Mejía Lagoons Sanctuary

The Santuario Nacional Lagunas de Mejía protects a narrow band of freshwater and brackish lagoons, reedbed and beach between the Tambo river delta and the Pacific, in a stretch of coast that is otherwise desert. That combination - permanent water in an arid coastal corridor - makes it a critical stop on the Pacific flyway, and around two hundred species have been recorded, with large numbers of North American migrants arriving between roughly December and March: sandpipers, plovers, terns and gulls alongside resident herons, ibis, coots, grebes and Chilean flamingo. It is the most important coastal wetland in southern Peru and is Ramsar-listed. Facilities are modest - a visitor centre, trails and observation points along the lagoons - and the birds are the entire reason to go. Water levels and bird numbers fluctuate with the Tambo river and with El Niño conditions, which have reshaped the site repeatedly.

History

In 1981 the Ministry of Agriculture was draining the lagoons to make rice fields, and a letter-writing campaign by O. P. Pearson, M. P. Harris, R. A. Hughes and others led to their protection. The sanctuary was established on 24 February 1984, covering 690.6 hectares, and was designated a Ramsar site in 1992 (Wikipedia, Lagunas de Mejía National Sanctuary).

Highlights

• The lagoons - freshwater and brackish water in a desert coastal corridor.
• The migrants - North American waders arriving roughly December to March.
• The residents - herons, ibis, coots, grebes and Chilean flamingo.
• The flyway role - the most important coastal wetland in southern Peru.

When to go

December to March for the northern migrants at their peak; residents are present year-round. Early morning is best. Half a day covers the trails and hides.

Good to know

Birding is the only reason to go - bring binoculars and expect distance. Facilities are modest. Water levels and bird numbers vary considerably between years, especially in El Niño conditions. Exposed with little shade.

Nearby

Mollendo and its beaches are north; the Tambo valley runs inland.

Key facts