We packed & left Las Grutas quite early on 17th March, half wishing that we could stay here a little bit longer. (But one has to be careful over what one wishes for)! Driving south on Route 3 towards our next destination the world famous Peninsula Valdez when we came to a stop at a police roadblock. One just knows when something isn't right & so it proved to be. They politely but firmly turned us around & told us we couldn't cross the state line & we had to return to where we came from & self isolate for the next fourteen days! At this point in time the police were letting Argentinians through, but that changed to no one gets through later in the afternoon.
Recognise it?
Home sweet home!
But for how long?
It took us one & half hours to return & in that time the corona virus situation was changing rapidly. We entered the town to be told that we just got in in time. The mayor had placed a cordon around the town & no-one gets in or out! We could have been stuck on the open road! It really was with minutes to spare we got back into Las Grutas.
Needless to say our hosts were surprised to see us, but as no-one can enter the town there were lots of cancellations, so we got an apartment for fourteen nights. The rest of the day was spent on computers & telephones trying to reach the car rental people & airlines. We had a hire car which had to be back on 19th but no means of getting it there! Eventually got through to Avis & they didn't know what to do! This is an unprecedented situation. Finally they said we could keep the car (not much option really, as no-one can get through to pick it up) & we deliver it back to Trelew once our isolation period has ended. This was a great outcome for us, as we can use the car around the town for shopping etc. Then we found out that the Atlantic Odyssey trip had been cancelled! A massive disappointment. We then enjoyed a drink on the terrace & then a nice meal, for an early night, as it had been a fairly stressful day! I do believe that may be an understatement!
We both lounged in bed the next morning, (18th March) eventually reading all the new developments on our phones & there was plenty to read about & digest! Argentina has stopped all internal & international flights from Thursday indefinitely. Road transport is now not possible, all large gatherings of people prohibited & national parks closed, as well as all other cultural & educational attractions. So our carefully planed itinerary was over. Spent several hours on the computers again contacting yet more airlines, accommodation & car hire people. Eventually successful, but still got to sort out the Cape Verde arrangements.
Neotropic Cormorant
Silvery Grebe
Kelp Gull
Royal Tern
Snowy-crowned Tern
This species is startlingly white!
American Oystercatcher
Part of the flock of Greater Yellowlegs
On their wintering grounds, Greaters tend to be
along the coast, while Lessers are on freshwater.
Self isolating!
It feels strange not seeing people around!
The tide was out, but birding was quite good.
along the coast, while Lessers are on freshwater.
Then it was time for a walk along the beach, which is very scenic. A few birds were around, best being:
Found a dead Magellanic Penguin
on the beach.
50+ Neotropic Cormorant; 1 Silvery Grebe; 70 Kelp Gull; 100+ Brown hooded Gull; 12 Royal Tern; 4 Snowy crowned Tern; 3 Turkey Vulture; 75 American Oyster-catcher; 35 Greater Yellow-legs; 800+ White-rumped Sandpiper. A few Southern Martins came hawking around our building at dusk. Always a nice bird to see.
Some people take self isolating to a whole new level!
Elegant crested Tinamou: a bit of a surprise find
as we are so close to town here.
Chalk browed Mockingbird, found in the town &
on the edge of town, but uncommon here.
Just for comparison the abundant
Patagonian Mockingbird.
Scale throated Earthcreeper
Singing!
Greater wagtail Tyrant
These are strange little birds:
Flycatchers that behave more
like a Prinia!
We enjoyed a braii in the evening.
as we are so close to town here.
on the edge of town, but uncommon here.
Patagonian Mockingbird.
Flycatchers that behave more
like a Prinia!
The 19th March was spent mainly indoors working on the computer. Delana was working on her Kenyan report & I was working on my blog. Later afternoon we took a little walk around seeing Elegant crested Tinamou; Scale throated Earthcreeper; Greater Wagtail Tyrant & Sharp billed Canastero.
Just to show how variable this species plumage
really is! It lives up to its name!
White throated Cacholate
There is a pair of these scarce birds at the
small rubbish dump, on the edge of town.
Greater Wagtail Tyrant
Burrowing Parakeets at dawn.
Lots of birds milling around at dawn.
It is great to see this restricted species
doing so well in this area.
A bit of a star bird this one!
Turkey Vulture
Common, even close to town.
Also this species is a regular patroller of the beaches.
Also this species is a regular patroller of the beaches.
Variable Hawk
really is! It lives up to its name!
Spot winged Pigeon
Eared Dove
Green barred Woodpecker
The uncommon (here) Chalk browed Mockingbird
Patagonian Mockingbird
This species is a varied &
very loud songster!
Scale throated Earthcreeper
This species appears to be common in the
Patagonian scrub habitat.
Short billed Canastero
One of three species of Canastero found here,
which seems surprising.
This is by far the easiest species to actually see!
small rubbish dump, on the edge of town.
Blue & Yellow Tanager
Male: there was a female present as well,
but she was far more shy.
Mourning Sierra Finch
Up before dawn on 20th March & birded what has now become our local patch! At first it was a little quiet, but then picked up & we enjoyed a really nice morning's birding. We only had a brief glance at the nearby sea & beach, spending all of our time in the scrub lands.
Birds:
Neotropic Cormorant; Turkey Vulture; Variable Hawk 2; American Oystercatcher; Southern Lapwing 4; Brown hooded Gull; Kelp Gull; Royal Tern; Rock (Feral) Pigeon; Spot winged Pigeon 25; Eared Dove; Campo Flicker 1; Chimango Caracara 10; American Kestrel 1; Burrowing Parakeet 120+; Rufous Hornero 2; Scale throated Earthcreeper 3; Buff winged Cinclodes 1; Short billed Canastero 3; Sharp billed Canastero 1; White throated Cacholote 1; Greater Wagtail Tyrant 4; Great Kisadee 1; Tropical Kingbird 2; Southern House Wren; Austral Thrush 12; Patagonian Mockingbird; Chalk-browed Mockingbird 2; Blue & Yellow Tanager 2; Mourning Sierra Finch; Common Diuca Finch 2; Grassland Yellowfinch 2; Golden billed Saltator 1; Rufous collared Sparrow; House Sparrow; Long tailed Meadowlark 5; Shiny Cowbird 6; Greyish Baywing 1;
Mammals:
Patagonian Lesser Cavy 2.
We returned to our apartment to find the beach had been closed off & no one was outside! Spent the rest of the day working on our computers. Have just heard that we are in total lock down. One can only leave home to buy groceries or medicines. What a bummer!
Did a short sea-watch 17,45 - 18,15 hours from the garden. We are looking across a road to the sea, so not that close to the action. But 19 Arctic Skuas & 3 Brown Skuas came into the bay this evening. Also saw 2 Royal Terns. Not too shabby! Both Brown chested & Southern Martins overhead at dusk & an American Kestrel roosting on a nearby pole.
21st March & we are sea watching from the garden. It is a flat calm sea, so we can spot the grebes bobbing about in the bay:
16 Great Grebe; 15 White tufted Grebe; 10 Silvery Grebe. A Rock Cormorant flew by. Two each of Royal & Snowy crowned Tern + a South American Tern. Saw a Grey headed Gull fly by late afternoon. Surprisingly, this is the first we have had this trip.
Silvery Grebe
This is the boundary!
Not a foot further!
Me in action!
Did a short sea-watch 17,45 - 18,15 hours from the garden. We are looking across a road to the sea, so not that close to the action. But 19 Arctic Skuas & 3 Brown Skuas came into the bay this evening. Also saw 2 Royal Terns. Not too shabby! Both Brown chested & Southern Martins overhead at dusk & an American Kestrel roosting on a nearby pole.
Silvery Grebe
21st March & we are sea watching from the garden. It is a flat calm sea, so we can spot the grebes bobbing about in the bay:
Looking into the bay at dawn.
It brightened up later in the day.
16 Great Grebe; 15 White tufted Grebe; 10 Silvery Grebe. A Rock Cormorant flew by. Two each of Royal & Snowy crowned Tern + a South American Tern. Saw a Grey headed Gull fly by late afternoon. Surprisingly, this is the first we have had this trip.
Southern House Wren
A pair are regular visitors to the garden.
