WAYQECHA BIOLOGICAL STATION
PERU
LOCALE
| Altitude (m): | 2200-3700 |
| # Species: | 331 |
| # Excl Vagrants: | 331 |
| # Endemics: | 15 |
| # Near Endemics: | 39 |
| Habitat: Cloud Forest | |
ABOUT THE BIRDING
Wayqecha Biological Station is situated in the high Andes at about 10,000 ft elevation. The 1450 acre reserve is a biodiversity hotspot where treeless plains of the altiplano meet cloud forest. The field station sits atop a steep slope that drops off sharply into the Kcos¤ipata Valley below. Many of the trails are also steep, though some traverse the side of the valley. Birding is along these trails or along Manu Road. Not far up the road is an excellent overlook into cloud forest where mixed tanager flocks and sometimes Gray-breasted Mountain-Toucans are easily viewed. A bit farther is a trail into the cloud forest that is sometimes productive. Although the biological station can be quite cold, especially during austral winter, and rooms are quite basic, it is an essential overnight stop since birding the Hualcarpay Lakes area and the altiplano en route is as much as one can do in a single day.
LOCATION OF SITE
Wayqecha Biolgical Station is located near the beginning of Manu Road 102 km from Cusco. Since most of the road is gravel, it takes about 2 hours to get there.