ITINERARY
Day 1: Arica. We took an early flight from Santiago to Chacalluta Airport, located to the north of the city of Arica. Our first stop was the Lluta estuary, then we went south to the Camarones Valley.
Day 2: Arica Pelagic Trip and drive to Putre. The quiet sea off Arica gave us a pleasant trip in its warm waters. After lunch in the port of Arica, we started to drive slowly along the road that would take us to the Chilean altiplano, looking for the specialties at high altitude.
Day 3: Putre. Putre is a small village located at 3500 meters altitude and a hotspot for birdwatchers. With our final destination being Lake Chungará, we decided to start early on Putre's old road. Then we drove to Las Cuevas, inside the Lauca National Park, where large flocks of Vicuñas and groups of Mountain Vizcachas were resting in the sunshine provided a scenic backdrop to the landscape.
Finally, we arrived at Lake Chungará at 4500 meters, at the base of the Pomerapy and Parinacota volcanoes, which dominated the background. During the afternoon we birding around Parinacota village. After dinner we went to see Band-winged Nightjar.
Day 4: Putre. The next day we started observing birds walking from our hotel toward the bottom of a creek bed. We then moved down to visit the Hummingbird Sanctuary.
Day 5: Final day in the north. We used the last morning to get some shorebirds on the rocks close to our hotel. During the morning we decided to go to see the recently discovered colony of Markham's Storm- Petrel.
Day 6: Highlands. We drove early into the Andes to Farellones, looking for our first endemics. During the afternoon we stopped in a small wetland. Our last stop was at Valle Nevado Ski Resort.
Day 7: Yeso Valley. Our second day in the mountains took us to El Yeso Valley. Moving a little higher we found Andean Goose and then it was time for the hunt for our main target of the day, the Diademed Sandpiper-Plover. Here in a large bog at 2500 meters we found a nesting pair which gave us excellent views. This was probably the only couple nesting in the wetland.
Day 8: Birding the pacific coast. We drove early in the morning to Algarrobo and the Maipo estuary. After lunch we drove to Viña del Mar.
Day 9: Pelagic trip in Valparaiso. Valparaiso always offers excellent pelagic trips and the Humboldt Current generates the ideal conditions.
Day 10: Colbun. Early in the morning we decided to start at the Batuco Wetlands. After this we started to drive south heading for the Patagonian Nothofagus Forest and all its specialties. We drove south to reach Colbun Lake.
Day 11 : Altos de Lircay. We went early in to Altos de Lircay National Reserve, looking for the shy tapaculos and also some specialties for the area. At night after dinner, we went out to look for Owls.
Day 12: Cerro Ñielol. We went back to the forest, then we drove to Temuco city, where we went straight to Cerro Ñielol Natural Monument.
Day 13: Villarrica NP. Very early in the morning we went back to Cerro Ñielol Natural Monument. After our second breakfast, we decided to walk around the Natural Monument. Then we drove to the Villarrica National Park.
Day 14: Punta Arenas. We flew early in order to use the morning for birding. Our first stop was at a wetland close to Punta Arenas. We then visited the esplanade. After lunch at a local restaurant we drove south.
Day 15: Tierra del Fuego. We enjoyed an entertaining crossing. During the afternoon we drove to Bahia Inútil, where we enjoyed a colony of King Penguin, the third Penguin for our trip!
Day 16: Puerto Natales. We woke up at the north-eastern end of Tierra del Fuego and then took the ferry back to the mainland.
Once on the mainland, we drove along the pampas. Finally, we arrived into Puerto Natales for a well-deserved rest.
Day 17: Sierra Baguales. We left early towards Torres del Paine National Park, an icon of tourism in Chile. After this, we drove towards Sierra Baguales, looking for high altitude birds for the region. After a fulfilling day we returned to Puerto Natales to enjoy an exquisite Patagonian barbecued lamb prepared in traditional style.
Day 18: Final Day. This day we had programmed only to drive to the airport, but decided to wake up early and visit Laguna Sofia.