The amazing Burrowing Parakeet
Long tailed Meadowlark
This Austral Thrush had a deformed
& elongated beak.
We have been here a few days now
& it is the first time we have seen
this individual.
Delana said I coughed!
Sea watching!
She said she was
sea watching!
Played the Argentinian version of boules
in the garden between the showers.
& elongated beak.
& it is the first time we have seen
this individual.
sea watching!
in the garden between the showers.
22nd March was a funny day. We attempted to sea-watch from the garden several times, but each time there were strong showers, which meant we had to run for shelter!
Best records were:
Manx Shearwater 2; Chilean Flamingo 1;Arctic Skua 1; Skua sp 2;
Also had a Long tailed Meadowlark singing, which is new for the garden & the local pair of Burrowing Parakeets were on their favourite post.
South American Sea Lion, 1 swimming in the bay.
Great Grebe
Royal Tern
Spot winged Pigeon
Tuesday 23rd March dawned overcast with no wind. A quick look at the sea revealed it to be like a lake! No waves, not even a ripple. Consequently the grebes were easy to spot:
Great Grebe 18; Silvery Grebe 15; White tufted Grebe 4.
Great Kisadee
The light was terrible,
so not the best of photos.
Great Kisadee was a new addition to the garden list.
We went shopping, but got stopped by the police. We have to go & register at the police station to say we are living here! Not our doing of course!
American Oystercatcher
Greater Yellowlegs
Tropical Kingbird
The sea watching spot!
Mid afternoon c.90 Manx Shearwaters appeared out of nowhere & there was a feeding frenzy in the bay. They were there all afternoon & increased to 600+ birds. 2 Arctic Skuas looked on. At dusk two Rufous collared Sparrows flew into the tree in our garden. And later, two noisy Southern Lapwings flew over the house. Both new birds for our garden list.
The end of yet another day at home!
Buff winged Cinclodes
We visited the local police station on the morning of 24th March. They were very polite & nice to us & told us that we didn't need to register! (The exact opposite of what we were told yesterday)! I think everyone is just so confused by this unprecedented situation. They said we had to stay put at least until 31st March, when the present restrictions are due to be reviewed. Then they would give us papers to travel. This seems very optimistic to us!
Didn't do a great deal of birding on 25th March. However, intermittent watching over the beach & sea paid off in the form of three new birds for the garden list! 2 Great White Egret; Black crowned Night Heron immature & 3 Two banded Plover.
Had a quick look over the sea on morning of 26th March. Only bird of note was another Black crowned Night Heron on the rocks, this time an adult. Spent majority of the day indoors working on my blog. Ventured out in the evening, a lovely time & tide was low. Several hundred small waders on the rocks & mud flats. Identified both Baird's & White rumped Sandpipers when they flew, but the distance was too great for any meaningful numbers of each species. The two Great White Egrets were still present as were all the usual suspects. Just before dark a Manx Shearwater & 6 Arctic Skuas came into the bay & 7 Southern Bottlenosed Dolphins cruised close to shore. These animals are larger & show much more pale grey on the flanks than the ones I am used to seeing in the Middle East & Western Europe. Could be a future split!
27th March was our shopping day. Unfortunately we got detained by the police for a while en route. We were breaking the law, by having two people in one car! Now we live together, so I can't see how this rule pertains to us. However, they turned us around & we had to go home then Delana went shopping on her own, via a different route to avoid the roadblock. She returned successfully later.
Spent most of the day indoors but out & about this evening & it was fantastic! First a Cinereous Harrier flew over the apartment, twice! Then a White Monjita flew into a nearby tree. Couldn't coax it out for photos though. A priority for tomorrow. Just at dusk 2 Hooded Siskins flew over calling. The end to a very good garden day's birding!
Over the sea, a pod of at least 110 Southern Bottlenosed Dolphin were cascading about. Fish flying everywhere ahead of them!
The 28th March dawned grey & quite stormy. Just the kind of conditions for a sea watch! Went out & looked & saw next to nothing. The thing is, we are looking across a bay, not on a headland. Birds seem to enter the bay in response to shoals of fish, not because they are moving far. Went to empty the rubbish & 6 Shiny Cowbirds in a nearby bush. A new garden bird! Plus an immature male Screaming Cowbird!
Had another look at the sea late afternoon, early evening & what a contrast! Manx Shearwaters streaming past, 625 in total. Then the Skuas came! 66 Arctic Skuas passed south, reasonably close inshore.
The icing on the cake was that I managed to get photos of the White Monjita. Distant but not too bad!
29th March & no meaningful birding done. Bit of a sad day for us, as we should have been sailing down The Beagle Channel about now! The only bird that was slightly unusual was a South American Tern. No Shearwaters or Skuas in the bay this evening.
30th March & we just received bad news! Quarantine extended until 12th April. Whether we will be able to continue our trip with different destinations we don't know. Hope so. Don't see any point in going back to UK for another 14 day lock down!
Three Coscoroba Swans flew north over the sea mid-morning. Wind got up in the afternoon & c.1,000 Manx Shearwaters came into the bay in yet another feeding frenzy. 6 Arctic Skuas were also present. several hundred tern species were feeding far out, but too far for specific identification.
31st March, most of the day indoors working on the blog. Out & about in the afternoon. The light was wonderful & saw two new species for the garden! A superb Peregrine flew over & then 2 Patagonian Mockingbirds starting hawking insects from the rooftops.
1st April! A new month & we are still here! Most of the day spent on the computer writing my blog. Sea got quite rough this afternoon; 2 Manx Shearwater far out & 12 Arctic Skua flew by. 4 Chiloe Wigeon flew in & landed on the beach! A new bird for the garden list!
2nd April, got out of bed, looked through the window & there was a female White tipped Plantcutter sat on the rail! Not only new for the garden, but only he second I have ever seen. What a start to the day! This was quickly followed by 3 Greyish Baywing when I took the garbage out & a lovely pair of Blue & Yellow Tanagers in the tree next to the terrace.
Sea-watching in the evening an Hudsonian Whimbrel on the rocks. But the best came later, an adult Black browed Albatross! Is this the ultimate garden tick? Also a Manx Shearwater & 25 Arctic Skuas. The Patagonian Mockingbirds were also back in their spot at dusk.
3rd April: at low tide, manged a good count of 37 Two banded Plover with around 300 White rumped Sandpipers on the wave cut platforms. But 9 Sanderling were new for the list. In the evening among all the more normal species a Southern Caracara flew by & I discovered an Elegant Tern on the beach. There were also 4 Cayenne Terns & a South American Tern. A smattering of Manx Shearwaters were off shore with 5 Arctic Skuas.
4th April: it was a rough blustery night. The wind at dawn was Beaufort 6, gusting to 7 from the west. The sea was rough, so we went sea-watching. The light is not great in the mornings here, but saw 3 Giant Petrel sp (almost certainly Southern along this coast. Northern is a vagrant here); a White chinned Petrel; 2,100 Manx Shearwaters; 5 Arctic Skuas; 3 South American Tern.
Later, while taking the garbage out, saw an American Kestrel fly over & 2 Green barred Woodpeckers in the garden. I am amazed that we are still recording new birds here. But it is great! Mid afternoon a Variable Hawk flew over, very high.
Evening sea watch was quiet in comparison to the morning. However, 610 Chilean Flamingo; 270+ Manx Shearwater & 2 Arctic Skua. 4 Chiloe Wigeon still on the shore. 2 different Cinereous Harriers flew by. They seem to be regular here along the coast.
5th April was quiet early on. 750+ Chilean Flamingo in the bay, but very far away. c.300 Manx Shearwater in the morning. Low tide provided all the usual species but migrant waders getting fewer now. We had nice views of a Variable Hawk soaring overhead, the second day running for this species.
We did the usual late afternoon sea-watch when the light is good, but it was low tide & not much to see until a Southern Giant Petrel came cruising along the shore. Nice to see one fairly close up. Then a big rain storm came in off the sea. So we ran for cover. When the rain stopped I went back out for the last hour of daylight & bingo! 1,004 Arctic & 9 Long tailed Skuas! Small numbers of Manx Shearwaters were also around, but didn't have the time to count them. What a fantastic ending to what until that point had been a very ordinary day.
