{"id":376,"date":"2014-09-28T22:36:52","date_gmt":"2014-09-29T01:36:52","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.eayrs.com\/blog\/?p=376"},"modified":"2014-10-03T23:11:54","modified_gmt":"2014-10-04T02:11:54","slug":"rainy-day-on-the-collon-cura","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.eayrs.com\/blog\/archives\/376","title":{"rendered":"Rainy day on the Coll\u00f3n-Cur\u00e1"},"content":{"rendered":"

Click on photos for slide show, or scroll down to read the commentary<\/em>.<\/p>\n

On Saturday 27th<\/sup> September I set out early (07.00) with my good friend Scarlett Eastman, bound for the Coll\u00f3n Cur\u00e1 valley. The weather looked a bit iffy: cold, wet and cloudy, but the sun was trying to break through to the north and east, which is where we were heading. We decided to take a chance, and it was the right decision. Here is a map of the trip – we came back the same way.<\/p>\n

\"map1\"<\/a><\/p>\n

As you can see, our first stop (‘2’ on map<\/em>) was just after Jun\u00edn de los And\u00e9s before starting the climb up to La Rinconada. Here there is a lagoon on one side of the road and some promising wetlands and general vegetation on the other. Always a good place for a stop, it was not so productive as in other days but we did see:<\/p>\n

FAMILIA ANATIDAE
\n1. Cauqu\u00e9n Com\u00fan (Chloephaga picta<\/em>), Eng. Upland or Magellan Goose<\/strong> 1 pair
\n2. Pato Maicero (Anas georgica<\/em>), Eng. Speckled Teal<\/strong> \u00b1 5birds
\n3. Pato Barcino (Anas flavirostris<\/em>), Eng. Yellow-billed (Brown) Pintail<\/strong> \u00b1 4 birds<\/p>\n

\"Scarlett<\/a>

Scarlett the adventurer, my companion for the day<\/p><\/div>\n

FAMILIA FALCONIDAE
\n4. Carancho (Caracara plancus<\/em>), Eng. Southern Caracara<\/strong> 1 bird
\n5. Chimango (Milvago chimango<\/em>), Eng.\u00a0Chimango Caracara<\/strong> many birds<\/p>\n

It was still too early for photographs, at least for a 5.6 lens. Note that in this post I’ve only listed birds once, in order of appearance, although some species we kept seeing throughout the day. The numbers were not very accurately recorded, but may help as a general indicator.<\/p>\n

\"Condor<\/a>

Condor country<\/p><\/div>\n

Our next stop was at the\u00a0Condor Observation Platform (‘3’ on map<\/em>), near the Estancia Huechahu\u00e9,\u00a0not\u00a0far from the La Rinconada bridge. It was wet, miserable even, but we had a hot drink and set off on foot. We were lucky enough to see condors wheeling in the sky,\u00a0flying around the top and side of the mountain above us (when the rain and sleet cleared enough, that is). The light was still poor but we managed a few long distance shots here.<\/p>\n

FAMILIA\u00a0CATHARTIDAE<\/p>\n

6. Condor (Vultur gryphus<\/em>), Eng. Condor<\/p>\n

\"Condors<\/a>

Condors high in the sky<\/p><\/div>\n

When the weather permitted we walked around the area a little, and saw a number of other species. Some photos below: I’ll abandon families for a while.<\/p>\n

7.Tordo Renegrido (Molothrus bonariensis), Eng. Shiny cowbird 1 male.<\/p>\n

\"Shiny<\/a>

Shiny cowbird<\/p><\/div>\n

8. Diuca (Diuca diuca<\/em>), Eng. Diuca Finch<\/strong>\u00a0Lots of these were singing their hearts out!<\/p>\n

\n
\"Diuca<\/a><\/dt>\n<\/dl>\n

9. Loica (Sturnella loyca<\/em>), Eng. Long-Tailed Meadow-lark<\/strong>. These were everywhere, in large numbers.<\/p>\n

\"Loica<\/a>

Loica com\u00fan or Long-tailedMeadow lark<\/p><\/div>\n

10. Chingolo (Zonotrichia capensis<\/em>), Eng. Rufous-collared sparrow<\/strong> (2 seen)<\/p>\n

\"Chingolo<\/a>

Chingolo or Rufous-collared sparrow<\/p><\/div>\n

11. Pico de Plata (Himenops perspicillata), Eng. Spectacled tyrant. We saw several males and just one female.<\/p>\n

\"A<\/a>

A nearby creek for investigation [photo \u2014 Scarlett Eastman]<\/p><\/div>12. Bandurrita Com\u00fan (Upucerthia dumetaria<\/em>), Eng. Scale-throated Earthcreeper<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Bandurrita<\/a>

