South Coast

The coast south of Lima has much to offer the birder, even with only one day to spend. These are the key sites, working south from Lima.
Pantanos de Villa
These marshes, virtually within Lima, are usually only useful if sites further south are not going to be visited, except that Plumbeous Rail is quite readily found here, and there is an introduced population of Yellow-hooded Blackbird . Peruvian Thick-knees can be found at the right place, while in the marshes themselves are Many-coloured Rush-Tyrant, Wren-like Rushbird, Least Bittern and Great Grebe. There is a variety of waterfowl to find, including White-cheeked Pintail and Cinnamon Teal. Peruvian Meadowlark, Chestnut-throated Seedeater, Grassland Yellow-Finch and Yellowish Pipit can be found in the nearby fields. There is a different set of birds to be found watching the sea from the beach near the marshes, including Peruvian and occasionally Blue-footed Boobies, Peruvian Pelican, Inca Tern and Grey and Band-tailed Gulls. Shorebirds, at the right time of year, can include Wilson's Phalarope, Whimbrel and Solitary Sandpiper.
Pucusana
This coastal town just south of Lima offers excellent seabirding from shore. As well as the same birds seen from the beach at Pantanos de Villa, Red-legged Cormorant is regular, and, of most interest, so is Humboldt Penguin. Blackish Oystercatcher and Peruvian Seaside Cinclodes can be seen on the rocky shore below the overlook. Sooty Shearwaters and Wilson's Storm-Petrels can also be picked out with a telescope.
Puerto Viejo
This is perhaps the most species-rich area close to Lima. In the scrubby areas, Peruvian Thick-knees can be found in good numbers, as well as, somewhat erratically, Drab, Chestnut-throated and Parrot-billed Seedeaters along with an occasional Collared Warbling-Finch. Coastal Miner and, in the right season, Dark-faced Ground-Tyrants can also be found at some places. The marshes nearby can be very productive, with Many-coloured Rush-Tyrant and Wren-like Rushbird being easily found, and Great Grebes in good numbers. Chilean Flamingos are somewhat regular in the northern marshy section, while a good selection of waterfowl can be found almost anywhere, including Andean Duck. The beach and rocks are also productive, especially for Peruvian Seaside Cinclodes and Blackish Oystercatcher, while, with luck, Humboldt Penguin and Red-legged Cormorant can be seen offshore. This may be the nearest things Peru has to a "vagrant trap," and among the rarities recorded here are Cocoi Heron and Yellow-billed Pintail.
Cañete
This is hardly a birding site in general, but there is a place on the edge of town where the threatened Slender-billed Finch can be found.
Paracas
Although famous from a general nature standpoint as well as from the birder's point of view, the only bird here that is not found equally or more easily further north is Peruvian Tern, which occurs throughout the area, but is perhaps most easily found near the overlook tower in the reserve itself.

Connecting Sites
Driving directly, Paracas can be reached in 2-3 hours from Lima. The other sites could all be combined with a trip to Lomas de Lachay, and hour north of the city.