16 NOVEMBER – 2/6 DECEMBER 2013 - Birdquest -SOUTHERN- REP … · The endemic Cordoba Cinclodes was the first to fall, quickly ... Grey-necked Wood-Rails foraging along the track

1 BirdQuest Tour Report: Southern Argentina 2013 www.birdquest-tours.com

The stunning Hooded Grebe, described new to science in 1974, breeds only on remote Patagonian plateau lakes in western Santa Cruz prov., Argentina but has declined by 80% in the past decade and is now Critically Endangered (courtesy Pablo Hernández)

SOUTHERN & CENTRAL ARGENTINA

16 NOVEMBER – 2/6 DECEMBER 2013

LEADER: MARK PEARMAN

Eleven superb Hooded Grebes on a remote volcanic cauldron lake was one of the very top prizes for participants of this tour. Although the tarmac is getting ever closer to the grebe, and it is now even possible to sometimes reach them by minibus, their numbers have dwindled to less than a thousand birds due to various natural and man-influenced factors. Time is running out for the Hooded Grebe and its threat status was recently elevated to Critically Endangered. Prior to this, another major highlight was our protracted views of a trio of Killer Whales with a female seizing an Elephant Seal pup from the beach, and teaching its calf this attack method which is unrecorded elsewhere on the planet. But that was not all…. an (until now) unheard-of viewable Dot-winged Crake walk-about and now regular Red-and-white Crake show, plus stunning looks at such range-restricted or threatened species as Salinas Monjita, Straight-billed Reedhaunter, Pampas Meadowlark, Sandy Gallito, Patagonian Tinamou, Magellanic Plover, Austral Rail, White-bridled Finch and Ruddy-headed Goose made this an outstanding tour, tough to exceed in terms of quality. A few bonus birds in the form of threatened Black-and–white Monjita and King Penguin came our way amongst 329 species seen, as did the numerous eye-catching Patagonian specialties such as Spectacled Duck, Magellanic Woodpecker, Rufous-chested Dotterel, Magellanic Horned Owl and Chocolate-vented Tyrant to name but a few, while the endless vast windswept terrain, teeming shag, penguin and piniped colonies, succulent grilled beef and lamb dishes, impressive wines not to mention the remoteness of Patagonia all added to the atmosphere of this memorable experience.


Now you see it, now you don’t. What sets the Orcas at the Valdes Peninsula apart is their ability to beach themselves and snatch Elephant Seal pups while belly pounding, as taught from mother to offspring and witnessed on the 2013 tour (Mark Pearman)

The endemic Salinas Monjita is restricted to the low periphery vegetation of a few vast saltpans in central Argentina (left); the enigmatic

Magellanic Plover with its shocking pink legs, of southern Patagonia, has been afforded its own family status (Frank Hummel) This year’s tour started in the city of Córdoba with part of the group having already bagged extra-curiculum nesting Grey Monjitas at the international airport. Our first birding site was a light sierran woodland near Icho Cruz which provided some prolific action including Golden-breasted Woodpecker, Chaco Earthcreeper, nesting Lark-like Brushrunner, Brown Cacholote, the outrageous Scimitar-billed Woodcreeper, Straneck’s Tyrannulet, Pale-breasted and Sooty-fronted Spinetails, Tufted Tit-Spinetail, Crowned Slaty-Flycatcher, delightful Tawny-headed Swallow, Golden-billed Saltator, Many-coloured Chaco-Finch, Stripe-capped Sparrow, smart Blue-and-yellow Tanager, Band-tailed Seedeater, plus a Brushland Tinamou that flushed across the track. This morning we drove up to the Pampa de Achala which levels out in a moonscape at 2100 m. A first stop providing us with White Monjita, the local endemic race of Long-tailed Meadowlark, Firewood Gatherer, Campo Flicker and Elena got us on to a Grassland Sparrow perching unusually high. Progressive stops secured White-collared and Andean Swifts, White-winged Black-Tyrant, a few spectacular Red-tailed Comets, before we started our cinclodes search. The endemic Cordoba Cinclodes was the first to fall, quickly followed by the local endemic race of White-winged and finally Olrog’s Cinclodes. Meanwhile, a Grass Wren was singing in earnest as was a displaying Hellmayr’s Pipit, and we had several looks at Puna Canastero, and Ash-breasted and Plumbeous Sierra-Finches, Plain-coloured Seedeater, but we just couldn’t take our eyes off those gaudy endemic Achala Anoles, a luminescent green iguanid lizard. Just down the hill, a lunch stop delivered an unexpected pair of Burrowing Parrots of the rare sierran race conlara; usually found further a bit further south. The forested western slope of the sierras secured some shade in soaring temperatures, where we were able to home in on Blue-crowned Parakeets, a shy Andean Slaty-Thrush, striking male Black-backed Grosbeak and inquisitive Brown-capped Whitestart. Twelve Andean Condors busy at a carcass rounded off our return drive across the mountains to our base.