6th April I rushed down to the sea at dawn. It was freezing, total winter weather, still blowing a gale but nothing doing. A handful of Manx Shearwaters & 2 Arctic Skuas. Looking over the foreshore & sea in the afternoon: 22 Two banded Plover & 12 White rumped Sandpiper. 800+ Chilean Flamingo far away on the other side of the bay.
7th April we had a bit of a lay in bed, but while putting the garbage out had a female Common Diuca Finch! A new bird for the garden list! A huge Peregrine came over the garden mid-morning. Spent many hours on the computer, looked outside just in time 14 Black faced Ibis flying over! Epic! Late afternoon we did our customary sea-watch. At first dead, nothing doing at all, sea flat calm. But adult male & female Cinereous Harriers came cruising along the dunes. Closely followed by 2 Black necked Swans flying over the bay. However, the icing on the cake were a pair of Upland Geese flying along the shore. We never knew they came so far north. (They do in winter). Also 550+ White rumped Sandpipers on the foreshore at low tide, with 2 Greater Yellowlegs. What a great day's birding!
8th April was a lovely morning. Had a look over the sea, just a lone Arctic Skua. Patagonian Mockingbird in the street, close to the garbage & a male Grassland Yellowfinch.
Spent quite a bit of time looking out over the sea in the afternoon. A Correndera Pipit flew low over the dunes & a pair of Yellow-winged Blackbirds were in the bunch grass. However, the star of the show flew over around 4 pm, a juvenile White-throated Hawk migrating north along the coast. Absolutely stoked by this one, only my second ever.
9th April had a look at the sea, nothing doing apart from c.230 Manx Shearwaters. Putting out the garbage turned up trumps again with 2 White-crested Elaenias, unexpected & migrants? Also 2 Shiny Cowbird & 2 Greyish Baywing. 27 Greater Yellowlegs flew over the garden. A Hooded Siskin made a brief appearance.
The afternoon sea-watch produced 2 Arctic Skua & 550+ White rumped Sandpiper. 44 Silvery Grebes were on the sea.
10th April did an early sea watch, but nothing doing. The White crested Elaenia was still present & 2 Hooded Siskins flew over calling. Mid morning the Green barred Woodpecker turned up in the gum trees.
The wind increased in the afternoon & sea-watching produced 3 Black browed Albatross, a Manx Shearwater & 9 Arctic Skuas. 2 Yellow-billed Pintail were on the foreshore. At dusk a Greater Wagtail-Tyrant flew in to roost!
11th April, 10 Manx Shearwater & 37 Arctic Skuas were the highlights of the day. It was a windy dull day, but poor for birds.
12th April, my birthday! 2 Black browed Albatross, 27 Arctic & a Long tailed Skua. 6 Greater Yellowlegs; 2 Short billed Canastero in the dunes.
13th April, was a bright beautifully still morning. Birds were active in the garden: a Plain-mantled Tit-Spinetail was the highlight in my magic tree! A late afternoon sea watch was fruitful with 21 Black browed Albatross, a Giant Petrel sp, Great Shearwater, 258 Manx Shearwater, 29 Arctic Skua & a Long-tailed Skua.
14th April, a quiet morning with only 2 Greater Wagtail-Tyrants of note. Beautiful weather so did an extended sea-watch: 5 Black browed Albatross; 10 Manx Shearwater; 65 Arctic Skua; 181 Cayenne Tern passed close inshore at dusk & a lovely male Cinereous Harrier cruised the dunes.
Rufous Hornero
Long tailed Meadowlark
15th April, did a morning sea watch which was quiet good with 6 Black browed Albatross, a Giant Petrel sp., 3 White chinned Petrel, 12 Manx Shearwater, a Brown Skua & 6 Arctic Skuas. The White Monjita put in an appearance again as did 2 Greyish Baywing & 3 Shiny Cowbird. 3 Long-tailed Meadowlark were in the grass where we sea-watch from. We did a prolonged afternoon sea-watch producing 6 Black browed Albatross, 17 Manx Shearwater & 27 Arctic Skua.
16th April, up at dawn sea-watching: 8 Black browed Albatross, one Giant petrel sp., 17 Manx Shearwater, 2 Arctic Skua. A Rock Cormorant flew by. Then I noticed an interesting bird in the grass. It popped up & it was a Chaco Earthcreeper! A world tick for me! Didn't have my camera with me! 2 Plain-mantled Tit-Spinetail & a Tufted Tit-Tyrant in the garden.
A look in the street produced two new birds: Picui Ground Dove & 6 Saffron Finch. Afternoon sea-watch was very quiet, with just 54 Arctic Skuas & nothing else of note.
17th April, up at dawn sea-watching. 6 Black browed Albatross, 6 Manx Shearwater & 2 Arctic Skuas. The male Cinereous Harrier flew by. One pm & it is hot. Decided to scan the rocks & struck gold! Snowy Sheathbill! Ran to get Delana. She got good flight views as it went south. One hour later found an immature/close to adult Black Skimmer roosting with Brown hooded Gulls on the rocks. Then the Cayenne Terns came in, a large shoal of fish inshore. 24 Great Grebe & 6 Magenellic Penguins in the mayhem. What a day! Three fantastic birds to add to the garden list!
18th April, 9 Black browed Albatross & 37 Arctic Skuas over the sea late on. An Imperial Cormorant flew by & 4 Long tailed Meadowlark in the dunes.
19th April, woke up to a sea like glass! Not a breath of wind & high temperatures. Surprisingly, the sea-watching was good: 11 Black browed Albatross; a Giant petrel sp.; 3 White chinned Petrels; 28 Great Shearwater; 11 Manx Shearwater & 20 Arctic Skua. Apart from the Skuas, all were becalmed on the sea.
Nothing much happened in the rest of the day, until we sea-watched again from 4 pm on wards. 4 Snowy Egret; 2 Great Egret; 3 Black browed Albatross one Brown Skua & 13 Arctic Skuas.
20th April, early morning sea-watched produced 21 Black-browed Albatross; 2 Giant Petrel sp., 9 Manx Shearwater & 8 Arctic Skua. 35 Black-browed Albatross & 2 Great Shearwater in the evening's sea-watch. 4 Sanderling on the foreshore.
21st April & looking over the sea at dawn. It had been windy in the night, so hopeful of some good pelagic species. However, the morning turned out very differently with many flocks of Bare-faced Ibis flying north over the sea, totaling 1,255 individuals. Wildfowl were also moving north with 2 Coscoroba Swan; 5 Yellow-billed Pintail; 20 Speckled Teal & 4 Red Shoveler. The latter two species being new for the garden list. Other species included: 9 Black-browed Albatross; a Southern Giant Petrel; a Giant Petrel sp.; one White-chinned Petrel & 6 Manx Shearwaters. Five Arctic Skua were blogging in the bay.
The afternoon was quiet but three quality species turned up: first a Southern Caracara flew by, closely followed by a female Upland Goose. And right at the end I picked out a first winter Andean Gull among the Brown-hooded Gulls.
22nd April, up at dawn looking over the sea. At first it was quiet, but eventually birds came: 12 Black-browed Albatross; 1 Manx Shearwater; 7 Arctic Skua; 74 Upland Geese north in small flocks; 79 Black-faced Ibis north.
In the afternoon we found an adult Gannet in the bay. It stuck around for quite a while before being driven off by a pack of Arctic Skuas. This is a major rarity for Argentina. Specific identification is problematic. It was either Cape or Australian Gannet & from the photos it looks more like an Australian, which is insane!
Other species noted included 1 Black-browed Albatross; 1 Southern Giant Petrel; 17 Arctic Skua & 4 Dark-faced Ground Tyrants.
Upland Goose
Two males & a female.
23rd April, dawned with a flat calm. Not a breath of wind. 4 Black-browed Albatross were lounging on the sea. A large albatross sp. flew behind. Very frustrating! 7 Arctic Skua were blogging about. 2 Coscoroba Swan & 11 Upland Geese flew north. An Aplomado Falcon put in an appearance over the foreshore. Long overdue this one.
A Common Diuca Finch was in the tree next to the garbage & a Tufted Tit-Tyrant performed nicely for me, so I got good photos.
