& NORTHERN PRE-TRIP Circumnavigation of The Cruise

OCTOBER 23–28, 2018

Black-and-rufous Warbling-Finch © Michael O’Brien

LEADERS: HECTOR SLONGO & MICHAEL O’BRIEN LIST COMPILED BY: MICHAEL O’BRIEN

VICTOR EMANUEL NATURE TOURS, INC. 2525 WALLINGWOOD DRIVE, SUITE 1003 AUSTIN, TEXAS 78746 WWW.VENTBIRD.COM

Buenos Aires & Northern Patagonia Pre-trip Circumnavigation of The Falkland Islands Cruise

October 23–28, 2018

By Michael O’Brien

For those who wanted to see more of than what was offered on the Falklands cruise, this pre-trip provided a wonderful opportunity to get a taste of the diversity of and that this country has to offer. From marshes, grasslands, and parks around Buenos Aires to steppe plains and rugged coastlines of Northern Patagonia, we found an amazing diversity of birds in just a few days.

On our first afternoon, we visited Costanera Sur Ecological Reserve, a wetland oasis in downtown Buenos Aires, just minutes from our hotel. Birds were not only abundant here, but most were also conspicuous and easy to see. In a leisurely stroll down the edge of a small lagoon, we found an amazing array of birds, including Southern Screamer, White-faced Whistling-, Brazilian and Silver teals, Rosy-billed Pochard, Guira Cuckoo, Glittering-bellied Emerald, Wattled Jacana, Rufescent Tiger-Heron, Campo Flicker, Narrow-billed Woodcreeper, Black- backed Water-Tyrant, Red-crested and Yellow-billed cardinals, Golden-billed Saltator, and many others. Adjacent city parks were also home to an interesting set of birds such as Picazuro Pigeon, Rufous Hornero (national of Argentina), Rufous-bellied Thrush, and Chalk-browed Mockingbird. It was a dizzying array of birds, right in downtown Buenos Aires!

Rosy-billed Pochard © Michael O’Brien

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 2 Buenos Aires & Northern Patagonia Pre-trip, 2018 The next day we did a thorough exploration of Otamendi Natural Reserve in the Parana River Delta. Here, we had a taste of the famed Argentine “’ grasslands and marshes. As soon as we arrived, we were wowed by some spectacular birds such as Spectacled Tyrant, Scarlet-headed Blackbird, Masked Yellowthroat, and Black-and-rufous Warbling-Finch. Maguari Storks soared overhead, and Long-winged Harriers hunted low over the grasslands. With a little effort, we were rewarded with sightings of some real skulkers such as Rufous-capped Antshrike, Curve- billed Reedhaunter, Freckle-breasted Thornbird, Spix’s Spinetail, and Long-tailed Reed Finch. And further efforts produced some additional gems like White Woodpecker and Diademed Tanager. With a long list under our belts, we were pleased with our time around Buenos Aires.

Freckle-breasted Thornbird © Michael O’Brien

After an early morning flight to Trelew, we experienced a dramatic change of scenery. Lying in the rain shadow of the , Patagonia is a landscape characterized by dry brushy steppe plains. Roadside stops in this wide-open landscape produced sightings of , a relative of the Llama, and Patagonian Mara, a relative of the Guinea Pig. But most of our afternoon was spent at Punta Tombo, a beautiful coastal promontory, and home to the world’s largest colony of Magellanic . Although we saw “only” a few hundred penguins, the colony hosts nearly a half million birds! In addition to the penguins, we found several other exciting birds including White-headed Steamer-Duck (endemic to Argentina), Elegant Crested-Tinamou, three species of oystercatchers, Chilean Skua, Plain-mantled Tit-Spinetail, and Grassland Yellow-Finch.