SPECIES LIST
RHEAS (Rheidae)
Darwin's (Lesser) Rhea (Pterocnemia pennata pennata)
Puna (Lesser) Rhea (Pterocnemia pennata tarapacensis)
TINAMOUS (Tinamidae)
Ornate Tinamou (Nothoprocta ornata)
Chilean Tinamou (Nothoprocta perdicaria)
Patagonian Tinamou (Tinamotis ingoufi)
DUCKS (Anatidae)
Black-necked Swan (Cygnus melancoryphus)
Coscoroba Swan (Coscoroba coscoroba)
Andean Goose (Oressochen melanopterus)
Upland Goose (Chloephaga picta)
Kelp Goose (Chloephaga hybrida)
Ashy-headed Goose (Chloephaga poliocephala)
Ruddy-headed Goose (Chloephaga rubidiceps)
Torrent Duck (Merganetta armata)
Flying Steamer-Duck (Tachyeres patachonicus)
Flightless Steamer-Duck (Tachyeres pteneres)
Crested Duck (Lophonetta specularioides)
Spectacled Duck (Speculanas specularis)
Chiloe Wigeon (Anas sibilatrix)
Yellow-billed Teal (flavirostris) (Anas flavirostris flavirostris)
Yellow-billed Teal (oxyptera) (Anas flavirostris oxyptera)
Yellow-billed Pintail (Anas georgica)
White-cheeked Pintail (Anas bahamensis)
Puna Teal (Anas puna)
Silver Teal (Anas versicolor)
Cinnamon Teal (Anas cyanoptera)
Red Shoveler (Anas platalea)
Rosy-billed Pochard (Netta peposaca)
Black-headed Duck (Heteronetta atricapilla)
Andean (Ruddy) Duck (Oxyura jamaicensis ferruginea)
Lake Duck (Oxyura vittata)
NEW WORLD QUAIL (Odontophoridae)
California Quail (Callipepla californica)
GREBES (Podicipedidae)
White-tufted Grebe (Rollandia rolland)
Pied-billed Grebe (Podilymbus podiceps)
Great Grebe (Podiceps major)
Andean (Silvery) Grebe (Podiceps occipitalis juninensis)
Patagonian (Silvery) Grebe (Podiceps occipitalis occipitalis)
FLAMINGOS (Phoenicopteridae)
Chilean Flamingo (Phoenicopterus chilensis)
Andean Flamingo (Phoenicoparrus andinus)
James's Flamingo (Phoenicoparrus jamesi)
PENGUINS (Spheniscidae)
King Penguin (Aptenodytes patagonicus)
Humboldt Penguin (Spheniscus humboldti)
Magellanic Penguin (Spheniscus magellanicus)
ALBATROSS (Diomedeidae)
Northern Royal Albatross (Diomedea epomophora sanfordi)
Black-browed Albatross (Thalassarche melanophris)
Buller's Albatross (Thalassarche bulleri)
Salvin's Albatross (Thalassarche salvini)
Chatham Albatross (Thalassarche eremita)
SHEARWATERS (Procellariidae)
Southern Giant-Petrel (Macronectes giganteus)
Northern Giant-Petrel (Macronectes halli)
Southern Fulmar (Fulmarus glacialoides)
Masatierra (Filippi's) Petrel (Pterodroma defilippiana)
White-chinned Petrel (Procellaria aequinoctialis)
Sooty Shearwater (Ardenna grisea)
Pink-footed Shearwater (Ardenna creatopus)
DIVING-PETRELS (Procellariidae)
Peruvian Diving-Petrel (Pelecanoides garnotii)
Magellanic Diving-Petrel (Pelecanoides magellani)
STORM-PETRELS (Hydrobatidae)
Fuegian (Wilson's) Storm-Petrel (Oceanites oceanicus chilensis)
Elliot's Storm-Petrel (Oceanites gracilis)
BOOBIES (Sulidae)
Peruvian Booby (Sula variegata)
CORMORANTS (Phalacrocoracidae)
Red-legged Cormorant (Phalacrocorax gaimardi)
Neotropic Cormorant (Phalacrocorax brasilianus)
Magellanic (Rock) Cormorant (Phalacrocorax magellanicus)
Guanay Cormorant (Phalacrocorax bougainvillii)
Imperial Cormorant (Phalacrocorax atriceps)
PELICANS (Pelecanidae)
Peruvian Pelican (Pelecanus thagus)
HERONS (Ardeidae)
Stripe-backed Bittern (Ixobrychus involucris)
Black-crowned Night-Heron (Nycticorax nycticorax)
Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis)
Cocoi Heron (Ardea cocoi)
Great Egret (Ardea alba)
Snowy Egret (Egretta thula)
Little Blue Heron (Egretta caerulea)