24th April, I was up at the crack of dawn sea-watching, but the sea was quiet. 12 Black-browed Albatross blogging in the bay, 7 Arctic Skua & in the garden a Dark-faced Ground Tyrant. Then a massive northward passage of large Shearwaters started. A minimum of 6,000 birds but too far out for specific identification. They were either Great or Cory's Shearwaters. The latter species has now been split into three species, so that would be a challenge for any land based watcher!
Conducted another sea-watch in the afternoon. A trawler came into the bay, 228 Black-browed Albatross behind it! There were at least 10-15 slightly smaller Albatross, which on distribution have to be Atlantic Yellow-nosed Albatross, but too far out for certain identification. Several very large dark shapes had to be Giant Petrels. Many other smaller wheeling dark shapes, most could have been White-chinned Petrels, but just too far away. 6 Great Shearwater & 158 Manx Shearwater were closer in. A Long-tailed Skua flew by close inshore.
Two Saffron Finch feeding on the lawn.
25th April, did no dawn sea-watching, as speaking to my daughters dotted around the world. When I did sea-watch it was though yesterday's trawler had sucked all the sea-birds out of the ocean! There was nothing! Finally mid-afternoon a Chilean Skua flew by & landed on the sea. A long overdue species for the garden list. Early evening 6 Black-browed Albatross; 4 Manx Shearwater; 17 Arctic & a Long-tailed Skua came into the bay. 2 Cinereous Harriers flew by & that was it! A pretty bird less day.
26th April, a bitingly cold dawn. I was sea-watching for three hours & it paid off! 23 Black-browed Albatross; 1 immature Atlantic Yellow-nosed Albatross; 37 large Shearwater sp.; 19 Cory's Shearwater; 1 Great Shearwater; 32 Sooty Shearwater; 68 Manx Shearwater & 5 Arctic Skua. Spent a lot of time sea-watching in the afternoon, but nothing of note passed by, apart from 2 Cinereous Harriers.
27th April, we awoke to torrential rain. It had been raining hard all night, no birding possible until late in the afternoon. Delana did the shopping run & this was what the streets looked like!
Birding was not possible until mid-afternoon, but weather cleared up & the evening was surprisingly pleasant.
122 Black-browed Albatross; 1 Atlantic Yellow-nosed Albatross (seen three times in the bay. Same bird as before); 160+ Albatross sp. following a trawler but very far out; 7,200 large Shearwater sp.; 9 Manx Shearwater; 1 Brown Skua; 21 Arctic Skua.
On land, a Turkey Vulture; Aplomado Falcon; 3 Cinereous Harrier & 5 Dark-faced Ground Tyrants.
28th April, up at dawn sea-watching but it was so dark couldn't see anything, so came back inside! 29 Black-browed Albatross; Giant Petrel sp.; 2 Manx Shearwater. 55 Black-faced Ibis flew north. A Variable Hawk flew low over the garden. 10 Chiloe Wigeon were on the sea & then flew north.
The weather cleared up in the afternoon & early evening turned out to be quite nice & sunny. 8 Black-browed Albatross were sat on the sea, with the Atlantic Yellow-nosed Albatross. You can see the difference in size when they are next to each other. 7 Arctic & 3 Long-tailed Skuas came into the bay late on. A Southern Caracara flew north along the beach.
29th April, up early but nothing at all on the sea. Two Blue & Yellow Tanagers; Plain-mantled Tit-spinetail & Tufted Tit-tyrant in the garden. Tried sea-watching throughout the day but nothing happening. Evening was more fruitful: 68 Black-browed Albatross; the same Atlantic Yellow-nosed Albatross in the bay; 42 Arctic Skua; 11 Upland Geese north & 15 Coscoroba Swan north. A Southern Caracara flew by & a Dark-faced Ground Tyrant was on the sea wall.
30th April, the end of another month! Morning sea-watch produced 12 Black-browed Albatross; 2 Brown Skua sp.; 5 Upland Geese north. A stray dog flushed a female Mourning Sierra Finch from the grassy dunes. 4 Dark-faced Ground Tyrants on the sea wall.
In the afternoon sea-watch 38 Black-browed Albatross; 1 Manx Shearwater; 20 Arctic Skua & 4 Upland Geese flew north.
1st May, a dawn sea-watch produced absolutely nothing! Completely bird-less. The only notable bird in the day was a Variable Hawk which flew over. Evening sea-watch produced 20 Black-browed Albatross & 31 Manx Shearwater.
2nd May was a very cold day. Spent the morning Zooming (video conferencing) with my daughters. Not much in the day time, best being Plain-mantled Tit-Spinetail; 5 Saffron Finch & Greyish Baywing. Did an afternoon sea-watch, very poor: 2 Black-browed Albatross; 6 Arctic Skua. But right at the death an adult Arctic Tern in non-breeding plumage came into the bay. Has to be rare here.
Chimango Caracara
Dawn
3rd May dawned cold & grey, there was a storm over the sea a few kilometres away. At first it was quiet but 2 Cattle Egret flew by. Then spotted two Red-gartered Coots on the sea. 8 Black-browed Albatross & 1,668 Manx Shearwater flew by.
Harris's Hawk
Southern Bottle-nosed Dolphin
Around mid-day a not quite full adult Harris's Hawk flew north. 13 Southern Bottle-nosed Dolphins were close inshore. In late afternoon we found a juvenile Rufous-chested Dotterel on the foreshore.
4th May, a cold but nice morning. Sea-watching a little late & Sooty Shearwaters pouring by, c.4,150 going out of the bay & back out to sea. c.700 Large Shearwaters. A White-chinned Petrel & 13 Black-browed Albatross. Also c.70 Albatross sp. However, then the rain came! It rained heavily for the rest of the day. The day literally was a total wash out.
5th May opened with strong very cold, southerly winds. The seascape was rough & frustratingly the sun was shining creating a haze over everything & making identification of sea birds impossible. There were a lot of Albatross & Shearwaters far out, but impossible either to count or identify. The following are birds which came much closer. 37 Black-browed Albatross; 1 White-chinned Petrel; 59 Sooty Shearwater; 3 Manx Shearwater; 1 Chilean Skua. Both the Gannet sp. & the Arctic Tern flew south.
Green barred Woodpecker in the garden & managed to get some photos. Amazingly White-crested Elaenia seen again after all this time! Nothing doing over the sea in the afternoon.
6th May was again very cold, but the sea was flat calm. Nothing on the sea at all. 11 Upland Geese flew north. A Southern Caracara flew down the coast & 6 Dark-faced Ground Tyrants were feeding on the sea wall. Spent quite some time scoping the vegetation on the dunes & it paid off with a Scale-throated Earthcreeper & 2 Short-billed Canasteros. Later in the morning a Picazuro Pigeon flew over! Not much in the afternoon, just 4 Black-browed Albatross.
7th May dawned overcast & cold. Little doing on the sea but the Atlantic Yellow-nosed Albatross flew in & sat on the sea for a few minutes. Same bird as before. 7 Black-browed Albatross; 2 Black-necked Swans & 6 Upland Geese north.
In the road behind the apartment 2 Picazuro Pigeon flew over & 4 Greyish Baywing were on the rubbish.
8th May, grey, overcast & cold as I looked across the ocean. 17 Black-browed Albatross; 80 Albatross sp; 6,780 Sooty Shearwater; 1 Manx Shearwater; 1 Southern Giant Petrel; 2 White-chinned Petrel;1 Rock Cormorant & 4 South American Tern. 6 White-cheeked Pintail were on the foreshore late afternoon.
9th May, not really a birding day, as I spent all morning in video-conference with my daughters who are scattered around the world. 1,000+ Sooty Shearwater milling around on the sea, very difficult to count. 3 Magellanic Penguins in the bay & a Rock Cormorant late on.
10th May, got up early to go for a birding walk, but got told by the police to go home! Mixed messages somewhere! Spent most of the day working on the computer. In the afternoon a raging gale came from the north-west, tried sea-watching but the sea was dead.