In Trelew, we visited two lakes, each absolutely loaded with hundreds of , swans, grebes, coots, and a stunning flock of 1,000+ Chilean Flamingos. Around the margins, other interesting

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 3 Buenos Aires & Northern Patagonia Pre-trip, 2018 birds included Picui Ground-Dove, Cinerous Harrier, and a cooperative Correndera Pipit. Farther north, we visited Punta Loma, a beautiful vista overlooking , where we enjoyed a large colony of Magellanic , along with and nice views of the very attractive Common Diuca-Finch. A complete surprise here was seeing a juvenile Magnificent Frigatebird sailing by offshore. This is perhaps the southernmost record for the species, and a solid 1,000 miles south of its nearest normal range in southern !

Common Diuca-Finch © Michael O’Brien

On our last day, we visited the Valdes Peninsula north of . Although distant, we were all excited to find a small group of Lesser Rheas, oddly seeming to associate with a herd of . Other roadside stops produced sightings of some prize species such as Scale-throated Earthcreeper, White-winged Black-Tyrant, and Lesser Shrike-Tyrant. But the real centerpiece of the day was a whale-watching trip at Puerto Piramides. Under warm temperatures and calm winds, we sailed barely a half-mile offshore and were surrounded by Southern Right Whales! Even the veteran whale-watchers among us felt spoiled by the amazing views we had of these , which use these protected waters to raise their calves. What a wonderful way to finish up our pre-trip program before heading out to the Falklands!

ITINERARY

October 24 – Arrivals in Buenos Aires and 2 pm meeting at hotel; afternoon to Costanera Sur Ecological Reserve. Night in Buenos Aires.

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 4 Buenos Aires & Northern Patagonia Pre-trip, 2018 October 25 – All day at Otamendi Natural Reserve (Parana River Delta) with lunch break at La Reserva Cardales Golf Course. Night in Buenos Aires.

October 26 – 7:30 am flight to Trelew; afternoon at Punta Tombo National Park. Night in Trelew.

October 27 – Trelew area including Laguna Chiquichano, Laguna del Ornithologo, and the Titanosauris pullout; afternoon to Punta Loma National Park. Night in Puerto Madryn.

Guanaco and Magellanic at Punta Loma © Michael O’Brien

October 28 – Parakeet ravine near Puerto Madryn; Valdes Peninsula National Park; trip at Puerto Piramides; Bird Island; meet remaining cruise participants at 6:30 pm. Night at Puerto Madryn.

KEY N = nest observed Y = dependent young observed E = Endemic to Argentina

BIRDS

Rheas ( Rheidae ) Lesser (Rhea pennata ) – Small group at Valdes NP.

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 5 Buenos Aires & Northern Patagonia Pre-trip, 2018 Tinamous ( Tinamidae ) Elegent Crested-Tinamou ( Eudromia elegans ) – seen at several locations near Trelew.

Elegant Crested-Tinamou © Michael O’Brien

Screamers ( Anhimidae ) Southern Screamer ( Chauna torquata ) N – Pairs seen at Costanera Sur and Otamendi.

Ducks, Geese & Swans ( ) White-faced Whistling-Duck ( Dendrocygna viduata ) – Several at Costanera Sur. Fulvous Whistling-Duck ( Dendrocygna bicolor ) – Several at Costanera Sur and big flock at Otamendi. Black-necked Swan (Cygnus melancoryphus ) N – Several in the Trelew ponds. Coscoroba Swan ( Coscoroba coscoroba ) – Numerous at the Trelew ponds. White-headed Steamer-Duck ( Tachyeres leucocephalus ) E – Three at Punta Tombo. Crested Duck ( Lophonetta specularioides ) – Seen at Punta Tombo and the Valdes Peninsula. Brazilian Teal ( Amazonetta brasiliensis ) – Several at Costanera Sur and Otamendi. Silver Teal ( versicolor ) – Numerous at Costanera Sur. Cinnamon Teal ( Spatula cyanoptera ) – Singles at both Trelew ponds. Red Shoveler ( Anas platalea ) – Abundant at the Trelew ponds. Chiloe Wigeon ( Mareca sibilatrix ) – Numerous in Trelew. Yellow-billed Pintail ( Anas georgica ) – Numerous in Trelew. Yellow-billed Teal ( Anas flavirostris ) – Small numbers at several locations. Rosy-billed Pochard ( Netta peposaca ) – Numerous at Costanera Sur and Trelew. Black-headed Duck ( Heteronetta atricapilla ) – Several in Trelew. Lake Duck ( Oxyura vittata ) – Numerous in Trelew.