IBISES (Threskiornithidae)
White-faced Ibis (Plegadis chihi)
Puna Ibis (Plegadis ridgwayi)
Black-faced Ibis (Theristicus melanopis)
NEW WORLD VULTURES (Cathartidae)
Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura)
Black Vulture (Coragyps atratus)
Andean Condor (Vultur gryphus)
HAWKS (Accipitridae)
White-tailed Kite (Elanus leucurus)
Cinereous Harrier (Circus cinereus)
Harris's Hawk (Parabuteo unicinctus)
Variable Hawk (Geranoaetus polyosoma)
Black-chested Buzzard-Eagle (Geranoaetus melanoleucus)
White-throated Hawk (Buteo albigula)
Rufous-tailed Hawk (Buteo ventralis)
RAILS (Rallidae)
Austral Rail (Rallus antarcticus)
Plumbeous Rail (Pardirallus sanguinolentus)
Common Gallinule (Moorhen) (Gallinula galeata)
Red-gartered Coot (Fulica armillata)
Red-fronted Coot (Fulica rufifrons)
Giant Coot (Fulica gigantea)
Andean (Slate-colored) Coot (Fulica ardesiaca)
White-winged Coot (Fulica leucoptera)
PLOVERS (Charadriidae)
Tawny-throated Dotterel (Oreopholus ruficollis)
Southern Lapwing (Vanellus chilensis)
Andean Lapwing (Vanellus resplendens)
Semipalmated Plover (Charadrius semipalmatus)
Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus)
Collared Plover (Charadrius collaris)
Puna Plover (Charadrius alticola)
Two-banded Plover (Charadrius falklandicus)
Rufous-chested Dotterel (Charadrius modestus)
Diademed Sandpiper-Plover (Phegornis mitchellii)
OYSTERCATCHERS (Haematopodidae)
American Oystercatcher (Haematopus palliatus)
Blackish Oystercatcher (Haematopus ater)
Magellanic Oystercatcher (Haematopus leucopodus)
AVOCETS and STILTS (Recurvirostridae)
White-backed (Black-necked) Stilt (Himantopus mexicanus melanurus)
Andean Avocet (Recurvirostra andina)
MAGELLANIC PLOVER (Pluvianellidae)
Magellanic Plover (Pluvianellus socialis)
SANDPIPERS (Scolopacidae)
Whimbrel (Numenius phaeopus)
Ruddy Turnstone (Arenaria interpres)
Surfbird (Calidris virgata)
Sanderling (Calidris alba)
Baird's Sandpiper (Calidris bairdii)
Least Sandpiper (Calidris minutilla)
White-rumped Sandpiper (Calidris fuscicollis)
Semipalmated Sandpiper (Calidris pusilla)
Magellanic (South American) Snipe (Gallinago paraguaiae magellanica)
Red Phalarope (Phalaropus fulicarius)
Spotted Sandpiper (Actitis macularius)
Greater Yellowlegs (Tringa melanoleuca)
Willet (Tringa semipalmata)
Lesser Yellowlegs (Tringa flavipes)
SEEDSNIPES (Thinocoridae)
Gray-breasted Seedsnipe (Thinocorus orbignyianus)
Least Seedsnipe (Thinocorus rumicivorus)
SKUAS (Stercorariidae)
Chilean Skua (Stercorarius chilensis)
Parasitic Jaeger (Stercorarius parasiticus)
Long-tailed Jaeger (Stercorarius longicaudus)
GULLS (Laridae)
Andean Gull (Chroicocephalus serranus)
Brown-hooded Gull (Chroicocephalus maculipennis)
Dolphin Gull (Leucophaeus scoresbii)
Gray Gull (Leucophaeus modestus)
Franklin's Gull (Leucophaeus pipixcan)
Belcher's Gull (Larus belcheri)
Kelp Gull (Larus dominicanus)
Inca Tern (Larosterna inca)
South American Tern (Sterna hirundinacea)
Elegant Tern (Thalasseus elegans)
Sandwich Tern (Thalasseus sandvicensis)
Artic Tern (Sterna paradisaea)
SKIMMERS (Rynchopidae)
Black Skimmer (Rynchops niger)
PIGEONS (Columbidae)
Rock Pigeon (Columba livia)
Spot-winged Pigeon (Patagioenas maculosa)
Chilean Pigeon (Patagioenas araucana)
West Peruvian Dove (Zenaida meloda)
Eared Dove (Zenaida auriculata)
Picui Ground Dove (Columbina picui)
Croaking Ground Dove (Columbina cruziana)
Bare-faced Ground Dove (Metriopelia ceciliae)