Bandurrita or Scale-throated Earthcreeper<\/p><\/div>\n

13. Caminera Com\u00fan (Geositta cunicularia<\/em>), Eng. Common Miner<\/strong>\u00a05 birds seen
\n14. Loro Barranquero (Cyanoliseus patagonus<\/em>), Eng. Burrowing parakeet<\/strong>\u00a0One bird\u00a0flew overhead, curiously alone.
\n15. Ratona (Troglodytes aedon<\/em>), Eng. House Wren<\/strong>\u00a0We could hear so many down by the creek and saw one or two.
\n16. Zorzal (Turdus falklandii<\/em>), Eng. Austral Thrush\u00a0<\/strong>In very large numbers.<\/p>\n

\n
\n
\"Austral<\/a>

Austral thrush<\/p><\/div>\n<\/dt>\n<\/dl>\n

17. Rayadito (Aphrastura spinicauda<\/em>), Eng.\u00a0Thorn tailed Rayadito<\/strong><\/p>\n

Our next stop was the bridge across the Coll\u00f3n Cur\u00e1 river at La Rinconada (‘4’ on map<\/em>), where we parked up and explored the northern shore of the further bride of the bridge. This was a very productive area and produced our ‘best of the day’ (see below). We have made a note to return on our next trip this way.<\/p>\n

Birds we saw here included:<\/p>\n

18. Golondrina Patag\u00f3nica (Tachycineta leucopyga, Eng. Chilean Swallow<\/strong>
\n19. Golondrina Barranquera (Pygochelidon cyanoleuca<\/em>), Eng.\u00a0Blue-and-white swallow<\/strong>
\n20. Halconcito Colorado (Falco sparverius<\/em>), Eng. American Kestrel<\/strong>\u00a0We saw a pair\u00a0here, but saw plenty more elsewhere.
\n21. Gavil\u00e1n Mixto (Parabuteo unicinctus<\/em>), Eng. Bay-winged Hawk<\/strong>. We nearly missed this, dismissing it as a (flying) chimango, but something about the under wing colour sent out a warning and we followed it to a perching post, fortunately not too far away. A beautiful bird, first time for me and not commonly seen around here, so very happy.<\/p>\n

\"Bay-winged<\/a>

Bay-winged hawk \u2013 a lucky find<\/p><\/div>\n

22. FAMILIA\u00a0PHASIANIDAE \u2013 Codorniz de California (Callipepla californica<\/em>), Eng. California Quail<\/strong>. We heard this (from a distance), a strange noise, and found this male hiding deep in bushes. I tried to coax him out, but he went invisible so this is all the record I have.<\/p>\n

\"Californian<\/a>

Californian quail<\/p><\/div>\n

23. Gaucho Com\u00fan (Agriornis micropterus<\/em>), Eng. Grey-bellied Shrike-Tyrant<\/b>. We saw 1 only of these.<\/p>\n

\n
\n
\"Grey-bellied<\/a>

Grey-bellied Shrike-Tyrant<\/p><\/div>\n<\/dt>\n<\/dl>\n

Jote Cabeza Colorada (Cathartes aura<\/em>), Eng. Turkey Vulture\u00a0<\/strong>
\nJote Cabeza Negra \u2013 (Coragyps atratus<\/em>), Eng. Black vulture<\/strong>\u00a01<\/p>\n

Moving on, we found a track down to the Coll\u00f3n Cur\u00e1 river (‘5’ on map<\/em>), frequented by fishermen and picnickers. A good place to attack the cold beer and sandwiches we had brought.<\/p>\n

\"Jeep<\/a>

Jeep parked up by river side at Fisherman\u2019s \u2018bajada\u2019 [photo \u2014 Scarlett Eastman]<\/p><\/div>A good place for birding too. Here we saw:<\/p>\n

26. Familia ICTERIDAE – Varillero Ala Amarilla (Agelaius thilius<\/em>), Eng. Yellow-winged blackbird<\/strong>. We saw both males and females. Not a very good photo, here just for the record and at least the yellow wing marking can be clearly seen in the male.<\/p>\n

\"Yellow<\/a>

Yellow winged blackbird (male)<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Yellow<\/a>

Yellow winged blackbird (female)<\/p><\/div>\n

27. Familia Tyrannidae \u2013 Sobrepuesto (Lessonia rufa<\/em>), Eng. Austral Negrito<\/b>. We saw males only.<\/p>\n

\"Austral<\/a>

Austral Negrito<\/p><\/div>\n

28. Remolinera Com\u00fan (Cinclodes fuscus<\/em>), Eng. Common cinclodes<\/strong>. No shortage of these pretty birds.<\/p>\n

\"Common<\/a>

Common cinclodes<\/p><\/div>\n

29. Cisne Cuello Negro (Cygnus melancoryphus<\/em>), Eng.\u00a0Black-necked swan<\/strong>. We only saw two here, but saw other swans at distance which might have included Coscoroba, but we can’t be sure.<\/p>\n