11th May, difficult to sea watch in the early morning because of the bad light. However, 80+ Sooty Shearwater sat on the sea which made counting impossible in the swell. Birded most of the day & after a slow start saw quite a few good species: 10 Black-browed Albatross; adult Atlantic Yellow-nosed Albatross; 2 Large Shearwater sp; 11 Manx Shearwater; a Pomarine Skua; 8 Arctic Skua; 1 Brown Skua; 2 Brown Skua sp.; 18 Upland Goose, 10 Black-faced Ibis.
12th May dawned bright & cold. So bright one couldn't see watch because of the haze. A quiet day with 28 Black-browed Albatross; the same Pomarine Skua & 3 Black-chinned Siskins.
13th May, nothing doing on the sea at all. Yet again the sunlight haze made it impossible to sea-watch. All the action came late afternoon: 26 Black-browed Albatross; a Brown Skua; the same Pomarine Skua & 14 Arctic Skuas. An Imperial Cormorant & a Rock Cormorant flew by. A South American Tern flew north.
14th May, another poor morning over the sea, with nothing happening. Late afternoon sea-watch a little better: 10 Black-browed Albatross; 1 immature Atlantic Yellow-nosed Albatross; 3 Arctic Skua; 1 South American Tern; 3 Coscoroba Swan; 1 Black-necked Swan.
15th May, & it is warm! There is a lovely warm breeze, haven't had that for a while! Flat calm out there: 10 Black-browed Albatross; a Giant petrel sp; 430 Sooty Shearwater; 3 Manx Shearwater with 7 Black-faced Ibis flying north. Later on 3 Upland Goose.
16th May was mainly spent in doors video conference my daughters, then working on the blog. Evening sea-watch produced 22 Arctic Skua & 2 South American Terns.
17th May, spent most of the day out, so little to report. Best were: 6 Black-browed Albatross; 7 Manx Shearwater; a Brown Skua & 33 Arctic Skua.
18th May, 17 Black-browed Albatross; 3,750 Sooty Shearwater; 6 Manx Shearwater; 8 Arctic Skua. massive high count of 295 Great Grebe & 18 Magellanic Penguin in the bay.
19th May, dawned warm, clam & raining. Eventually had to stop birding due to the rain: 8 Black-browed Albatross; 1 Manx Shearwater; 1 Brown Skua & an Arctic Skua were the highlights.
It rained most of the day, but evening was productive. A huge flock of 41,500 Sooty Shearwater came into the bay late on in a feeding frenzy. A Brown Skua & 71 Arctic Skua were also noted.
20th May was our designated day out, so no garden birding done.
21st May, up early & sea-watching! 17,000 Sooty Shearwater were impressive! Later on found a juvenile Black-chested Buzzard Eagle sat on a pole. Afternoon sea-watch was good with 48 Black-browed Albatross; 1 Atlantic Yellow-nosed Albatross; 2 Southern Giant Petrels; 50 ArcticSkua & 2 Brown Skua sp.
22nd May, despite plenty of effort, not a lot seen. 16 Black-browed Albatross; 1 Manx Shearwater & 10 Arctic Skua being the best.
23rd May was a bit of a waste due to inclement weather. managed to do an hours sea-watching late on: adult Atlantic Yellow-nosed Albatross with 15 Black-browed Albatross & 14,500 Sooty Shearwater.
24th May sea-watching in the afternoon. At first the conditions were fine, but then gale started & there was a full blown sand storm. Had to finish birding early.
25th May did two sea-watches one in the morning & one in the afternoon. 25 Black-browed Albatross in the morning. 68,500 Sooty Shearwater, a Rock Cormorant & an Imperial Cormorant.
In the afternoon: 33 Black-browed Albatross; 1 immature Atlantic Yellow-nosed Albatross; 2 Southern Giant Petrel; 33,000 Sooty Shearwater; 2 Manx Shearwater. 4 Arctic & a Long-tailed Skua.
26th May
27th May, was our day out, so only a small amount of time in the garden sea-watching in late afternoon. 10 Black-browed Albatross; 7,200 Sooty Shearwater & 15 Arctic Skua.
28th May
29th May was a wash out. It rained all day. Braved the elements to do a short sea-watch: best were 1050 Sooty Shearwater & a Manx Shearwater.
31st May was our day out so only did a sea-watch late afternoon. A trawler came in followed by 80 Albatross sp. 2 Brown Skua & 7 Arctic Skua were also recorded.
1st June dawned sunny but cold. However nothing doing at all! 5 Corscoroba Swan on the sea was the best. In the afternoon just a Black-browed Albatross & 2 Arctic Skuas. One of the poorest days yet.
Neotropic Cormorant, always on the shore
in good numbers
American Oystercatcher
Up to 70+ seen each day.
Greater Yellowlegs, a common migrant
along these shores.
along these shores.
Didn't do a great deal of birding on 25th March. However, intermittent watching over the beach & sea paid off in the form of three new birds for the garden list! 2 Great White Egret; Black crowned Night Heron immature & 3 Two banded Plover.
Silvery Grebe, with prey.
Had a quick look over the sea on morning of 26th March. Only bird of note was another Black crowned Night Heron on the rocks, this time an adult. Spent majority of the day indoors working on my blog. Ventured out in the evening, a lovely time & tide was low. Several hundred small waders on the rocks & mud flats. Identified both Baird's & White rumped Sandpipers when they flew, but the distance was too great for any meaningful numbers of each species. The two Great White Egrets were still present as were all the usual suspects. Just before dark a Manx Shearwater & 6 Arctic Skuas came into the bay & 7 Southern Bottlenosed Dolphins cruised close to shore. These animals are larger & show much more pale grey on the flanks than the ones I am used to seeing in the Middle East & Western Europe. Could be a future split!
27th March was our shopping day. Unfortunately we got detained by the police for a while en route. We were breaking the law, by having two people in one car! Now we live together, so I can't see how this rule pertains to us. However, they turned us around & we had to go home then Delana went shopping on her own, via a different route to avoid the roadblock. She returned successfully later.
Cinereous Harrier
Celebrating the three new garden ticks!
Spent most of the day indoors but out & about this evening & it was fantastic! First a Cinereous Harrier flew over the apartment, twice! Then a White Monjita flew into a nearby tree. Couldn't coax it out for photos though. A priority for tomorrow. Just at dusk 2 Hooded Siskins flew over calling. The end to a very good garden day's birding!
Part of the super pod of
Southern Bottle-nosed Dolphins
We got decent views through the telescope.
Over the sea, a pod of at least 110 Southern Bottlenosed Dolphin were cascading about. Fish flying everywhere ahead of them!
Screaming Cowbird
The 28th March dawned grey & quite stormy. Just the kind of conditions for a sea watch! Went out & looked & saw next to nothing. The thing is, we are looking across a bay, not on a headland. Birds seem to enter the bay in response to shoals of fish, not because they are moving far. Went to empty the rubbish & 6 Shiny Cowbirds in a nearby bush. A new garden bird! Plus an immature male Screaming Cowbird!
Had another look at the sea late afternoon, early evening & what a contrast! Manx Shearwaters streaming past, 625 in total. Then the Skuas came! 66 Arctic Skuas passed south, reasonably close inshore.
White Monjita
What a garden bird!
The icing on the cake was that I managed to get photos of the White Monjita. Distant but not too bad!
29th March & no meaningful birding done. Bit of a sad day for us, as we should have been sailing down The Beagle Channel about now! The only bird that was slightly unusual was a South American Tern. No Shearwaters or Skuas in the bay this evening.
30th March & we just received bad news! Quarantine extended until 12th April. Whether we will be able to continue our trip with different destinations we don't know. Hope so. Don't see any point in going back to UK for another 14 day lock down!
Neotropic Cormorant
Delana sea watching.
It was pretty chilly!
Austral Thrush
Sky-watching last night.
Patagonian Mockingbird
This is an abundant species in the countryside,
but does not normally enter towns.
but does not normally enter towns.
1st April! A new month & we are still here! Most of the day spent on the computer writing my blog. Sea got quite rough this afternoon; 2 Manx Shearwater far out & 12 Arctic Skua flew by. 4 Chiloe Wigeon flew in & landed on the beach! A new bird for the garden list!
Female White tipped Plantcutter.
This was a major surprise!