A long predawn drive took us to the vast Salinas Grandes which span three provinces, primarily in search of the endemic Salinas Monjitas. An unexpected locked gate meant a fair walk out to the prime habitat of the monjita but luckily Mark knew the best area to start looking in this unthinkably vast expanse. Bob got us onto our first bird and we enjoyed point blank views of a trio of this little known gem. The nearby chaco woodlands provided a plethora of other goodies including White-fronted Woodpecker, Suiriri Flycatcher, Greater Wagtail-Tyrant, Tawny-crowned Pygmy-Tyrant, Southern Scrub-Flycatcher, Patagonian Mockingbird, Chaco Warbling-Finch, and bizarre White-tipped Plantcutter. Colin got us onto our first of three smart Black-crested Finches, a declining species due to trapping, which may now be most easily seen at this very location. Back in the sierran chaco we homed straight in on corking Crested Gallitos doing their stuff, plus Cliff Flycatcher and Black-capped Warbling-Finch. A serious storm and huge overnight drop in temperature frustrated our rainy, windy morning’s birding, only able to add White-tipped Dove, Guira Cuckoos, Yellow-billed Tit-Tyrant and Pearly-vented Tody-Tyrant. Flying back to Buenos Aires, dawn found us at Otamendi National Park where the birds came thick and fast. New birds (and a family for some!) included Southern Screamer, Silver Teal, White-faced Ibis, Maguari Stork, Long-winged Harrier, Roadside Hawk, Dusky-legged Guan, Limpkin, the mighty Giant Wood-Rail, Picazuro Pigeon, Guilded Sapphire, Ringed Kingfisher, Checkered Woodpecker, not to mention Curve-billed Reedhaunter which gave itself up easily, Spix’s Spinetail, Freckle-breasted Spinetail, Narrow-billed Woodcreeper, Rufous-capped Antshrike, Sooty Tyrannulet, White-winged Becard, Sayaca and Diademed Tanagers, Long-tailed Reedfinch, Grassland Yellow-Finch and Great Pampa-Finch, Masked Yellowthroat, Brown-and-yellow Marshbird and gorgeous Scarlet-headed Blackbird. Ash-coloured Cuckoo was a quality find. Finally though, our search for the major prize climaxed when we backtracked and scored at the ninth hour with jaw-dropping close-ups of Straight-billed Reedhaunter… a result after a lot of effort. Back in town, an afternoon visit to Costanera Sur provided a couple of tough ducks at this latitude in the form of Masked Duck and Ringed Teal, and we also added our first Brazilian Teal and Rosy-billed Pochard. There were good numbers of Spot-flanked Gallinule, Wattled Jacana and all three coots; White-winged, Red-gartered and Red-fronted. Elena got us onto a Rufescent Tiger-Heron, and we enjoyed close-ups of two Grey-necked Wood-Rails foraging along the track. Here too we added Harris’ Hawk, Nanday Parakeets, White-crested Tyrannulet, Yellow-billed Cardinal, Solitary Cacique and Variable Oriole to round off a memorable day. A short drive south of Buenos Aires quickly produced several Warbling Doraditos, plus Dark-billed Cuckoo and Wren-like Rushbird before we reached the site of another Premier League bird. In record time we were watching the poorly known yet spectacular Red-and-white Crake which put on quite a show. Just down the road we watched several displaying White-browed Blackbirds and a hovering White-tailed Kite before setting out for San Clemente. Lakes and reservoirs were teaming with waterfowl, herons and waders; one gravel pit alone had nine species of duck including the highly sought after Black-headed Duck and both swans. Here too we scoped our first Black Skimmer. At the edge of another lake were over three hundred Stilt Sandpipers plus Wilson’s Phalarope and Roseate Spoonbills. We saw our only Striated Heron and Wood Storks of the tour as Greater Rheas became a common sight and we watched our first Spotted Nothuras that we had only heard until now, and Cinereous harrier and a large flock of American Golden Plovers. We dedicated time to search for a furnariid still recovering from several drought years a decade ago. The often elusive Hudson’s Canastero put on a great show, although we had to work for it. Out in the saltmarsh at Punta Rasa all seemed rather quiet after dawn as we went through the paces of trying to flush a Dot-winged Crake not seen since the 2000 tour. We had been in and out of sludgy grass and nasty spiky rushes and things were not looking good. That was until Richard mentioned that he had heard a “little gremlin chuckle”. Before long three birds were vocalizing and we managed multiple jaw-dropping looks on the deck of the elusive and very poorly known Dot-winged Crake… WOW !!! Truly a magical moment and highlight of the tour. Not one Bay-capped Wren-Spinetail had been heard during the morning until we finally came across one obliging bird. Adding to our success we quickly homed in on several Sulphur-bearded Spinetails and back in town Judith got us onto a smart pair of White-throated Hummingbirds. In the afternoon a visit to a nearby estancia with a scheduled search for South American Painted Snipe saw the team decked out in a variety of wellies and Neo’s. The marsh was deep in places and saw Jack and Judith wallow in a fit of laughter while Colin managed to step out of both his wellies. Nevertheless, we bagged the delightful Many-coloured Rush-Tyrant and a bonus Stripe-backed Bittern while Elena and Roger flushed a “snipe” whose identity remained a mystery. A long journey to Bahia Blanca was punctuated by Juan finding us Red-winged Tinamou for protracted roadside views. In the morning we quickly homed in on displaying Pampas Meadowlarks (with Long-tailed for comparison), Pampas Pipit and a smart male Bearded Tachuri. Further on, a male Hudson’s Black-Tyrant was displaying in exactly the same place as on our 2011 tour. Striking White-banded Mockingbirds were now


ubiquitous and Burrowing Parrot flocks became a common sight as we neared Las Grutas. Suddenly Bob spotted a displaying bird from the bus which turned out to be our first of many Carbonated Sierra-Finches and which lead us to find two other quality endemic breeders. Cinnamon Warbling Finches were dripping off the trees while we also scrutinized a nest-building pair of Patagonian Canasteros. What a result ! Soon after dawn we continued our endeavours in the now coastal monte desert obtaining close-up studies of several White-winged Black-Tyrants, Lesser Shrike-Tyrant, nesting Scale-throated Earthcreeper, White-bellied Tyrannulet and our first Crested Ducks. The voice of a Sandy Gallito reverberated along a gulley, and soon we enjoyed point blank views of this interesting endemic which prefers to run instead of fly. Shortly we reached the secluded village of Puerto Pirámides on the Valdés Peninsula and set out on one of the numerous whale-watching trips. It wasn’t long before we came across the first mother and calf in calm waters, a scene to be repeated several times over during the voyage. A small number of Magellanic Penguins could be seen foraging at sea, while groups of Rock Shags flew past at intervals, and we observed our first Blackish Oystercatcher. With a full day to explore the Valdes Peninsula, we lost no time in firstly tracking down the near-endemic Band-tailed Earthcreeper and endemic Rusty-backed Monjita along with Grey-bellied Shrike-Tyrant and our first Tawny-throated Dotterels, Least Seedsnipe, Common Miner and delightful Patagonian Maras. Just as we were getting to grips with close fly-bys of Northern Giant-Petrel, our attention turned to water as we became transfixed for over an hour with a group of three Killer Whales. Just when they appeared to be swimming out to sea, unexpectedly, a female beached on a spit and snatched a large Elephant Seal pup and dragged it into the sea. The show continued as two female Orcas played a game pushing the elephant around before the chomping began. The water was filled with blood and hoards of giant-petrels gorged themselves on the debris.

Walking in one of the many large Magellanic Penguin colonies is always a delight (Mark Pearman)

South America’s largest penguin colony beckoned, not only for the 600,000 pairs of Magellanic Penguin, but also for the endemic Chubut Steamer-Duck, described new to science as recently as 1981. Several fierce Brown Skuas menaced the penguins and shags, before a first male steamer-duck showed distantly. After


close-ups of Grey-hooded Sierra-Finch, Elena got us onto a well camouflaged close-up sleeping pair of Chubut Steamers which provided us with walk-away views.

The endless wilderness of Patagonia; just when you thought you were getting to know it after a week’s driving, you had to fly more than two hours in a jet just to get further south (Mark Pearman) After flying to El Calafate in south-west Santa Cruz province we began the Santa Cruz circuit, home to some of the most highly sought-after of all the Patagonian endemics. High on our agenda was the enigmatic Magellanic Plover, and a second search lead us to the treasure. A pair with a chick provided protracted scope studies which included regurgitation observations, a feature otherwise unknown in waders. Here too we studied our first Flying Steamer-Ducks. Moving on to the Glacier National Park we were soon enjoying e Austral Parakeet, Chilean Flicker, Fire-eyed Diucon, White-throated Treerunner and Thorn-tailed Rayadito which al fell quickly. The scarce Spectacled Duck presented no problem and we eneded seeing six, including two close to the glacier. The bird on the mind of many proved a tougher than usual and was starting to give us a merry dance. After checking four sites, we returned to one of these again only to gawk in awe at a close-up pair of superb Magellanic Woodpeckers, voted number 3 bird of the tour. Needless to say, we viewed the Perito Moreno glacier in all its glory, 13 km of visible ice with a 4.5 km head, chunks occasionally falling off, thundering into the turquoise lake and floating off as icebergs. The walkways also provided a dancing Magellanic Tapaculo and a Chilean Hawk for some. Heading north to the Santa Cruz plateaus, our next target was not just another specialty, but a critically endangered species which has suffered a population crash of 80% in the last decade. The Hooded Grebe had been on everyone’s mind, probably since booking the tour, and it is suffering from trout and mink introduction, increased winds affecting it’s nest material which harbours a snail species crucial to the chick’s development, the appearance of predatory Kelp Gulls and a trend of its breeding lakes drying out, just to mention a few of the problems. Add to this the species habit of abandoning its second egg when the first hatches. If there is one bird you don’t want to miss in Argentine Patagonia then it has to be the Hooded Grebe. Just a few years ago the entire journey we undertook would have been on dirt roads, but we should also count ourselves fortunate in having a leader with inside knowledge from the biologists working on the survival program. As such, our journey into the outback of Patagonia came to fruition after checking just a few lakes when we realized our goal, finding eleven glorious grebes on one of the numerous volcanic cauldron lakes. Here too we got to grips with Short-billed miners with Common Miners to compare with, and the only Grey-breasted Seedsnipes of the tour. At dawn we were standing in the very marsh where in 1998 the Austral Rail was rediscovered after a 49 year disappearing act. Today it is locally common, yet virtually endemic to Santa Cruz province. In fairly windy conditions, we eventually managed cracking views of two of these tiny crake-sized rails. To the east, an unfortunate break-down cost us many hours, yet we stumbled upon many vocalizing Patagonian Tinamous, another Premier League bird of Patagonia. It’s not every day that you tape tinamous in, but that is just what happened as these birds came running down a hillside towards us, allowing blinding walk-away scope views. South of Rio Gallegos the steppe was even more barren but was to provide us with three more top birds. First we homed in on the stunning Rufous-chested Dotterel with point blank views. Soon after, the first of five


