucket List Birding podcast. 
 

James is putting together accounts from around the world how COVID has affected conservation. Maybe, you can help him with additional examples. 

James writes:

Please could you identify an ‘ecotourism initiative’, with which you are or, should we say, were personally familiar, that has been negatively impacted by the curtailment of international ecotourism since “The Flying Lock-Down” began in late March 2020.

I am trying to assess the extent to which grassroots conservation initiatives have been damaged by the suspension of international ecotourism.

I am primarily interested in the tropical zone, essentially any localities within the so called “global south”. And with real life examples in “low income economies” where individuals known to you have suffered a major part of their livelihood (that was formerly engaged with ecotourism) cancelled. 
Those who have been unable to actively continue their practical grassroots conservation work for want of an income from ecotourism.

Thank You.
James A. Wolstencroft 
email : [email protected]
Whatsapp +34 616 689 343

It is fortunate that we do have some confirmed tours in December. 

The first one is a short Machu Picchu Abra Malaga tour Dec 13-17. One couple has booked the deluxe 7WB program which has you staying at the marvelous Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel. We can also offer the program with more modest lodging at a lower price. 

The other tour runs over Christmas and New Year. The 10 day North Peru itinerary from Dec 23-Jan1. It is also possible to join this tour for only five days starting in Jaen on the morning of Dec 27.

I shall sooon announce the premiere of the Bucket List Podcast. I have already done three interviews with Peter Kaestner, Nigel Marven and James Wolstencroft which I am currently editing. 
 

Additionally, the new expanded logo for the podcast is ready. We are getting there! How do you like Zafeer A. Shaikh's additions?

Pretty cool, huh? Which have you seen? Which are still on your bucket list?

I recently ran Berlin Marathon. It did not go quite as well as I expected, but I am still content with my best marathon time since April 2015 (not counting the downhill marathon I did in 2016). The time was 3:37:52. 

The goal is to be considerably faster at the next marathon in Philadelphia on Nov 21. Goal setting has lately been something that I have become obsessed with. Sometimes it is hard, and one needs an accountability partner. I am using Facebook for that. 

I am sure you have goals you want to chase, too? I have created a new group on Facebook called Goals - Make Yourself Accountable. It is a great group to join if you want to complete your goals. Join us!

 

That was all for this time. I am looking forward to your comments. 

 

Saludos from Peru

 

Gunnar

P.S. It is still possible to book your post COVID world birding in 2022-2024 with a super discount and frozen prices! We add value with interest on your deposit. Check the link to see how it works.