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 6 Buenos Aires & Northern Patagonia Pre-trip, 2018

Flamingos ( Phoenicopteridae ) Chilean Flamingo ( Phoenicopterus chilensis ) – Numerous in Trelew.

Grebes ( Podicipedidae ) White-tufted Grebe ( Rollandia rolland ) – Numerous in Trelew.

White-tufted Grebe © Michael O’Brien

Pied-billed Grebe ( Podilymbus podiceps ) – Seen at Costanera Sur. Great Grebe ( Podiceps major ) – Seen at several locations. Silvery Grebe ( Podiceps occipitalis ) – Numerous in Trelew.

Pigeons and Doves ( ) Rock Pigeon ( Columba livia ) ( I ) – Numerous around urban areas. Picazuro Pigeon ( picazuro ) – Abundant around Buenos Aires. Spot-winged Pigeon ( Patagioenas maculosa ) – A few at Costanera Sur. Picui Ground-Dove ( Columbina picui ) – Two at Laguna Chiquichano. Eared Dove ( Zenaida auriculata ) – Abundant around Buenos Aires; a few around Puerto Madryn.

Cuckoos ( Cusulidae ) Guira Cuckoo ( Guira guira ) – Three at Costanera Sur.

Hummingbirds ( Trochilidae ) Glittering-bellied Emerald ( Chlorostilbon lucidus ) – A few at Costanera Sur and Otamendi.

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 7 Buenos Aires & Northern Patagonia Pre-trip, 2018 Gilded Hummingbird ( Hylocharis chrysura ) – Two at Otamendi.

Rails, Gallinules, and Coots ( Rallidae ) Plumbeous ( Pardirallus sanguinolentus ) – Two at Costanera Sur and one at Otamendi. Giant Wood-Rail ( Aramides ypecaha ) – Heard at Otamendi. Spot-flanked Gallinule ( Porphyriops melanops ) – Two at Costanera Sur. Common Gallinule ( Gallinula galeata ) – Numerous at Costanera Sur. Red-fronted Coot ( Fulica rufifrons ) – The least numerous coot; three at Costanera Sur and a few more at Trelew. Red-gartered Coot ( Fulica armillata ) – A few at Costanera Sur and abundant at Trelew. White-winged Coot ( Fulica leucoptera ) – A few at Costanera Sur and abundant at Trelew. Red-and-white Crake ( Laterallus leucopyrrhus ) – Three heard and one briefly seen at Otamendi.

Limpkin ( Aramidae ) Limpkin ( Aramus guarauna ) – A few at Costanera Sur.

Sheathbills ( Chionidae ) Snowy Sheathbill ( Chionis albus ) – Several at Punta Loma and on the Valdes Peninsula.

Snowy Sheathbill © Michael O’Brien

Stilts and Avocets ( Recurvirostridae ) Black-necked Stilt ( Himantopus mexicanus ) – Two at Laguna Chiquichano.

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 8 Buenos Aires & Northern Patagonia Pre-trip, 2018

Oystercatchers (Haematopodidae) American Oystercatcher ( Haematopus palliatus ) – Several at Punta Tombo and the Valdes Peninsula. Blackish Oystercatcher (Haemotopus ater ) – Several at Punta Tombo and the Valdes Peninsula. Magellanic Oystercatcher ( Haematopus leucopodus ) – Several at Punta Tombo.

Plovers & Lapwings (Charadriidae) Southern Lapwing (Vanellus chilensis) Y – Numerous and noisy in most open areas.

Jacanas ( Jacanidae ) Wattled Jacana ( Jacana jacana ) – Numerous at Costanera Sur.

Sandpipers (Scolopacidae) South American Snipe ( Gallinago paraguaiae ) – Two displaying birds at Otamendi. Wilson’s Phalarope ( Phalaropus tricolor ) – Large flock at Laguna Ornitologo.