male White-bridled Finches put on a great show. Finally we secured just a single Ruddy-headed Goose with Upland Geese providing rather a sad sight with the knowledge that just over 200 individuals are left on the South American continent. A quarry stop provided a new site for the smart Patagonian Yellow-Finch, and an impromptu stop secured us an obliging Austral Canastero. Bang, bang, bang !!! Winds had increased and our flight to Tierra del Fuego was cancelled, although we did manage to get on the next day. Heading south the weather deteriorated rapidly and we endured a white out situation with snow flurry, a jack-knifed truck on the highest road pass, and yet more and more wind. Given the low snowline, various species of higher altitude had made it down to sea level so we managed to find Grey-flanked Cinclodes, and both Dark-faced and Ochre-naped Ground-Tyrants in town. A respite in the wind the following morning allowed us to journey along the Beagle Channel. The voyage was punctuated by thousands of Imperial Shags, as well as Rock Shags, Kelp Geese, Fuegian and Flying Steamer-Ducks, a Black-browed Albatross, a strong candidate split Fuegian [Wilson’s] Storm-Petrel and our ultimate goal of nesting Gentoo Penguins with two King Penguins as a bonus gracing the colony.

A King Penguin amongst nesting Gentoo and Magellanic Penguins is not an everyday sight in Tierra del Fuego (Mark Pearman)


SYSTEMATIC LIST OF SPECIES RECORDED DURING THE TOUR The species and family sequence and taxonomy largely follows the A.O.U. South American Classification Committee checklist which is available on-line at www.museum.lsu.edu/~Remsen/SACCBaseline.html Species names are mostly those used in Mazar Barnett & Pearman (2001) Annotated Checklist of the Birds of Argentina, Lynx Edicions and Pearman (in prep.) The Birds of Argentina and the South-west Atlantic, Princeton Univ. Press (Helm Identification Series). Species which were heard but not seen are indicated by the symbol (H). Species which were not personally recorded by the leader are indicated by the symbol (NL). Species marked with the diamond symbol (◊) are either endemic to the country or local region or considered ‘special’ birds for some other reason (e.g. it is only seen on one or two Birdquest tours; it is difficult to see across all or most of its range; the local form is endemic or restricted-range and may in future be treated as a full species). Greater Rhea Rhea americana A common sight in the Pampas. Lesser Rhea Rhea pennata Replaced Greater Rhea from the Valdés Peninsula southwards. Red-winged Tinamou Rhynchotus rufescens 2 on the long drive to Bahia Blanca, thanks to our driver Juan. Brushland Tinamou ◊ Nothoprocta cinerascens 1 seen in flight near Icho Cruz, others heard here and in La Pampa. Andean Tinamou Nothoprocta pentlandii (H) Abundant by voice in the sierras of Cordoba, none were cooperative. Darwin’s Nothura ◊ Nothura darwinii (H) Small numbers heard in La Pampa and on the Valdés Peninsula. Spotted Nothura Nothura maculosa Various encounters and observations in Córdoba and the pampas. Elegant Crested-Tinamou ◊ Eudromia elegans Single groups in Cordoba and Buenos Aires; abundant southwards. Patagonian Tinamou ◊ Tinamotis ingoufi Blinding views of 3 somewhere in the middle of Santa Cruz. Southern Screamer Chauna torquata Regular encounters in the pampas. White-faced Whistling-Duck Dendrocygna viduata 30 at Punta Lara and 50 en route to San Clemente. Black-necked Swan ◊ Cygnus melanocoryphus In small to large numbers on Pampean and Patagonian lakes. Coscoroba Swan ◊ Coscoroba coscoroba In larger numbers than Black-necked Swan, often on the same lakes. Upland Goose ◊ Chloephaga picta Seen daily in the south, with a maximum of 300 one afternoon. Kelp Goose ◊ Chloephaga hybrida A male and 2 females in Ushuaia, then 20 or more along the Beagle Channel. Ashy-headed Goose ◊ Chloephaga poliocephala 45 seen out of Rio Grande, and 4 by the hotel in Ushuaia. Ruddy-headed Goose ◊ Chloephaga rubidiceps Sadly just 1 on the Cabo Virgenes road. Ringed Teal Calloneta leucophrys 3 males and a female at Costanera Sur, 1 drake at Punta Lara. Brazilian Teal (B Duck) Amazonetta brasiliensis 7 at Costanera Sur and 1 at Punta Lara. Flying Steamer-Duck ◊ Tachyeres patachonicus 3 nr El Calafate, 4 on the Strobel, common in the Beagle Channel. Fuegian Steamer-Duck ◊ (Flightless/ Magellan S-D) Tachyeres pteneres 7 in the Beagle Channel over two dates. Chubut Steamer-Duck ◊ (White-headed S-D) Tachyeres leucocephalus A male and a pair at Punta Tombo. Crested Duck Lophonetta specularioides Common from Las Grutas southwards. Spectacled Duck ◊ (Bronze-winged D) Speculanas specularis 2 pairs plus 2 well grown young at the Glacier NP. Chiloe Wigeon ◊ (Southern W) Anas sibilatrix 2 en route to San Clemente, common from Bahia Blanca southwards. Speckled Teal (Yellow-billed T) Anas flavirostris Regular encounters, all referable to the nominate race. Yellow-billed Pintail Anas georgica Common throughout with a maximum of 200 en route to Bahia Blanca. White-cheeked Pintail Anas bahamensis 1 en route to San Clemente, 7 en route to Bahia Blanca. Silver Teal Anas versicolor Many encounters; a maximum of 60 out of San Clemente. Cinnamon Teal Anas cyanoptera 10 or more en route to Bahia Blanca. Red Shoveler ◊ Anas platalea The commonest duck of the tour, over 700 on one lake in Trelew. Rosy-billed Pochard ◊ Netta peposaca Small numbers in the pampas. Black-headed Duck ◊ Heteronetta atricapilla 8 nr San Clemente, 2 nr Bahia Blanca, 20 in Trelew, 1 on the Strobel P. Masked Duck Nomonyx dominicus A pair at Costanera Sur was a nice bonus. Andean Ruddy-duck (Andean D) Oxyura ferruginea 100 in Trelew, 1 near El Calafate, 10 near the Strobel Plateau. Lake Duck ◊ (Argentine Ruddy-Duck) Oxyura vittata 4 at Costanera Sur, 10 or more near the Strobel Plateau.