Greyish Baywing
Male Blue & Yellow Tanager
2nd April, got out of bed, looked through the window & there was a female White tipped Plantcutter sat on the rail! Not only new for the garden, but only he second I have ever seen. What a start to the day! This was quickly followed by 3 Greyish Baywing when I took the garbage out & a lovely pair of Blue & Yellow Tanagers in the tree next to the terrace.
Sea-watching in the evening an Hudsonian Whimbrel on the rocks. But the best came later, an adult Black browed Albatross! Is this the ultimate garden tick? Also a Manx Shearwater & 25 Arctic Skuas. The Patagonian Mockingbirds were also back in their spot at dusk.
Mainly Brown hooded Gulls,
but also a couple of Tern species here.
3rd April: at low tide, manged a good count of 37 Two banded Plover with around 300 White rumped Sandpipers on the wave cut platforms. But 9 Sanderling were new for the list. In the evening among all the more normal species a Southern Caracara flew by & I discovered an Elegant Tern on the beach. There were also 4 Cayenne Terns & a South American Tern. A smattering of Manx Shearwaters were off shore with 5 Arctic Skuas.
4th April: it was a rough blustery night. The wind at dawn was Beaufort 6, gusting to 7 from the west. The sea was rough, so we went sea-watching. The light is not great in the mornings here, but saw 3 Giant Petrel sp (almost certainly Southern along this coast. Northern is a vagrant here); a White chinned Petrel; 2,100 Manx Shearwaters; 5 Arctic Skuas; 3 South American Tern.
Green barred Woodpecker
Later, while taking the garbage out, saw an American Kestrel fly over & 2 Green barred Woodpeckers in the garden. I am amazed that we are still recording new birds here. But it is great! Mid afternoon a Variable Hawk flew over, very high.
There is a Great Grebe
out there!
Patagonian Mockingbird
Evening sea watch was quiet in comparison to the morning. However, 610 Chilean Flamingo; 270+ Manx Shearwater & 2 Arctic Skua. 4 Chiloe Wigeon still on the shore. 2 different Cinereous Harriers flew by. They seem to be regular here along the coast.
5th April was quiet early on. 750+ Chilean Flamingo in the bay, but very far away. c.300 Manx Shearwater in the morning. Low tide provided all the usual species but migrant waders getting fewer now. We had nice views of a Variable Hawk soaring overhead, the second day running for this species.
Southern Giant Petrel
This species is a regular scavenger around
sea lion & penguin colonies.
You can see the colour of the bill tip
for a conclusive identification.
We did the usual late afternoon sea-watch when the light is good, but it was low tide & not much to see until a Southern Giant Petrel came cruising along the shore. Nice to see one fairly close up. Then a big rain storm came in off the sea. So we ran for cover. When the rain stopped I went back out for the last hour of daylight & bingo! 1,004 Arctic & 9 Long tailed Skuas! Small numbers of Manx Shearwaters were also around, but didn't have the time to count them. What a fantastic ending to what until that point had been a very ordinary day.
This cat has moved in!
6th April I rushed down to the sea at dawn. It was freezing, total winter weather, still blowing a gale but nothing doing. A handful of Manx Shearwaters & 2 Arctic Skuas. Looking over the foreshore & sea in the afternoon: 22 Two banded Plover & 12 White rumped Sandpiper. 800+ Chilean Flamingo far away on the other side of the bay.
This is the view from the garden at low tide.
It was also the night of the
super moon.
Nice!
super moon.
7th April we had a bit of a lay in bed, but while putting the garbage out had a female Common Diuca Finch! A new bird for the garden list! A huge Peregrine came over the garden mid-morning. Spent many hours on the computer, looked outside just in time 14 Black faced Ibis flying over! Epic! Late afternoon we did our customary sea-watch. At first dead, nothing doing at all, sea flat calm. But adult male & female Cinereous Harriers came cruising along the dunes. Closely followed by 2 Black necked Swans flying over the bay. However, the icing on the cake were a pair of Upland Geese flying along the shore. We never knew they came so far north. (They do in winter). Also 550+ White rumped Sandpipers on the foreshore at low tide, with 2 Greater Yellowlegs. What a great day's birding!
Female Yellow winged Blackbird
Rufous collared Sparrow
8th April was a lovely morning. Had a look over the sea, just a lone Arctic Skua. Patagonian Mockingbird in the street, close to the garbage & a male Grassland Yellowfinch.
Spent quite a bit of time looking out over the sea in the afternoon. A Correndera Pipit flew low over the dunes & a pair of Yellow-winged Blackbirds were in the bunch grass. However, the star of the show flew over around 4 pm, a juvenile White-throated Hawk migrating north along the coast. Absolutely stoked by this one, only my second ever.
White crested Elaenia
Notice the buff wing coverts,
which make it an immature chilensis.
9th April had a look at the sea, nothing doing apart from c.230 Manx Shearwaters. Putting out the garbage turned up trumps again with 2 White-crested Elaenias, unexpected & migrants? Also 2 Shiny Cowbird & 2 Greyish Baywing. 27 Greater Yellowlegs flew over the garden. A Hooded Siskin made a brief appearance.
Neotropic Cormorants flying over the garden.
The afternoon sea-watch produced 2 Arctic Skua & 550+ White rumped Sandpiper. 44 Silvery Grebes were on the sea.
Green barred Woodpecker
10th April did an early sea watch, but nothing doing. The White crested Elaenia was still present & 2 Hooded Siskins flew over calling. Mid morning the Green barred Woodpecker turned up in the gum trees.
Greater Wagtail-Tyrant
The wind increased in the afternoon & sea-watching produced 3 Black browed Albatross, a Manx Shearwater & 9 Arctic Skuas. 2 Yellow-billed Pintail were on the foreshore. At dusk a Greater Wagtail-Tyrant flew in to roost!
Black-faced Ibis
11th April, 10 Manx Shearwater & 37 Arctic Skuas were the highlights of the day. It was a windy dull day, but poor for birds.
Mid afternoon snackies
on the terrace!
My birthday dinner!
It was great!
12th April, my birthday! 2 Black browed Albatross, 27 Arctic & a Long tailed Skua. 6 Greater Yellowlegs; 2 Short billed Canastero in the dunes.
Masks are mandatory when
you are outside in Argentina.
Plain mantled Tit-Spinetail
Southern House Wren
14th April, a quiet morning with only 2 Greater Wagtail-Tyrants of note. Beautiful weather so did an extended sea-watch: 5 Black browed Albatross; 10 Manx Shearwater; 65 Arctic Skua; 181 Cayenne Tern passed close inshore at dusk & a lovely male Cinereous Harrier cruised the dunes.
Male Blue & Yellow Tanager
Female
15th April, did a morning sea watch which was quiet good with 6 Black browed Albatross, a Giant Petrel sp., 3 White chinned Petrel, 12 Manx Shearwater, a Brown Skua & 6 Arctic Skuas. The White Monjita put in an appearance again as did 2 Greyish Baywing & 3 Shiny Cowbird. 3 Long-tailed Meadowlark were in the grass where we sea-watch from. We did a prolonged afternoon sea-watch producing 6 Black browed Albatross, 17 Manx Shearwater & 27 Arctic Skua.
Looking over the Atlantic Ocean at dawn.
Where the Chaco Earthcreeper was! Ahhh!
Plain mantled Tit-Spinetail
16th April, up at dawn sea-watching: 8 Black browed Albatross, one Giant petrel sp., 17 Manx Shearwater, 2 Arctic Skua. A Rock Cormorant flew by. Then I noticed an interesting bird in the grass. It popped up & it was a Chaco Earthcreeper! A world tick for me! Didn't have my camera with me! 2 Plain-mantled Tit-Spinetail & a Tufted Tit-Tyrant in the garden.
A look in the street produced two new birds: Picui Ground Dove & 6 Saffron Finch. Afternoon sea-watch was very quiet, with just 54 Arctic Skuas & nothing else of note.
Black Skimmer! It is to the right of the adult
Kelp Gull!