Black-winged Ground Dove (Metriopelia melanoptera)
CUCKOOS (Cuculidae)
Groove-billed Ani (Crotophaga sulcirostris)
BARN OWLS (Tytonidae)
Barn Owl (Tyto alba)
OWLS (Strigidae)
Magellanic (Great) Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus magellanicus)
Rufous-legged Owl (Strix rufipes)
Austral Pygmy-Owl (Glaucidium nana)
Burrowing Owl (Athene cunicularia)
NIGHTJARS (Caprimulgidae)
Band-winged Nightjar (Systellura longirostris)
SWIFTS (Apodidae)
Andean Swift (Aeronautes andecolus)
HUMMINGBIRDS (Trochilidae)
Green-backed Firecrown (Sephanoides sephaniodes)
Andean Hillstar (Oreotrochilus estella)
White-sided Hillstar (Oreotrochilus leucopleurus)
Giant Hummingbird (Patagona gigas gigas)
Giant Hummingbird (Patagona gigas peruviana)
Chilean Woodstar (Eulidia yarrellii)
Oasis Hummingbird (Rhodopis vesper)
Peruvian Sheartail (Thaumastura cora)
WOODPECKERS (Picidae)
Striped Woodpecker (Veniliornis lignarius)
Chilean Flicker (Colaptes pitius)
Andean Flicker (Colaptes rupicola)
Magellanic Woodpecker (Campephilus magellanicus)
FALCONS (Falconidae)
Southern Caracara (Caracara plancus)
Mountain Caracara (Phalcoboenus megalopterus)
Chimango Caracara (Milvago chimango)
American Kestrel (Falco sparverius)
Aplomado Falcon (Falco femoralis)
Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus)
PARROTS (Psittacidae)
Austral Parakeet (Enicognathus ferrugineus)
Slender-billed Parakeet (Enicognathus leptorhynchus)
Burrowing Parakeet (Cyanoliseus patagonus)
TAPACULOS (Rhinocryptidae)
Chestnut-throated Huet-huet (Pteroptochos castaneus)
Black-throated Huet-huet (Pteroptochos tarnii)
Moustached Turca (Pteroptochos megapodius)
White-throated Tapaculo (Scelorchilus albicollis)
Chucao Tapaculo (Scelorchilus rubecula)
Ochre-flanked Tapaculo (Eugralla paradoxa)
Magellanic Tapaculo (Scytalopus magellanicus)
Dusky Tapaculo (Scytalopus fuscus)
OVENBIRDS (Furnariidae)
Common Miner (Patagonia) (Geositta cunicularia cunicularia)
Puna Miner (Geositta punensis)
Rufous-banded Miner (Geositta rufipennis)
Short-billed Miner (Geositta antarctica)
White-throated Treerunner (Pygarrhichas albogularis)
Crag Chilia (Ochetorhynchus melanurus)
Wren-like Rushbird (Phleocryptes melanops)
Scale-throated Earthcreeper (Upucerthia dumetaria)
White-throated Earthcreeper (Upucerthia albigula)
Buff-breasted Earthcreeper (Upucerthia validirostris)
Buff-winged Cinclodes (Cinclodes fuscus)
Cream-winged Cinclodes (Cinclodes albiventris)
Gray-flanked (Oustalet's) Cinclodes (Cinclodes oustaleti)
White-winged Cinclodes (Cinclodes atacamensis)
Dark-bellied Cinclodes (Cinclodes patagonicus)
Seaside Cinclodes (Cinclodes nigrofumosus)
Thorn-tailed Rayadito (Aphrastura spinicauda)
Des Murs's Wiretail (Sylviorthorhynchus desmursii)
Plain-mantled Tit-Spinetail (Central Chile) (Leptasthenura aegithaloides aegithaloides)
Plain-mantled Tit-Spinetail (Patagonia) (Leptasthenura aegithaloides pallida)
Streaked Tit-Spinetail (Leptasthenura striata)
Dark-winged (Creamy-breasted) Canastero (Asthenes dorbignyi arequipae)
Austral Canastero (Asthenes anthoides)
Cordilleran Canastero (Asthenes modesta)
Sharp-billed Canastero (Asthenes pyrrholeuca)
Canyon Canastero (Asthenes pudibunda)
Dusky-tailed Canastero (Pseudasthenes humicola)
TYRANT FLYCATCHERS (Tyrannidae)
Chilean (White-crested) Elaenia (Elaenia albiceps chilensis)
Peruvian (White-crested) Elaenia (Elaenia albiceps modesta)
Yellow-billed Tit-Tyrant (Anairetes flavirostris)