Dusky-legged Guan ◊ Penelope obscura 4 at Otamendi (nominate obscura). White-tufted Grebe Rollandia Rolland Various encounters with over 100 en route to Bahia Blanca. Pied-billed Grebe Podilmbus podiceps Pairs at the Pampa de Achala and Costanera Sur, 10 near Bahia Blanca. Great Grebe Podicephorus major Seen at regular intervals throughout the tour. Silvery Grebe Podiceps occipitalis 4 near Bahia Blanca, 10 in Trelew, 2 at El Calafate, 100 on the Strobel Pleateau. Hooded Grebe ◊ Podiceps gallardoi 11 on a Strobel Plateau lake, voted bird of the tour by a huge margin. Chilean Flamingo Phoenicopterus chilensis Regular encounters. King Penguin Aptenodytes patagonicus 2 adults at the Gentoo colony in the Beagle Channel. Gentoo Penguin Pygoscelis papua At least 27 on Martillo Island. Magellanic Penguin ◊ Spheniscus magellanicus Common at the Valdes Pen. Pta. Tombo and Beagle Channel. Black-browed Albatross Thalassarche melanophrys Just 1 along the Beagle Channel. Southern Giant-Petrel (Common/ Antarctic G-P) Macronectes giganteus Abundant at all coastal sites. Northern Giant-Petrel (Hall’s G-P) Macronectes halli 1 adult gave several fly-bys at the Valdes Peninsula. Southern Fulmar ◊ Fulmarus glacialoides 3 and 6 on the Beagle Channel including 1 onshore. Manx Shearwater Puffinus puffinus (NL) Distant scope views by Richard off the Valdés Peninsula. Wilson’s Storm-Petrel ◊ Oceanites oceanicus 1 in the Beagle Channel. See note. Neotropic Cormorant (Olivaceous C) Phalacrocorax brasilianus Regular encounters south to the Valdés P. Rock Shag ◊ (R Cormorant, Magellan S) Phalacrocorax magellanicus Colonies at the Valdés and Beagle Channel. Imperial Shag ◊ (I Cormorant) Phalacrocorax atriceps Increasing numbers from the Valdes to the Beagle Channel. Rufescent Tiger-Heron Tigrisoma lineatum An adult found by Elena at Costanera Sur was our only record. Stripe-backed Bittern ◊ Ixobrychus involucris 1 was flushed twice on an estancia near San Clemente. Black-crowned Night-Heron Nycticorax nycticorax Small numbers from San Clemente to the Beagle Channel. Striated Heron Butorides striatus 1 stood close to a roadside lake en route to San Clemente was our only sighting. Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis 65 en route to San Clemente, and 50 on the drive to Bahia Blanca. Cocoi Heron (White-necked H) Ardea cocoi Regular in the pampas with 50 or more en route to Bahia Blanca. Great Egret Ardea alba Small numbers in the pampas. Whistling Heron Syrigma sibilatrix 2 en route to San Clemente and 2 more on the drive to Bahia Blanca. Snowy Egret Egretta thula Small to large numbers in the pampas and 1 at Las Grutas. White-faced Ibis Plegadis chihi Common to abundant in the Pampas. Flocks of 8 and 15 in the Punta Tombo area. Bare-faced Ibis Phimosus infuscatus 10 or so flying over a service station stop en route to Bahia Blanca. Black-faced Ibis ◊ Theristicus melanopis Common to abundant in Santa Cruz and Tierra del Fuego. Roseate Spoonbill Platalea ajaja Over 35 seen in the Pampas on drives from Buenos Aires to Bahia Blanca. Maguari Stork Ciconia maguari: Commonly seen in the Pampas. American Wood Stork Mycteria americana A group of 18 found en route to San Clemente. Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura Widespread although notably absent from the Pampas. See note. Black Vulture Coragyps atratus Daily observations in Córdoba province. Andean Condor Vultur gryphus 12 on the Pampa de Achala, 5 near El Calafate and 5 in Tierra del Fuego. White-tailed Kite Elanus leucurus 1 south of La Plata, and 2 (NL) en route to Bahia Blanca. Snail Kite Rostrhamus sociabilis Three sightings involving just 5 birds in the Pampas was surprisingly few. Cinereous Harrier Circus cinereus A total of 19 from the Pampas to southern Santa Cruz. Long-winged Harrier Circus buffoni Regular encounters of this large stunning harrier in the pampas. Rufous-thighed Hawk Accipiter erythronemius (NL) 1 seen only by Richard and Jim en route to Bahia Blanca. Chilean Hawk ◊ Accipiter chilensis (NL) 1 flashed past in the forest at the Glacier NP. Black-chested Buzzard-Eagle Geranoaetus melanoleucus 6 in Córdoba, 16 in Santa Cruz and Tierra del Fuego. Harris’s Hawk (Bay-winged H) Parabuteo unicinctus 2 at Costanera Sur and 1 at Punta Lara. Roadside Hawk Buteo magnirostris Singles at Otamendi and south of La Plata (subspecies pucherani). Swainson’s Hawk Buteo swainsoni 2 adults and a juvenile at Punta Rasa, then 19 out of Bahia Blanca. Variable Hawk (Red-backed H) Buteo polyosoma 8 in Córdoba, the Valdes P., Pta. Tombo and the Strobel Plateau. White-tailed Hawk Buteo albicaudatus A soaring adult scoped just south of Las Grutas, thanks to Lenny. Limpkin Aramus guarauna: Seen daily in the north-east Pampas; as many as 8 out of San Clemente. Austral Rail ◊ Rallus antarcticus Most had mind-blowing views of 1 or 2 birds at Estancia La Angostura.