Skuas & Jaegers ( Stercorariidae ) Chillean Skua ( Stercorarius chilensis ) – Several at Punta Tomba.

Chilean Skua © Michael O’Brien

Gulls & (Laridae) Brown-hooded (Chroicocephalus maculipennis) – Numerous in coastal areas, plus a few flyovers inland. Gray-hooded Gull ( Chroicocephalus cirrocephalus ) – Several flyovers at Otamendi.

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 9 Buenos Aires & Northern Patagonia Pre-trip, 2018 Dolphin Gull ( Leucophaeus scoresbii ) – Small numbers in coastal areas. Gull ( Larus dominicanus ) – Abundant on the coast, plus numerous flyovers inland. South American ( Sterna hirundinacea ) – Numerous along the Puerto Madryn waterfront. Royal Tern ( Thalasseus maximus ) – Several at Punta Loma and on the Valdes Peninsula.

Penguins ( Spheniscidae ) ( Spheniscus magellanicus ) N – Large colony at Punta Tomba; we saw a few hundred individuals, but around 200,000 pairs are estimated at this colony, the largest colony of Magellanic Penguins in the world.

Magellanic Penguin © Michael O’Brien

Shearwaters & Petrels ( Procellariidae ) Southern Giant-Petrel ( Macronectes giganteus ) – A few seen from shore from Punta Tombo to the Valdes Peninsula.

Storks ( Ciconiidae ) Maguari Stork ( Ciconia maguari ) – Several flyovers at Otamendi.

Frigatebirds ( Fregatidae ) Magnificent Frigatebird ( Fregata magnificens ) – It was a complete surprise to see a juvenile of this mainly tropical species gliding by offshore at Punta Loma. This is apparently about the southernmost record for this species!

Cormorants ( Phalacrocoracidae ) Neotropic ( Phalacrocorax brasilianus ) – Three at Costanera Sur.

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 10 Buenos Aires & Northern Patagonia Pre-trip, 2018 Magellanic Cormorant ( Phalacrocorax magellanicus ) N – Large colony at Punta Loma, plus others at the Valdes Peninsula and Puerto Madryn.

Magellanic Cormorant © Michael O’Brien

Imperial Cormorant ( Phalacrocorax atriceps ) – Numerous at Punta Loma, plus a few others elsewhere along the coast near Puerto Madryn. All of these were of the Atlantic or “King” subspecies ( P. a. albiventer ).

Herons, Egrets & Bitterns ( Ardeidae ) Rufescent Tiger-Heron ( Tigrisoma lineatum ) – Several at Costanera Sur. Cocoi Heron ( Ardea cocoi ) – Several at Costanera Sur and Otamendi. Great Egret ( Ardea alba ) – Seen at Costanera Sur, Otamendi, and the Valdes Peninsula. Snowy Egret ( Egretta thula ) – Several at Costanera Sur and Otamendi. Striated Heron ( Butorides striata ) – Three at Otamendi. Whistling Heron ( Syrigma sibilatrix ) – Two each at Costanera Sur and Otamendi. Black-crowned Night-Heron (Nycticorax nycticorax ) – Two flybys at the Puerto Madryn waterfront.

Ibises and Spoonbills ( Threskiornithidae ) White-faced Ibis ( Plegadis chihi ) – Numerous flyovers at Otamendi. Bare-faced Ibis ( Phimosus infuscatus ) – Small flocks flying over at Otamendi. Black-faced Ibis ( Theristicus melanopis ) – Single flyover near the Titanosauris pullout near Trelew. Roseate Spoonbill ( Platalea ajaja ) – A few flybys at Otamendi.

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 11 Buenos Aires & Northern Patagonia Pre-trip, 2018 New World Vultures ( Cathartidae ) Black Vulture ( Coragyps atratus ) – One near Otamendi. Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura ) – A few around Trelew and Puerto Madryn.