\"Black-necked<\/a>

Black-necked swans<\/p><\/div>\n

Our final stop\u00a0(‘6’ on map<\/em>) was at the Estancia Coll\u00f3n Cur\u00e1, a wonderful place owned by Ted Turner and developed to international birding site standards, with maintained wetlands and reed beds in addition to the natural river and steppe environments. A superb birding place, not open to the public but we were fortunate enough to have an introduction. Here we saw many of the species we had already been that day and also:<\/p>\n

30. Pato Overo (Anas sibilatrix<\/em>), Eng.\u00a0Chiloe (Southern) Wigeon<\/b><\/p>\n

\"Chiloe<\/a>

Chiloe (Southern) Wigeon<\/p><\/div>\n

31. Pato Zambullidor Gde. (Oxyura ferruginea<\/em>), Eng. Andean (Ruddy-)Duck<\/b>\u00a04
\n32. Mart\u00edn Pescador Grande (Megaceryle torquata<\/em>), Eng. Ringed\u00a0Kingfisher<\/strong>\u00a0passed flying overhead on the lagoon
\n33. Junquero (Phleocryptes melanops<\/em>), Eng. Wren-like Rushbird<\/b>. Heard many, saw none.
\n34. Tachur\u00ed \u00a0sietecolores (Tachuris rubrigastra<\/em>), Eng. Many-colored Rush-Tyrant<\/b>. 1, in the reed beds.<\/p>\n

\"Parked<\/a>

Parked up in Ted Turner\u2019s Col\u00f3n Cur\u00e1 estancia [photo \u2014 Scarlett Eastman]..<\/p><\/div>35. Becasina (Gallinago gallinago<\/em>), Eng.\u00a0South American snipe<\/strong>. 1 seen.
\n36. Garza Blanca (Ardea alba<\/em>), Eng. Great Egret<\/strong>. 1 – standing and then flying.<\/p>\n

\"Great<\/a>

Great egret<\/p><\/div>\n

\"..<\/a>

.. and flying<\/p><\/div>\n

37. Torcaza (Zenaida auriculata<\/em>), Eng. Eared dove<\/strong>.\u00a01 seen at\u00a0the gate on\u00a0leaving\u00a0the Estancia
\n38. Bigu\u00e1 (Phalacrocorax brasilianus<\/em>), Eng. Neo-tropic Cormorant<\/strong>. 1 seen skimming over the surface of the lagoon.<\/p>\n

On the way home we had the biggest setback of the day. After joking all day about how nice it would be to find an Aguila Mora (Black-chested Buzzard-Eagle) perched on a roadside post the unimaginable actually happened. Everything was wonderful: we stopped the car, with an adolescent male perched some twenty metres away awaiting his father, who was circling closely overhead. I shot some of the best photos ever. At least, I would have done if I hadn’t knocked the camera and changed the settings, resulting in such over-exposed photos that they were useless. There’ll be another day, but it was disheartening for a couple of minutes.<\/p>\n

Between Jun\u00edn and San Mart\u00edn de los Andes we saw:<\/p>\n

39. \u00c1guila Mora (Geranoetus melanoleucus<\/em>), Eng. Black-chested Buzzard-Eagle<\/strong> 1 adult flying, 1\u00a0juvenile on a roadside\u00a0post.
\n40. Milano Blanco (Elanus leucuru<\/em>), Eng. White-tailed Kite.<\/b>\u00a0Seen between Chapelco\u00a0airport and Loma Atravesada de Taylor.<\/p>\n

All in all, we had a great day.\u00a0Nine\u00a0hours birding, in which we covered some 240 kms, got wet, cold, hot and bothered, and consumed quantities of hot tea, cold beer and sandwiches.\u00a0We got back to San Mart\u00edn just in time for a talk on ‘Culture’ in birds, given by the well known ornithologist\u00a0Roberto Ares<\/a>. If interested, you can see some of his fascinating work in a series of short video clips<\/a>\u00a0on Youtube (Spanish only, but much is self explanatory through the visuals).<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Click on photos for slide show, or scroll down to read the commentary. On Saturday 27th September I set out early (07.00) with my good friend Scarlett Eastman, bound for the Coll\u00f3n Cur\u00e1 valley. The weather looked a bit iffy: … Continue reading →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[5,32,1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-376","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-birds","category-for-fb","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.eayrs.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/376","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.eayrs.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.eayrs.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.eayrs.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.eayrs.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=376"}],"version-history":[{"count":65,"href":"https:\/\/www.eayrs.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/376\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":425,"href":"https:\/\/www.eayrs.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/376\/revisions\/425"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.eayrs.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=376"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.eayrs.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=376"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.eayrs.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=376"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}