Giant Wood-Rail ◊ Aramides ypecaha 4 or more at Otamendi, 1 at Punta Lara and 2 en route to San Clemente. Grey-necked Wood-Rail Aramides cajanea 2 birds obliged nicely at Costanera Sur. Red-and-white Crake ◊ Laterallus leucopyrrhus Great views of 1, and for some 2, out of La Plata. Dot-winged Crake ◊ Porzana spiloptera 2 seen walking around our feet, another heard at Punta Rasa. Plumbeous Rail Pardirallus sanguinolentus 1 en route to Bahia Blanca seen by some, H at Otamendi. Common Gallinule Gallinula galeata: 20 or more at Costanera Sur, 1 en route to San Clemente. Spot-flanked Gallinule Gallinula melanops 15 or more at Costanera Sur, 4 en route to San Clemente. Red-gartered Coot ◊ Fulica armillata Numerous. Red-fronted Coot ◊ Fulica rufifrons 10 at Costanera Sur. White-winged Coot Fulica leucoptera Large numbers throughout with thousands en route to Bahia Blanca. Southern Lapwing Vanellus chilensis Ubiquitous (crested lampronotus in the N, crestless fretensis in the S). American Golden Plover Pluvialis dominica Common around San Clemente and en route to Bahia Blanca. Grey Plover (Black-bellied P) Pluvialis squatarola 1 near San Clemente. Two-banded Plover ◊ Charadrius falklandicus 1 near El Calafate and another on the Strobel Plateau. Rufous-chested Dotterel ◊ Charadrius modestus 3 out of Rio Gallegos with protracted views. Tawny-throated Dotterel Oreopholus ruficollis 2 on the Valdes, 2 on the Strobel Plateau, 4 towards Cabo Virgenes. American Oystercatcher Haematopus palliatus 39 seen from San Clemente to Punta Tombo. Blackish Oystercatcher Haematopus ater 3 on the Valdés Peninsula, 2 at Punta Tombo and 2 near Ushuaia. Magellanic Oystercatcher ◊ Haematopus leucopodus 1 on the Strobel Plateau, 50 nr Rio Grande, 15 nr Ushuaia. Black-necked Stilt Himantopus mexicanus Common in the Pampas. Pale-faced Sheathbill ◊ (Snowy S) Chionis albus 3 on the Valdes Peninsula, and 3 (NL) in the Beagle Channel. Magellanic Plover ◊ Pluvianellus socialis Outstanding scope studies of a pair with a chick near El Calafate. South American Snipe Gallinago paraguaiae 3 south of La Plata, 1 near Punta Rasa, 1 out of Bahia Blanca. Hudsonian Godwit Limosa haemastica 22 in the San Clemente area, and 5 en route to Bahia Blanca. Greater Yellowlegs Tringa melanoleuca 7 out of San Clemente and Bahia Blanca. Lesser Yellowlegs Tringa flavipes 11 out of San Clemente and Bahia Blanca, and 4 (NL) at Punta Soberana. Red Knot Calidris canutus 3 at Punta Rasa. White-rumped Sandpiper Calidris fuscicollis 80 nr S. Clemente, 1 on the Strobel Plateau, 6 in the Beagle Channel. Baird’s Sandpiper Calidris bairdii 10 in the San Clemente area, 200 out of El Calafate, 500 south of Rio Grande. Pectoral Sandpiper Calidris melanotos 8 and 2 on different estancias out of San Clemente. Stilt Sandpiper Calidris himantopus 300 birds close-up on a lake north-west of San Clemente; amazing! Buff-breasted Sandpiper Tryngites subruficollis 40 scoped out of San Clemente. Wilson’s Phalarope Phalaropus tricolor 6 en route to San Clemente, 2 on the Strobel Plateau. Grey-breasted Seedsnipe Thinocorus orbignyianus 3 at the Strobel Plateau with some scope studies. Least Seedsnipe Thinocorus rumicivorus A point blank male on the Valdes Peninsula, then 62 more southwards. Chilean Skua ◊ Stercorarius chilensis 1 in the Ria Gallegos, 60 in the Beagle Channel and Ushuaia landfill site. Brown Skua ◊ (Antarctic S) Stercorarius antarctica 2 pairs at Punta Tombo. Dolphin Gull ◊ Leucophaeus scoresbii 2 on the Valdes and 2 at Punta Tombo, 100’s in the Beagle Channel. Olrog’s Gull ◊ Larus atlanticus A flock of 59 juveniles and 2nd year birds scrutinized at Punta Rasa. Kelp Gull Larus dominicanus Ubiquitous at all coastal sites and numerous inland Patagonian areas. Grey-hooded Gull Chroicocephalus cirrocephalus 4 between San Clemente and Bahia Blanca. Brown-hooded Gull ◊ Chroicocephalus maculipennis Regular throughout coastal regions. Common Tern Sterna hirundo 700 or more at Punta Rasa, and 100 at Mar Chiquita. South American Tern Sterna hirundinacea A few at Punta Tombo and El Calafate, abundant in the Beagle Channel. Trudeau’s Tern ◊ (Snowy-crowned T) Sterna trudeaui 18 at Punta Rasa and a nearby estancia, 80 at Mar Chiquita. Sandwich Tern Thalasseus sandvicensis 1 Sandwich, 1 Cayenne at Pta Rasa & M.Chiquita, 10 Cay at Las Grutas. Royal Tern Thalasseus maxima 2 at Punta Rasa, 20 at Mar Chiquita and 1 at the Valdés. Black Skimmer Rynchops niger 8 out of San Clemente, 60 at Mar Chiquita (subspecies intercedens). Picui Ground-Dove Columbina picui Numerous in Buenos Aires and Córdoba provinces, 4 just inside La Pampa. Feral Pigeon (Rock Dove) Columba livia The less said the better. Picazuro Pigeon Patagioenas picazuro Common in Buenos Aires province.


