Hi all,
I went to Buenos Aires, Argentina, from June 6th to 10th, with my family, and spent two mornings in Costanera Sur Ecological Reserve, a fantastic place to birdwatching. If it depended on me, I would spend all the time in the reserve, but I'm young and my family aren't that fanatic for birds. I was able to convince them to spend two mornings, June 7th and 9th, in the reserve and we really enjoyed ourselves (especially I!!!).
I'll post a small report, but don't expect much, since I'm very inexperienced and young as well. Please, see the maps at the bottom of the posts, then you know what tracks I've done.
Cheers
We arrived at around 8:30 am on the Brasil entrance, because we wanted some leaflets about the Reserve, and we thought that we would find them in the main entrance. My first birds were from a flock of Monk Parakeets flying on the other side of the street, opposite to the entrance. Before entering the Reserve by the gate, I saw some Saffron Finches, Rufous-collared Sparrows and a Rufous-bellied Thrush feeding on the ground. After entering, we turned right to "Camino de los Plumerillos", where several tame Chalk-browed Mockingbirds were walking, flying or perched. My first lifer, Hooded Siskin, was seen in a "bald" tree, almost without moving. I saw several of them later. A little further some Masked Gnatcatchers, also very common there, were jumping among the branches. In the same tree, a female Green-barred Woodpecker (ssp. melanolaimus, sometimes considered separated species, aka Golden-breasted Woodpecker) was climbing the trunk. It was a very, very foggy morning, like almost all days (incluging afternoons and nights) I spent there, which made further sights more difficult, especially in the lakes (see photos below). Anyway, I liked that. The place looked much more isolated from the city, since no building could be seen. Walking a little more, a very melodious group of Solitary Caciques were seen and heard in a low tree. The songs and calls resembled imitations. Then, we continued walking. Meanwhile, many Chalk-browed Mockingbirds and Rufous-collared Sparrow were walking beside the way. Another Solitary Cacique was seen, while he was opening a fallen branch with its big and pale beak, probably looking for insects or other invertebrates. After walking a bit more, I saw a restless Black-capped Warbling Finch which was constantly jumping and making acrobatic movements. At the end of the "Camino de los Plumerillos", in the meeting point of (almost) all tracks and the River Plate, two Picazuro Pigeons were walking on the ground and some more were perched on the top of trees. Perched on some rocks just beside the river, was a Great Kiskadee, which surprinsingly was the first sight in that day (I had only heard). In the distance, but close enough to be identified by the binoculars, was a Grey-necked Wood Rail, which quickly entered into the vegetation. Solitary, perched on a very high branch, was a Roadside Hawk. It stood still all the time. After we turned to the "Camino del Medio", I could finally have a good (well... not SO good) view of the "Laguna de los Patos", where through the binos, I could see Brown-hooded Gulls, Neotropic Cormorants and Black-necked Swans. After a while, I saw a very still and solitary Black-and-rufous Warbling Finch. Just when we reached the "Camino de los Lagartos" to turn left, a Southern Caracara perched on a branch very close to us, while carrying (probably) a baby coot (Fulica sp.). On "Laguna de los Patos" I could get a better view of a White-winged Coot (I suspected having seen some before, but this sight confirmed). On "Laguna de los Coipos" some Black-necked and Coscoroba Swans were swimming, while some noisy Brown-hooded Gulls were flying above us and a big flock of White-faced Whistling Duck were perched on a small "island". Then we saw two White-rumped Swallows perched on high branches of a tiny tree. In the floating vegetation a Tropical Kingbird was feeding. After a while, we saw another very tame Southern Caracara in many details. The last bird was a very, very (more than the Caracaras) tame Rufous Hornero, which let me approach centimeters distance. The first Costanera Sur visit was complete. That morning was fantastic!
P.S.: I'l try to avoid attaching my bird pictures, because they are horrible. The camera (believe me: it is very bad) doesn't help, neither does the photographer, let alone in that foggy weather. Therefore, I'll attach only the very highlights.
File 1: Southern Caracara with baby Coot (?)
File 2: Foggy Day
File 3: Foggy Day
File 4: Tame Rufous Hornero
File 5: Map
It's an amazing site isn't it. I was told it was created by the 'spoil' dumped from the overpass built to take traffic over the city centre. I've not been for years but it's the only place I've ever seen Many-coloured Rush Tyrant which is such a superb bird. Love to go again, that's for sure.