Hawks, Eagles & Kites ( Accipitridae ) Snail Kite ( Rostrhamus sociabilis ) – Two at Otamendi. Long-winged Harrier ( Circus buffoni ) – Several at Otamendi. Cinerous Harrier ( Circus cinereus ) – A few around Trelew and Puerto Madryn. Roadside Hawk ( Rupornis magnirostris ) – One at Costanera Sur. Harris’s Hawk ( Parabuteo unicinctus ) – Seen at Laguna Ornitologo and Puerto Madryn. Variable Hawk ( Geranoaetus polyosoma ) – Several around Trelew and Puerto Madryn.

Kingfishers ( Alcedinidae ) Ringed Kingfisher ( Megaceryle torquata ) – Two at Otamendi. Green Kingfisher ( Chloroceryle americana ) – Two at Otamendi.

Woodpeckers ( Picidae ) White Woodpecker ( Melanerpes candidus ) – Several at Otamendi. Checkered Woodpecker ( Veniliornis mixtus ) – Seen at Costanera Sur and Otamendi. Green-barred Woodpecker ( Colaptes melanochloros ) – Two at Otamendi. Campo Flicker ( Colaptes campestris ) – Two at Costanera Sur.

Campo Flicker © Michael O’Brien

Falcons & Caracaras (Falconidae) Southern Caracara ( Caracara plancus ) – A few at numerous locations. Chimango Caracara ( Milvago chimango ) – Numerous at many locations.

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 12 Buenos Aires & Northern Patagonia Pre-trip, 2018 American Kestrel ( Falco sparverius ) – Seen near Trelew.

New World & African Parrots ( Psittacidae ) Monk Parakeet ( Myiopsitta monachus ) – Numerous in the Buenos Aires area. Nanday Parakeet ( Aratinga nenday ) – Several at Costanera Sur. White-eyed Parakeet ( Psittacara leucophthalma ) – Two flyovers at Costanera Sur.

Typical Antbirds ( Thamnophilidae ) Rufous-capped Antshrike ( Thamnophilus ruficapillus ) – One at Otamendi.

Ovenbirds & Woodcreepers ( Furnariidae ) Narrow-billed Woodcreeper ( Lepidocolaptes angustirostris ) – Seen at Costanera Sur.

Narrow-billed Woodcreeper © Michael O’Brien

Band-tailed Earthcreeper ( Ochetorhynchus phoenicurus ) – One south of Trelew. Rufous Hornero ( Furnarius rufus ) – The national bird of Argentina, they were numerous around Buenos Aires, particularly in city parks. Curve-billed Reedhaunter ( Limnornis curvirostris ) – Several at Otamendi. Scale-throated Earthcreeper ( Upucerthia dumetaria ) – Two on the Valdes Peninsula. Plain-mantled Tit-Spinetail ( Leptasthenura aegithaloides ) – Several at Punta Tomba. Freckle-breasted Thornbird ( Phacellodomus striaticollis ) – Several at Otamendi. Sharp-billed Canastero ( Asthenes pyrrholeuca ) – Several around Punta Tomba, Trelew, and the Valdes Peninsula.

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 13 Buenos Aires & Northern Patagonia Pre-trip, 2018 Stripe-crowned Spinetail ( Cranioleuca pyrrhophia ) – Two at Otamendi. Spix’s Spinetail ( Synallaxis spixi ) – Pair at Otamendi.

Tyrant Flycatchers (Tyrannidae) Large Elaenia ( Elaenia spectabilis ) – One at Otamendi. Small-billed Elaenia ( Elaenia parvirostris ) – Two at Costanera Sur and numerous at Otamendi.