17th April, up at dawn sea-watching. 6 Black browed Albatross, 6 Manx Shearwater & 2 Arctic Skuas. The male Cinereous Harrier flew by. One pm & it is hot. Decided to scan the rocks & struck gold! Snowy Sheathbill! Ran to get Delana. She got good flight views as it went south. One hour later found an immature/close to adult Black Skimmer roosting with Brown hooded Gulls on the rocks. Then the Cayenne Terns came in, a large shoal of fish inshore. 24 Great Grebe & 6 Magenellic Penguins in the mayhem. What a day! Three fantastic birds to add to the garden list!
18th April, 9 Black browed Albatross & 37 Arctic Skuas over the sea late on. An Imperial Cormorant flew by & 4 Long tailed Meadowlark in the dunes.
Looking across the bay at dawn.
Rufous Hornero
19th April, woke up to a sea like glass! Not a breath of wind & high temperatures. Surprisingly, the sea-watching was good: 11 Black browed Albatross; a Giant petrel sp.; 3 White chinned Petrels; 28 Great Shearwater; 11 Manx Shearwater & 20 Arctic Skua. Apart from the Skuas, all were becalmed on the sea.
Arctic Skua!
Nothing much happened in the rest of the day, until we sea-watched again from 4 pm on wards. 4 Snowy Egret; 2 Great Egret; 3 Black browed Albatross one Brown Skua & 13 Arctic Skuas.
Arctic Skua
20th April, early morning sea-watched produced 21 Black-browed Albatross; 2 Giant Petrel sp., 9 Manx Shearwater & 8 Arctic Skua. 35 Black-browed Albatross & 2 Great Shearwater in the evening's sea-watch. 4 Sanderling on the foreshore.
Black-faced Ibis
21st April & looking over the sea at dawn. It had been windy in the night, so hopeful of some good pelagic species. However, the morning turned out very differently with many flocks of Bare-faced Ibis flying north over the sea, totaling 1,255 individuals. Wildfowl were also moving north with 2 Coscoroba Swan; 5 Yellow-billed Pintail; 20 Speckled Teal & 4 Red Shoveler. The latter two species being new for the garden list. Other species included: 9 Black-browed Albatross; a Southern Giant Petrel; a Giant Petrel sp.; one White-chinned Petrel & 6 Manx Shearwaters. Five Arctic Skua were blogging in the bay.
Southern Caracara
22nd April, up at dawn looking over the sea. At first it was quiet, but eventually birds came: 12 Black-browed Albatross; 1 Manx Shearwater; 7 Arctic Skua; 74 Upland Geese north in small flocks; 79 Black-faced Ibis north.
Distant, but you can see it is a Gannet!
Upper-wing pattern rules out Northern Gannet.
In the afternoon we found an adult Gannet in the bay. It stuck around for quite a while before being driven off by a pack of Arctic Skuas. This is a major rarity for Argentina. Specific identification is problematic. It was either Cape or Australian Gannet & from the photos it looks more like an Australian, which is insane!
Other species noted included 1 Black-browed Albatross; 1 Southern Giant Petrel; 17 Arctic Skua & 4 Dark-faced Ground Tyrants.
23rd April, dawned with a flat calm. Not a breath of wind. 4 Black-browed Albatross were lounging on the sea. A large albatross sp. flew behind. Very frustrating! 7 Arctic Skua were blogging about. 2 Coscoroba Swan & 11 Upland Geese flew north. An Aplomado Falcon put in an appearance over the foreshore. Long overdue this one.
Early evening.
24th April, I was up at the crack of dawn sea-watching, but the sea was quiet. 12 Black-browed Albatross blogging in the bay, 7 Arctic Skua & in the garden a Dark-faced Ground Tyrant. Then a massive northward passage of large Shearwaters started. A minimum of 6,000 birds but too far out for specific identification. They were either Great or Cory's Shearwaters. The latter species has now been split into three species, so that would be a challenge for any land based watcher!
Conducted another sea-watch in the afternoon. A trawler came into the bay, 228 Black-browed Albatross behind it! There were at least 10-15 slightly smaller Albatross, which on distribution have to be Atlantic Yellow-nosed Albatross, but too far out for certain identification. Several very large dark shapes had to be Giant Petrels. Many other smaller wheeling dark shapes, most could have been White-chinned Petrels, but just too far away. 6 Great Shearwater & 158 Manx Shearwater were closer in. A Long-tailed Skua flew by close inshore.
Two Saffron Finch feeding on the lawn.
25th April, did no dawn sea-watching, as speaking to my daughters dotted around the world. When I did sea-watch it was though yesterday's trawler had sucked all the sea-birds out of the ocean! There was nothing! Finally mid-afternoon a Chilean Skua flew by & landed on the sea. A long overdue species for the garden list. Early evening 6 Black-browed Albatross; 4 Manx Shearwater; 17 Arctic & a Long-tailed Skua came into the bay. 2 Cinereous Harriers flew by & that was it! A pretty bird less day.
26th April, a bitingly cold dawn. I was sea-watching for three hours & it paid off! 23 Black-browed Albatross; 1 immature Atlantic Yellow-nosed Albatross; 37 large Shearwater sp.; 19 Cory's Shearwater; 1 Great Shearwater; 32 Sooty Shearwater; 68 Manx Shearwater & 5 Arctic Skua. Spent a lot of time sea-watching in the afternoon, but nothing of note passed by, apart from 2 Cinereous Harriers.
Las Grutas in the rain.
27th April, we awoke to torrential rain. It had been raining hard all night, no birding possible until late in the afternoon. Delana did the shopping run & this was what the streets looked like!
The view of the bay from the garden.
Birding was not possible until mid-afternoon, but weather cleared up & the evening was surprisingly pleasant.
122 Black-browed Albatross; 1 Atlantic Yellow-nosed Albatross (seen three times in the bay. Same bird as before); 160+ Albatross sp. following a trawler but very far out; 7,200 large Shearwater sp.; 9 Manx Shearwater; 1 Brown Skua; 21 Arctic Skua.
On land, a Turkey Vulture; Aplomado Falcon; 3 Cinereous Harrier & 5 Dark-faced Ground Tyrants.
Working on my blog, with a little helper!
The weather cleared up in the afternoon & early evening turned out to be quite nice & sunny. 8 Black-browed Albatross were sat on the sea, with the Atlantic Yellow-nosed Albatross. You can see the difference in size when they are next to each other. 7 Arctic & 3 Long-tailed Skuas came into the bay late on. A Southern Caracara flew north along the beach.
Tufted Tit-Tyrant
Buff-winged Cinclodes
29th April, up early but nothing at all on the sea. Two Blue & Yellow Tanagers; Plain-mantled Tit-spinetail & Tufted Tit-tyrant in the garden. Tried sea-watching throughout the day but nothing happening. Evening was more fruitful: 68 Black-browed Albatross; the same Atlantic Yellow-nosed Albatross in the bay; 42 Arctic Skua; 11 Upland Geese north & 15 Coscoroba Swan north. A Southern Caracara flew by & a Dark-faced Ground Tyrant was on the sea wall.
Winter is coming!
30th April, the end of another month! Morning sea-watch produced 12 Black-browed Albatross; 2 Brown Skua sp.; 5 Upland Geese north. A stray dog flushed a female Mourning Sierra Finch from the grassy dunes. 4 Dark-faced Ground Tyrants on the sea wall.
Upland Goose
In the afternoon sea-watch 38 Black-browed Albatross; 1 Manx Shearwater; 20 Arctic Skua & 4 Upland Geese flew north.
1st May, a dawn sea-watch produced absolutely nothing! Completely bird-less. The only notable bird in the day was a Variable Hawk which flew over. Evening sea-watch produced 20 Black-browed Albatross & 31 Manx Shearwater.
2nd May was a very cold day. Spent the morning Zooming (video conferencing) with my daughters. Not much in the day time, best being Plain-mantled Tit-Spinetail; 5 Saffron Finch & Greyish Baywing. Did an afternoon sea-watch, very poor: 2 Black-browed Albatross; 6 Arctic Skua. But right at the death an adult Arctic Tern in non-breeding plumage came into the bay. Has to be rare here.
3rd May dawned cold & grey, there was a storm over the sea a few kilometres away. At first it was quiet but 2 Cattle Egret flew by. Then spotted two Red-gartered Coots on the sea. 8 Black-browed Albatross & 1,668 Manx Shearwater flew by.