Spot-winged Pigeon Patagioenas maculosa: Seen commonly in Córdoba, plus 8 out of Bahia Blanca. Eared Dove Zenaida auriculata Generally abundant throughout, although not seen in Tierra del Fuego. White-tipped Dove Leptotila verreauxi 4 south of Capilla del Monte, and a couple of aural records. Ash-coloured Cuckoo ◊ Coccycua cinerea Great looks at 1 at Otamendi. Dark-billed Cuckoo Coccyzus melacoryphus 1 (LO) in the Salinas Grandes, 2 at Punta Lara, 2 in La Pampa. Guira Cuckoo Guira guira 7 out of Capilla del Monte, and commonly seen in Buenos Aires province. Striped Cuckoo Tapera naevia 1 seen near Icho Cruz, others heard in the Salinas and at Capilla del Monte. Magellanic Horned Owl ◊ (Lesser H O) Bubo magellanicus 1 close up in a quarry near Trelew. Burrowing Owl Athene cunicularia Numerous encounters south to Chubut. White-collared Swift Streptoprocne zonaris 7 at the Pampa de Achala. Andean Swift Aeronautes andecolus 10 at the Pampa de Achala and 6 out of Capilla del Monte. Glittering-bellied Emerald Chlorostilbon aureoventris Small numbers daily in Córdoba and 10 at Otamendi. Gilded Sapphire Hylocharis chrysura 2 at Otamendi, plus several aural records. White-throated Hummingbird Leucochloris albicollis Judith got us onto 2 birds at San Clemente. Red-tailed Comet Sappho sparganura 3 at the Pampa de Achala. Ringed Kingfisher Megaceryle torquata 1 at Otamendi (torquata), 1 seen twice out of Ushuaia (stellata). Spot-backed Puffbird Nystalus chacuru (H) Unresponsive at the Salinas Grandes and near Capilla del Monte. White-fronted Woodpecker Melanerpes cactorum Great looks at 1 in the Salinas Grandes. Checkered Woodpecker Picoides mixtus 2 at Otamendi, 2 at Costanera Sur, 1 at the La Pampa calden woodland. Golden-breasted Woodpecker Colaptes [melanochlorus] melanolaimus: Regular encounters south to Bahia Blanca. Chilean Flicker Colaptes pitius 2 at the Glacier NP. Campo Flicker (Field F) Colaptes campestris Regular encounters in the north; referable to campestroides. Magellanic Woodpecker Campephilus magellanicus A pair at the Glacier NP. White-throated Caracara Phalcoboenus albogularis 2 on the Strobel Plateau, 1 en route to, and 8 at Ushuaia. Southern Crested-Caracara (Southern C/ Carancho C) Caracara plancus Ubiquitous throughout the tour. Chimango Caracara Milvago chimango: Generaly abundant, darker birds in the SW refer to the race temucoensis. American Kestrel Falco sparverius Regular encounters through much of the tour. Aplomado Falcon Falco femoralis 1 on the Cabo Virgenes road, 1 seen by Jim, Lenny and Elena along Ruta 40. Blue-crowned Parakeet Aratinga acuticaudata 6 at Nono, 2 out of Capilla del Monte. Nanday Parakeet (Black-hooded P) Nandayus nenday 30 at Costanera Sur. Burrowing Parrot Cyanoliseus patagonus 2 at Nono (conlara), common in N Patagonia (patagonus). Austral Parakeet Enicognathus ferrugineus Fairly common at the Glacier NP and on Tierra del Fuego. Monk Parakeet Myiopsitta monachus Ubiquitous in the Pampas and Córdoba. Common Miner Geositta cunicularia 2 on the Valdes, common on the Strobel Plateau and Cabo Virgenes road. Short-billed Miner Geositta Antarctica 8 on the Strobel Plateau, 1 on the Cabo Virgenes road. Scale-throated Earthcreeper Upucerthia dumetaria A pair nesting at Las Grutas, a juvenile out of Trelew. Chaco Earthcreeper Tarphonomus certhioides 2 seen, many heard in Córdoba, and heard in La Pampa. Band-tailed Earthcreeper Ochetoryhnchus phoenicurus 2 on the Valdes Peninsula, 1 at the Strobel Plateau. Bar-winged Cinclodes (Buff-winged C) Cinclodes fuscus 1 on the Cabo Virgenes road, 3 in Tierra del Fuego. Cordoba Cinclodes (Chestnut-winged C) Cinclodes comechingonus 6 at the Pampa de Achala. Grey-flanked Cinclodes (Oustalet’s C) Cinclodes oustaleti 1 at Ushuaia airport (subspecies hornensis). Olrog’s Cinclodes Cinclodes olrogi 2 at the Pampa de Achala. See note. Dark-bellied Cinclodes Cinclodes patagonicus 1 near Ushuaia, and 1 on an island in the Beagle Channel. White-winged Cinclodes Cinclodes atacamensis 2 at the Pampa de Achala (subspecies schocolatinus). Rufous Hornero Furnarius rufus Common south to Trelew. Curve-billed Reedhaunter Limnornis curvirostris 2 at Otamendi. Straight-billed Reedhaunter Limnoctites rectirostris 1 at Otamendi after a lot of effort. Wren-like Rushbird Phleocryptes melanops 7+ out of San Clemente, on the Valdes and at Estancia La Angostura. Thorn-tailed Rayadito Aphrastura spinicauda 3 at the Glacier NP, common on Tierra del Fuego. Tufted Tit-Spinetail Leptasthenura platensis 1 near Icho Cruz, and 2 at the Salinas Grandes. Plain-mantled Tit-Spinetail Leptasthenura aegithaloides Singles at Las Grutas, Valdes, Punta Tombo and Strobel.


Bay-capped Wren-Spinetail Spartonoica maluroides 1 at Punta Rasa after much effort. Sooty-fronted Spinetail Synallaxis frontalis 1 seen near Icho Cruz, 2 aural records out of Capilla del Monte. Pale-breasted Spinetail Synallaxis albescens Common in Cordoba and at the Caldén woodlands of La Pampa. Spix’s Spinetail Synallaxis spixi 1 and another heard at Otamendi. Sulphur-bearded Spinetail Cranioleuca sulphurifera 3 seen at Punta Rasa with others heard. Stripe-crowned Spinetail Cranioleuca pyrrhophia 2 seen near Icho Cruz, heard in La Pampa. Cordilleran Canastero Asthenes modesta 1 on the Strobel Plateau (subspecies australis). Puna Canastero (Cordoba C) Asthenes sclateri 4 at the Pampa de Achala (nominate sclateri). Austral Canastero Asthenes anthoides 1 out of Rio Gallegos. Hudson’s Canastero Asthenes hudsoni 1 eventually showed nicely, north of San Clemente. Sharp-billed Canastero (Lesser C) Asthenes pyrrholeuca Regular from Las Grutas to Cabo Virgenes. Patagonian Canastero Pseudasthenes patagonica A pair nesting, north of San Antonio, 2 on the Valdés Peninsula. Freckle-breasted Thornbird Phacellodomus striaticollis 4 at Otamendi, Costanera Sur and Punta Rasa. Firewood-gatherer Anumbius annumbi 1 above Icho Cruz and 1 en route to Bahia Blanca; others heard. Lark-like Brushrunner Coryphistera alaudina 11 in Córdoba province, at almost every site visited. Brown Cacholote Pseudoseisura lophotes Common in Córdoba. White-throated Treerunner Pygarrhichas albogularis 2 at the Glacier NP, 3 plus a juvenile south of Rio Grande. Scimitar-billed Woodcreeper Drymornis bridgesii 2 near Icho Cruz and 3 out of Capilla del Monte. Tremendous ! Narrow-billed Woodcreeper Lepidocolaptes angustirostris 7 at a variety of sites in north-east Buenos Aires. Rufous-capped Antshrike Thamnophilus ruficapillus 2 well behaved birds at Otamendi. Crested Gallito Rhinocrypta lanceolata Great looks at 3 near Capilla del Monte; others heard. Sandy Gallito Teledromus fuscus Protracted views of 1 near Las Grutas… winners ! Magellanic Tapaculo Scytalopus magellanicus: Repeated looks at 1 at the Glacier NP; others heard. White-crested Elaenia Elaenia albiceps Ubiquitous in the Patagonian forest. Small-billed Elaenia Elaenia parvirostris Common in Córdoba and at Otamendi. Southern Beardless-Tyrannulet Camptostoma obsoletum 4 seen and another heard in Córdoba. Suiriri Flycatcher Suiriri suiriri 2 at the Salinas Grandes. Yellow-billed Tit-Tyrant Anairetes flavirostris 1 south of Capilla del Monte, 3 out of Las Grutas. Tufted Tit-Tyrant Anairetes parulus 2 at Tierra del Fuego NP on the final morning. Sooty Tyrannulet Serpophaga nigricans 3 at Otamendi. White-crested Tyrannulet Serpophaga subcristata 1 at Costanera Sur. White-bellied Tyrannulet Serpophaga munda 3 on ruta 251, north of San Antonio Oeste. Straneck’s Tyrannulet Serpophaga griseicapilla 2 near Icho Cruz; others heard in Córdoba and La Pampa. Bearded Tachuri Polystictus pectoralis A stonking male out of Bahia Blanca. Warbling Doradito Pseudocolopteryx flaviventris 4 at Punta Lara, and heard near San Clemente. Tawny-crowned Pygmy-Tyrant Euscarthmus meloryphus 1 seen and 5 heard at the Salinas Grandes. Greater Wagtail-Tyrant Stigmatura budytoides 3 at the Salinas Grandes plus a variety of aural records. Southern Scrub-Flycatcher Sublegatus modestus 2 at the Salinas grandes. Many-coloured Rush-Tyrant Tachuris rubrigastra 1 out of San Clemente obliged well. Pearly-vented Tody-Tyrant Hemitriccus margaritaceiventer 1 at Capilla del Monte. Bran-coloured Flycatcher Myiophobus fasciatus 5 at Otamendi; others heard. Cliff Flycatcher Hirundinea ferruginea 1 on a roof near Capilla de Monte; scarce in this province. Vermilion Flycatcher Pyrocephalus rubinus 1 at Icho Cruz, 7 from San Clemente to La Pampa. Austral Negrito Lessonia rufa Common to abundant in Santa Cruz and Tierra del Fuego. Hudson’s Black-Tyrant Knipolegus hudsoni A male in the Caldén woodland of La Pampa, H at Las Grutas. White-winged Black-Tyrant Knipolegus aterrimus 1 at the Pampa de Achala, and 5 out of Las Grutas. Spectacled Tyrant Hymenops perspicillata Numerous encounters. Ochre-naped Ground-Tyrant Muscisaxicola flavinucha 4 in Ushuaia after the snowstorm. Dark-faced Ground-Tyrant Muscisaxicola maclovianus 4 found in and above Ushuaia after a snowstorm. Cinnamon-bellied Ground-Tyrant Muscisaxicola capistratus 8 or more on the Strobel Plateau. Grey-bellied Shrike-Tyrant Agriornis micropterus 2 on the Valdes, 1 by the Strobel Plateau, 1 towards Gallegos.