Small-billed Elaenia © Michael O’Brien

Sooty Tyrannulet ( Serpophaga nigricans ) – Several at Otamendi. White-bellied Tyrannulet ( Serpophaga munda ) – One at Otamendi. Bran-colored Flycatcher ( Myiophobus fasciatus ) – Two at Otamendi. Vermilion Flycatcher ( Pyrocephalus rubinus ) – One at Costanera Sur. White-winged Black Tyrant ( Knipolegus aterrimus ) – Seen near Trelew. Spectacled Tyrant ( Hymenops perspicillatus ) – Numerous at Otamendi; a few elsewhere. Yellow-browed Tyrant ( Satrapa icterophrys ) – One at Costanera Sur. Lesser Shrike-Tyrant ( Agriornis murinus ) – Two at the Valdes Peninsula. Black-backed Water-Tyrant ( Fluvicola albiventer ) – Three at Costanera Sur. Cattle Tyrant ( Machetornis rixosa ) – One at La Reserva Cardales and another in Buenos Aires. Great Kiskadee ( Pitangus sulphuratus ) – Numerous around Buenos Aires and a few as far south as Trelew. Streaked Flycatcher ( Myiodynastes maculatus ) – Two at Otamendi. Tropical Kingbird ( Tyrannus melancholicus ) – Several at Otamendi. Fork-tailed Flycatcher ( Tyrannus savana ) – Several at Otamendi.

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 14 Buenos Aires & Northern Patagonia Pre-trip, 2018 Vireos, Shrike-Babblers, and Erpornis (Vireonidae ) Chivi Vireo ( Vireo chivi ) – One at Costanera Sur. This is a recent split from Red-eyed Vireo.

Swallows ( Hirundinidae ) Blue-and-white ( Pygochelidon cyanoleuca ) – Numerous and seen daily. Tawny-headed Swallow ( Alopochelidon fucata ) – Two at Otamendi. Gray-breasted Martin ( chalybea ) – Numerous around Buenos Aires. Southern Martin ( Progne elegans ) – A few at Costanera Sur; numerous around Trelew. Brown-chested Martin ( Progne tapera ) – Numerous at Otamendi; a few elsewhere.

Brown-chested Martin © Michael O’Brien

White-rumped Swallow ( leucorrhoa ) – Numerous at Costanera Sur; a few at Otamendi. ( Tachycineta meyeni ) N – Numerous around Trelew. ( rustica ) – Singles at Otamendi and Trelew.

Wrens ( Troglodytidae ) House Wren ( Troglodytes aedon ) – Small numbers seen each day. These are part of the widespread “Southern House Wren” ( T. a. musculus ), which ranges north to , and is widely regarded as a separate species from birds in .

Gnatcatchers ( Polioptilidae ) Masked Gnatcatcher ( Polioptila dumicola ) – One at Otamendi.

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 15 Buenos Aires & Northern Patagonia Pre-trip, 2018 Thrushes & Allies (Turdidae ) Rufous-bellied Thrush ( Turdus rufiventris ) – Numerous around Buenos Aires and Otamendi. Austral Thrush (Turdus falcklandii) – A few around Trelew and Puerto Madryn. Creamy-bellied Thrush ( Turdus amaurochalinus ) – Numerous at Otamendi; less common in Buenos Aires. Chiguanco Thrush ( Turdus chiguanco ) – Singles near Trelew and Puerto Madryn.

Mockingbirds and Thrashers ( Mimidae ) Patagonian Mockingbird ( Mimus patagonicus ) – Numerous around Trelew and Puerto Madryn. Chalk-browed Mockingbird ( Mimus saturninus ) – Numerous around Buenos Aires; a few in Puerto Madryn.

Starlings ( Sturnidae ) European Starling ( Sturnus vulgaris ) – Numerous around Buenos Aires.

Pipits ( Motacillidae ) Correndera Pipit ( Anthus correndera ) – One at Laguna Ornitologo. Hellmayr’s Pipit (Anthus hellmayri) – One at Otamendi.

Finches, Euphonias & Allies ( Fringillidae ) Hooded Siskin ( Spinus magellanicus ) – Several at Otamendi.

Buntings & New World Sparrows ( Emberizidae ) Rufous-collared Sparrow (Zonotrichia capensis ) Y – Numerous and seen daily.

