ADVENTURE In ARGENTINA November 5-14, 2017 Photos by D Podesta and Webster BirdLife International and Aves Argentinas ADVENTURE in ARGENTINA November 5-14, 2017 Join BirdLife International for a once-in-a-lifetime birding adventure to the spectacular Patagonian region of Argentina on November 5-14, 2017! Hosted by BirdLife’s partner organization in Argentina, Aves Argentinas, we will experience the extraordinary sights, sounds, birds and culture of Patagonia, located in the southernmost point of South America. Guided by local Argentinian birding experts, we will explore romantic Patagonia with our entertaining guides and our small, intimate band of birders. Unlike most of BirdLife’s trips for bird watchers, our Adventure in Argentina is a trip that will not be limited to BirdLife’s Rare Bird Club members. This trip is open to anyone who would like to experience the beautiful birds and landscapes of Argentina, and who have a passion for global conservation. We welcome all birders and conservationists who are ready for a fast-paced, fun, bucolic expedition through the heart of wild Patagonia! ABOUT PATAGONIA The southernmost part of South America, or Southern Cone, encompasses Argentina and Chile, and is the continental area closest to Antarctica. Patagonia is located at the most southern part of the Southern Cone, and thousand colors’ hills, marvelous waterfalls, and other-worldly landscapes are just a few of the things we’ll see while in exotic Patagonia! Our trip will include visits into deep primeval forests, birding at crystalline lakes, penguin colonies, exotic bird sightings, and a chance to see one of the rarest birds on the planet, the hooded grebe, which can only be seen in Patagonia. Patagonia is in Southern Argentina and Chile, identified in brown on this map. The Southern Hemisphere will be in the late stages of Spring in early November, so temperatures will range from the low to mid 40’s (F) to the high 60’s (F). With eight full days in Patagonia, our birding group will be on the move as we travel throughout the Patagonian realm. We will experience multiple habitats as we tour a different city/natural region each day, and stay in a different local hotel each night. Our accommodations will include those with more modern amenities as well as those of a more rustic nature. The global birder traveling to the ends of the earth is always ready for excitement and adventure, and this trip will offer an authentic Argentinian experience to all who join our group. ITINERARY Team Leader: Hernán Casañas, Director, Aves Argentinas Team Leader: Esteban Lasso, Director, BirdLife Americas Team Leader: Wendy Clark, Event Coordinator, BirdLife Americas 05 NOV. BUENOS AIRES We will meet at the airport upon arrival and travel to the hotel together. In the afternoon, we will visit Costanera Sur Ecological Reserve accompanied by Hernán Casañas. Unique forest and grassland place inside Buenos Aires City. Despite being very close to the financial and business environment of Buenos Aires, this spectacular place offers a great contact with its flora and fauna. It was founded in 1989 over the Rio de la Plata. Up to 1950 “Porteños” were used to walk over the whole length of the coast and they used to swim as well. A long time later the coast was fulfilled by rubble and in 2005 was mentioned by Birdlife International and Aves Argentinas as an IBA (Important Bird Area). There is an interesting diversity of vegetation as shrubs, trees, grazing land and different styles of herbs typical from Delta and Rio de la Plata coast. Small group of Ceibos (South American spiny tree with dark crimson and scarlet flowers solitary or clustered) are grown in coasts, resulting from floods which drag seeds. Reeds and some typical birds create a special and harmony context. Some other groups like fish species, large number of amphibians, reptiles, mammals, insects and some other invertebrate water and ground species. Hotel Madero 06 NOV. BUENOS AIRES – EL CALAFATE We will transfer to the airport to take your flight to El Calafate. AR 1870 BUENOS AIRES – EL CALAFATE We will meet upon arrival and visit of Los Glaciares National Park. The first views of Moreno Glacier are breathtaking, down a narrow arm of Lago Argentino with the imposing Andean Mountains as a backdrop. As spectacular as it is, it pales compared to a close approach where the constant sounds of this "living" glacier shake the air. Gigantic blocks of ice, frequently break away and crash into the lake, sending spray hundreds of feet into the air and sounding like distant artillery fire. The startling contrast of color, sound, motion and size creates a continuously changing mosaic of indescribable beauty. After the visit, we will transfer to the hotel. Transfer for Dinner & Folckore Show at Estancia 25 de mayo (Kau Yatun). Example birds that can be seen Magellanic Woodpecker, Chilean Flicker, Kelp Goose, Magellanic Plover, Austral Parakeet, Andean Condor, Ruddy Duck, Crested Duck, Austral Rail Posada Los Alamos Breakfast & dinner 