REFORESTATION AND BIRD OBSEVATORY PROJECT

Habitat Restoration & Bird Conservation Projects

Through these projects, we aim to restore degraded habitats through reforestation with native plant species, creating suitable conditions for the recovery and long-term sustainability of local bird populations. Our goal is to support habitat restoration both in the short and long term, while promoting environmental awareness and responsible nature tourism.

Our initiative is developed in two complementary components:

1. Native Reforestation Project

A reforestation program focused on restoring a significant area that was previously affected by habitat degradation. The project uses native trees, shrubs, and flowering plants to enhance biodiversity and improve natural foraging and shelter opportunities for birds.

2. Bearded Mountaineer Bird Observatory

The creation of a specialized High Andean bird observatory, where strategically placed feeders will allow hummingbirds and other bird species to be observed easily. This observatory will provide visitors with an opportunity to experience High Andean birdlife while learning about conservation and habitat restoration.

Hummingbird and Bird Observatory Project – Oropeza Area

Bearded Mountaineer

Oreonympha nobilis
(Barbudo Montañés)

Introduction

The installation of bird and hummingbird feeders at the site will provide additional foraging opportunities, while also allowing visitors to observe and learn about the birds of the Inter-Andean Valley. In parallel, the surrounding area will be restored through reforestation with native shrubs, fruit-bearing trees, and flowering plants, further enhancing habitat quality for birds.

The Bearded Mountaineer (Oreonympha nobilis) is a hummingbird species endemic to Peru, belonging to the family Trochilidae. It inhabits high-altitude valleys of the south-central Andes, at elevations between 2,700 and 3,900 meters (8,900–12,800 ft).

Two subspecies are recognized: the more widespread nobilis and the more restricted albolimbata. The species is known to occur in the Huacarpay Wetlands, located close to the proposed observatory site. The Oropeza area serves as a natural ecological corridor between the southern Cusco Valley and the beginning of the Sacred Valley and the Urubamba River basin. In this region, the Bearded Mountaineer inhabits scrubland habitats and is frequently observed visiting tobacco plants (Nicotiana sp.) along roadsides.

Project Area and Location

The project site is located near the Huacarpay Wetlands, approximately 30 minutes from the city of Cusco, in an area known as Oropeza. Its proximity to an important wetland ecosystem and its position within a natural corridor make it an ideal location for conservation and bird observation initiatives.

Conservation Benefits

• Feeders will be constructed using recyclable materials.

• Environmental education activities, including virtual talks, will be carried out during the development of the project to promote conservation awareness.

• The attraction of multiple bird species will allow for improved understanding of their ecology and behavior.

• The project will highlight the value of the natural environment to local stakeholders and encourage conservation-minded attitudes.

• Wildlife-based tourism generated by the project may contribute economically to the surrounding area while fostering appreciation for native biodiversity.

Map and Location: