Southern Argentina Part II

The vast plains of Patagonia have dazzled naturalists since the earliest times of exploration. Nowadays, the birders are equally fascinated by these scenic landscapes and their special birds. Santa Cruz province is famed for its windswept and barren plateaus. These are home to a number of local bird species that are highly sought after. Among these are the endangered Hooded Grebe and the Austral Rail. The former has been described in 1974 by Maurice Rumboll, and the later was recently rediscovered by other members of our team. Other unique birds from this remote side of the world are Patagonian Tinamou, Ruddy-headed Goose, Austral Canastero and Magellanic Plover.

The island of Tierra del Fuego provides a perfect contrast, for here we visit the dense Southern Beech forests, home to the Austral Pygmy-Owl, Thorn-tailed Rayadito, White-throated Treerunner and the fabulous Magellanic Woodpecker. Water birds occur here and some specialties are the Spectacled Duck, Ashy-headed Goose, Fuegian Steamer-Duck, Dolphin Gull and Chilean Skua. The trip finishes up with a visit to the high timberline habitats where Yellow-bridled Finch and White-bellied Seedsnipe occur. These areas combine some of the most interesting birds of Argentina with breathtaking countryside, making this a wonderful birding trip.

This tour can be combined with "Pampas and Northern Patagonia".