Lesser Shrike-Tyrant Agriornis murinus 1 near Las Grutas, and 2 at Punta Tombo. Fire-eyed Diucon Xolmis pyrope 7 or more at the Glaciar NP, and 1 out of Ushuaia. White Monjita Xolmis irupero 3 near Icho Cruz, 2 near Capilla del Monte, 1 en route to Las Grutas. Salinas Monjita Neoxolmis salinarum 3 of these cracking endemics at the Salinas Grandes. Rusty-backed Monjita Neoxolmis rubetra 1 on the Valdés Peninsula. Black-and-white Monjita Heterexolmis dominicana A superb male south of San Clemente was a great bonus. Chocolate-vented Tyrant Neoxolmis rufiventris 4 on the Strobel Plateau, and 8 towards Cabo Virgenes. Cattle Tyrant Machetornis rixosa Lone birds out of Icho Cruz, Capilla del Monte and Bahia Blanca. Great Kiskadee Pitangus sulphuratus Seen almost daily south to La Pampa. Streaked Flycatcher Myiodynastes maculates 2 at Nono, and 2 at Otamendi. Crowned Slaty-Flycatcher Empidonomus aurantioatrocristatus Common in Córdoba; 2 in La Pampa. Tropical Kingbird Tyrannus melancholicus Numerous in Córdoba and Buenos Aires provinces. Fork-tailed Flycatcher Tyrannus savanna Common south to the Valdés Peninsula. Brown-crested Flycatcher Myiarchus tyrannulus (NL) 1 seen by Richard and Judith in the Salinas Grandes. White-tipped Plantcutter Phytotoma rutila 2 at the Salinas Grandes, 1 near Capilla del Monte, 10 in La Pampa. White-winged Becard Pachyramphus polychopterus A male at Otamendi. Rufous-browed Peppershrike Cyclarhis gujanensis 1 near Icho Cruz; various aural records. White-rumped Swallow Tachycineta leucorrhoa Common in Buenos Aires province, south to Bahia Blanca. Chilean Swallow Tachycineta meyeni Common in Santa Cruz and Tierra del Fuego. Brown-chested Martin Progne tapera Regular encounters south to Las Grutas. Grey-breasted Martin Progne chalybea Small numbers at Ezeiza airport, San Clemente and Las Grutas. Southern Martin Progne elegans Common in the sierras of Córdoba, in coastal Buenos Aires south to Trelew. Blue-and-white Swallow Pygochelidon cyanoleuca Seen in the sierras of Cordoba and sparsely through Patagonia. Tawny-headed Swallow Alopochelidon fucata Great looks at 5 near Icho Cruz and 1 near Capilla del Monte. Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica Common around San Clemente and over 150 en route to Bahia Blanca. House Wren Troglodytes aedon Regular encounters throughout the tour. Grass Wren (Sedge W) Cistothorus platensis 2 at the Pampa de Achala, and 1 at Punta Rasa. Masked Gnatcatcher Polioptila dumicola 2 near Icho Cruz, 1 at the Salinas Grandes, and 2 at Costanera Sur. Chiguanco Thrush Turdus chiguanco Abundant in the sierras of Córdoba, 1 (NL) out of Bahia Blanca. Andean Slaty-Thrush Turdus nigriceps A male seen by some near Nono. Rufous-bellied Thrush Turdus rufiventris Small numbers in Córdoba, common around Buenos Aires. Austral Thrush Turdus falcklandii Common from Punta Tombo southwards. Creamy-bellied Thrush Turdus amaurochalinus 3 near Icho Cruz, 6 at Otamendi, 1 at Punta Lara.. Chalk-browed Mockingbird Mimus saturninus Common south to Bahia Blanca. Patagonian Mockingbird Mimus patagonicus 2 in the Salinas Grandes, common from Rio Colorado to Rio Gallegos. White-banded Mockingbird Mimus triurus Common from Rio Colorado to the Valdés Peninsula. European Starling Sturnus vulgaris Common around Buenos Aires, La Plata, near San Clemente and Mar del Plata. Short-billed Pipit Anthus furcatus 1 out of Bahia Blanca, and 3 on the Valdés Peninsula. Pampas Pipit (Chaco P) Anthus chacoensis 12 or more out of Bahia Blanca. Correndera Pipit Anthus correndera Common around and en route to San Clemente. Hellmayr’s Pipit Anthus hellmayri 2 at the Pampa de Achala, 1 en route to San Clemente. Sayaca Tanager Thraupis sayaca 8 at Otamendi, 1 (NL) seen by Jim at Punta Lara. Blue-and-yellow Tanager Thraupis bonariensis 7 in Cordoba province, 6 out of Bahia Blanca into La Pampa. Diademed Tanager Stephanophorus diadematus 2 obliged well at Otamendi. Hepatic Tanager Piranga flava A male, seen by some, at the Salinas Grandes. Grey-hooded Sierra-Finch Phrygilus gayi Small numbers at Punta Tombo, Calafate and towards Cabo Virgenes. Patagonian Sierra-Finch Phrygilus patagonicus 4 at the Glaciar NP, 1 out of Ushuaia. Plumbeous Sierra-Finch Phrygilus unicolor 1 male at the Pampa de Achala. Ash-breasted Sierra-Finch Phrygilus plebejus 40 or more at the Pampa de Achala. Carbonated Sierra-Finch Phrygilus carbonarius Common from Ruta 251 to the Valdés Peninsula. Common Diuca-Finch Diuca diuca Regular encounters from La Pampa to Rio Gallegos.


