SummaryPeruvian Terns Sternula lorata breed in the sand desert plains of the coast of Perú and northern Chile. Because of their long-term population decline, Peruvian Tern is categorized as ‘Endangered’ on the IUCN Red List. The observations that formed the basis for that decision were made in the 1970s and 1990s. In this study, we compile information on distribution, numbers, habitat use and threats of Peruvian Terns that has become available between 2003 and 2008 from 14 localities on the Peruvian coast. Peruvian Tern sites are located between the mangroves of San Pedro de Vice in the north (5o31’S) and the wetlands of Ite in the south (17o56’S). From the 14 locations, five are reported for first time: Virrilá, Eten, Huanchaco, isla Mazorca and Ite. There were only four active breeding sites: Pacasmayo, Paraíso, Pampa Lechuzas and Tres Hermanas-Yanyarina; however, some localities were visited outside the breeding season and should be surveyed between October and February to search for nests. The presence of 283 individuals was confirmed at the 14 sites in an area of approximately 1,388 ha (which represents only 0.35% of the total suitable area for nesting along the Peruvian coast). Thus, the number of Peruvian Terns in Perú should increase with systematic surveys. Here for the first time we report the importance of wetlands for the Peruvian Terns (43% of the sightings occurred in this habitat). Wetlands can offer optimal conditions for feeding, but the cost of using them is becoming higher with a sharp increase of human expansion into coastal areas and urban development around wetlands. We identified the following threats affecting Peruvian Terns on their feeding and breeding grounds: 1) recreational activities; 2) off-road driving by fishermen and tourists; 3) wetland pollution and water use for irrigation; 4) conversion of desert plains to agricultural land; 5) management of wetland water levels; 6) presence of feral cats and dogs, and 7) oil exploration on the desert plains. These adverse factors can be eradicated by the protection of tern sites and public awareness and education. Conservation actions, monitoring and research priorities are suggested.

Si la llegada en primavera-verano de las aves limícolas migratorias neárticas influye en el incremento de la riqueza y abundancia de los ensambles de aves en los humedales costeros entonces, tanto la riqueza como la abundancia de este grupo de aves disminuirán hacia el otoño. Para comprobarlo se usó como modelo de estudio al Manglar San Pedro de Vice donde se estableció que la disminución de la riqueza de aves en otoño podría deberse al retorno de las especies migratorias neárticas hacia el hemisferio norte. Por tanto, el objetivo fue determinar la disminución de la riqueza y abundancia de aves limícolas migratorias neárticas. Se realizaron 10 muestreos quincenales entre diciembre del 2010 y abril del 2011, recorriendo una distancia de 4.5 km desde el norte del canal de marea preferentemente cuando la marea estaba bajando. La disminución de la riqueza se analizó con una regresión de Poisson, la disminución de la abundancia se hizo a través de los promedios de abundancias con un modelo lineal generalizado. Se registraron 19 especies de aves limícolas consideradas como migratorias neárticas. La riqueza de especies y la abundancia mostraron una disminución estadísticamente significativa de acuerdo a los intervalos de confianza de las pendientes respectivas. Se concluye que las aves limícolas migratorias neárticas sí influyen en los patrones estacionales de los ensambles de aves en los humedales costeros en Perú.

On October 1st, 2006, at the Mangroves San Pedro de Vice –MSPV (Sechura, Piura - Peru) the first visual record of Leopardus pajeros was made in the southern part of the area (05°31’09” S, 80°53’28” W). Subsequently, between August and December of 2010, different tracks were recorded. On December 4th, 2010, the first photographic record was taken at the MSPV with two nights/trap, being the first record for Piura department, the westernmost coordinates, the lowest altitude above sea level (0 m), and the first associated with a wetland in Peru.

Prosopis pallida forma parte de los algarrobales del desierto de Sechura en el noroeste peruano. Brinda múltiples beneficios como recurso para la fauna silvestre. Siguiendo el concepto de selección de recursos, se plantea como objetivo determinar el uso y selección de las partes aéreas de P. pallida por parte de reptiles, aves y mamíferos, en el algarrobal aledaño a la laguna Ñapique (Sechura, Perú). Los datos se tomaron en seis transectos seleccionados convenientemente y se calculó la disponibilidad del árbol después de dividirlo en tres componentes, copa superior, copa inferior y tronco con ramas, a los que se añadió la sombra bajo la copa como cuarto componente por estar relacionado directamente con el árbol. Se adaptó el diseño Tipo I de Manly (la disponibilidad y uso se estiman para todos los individuos de la especie dentro del área de estudio) y se usó el Cociente de Selección de Manly para determinar la selección de los componentes del árbol por parte de la fauna. Los reptiles seleccionaron la sombra bajo la copa. Las aves y mamíferos seleccionaron el tronco y ramas. El uso y selección de los diferentes componentes de P. pallida revelan la vital importancia que tiene para la sobrevivencia de la fauna silvestre en el desierto de Sechura.

On September 16, 2015, an earthquake occurred in Chile, causing a tsunami (T16S) that impacted Coquimbo Bay, where the Punta Teatinos, Elqui River Mouth, and El Culebrón wetlands are located. Changes in the flat topography produced by the T16S in these wetlands are described using Google Earth Pro v. 7.3.2.5491 and in waterbird richness, with data obtained from eBird. The richness of the accumulated species (S = 43), the similarity of the richness (analysis of conglomerates and similarity index of Sorensen) and differences between means of waterbird richness before and after T16S were analyzed statistically. The similarity in the composition of water birds before and after T16S were, Punta Teatinos (0.83), Mouth of the Elqui River (0.86) and El Culebrón (0.91), the latter was the most affected in its flat topography but showed higher similarity before and after T16S. No statistical differences in the mean of waterbird richness were found before and after T16S. The three wetlands were highly resilient. The original flat topography, the vegetation structure and the water bird richness recovered in a year. It is considered that water birds and these wetlands are resilient to disturbances.