07 NOV. EL CALAFATE – EL CHALTÉN Morning departure to Estancia 25 de mayo Natural Reserve. The safari schedule includes several stops, which will allow to participate in geological interpretations of the area, observe marine fossils and watch guanacos, among other species from native fauna, and learn about the contemporary rural life. Either by interpreting traces or by watching, you unveil the delicate balance of the steppe ecosystem, which varies as you go upwards. Excellent opportunities for spotting guanacos, condors and foxes, among other species of the native fauna. Towards the Chilean border, there is a stunning panoramic view of the Baguales and Centinela mountains. Once back in the canyon (“quebrada”), it is time to taste a country stew, homemade bread and country cheese at “La sección”. After lunch, transfer to El Chaltén. Located in the Department called Lago Argentino, El Chaltén is on the northern margin of Lago Viedma, in the confluence of rivers De las Vueltas and Fitz Roy, in the National Reserve “Zona Viedma” in Los Glaciares National Park. This landscape combines the magic of glaciers, hidden lagoons, estancias, Lake Viedma and the magnetic presence of Mount Fitz Roy. The summit of its unmistakable majestic silhouette is almost always covered in a cloud that the Tehuelche thought was smoke, mistake that gave origin to the name Chaltén, which means volcano. Afternoon birding the extensive Southern Beech woodlands near town. Example birds that can be seen during the following days Lesser Rhea, Patagonian Tinamou, Hooded Grebe, Austral Rail, Lesser Horned-Owl, Spectacled Duck, Chilean Flamingo, Two-banded Plover, Magellanic Plover, Cinereus Harrier, Austral Canastero, Dark-bellied Cinclodes, Cinnamon-bellied Ground-Tyrant, Patagonian Yellow-Finch, Andean Condor, Correndera Pipit, Rufous-tailed Plantcutter Dinner at the hotel. El Puma Breakfast, lunch & dinner Kilometres: 200 – Estimated driving time: 3 h 08 NOV. EL CHALTÉN – ESTANCIA LA ANGOSTURA After a morning exploring El Chalten, the journey continues to Strobel plateau. This remote place is seldom visited by any tourists, and it is the most reliable site to find the much soughtafter Hooded Grebe. Lunch box en route and dinner at the estancia. Estancia La Angostura Breakfast, lunch box & dinner Kilometres: 260 – Estimated driving time: 5 h 09 NOV. ESTANCIA LA ANGOSTURA – CUEVA DE LAS MANOS Early morning, search for grebes on the lagoons near the estancia. The marshes and reeds of the Rio Chico give a chance for another specialty: The Austral Rail. Lunch at the estancia. In the afternoon, continue to the famous Cueva de las Manos located in the Pinturas River Valley. Pinturas means "paintings" in Spanish and the river and valley are so called precisely because of the abundance and magnificence of the cave paintings, one of the most impressive expressions of rupestrian art more than 9000 years old. Hosteria Cueva de Las Manos Breakfast, lunch box & dinner Kilometres: 242 – Estimated driving time: 4 h 10 NOV. CUEVA DE LAS MANOS – LOS ANTIGUOS Early in the morning, departure to Estancia La Ascención - northern access of Patagonia National Park. 4x4 drive to approach Buenos Aires plateau and trek up to the plateau and lagoons in search of the Macá Tobiano. Late arrival at Los Antiguos. Before dinner, informative talk about Macá Tobiano Project. Dinner at a local restaurant. Antigua Patagonia Breakfast, lunch box & dinner Kilometres: 180 – Estimated driving time: 3 h 11 NOV. LOS ANTIGUOS - PUERTO DESEADO Morning departure for a long drive towards Puerto Deseado crossing the Patagonian steppe from west to east, from the Andes to the Atlantic coast. Lunch box en route. Once in Puerto Deseado, afternoon navigation through the Deseado Ria. During the navigation, it is possible to see Petrels flying – the wing-span of these birds can reach a length of 2 meters, similar in size to the condor – and dolphins swimming escorting the boat. In the Island, an antique seal factory that is in ruins right now can be found. Dinner at a local restaurant. Example birds that can be seen in the following days Lesser Rhea, Flying Steamer-Duck, Elegant Crested-Tinamou, Red-gartered and Red-fronted Coot, Black-faced Ibis, Rockhopper and Magellanic Penguin, Black-browed Albatross, Red-legged, Magellanic and Imperial Cormorant, Snowy Sheathbill, Magellanic, Blackish and American Oystercatcher, Southern Giant-Petrel, Dolphin Gull Los Acantilados Breakfast, lunch box & dinner Kilometres: 510 – Estimated driving time: 5h30 12 NOV. PUERTO DESEADO Morning departure to Penguin Island, located southeast of Puerto Deseado. After an hour of navigation in open sea, arrival at the Penguin Island – nowadays a Marine Park. Start a trek through a maze of rocks among Magellanic penguins and skuas, the guardians of the island. While ascending, an old abandoned lighthouse, the ruins of ancient sea lion factory that worked in the late eighteenth century, and the spectacular view of the Marine Park are part of the attractions.