White-bridled Finch Melanodera melanodera 5 crippling males on the Cabo Virgenes road (princetoniana). Black-crested Finch Lophospingus pusillus 2 males and a female in the Salinas Grandes. Long-tailed Reed-Finch Donacospiza albifrons 2 at Otamendi , 3 at Punta Rasa. Cinnamon Warbling-Finch Poospiza ornata Over 30 to the north and south of Las Grutas. Black-and-rufous Warbling-Finch Poospiza nigrorufa 20 at Otamendi, 15 at Costanera Sur, 1 at Punta Rasa. Chaco Warbling-Finch Poospiza pectoralis 1 at the Salinas Grandes, and 1 at Las Grutas. Black-capped Warbling-Finch Poospiza melanoleuca 6 out of Capilla del Monte, and 2 at Costanera Sur. Patagonian Yellow-Finch Sicalis lebruni 3 on the Cabo Virgenes road. Saffron Finch Sicalis flaveola Regular encounters in Córdoba, and Buenos Aires south to Bahia Blanca. Grassland Yellow-Finch Sicalis luteola 1 at Costanera Sur, abundant in the Pampas. Great Pampa-Finch Embernagra platensis Regular encounters in the Pampas. Double-collared Seedeater Sporophila caerulescens Small numbers in Córdoba and north-east Buenos Aires . Band-tailed Seedeater Catamenia analis 4 near Icho Cruz, 1 near Capilla del Monte. Plain-coloured Seedeater Catamenia inornata 3 at the Pampa de Achala. Many-coloured Chaco-Finch Saltatricula multicolor 4 seen and many heard in Córdoba. Red Pileated-Finch Coryphospingus cucullatus 2 males near Icho Cruz. Rufous-collared Sparrow Zonotrichia capensis Ubiquitous. Stripe-capped Sparrow Rhynchospiza strigiceps 2 near Icho Cruz, and 4 out of Capilla del Monte. Yellow-billed Cardinal Paroaria capitata 2 at Costanera Sur. Black-backed Grosbeak Pheuticus aureoventris A male near Nono. Greyish Saltator Saltator coerulescens (H) 1 unresponsive bird heard briefly at Otamendi. Golden-billed Saltator Saltator aurantiirostris 5 and others heard in Córdoba, 1 (NL) at Costanera Sur. Tropical Parula Parula pitiayumi 2 at Otamendi. Masked Yellowthroat Geothlypis aequinoctialis Common in north-east Buenos Aires. Brown-capped Whitestart Myioborus miniatus 2 at Nono, and 2 at Capilla del Monte. Solitary Cacique Caccicus solitarius 1 at Costanera Sur. Variable Oriole Icterus pyrrhopterus 2 at Costanera Sur. Austral Blackbird Curaeus curaeus 1 at the Glacier NP, 4 in Tierra del Fuego NP. Scarlet-headed Blackbird Amblyramphus holosericeus 4 at Otamendi, 3 (NL) north and west of S. Clemente. Yellow-winged Blackbird Chrysomus thilius Common in the pampas, 7 at the Austral Rail marsh. Brown-and-yellow Marshbird Pseudoleistes virescens Very common in the pampas. Baywing Agelaioides badius Numerous encounters south to Las Grutas. Screaming Cowbird Molothrus rufoaxillaris Common in Córdoba province, and 3 at Las Grutas. Shiny Cowbird Molothrus bonariensis: Regular encounters south to Trelew. White-browed Blackbird Leistes superciliaris 14 from Punta Lara to Bahia Blanca. Pampas Meadowlark Sturnella defilippii 12 or more studied out of Bahia Blanca. Long-tailed Meadowlark Sturnella loyca 7 at the Pampa de Achala (obscura), common from Bahia Blanca south. Hooded Siskin Carduelis magellanica Regular encounters in Córdoba and north-east Buenos Aires. Black-chinned Siskin Carduelis barbata Common at the Glacier NP, small numbers elsewhere in Santa Cruz. House Sparrow Passer domesticus Present in all towns and cities. MAMMALS European Rabbit Oryctolagus cunicilus 6 at the Glaciar NP. European Hare Lepus europeus Abundant from Punta Lara southwards. Southern Mountain Cavy (Patagonian Lesser C) Microcavia patagonum 50 or more at Punta Tombo. Brazilian Guinea-Pig (Common Cavy) Cavia aperea Small numbers in Córdoba and north-east Buenos Aires. Patagonian Mara Dolichotis patagonum 1 out of Bahia Blanca, common on the Valdés Peninsula, 3 near Trelew. Coypu Myocaster coypus 2 en route to San Clemente, 4 en route to Bahia Blanca. Argentine Grey Fox Pseudolopex gymnocercus 2 at Tres Cruces service station, 3 on the Cabo Virgenes road. American Mink Mustela vison 1 at Rio Colorado, en route to Las Grutas seen by some. South American Sea-lion Otaria byronia Seen at most coastal sites, often in abundance.


Southern Elephant Seal Mirounga leonina Over 1000 on the Valdés Peninsula. Southern Right Whale Eubalaena glacialis At least 12 off the Valdés, many close-up. Killer Whale (Orca) Orcinus orca 2 females and a calf at the Valdés, with an Elephant Seal beach kill. Dusky Dolphin Lagenorhynchus obscurus 3 off the Valdés Peninsula. Guanaco Lama guanicoe Common over much of Patagonia. REPTILES Achala Anole Pristidactylus achalensis 2 males and 2 females high up on the Pampa del Achala. Goetsch’s Lizard Liolaemus goetschi 1 showing yellow and black on the Valdes Peninsula. Slender Lizard Liolaemus gracilis The striped lizard photographed on the Valdes Peninsula. King’s Lizard Liolaemus kingii 3 of these yellow checkered lizards on the Strobel Plateau. Di Tada’s Lizard Liolaemus ditadai 1 at the Salinas Grandes; sandy with some dark dorsal checkers. Magellan’s Lizard Liolaemus magellanicus Several of these grey and black lizards on the Strobel Plateau. Four-toed Whiptail Teius teyou 3 of these large tricoloured (green, blue and orange) lizards at the Salinas Grandes. Black Tegu Tupinambis merinae 1 at Nono and 2 in the Costanera Sur. Mousehole Snake Philodryas trilineata The stripe-headed snake photographed on the Valdes Peninsula. Patagonian Green Racer Philodryas patagoniensis 1 in a marsh on the Valdes Peninsula. NOTES TO THE SYSTEMATIC LIST Wilson’s Storm-Petrel Oceanites oceanicus Birds in the Beagle Channel are represented by the subspecies chilensis, a strong candidate split which some already refer to as the Fuegian Storm-Petrel. Golden-breasted Woodpecker (Green-barred W/ Flicker) Colaptes [melanochlorus] melanolaimus Those in Córdoba were referable to the subspecies nigriviridis, while those from Buenos Aires province belong to the subspecies leucofrenatus. Both of these belong in the melanolaimus (golden-breasted) group which appears to be a distinct species from the melanochlorus (green-barred) group of the Atlantic forest. Olrog’s Cinclodes Cinclodes olrogi Recent genetic studies show that Olrog’s Cinclodes is best treated as a subspecies of Grey-flanked Cinclodes, so brace yourself for the lump.

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16 NOVEMBER – 2/6 DECEMBER 2013 - Birdquest -SOUTHERN- REP … · The endemic Cordoba Cinclodes was the first to fall, quickly ... Grey-necked Wood-Rails foraging along the track