Pied-crested Tit-Tyrant (Anairetes reguloides)
Tufted Tit-Tyrant (Anairetes parulus)
Many-colored Rush Tyrant (Tachuris rubrigastra)
Rufescent (Bran-colored) Flycatcher (Myiophobus fasciatus rufescens)
Vermilion Flycatcher (Pyrocephalus rubinus)
Austral Negrito (Lessonia rufa)
Andean Negrito (Lessonia oreas)
Spectacled Tyrant (Hymenops perspicillatus)
Spot-billed Ground-Tyrant (Muscisaxicola maculirostris)
Puna Ground-Tyrant (Muscisaxicola juninensis)
White-fronted Ground-Tyrant (Muscisaxicola albifrons)
Ochre-naped Ground-Tyrant (Muscisaxicola flavinucha)
Rufous-naped Ground-Tyrant (Muscisaxicola rufivertex)
Dark-faced Ground-Tyrant (Muscisaxicola maclovianus)
White-browed Ground-Tyrant (Muscisaxicola albilora)
Cinnamon-bellied Ground-Tyrant (Muscisaxicola capistratus)
Black-fronted Ground-Tyrant (Muscisaxicola frontalis)
Black-billed Shrike-Tyrant (Agriornis montanus)
Great Shrike-Tyrant (Agriornis lividus)
Gray-bellied Shrike-Tyrant (Agriornis micropterus)
Fire-eyed Diucon (Xolmis pyrope)
Chocolate-vented Tyrant (Neoxolmis rufiventris)
d'Orbigny's Chat-Tyrant (Ochthoeca oenanthoides)
White-browed Chat-Tyrant (Ochthoeca leucophrys)
Patagonian Tyrant (Colorhamphus parvirostris)
COTINGAS (Cotingidae)
Rufous-tailed Plantcutter (Phytotoma rara)
SWALLOWS (Hirundinidae)
Blue-and-white Swallow (Pygochelidon cyanoleuca)
Andean Swallow (Orochelidon andecola)
Chilean Swallow (Tachycineta meyeni)
Bank Swallow (Riparia riparia)
Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica)
Cliff Swallow (Petrochelidon pyrrhonota)
WRENS (Troglodytidae)
House Wren (Troglodytes aedon)
Austral (Sedge) Wren (Cistothorus platensis hornensis)
THRUSHES (Turdidae)
Austral Thrush (Turdus falcklandii)
MOCKINGBIRDS (Mimidae)
Chilean Mockingbird (Mimus thenca)
PIPITS (Motacillidae)
Peruvian Pipit (Anthus peruvianus)
Correndera Pipit (Anthus correndera)
TANAGERS (Thraupidae)
Blue-and-yellow Tanager (Pipraeidea bonariensis)
Cinereous Conebill (Conirostrum cinereum)
Tamarugo Conebill (Conirostrum tamarugense)
Black-throated Flowerpiercer (Diglossa brunneiventris)
Black-hooded Sierra-Finch (Phrygilus atriceps)
Gray-hooded Sierra-Finch (Phrygilus gayi)
Patagonian Sierra-Finch (Phrygilus patagonicus)
Mourning Sierra-Finch (Phrygilus fruticeti)
Plumbeous Sierra-Finch (Phrygilus unicolor)
White-throated Sierra-Finch (Phrygilus erythronotus)
Ash-breasted Sierra-Finch (Phrygilus plebejus)
Band-tailed Sierra-Finch (Phrygilus alaudinus)
White-winged Diuca-Finch (Diuca speculifera)
Common Diuca-Finch (Diuca diuca)
Fuegian (White-bridled) Finch (Melanodera melanodera princetoniana)
Slender-billed Finch (Xenospingus concolor)
Greater Yellow-Finch (Sicalis auriventris)
Greenish Yellow-Finch (Sicalis olivascens)
Patagonian Yellow-Finch (Sicalis lebruni)
Grassland Yellow-Finch (Sicalis luteola)
Chestnut-throated Seedeater (Sporophila telasco)
Band-tailed Seedeater (Catamenia analis)
SPARROWS (Emberizidae)
Rufous-collared Sparrow (Zonotrichia capensis)
BLACKBIRDS (Icteridae)
Austral Blackbird (Curaeus curaeus)
Yellow-winged Blackbird (Agelasticus thilius)
Shiny Cowbird (Molothrus bonariensis)
Peruvian Meadowlark (Sturnella bellicosa)
Long-tailed Meadowlark (Sturnella loyca)
FINCHES (Fringillidae)
Hooded Siskin (Spinus magellanicus)
Black Siskin (Spinus atratus)
Yellow-rumped Siskin (Spinus uropygialis)
Black-chinned Siskin (Spinus barbatus)
OLD WORLD SPARROWS (Passeridae)
House Sparrow (Passer domesticus)