Rufous-collared Sparrow © Michael O’Brien

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 16 Buenos Aires & Northern Patagonia Pre-trip, 2018

Blackbirds & Allies ( Icteridae ) Long-tailed Meadowlark ( Sturnella loyca ) – A few near Puerto Madryn and the Valdes Peninsula. Solitary Black Cacique ( Cacicus solitarius ) – Single flyby and another heard at Otamendi. Shiny Cowbird ( Molothrus bonariensis ) – Seen every day. Scarlet-headed Blackbird ( Amblyramphus holosericeus ) – Numerous at Otamendi. Grayish Baywing ( Agelaioides badius ) – Numerous at Costanera Sur; a few in Trelew. Unicolored Blackbird ( Agelasticus cyanopus ) – One at Costanera Sur. Yellow-winged Blackbird ( Agelasticus thilius ) – Numerous at Otamendi; a few in Trelew. Brown-and-yellow Marshbird ( Pseudoleistes virescens ) – Numerous at Otamendi.

New World Warblers ( Parulidae ) Masked Yellowthroat ( Geothlypis aequinoctialis ) – Numerous at Otamendi.

Masked Yellowthroat © Michael O’Brien

Tanagers & Allies ( Thraupidae ) Red-crested Cardinal ( Paroaria coronata ) – A few at Costanera Sur. Yellow-billed Cardinal ( Paroaria capitata ) – Two at Costanera Sur. Diademed Tanager ( Stephanophorus diadematus ) – Four at Otamendi. Sayaca Tanager ( Thraupis sayaca ) – Several at Costanera Sur and Otamendi. Mourning Sierra-Finch ( Phrygilus fruticeti ) – Two south of Trelew. Common Diuca-Finch ( Diuca diuca ) – Seen at Punta Loma and the Valdes Peninsula. Long-tailed Reed-Finch ( Donacospiza albifrons ) – Pair at Otamendi.

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 17 Buenos Aires & Northern Patagonia Pre-trip, 2018 Black-and-rufous Warbling-Finch ( Poospiza nigrorufa ) – Several at Otamendi. Saffron Finch ( Sicalis flaveola ) – Several at Otamendi. Grassland Yellow-Finch ( Sicalis luteola ) – Several at Punta Tomba. Great Pampa-Finch ( Embernagra platensis ) – Three at Otamendi. Golden-billed Saltator ( Saltator aurantiirostris ) – Three at Costanera Sur.

Old World Sparrows (Passeridae ) House Sparrow (Passer domesticus ) – Numerous in urban areas.

MAMMALS

Armadillos ( Dasypodidae ) Large Hairy Armadillo ( Chaetophractus villosus ) – Seen at Punta Tombo.

Large Hairy Armadillo © Michael O’Brien

Guinea Pigs ( Caviidae ) Patagonian Mara ( Dolichotis patagonum ) – Seen at Punta Loma and Valdes Peninsula.

Tuco-tucos ( Ctenomyidae ) Tuco-tuco sp. ( Ctenomys sp. ) – Seen at Punta Tombo.

Nutria (Myocastoridae) Nutria ( Myocastor coypus ) – Several at Otamendi.

Rabbits and Hares ( Leporidae )

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 18 Buenos Aires & Northern Patagonia Pre-trip, 2018 European Hare ( Lepus europaeus ) ( E ) – Seen near Buenos Aires and Trelew.

Dogs ( Canidae ) Pampas Fox ( Lycalopex gymnocerus ) – Seen near Punta Loma.

Eared Seals ( Otariidae ) ( Otaria flavescens ) – Seen at Punta Loma and Valdes Peninsula.

Camels and Llamas ( Camelidae ) Guanaco ( Lama guanicoe ) – Seen at Punta Loma, Punta Tombo, and Valdes Peninsula.

Whales ( Balaenidae ) Southern ( Eubalaena australis ) – Amazing views on our boat trip at Puerto Piramides.

Southern Right Whale © Michael O’Brien

HERPS

Canquel Lizard (Liolaemus canqueli ) Mousehole Snake ( Phylodrias trilineatus )

BUTTERFLIES

Painted Lady ( Vanessa cardui )

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 19 Buenos Aires & Northern Patagonia Pre-trip, 2018