Around mid-day a not quite full adult Harris's Hawk flew north. 13 Southern Bottle-nosed Dolphins were close inshore. In late afternoon we found a juvenile Rufous-chested Dotterel on the foreshore.
4th May, a cold but nice morning. Sea-watching a little late & Sooty Shearwaters pouring by, c.4,150 going out of the bay & back out to sea. c.700 Large Shearwaters. A White-chinned Petrel & 13 Black-browed Albatross. Also c.70 Albatross sp. However, then the rain came! It rained heavily for the rest of the day. The day literally was a total wash out.
5th May opened with strong very cold, southerly winds. The seascape was rough & frustratingly the sun was shining creating a haze over everything & making identification of sea birds impossible. There were a lot of Albatross & Shearwaters far out, but impossible either to count or identify. The following are birds which came much closer. 37 Black-browed Albatross; 1 White-chinned Petrel; 59 Sooty Shearwater; 3 Manx Shearwater; 1 Chilean Skua. Both the Gannet sp. & the Arctic Tern flew south.
Green barred Woodpecker
Green barred Woodpecker in the garden & managed to get some photos. Amazingly White-crested Elaenia seen again after all this time! Nothing doing over the sea in the afternoon.
Dark-faced Ground Tyrant
6th May was again very cold, but the sea was flat calm. Nothing on the sea at all. 11 Upland Geese flew north. A Southern Caracara flew down the coast & 6 Dark-faced Ground Tyrants were feeding on the sea wall. Spent quite some time scoping the vegetation on the dunes & it paid off with a Scale-throated Earthcreeper & 2 Short-billed Canasteros. Later in the morning a Picazuro Pigeon flew over! Not much in the afternoon, just 4 Black-browed Albatross.
7th May dawned overcast & cold. Little doing on the sea but the Atlantic Yellow-nosed Albatross flew in & sat on the sea for a few minutes. Same bird as before. 7 Black-browed Albatross; 2 Black-necked Swans & 6 Upland Geese north.
In the road behind the apartment 2 Picazuro Pigeon flew over & 4 Greyish Baywing were on the rubbish.
8th May, grey, overcast & cold as I looked across the ocean. 17 Black-browed Albatross; 80 Albatross sp; 6,780 Sooty Shearwater; 1 Manx Shearwater; 1 Southern Giant Petrel; 2 White-chinned Petrel;1 Rock Cormorant & 4 South American Tern. 6 White-cheeked Pintail were on the foreshore late afternoon.
9th May, not really a birding day, as I spent all morning in video-conference with my daughters who are scattered around the world. 1,000+ Sooty Shearwater milling around on the sea, very difficult to count. 3 Magellanic Penguins in the bay & a Rock Cormorant late on.
10th May, got up early to go for a birding walk, but got told by the police to go home! Mixed messages somewhere! Spent most of the day working on the computer. In the afternoon a raging gale came from the north-west, tried sea-watching but the sea was dead.
Black-faced Ibis
Upland Goose
11th May, difficult to sea watch in the early morning because of the bad light. However, 80+ Sooty Shearwater sat on the sea which made counting impossible in the swell. Birded most of the day & after a slow start saw quite a few good species: 10 Black-browed Albatross; adult Atlantic Yellow-nosed Albatross; 2 Large Shearwater sp; 11 Manx Shearwater; a Pomarine Skua; 8 Arctic Skua; 1 Brown Skua; 2 Brown Skua sp.; 18 Upland Goose, 10 Black-faced Ibis.
12th May dawned bright & cold. So bright one couldn't see watch because of the haze. A quiet day with 28 Black-browed Albatross; the same Pomarine Skua & 3 Black-chinned Siskins.
13th May, nothing doing on the sea at all. Yet again the sunlight haze made it impossible to sea-watch. All the action came late afternoon: 26 Black-browed Albatross; a Brown Skua; the same Pomarine Skua & 14 Arctic Skuas. An Imperial Cormorant & a Rock Cormorant flew by. A South American Tern flew north.
14th May, another poor morning over the sea, with nothing happening. Late afternoon sea-watch a little better: 10 Black-browed Albatross; 1 immature Atlantic Yellow-nosed Albatross; 3 Arctic Skua; 1 South American Tern; 3 Coscoroba Swan; 1 Black-necked Swan.
15th May, & it is warm! There is a lovely warm breeze, haven't had that for a while! Flat calm out there: 10 Black-browed Albatross; a Giant petrel sp; 430 Sooty Shearwater; 3 Manx Shearwater with 7 Black-faced Ibis flying north. Later on 3 Upland Goose.
16th May was mainly spent in doors video conference my daughters, then working on the blog. Evening sea-watch produced 22 Arctic Skua & 2 South American Terns.
17th May, spent most of the day out, so little to report. Best were: 6 Black-browed Albatross; 7 Manx Shearwater; a Brown Skua & 33 Arctic Skua.
18th May, 17 Black-browed Albatross; 3,750 Sooty Shearwater; 6 Manx Shearwater; 8 Arctic Skua. massive high count of 295 Great Grebe & 18 Magellanic Penguin in the bay.
19th May, dawned warm, clam & raining. Eventually had to stop birding due to the rain: 8 Black-browed Albatross; 1 Manx Shearwater; 1 Brown Skua & an Arctic Skua were the highlights.
It rained most of the day, but evening was productive. A huge flock of 41,500 Sooty Shearwater came into the bay late on in a feeding frenzy. A Brown Skua & 71 Arctic Skua were also noted.
20th May was our designated day out, so no garden birding done.
Juvenile Black-chested Buzzard-Eagle
21st May, up early & sea-watching! 17,000 Sooty Shearwater were impressive! Later on found a juvenile Black-chested Buzzard Eagle sat on a pole. Afternoon sea-watch was good with 48 Black-browed Albatross; 1 Atlantic Yellow-nosed Albatross; 2 Southern Giant Petrels; 50 ArcticSkua & 2 Brown Skua sp.
22nd May, despite plenty of effort, not a lot seen. 16 Black-browed Albatross; 1 Manx Shearwater & 10 Arctic Skua being the best.
23rd May was a bit of a waste due to inclement weather. managed to do an hours sea-watching late on: adult Atlantic Yellow-nosed Albatross with 15 Black-browed Albatross & 14,500 Sooty Shearwater.
24th May sea-watching in the afternoon. At first the conditions were fine, but then gale started & there was a full blown sand storm. Had to finish birding early.
25th May did two sea-watches one in the morning & one in the afternoon. 25 Black-browed Albatross in the morning. 68,500 Sooty Shearwater, a Rock Cormorant & an Imperial Cormorant.
In the afternoon: 33 Black-browed Albatross; 1 immature Atlantic Yellow-nosed Albatross; 2 Southern Giant Petrel; 33,000 Sooty Shearwater; 2 Manx Shearwater. 4 Arctic & a Long-tailed Skua.
26th May
27th May, was our day out, so only a small amount of time in the garden sea-watching in late afternoon. 10 Black-browed Albatross; 7,200 Sooty Shearwater & 15 Arctic Skua.
28th May
29th May was a wash out. It rained all day. Braved the elements to do a short sea-watch: best were 1050 Sooty Shearwater & a Manx Shearwater.
31st May was our day out so only did a sea-watch late afternoon. A trawler came in followed by 80 Albatross sp. 2 Brown Skua & 7 Arctic Skua were also recorded.
1st June dawned sunny but cold. However nothing doing at all! 5 Corscoroba Swan on the sea was the best. In the afternoon just a Black-browed Albatross & 2 Arctic Skuas. One of the poorest days yet.
Have decided to keep a garden bird list. As we could be here a while! Rules are species have to be seen or heard either in the garden, flying over or on the bay which you can see from the garden. Frustratingly, we can only see a small proportion of the rocks & beach from our viewpoint, which cuts down our potential species list.
Black browed Albatross (Thalassarche melanorphis)
One adult flew south during the afternoon sea watch on 2nd April. Three distant birds on the afternoon of 10th April. Two on 12th April. 21 on 13th April, many just sat on the sea & others just leisurely flying around. 5 on 14th April. 6 on 15th April in both morning & afternoon watches. 8 on 16th April. 6 on 17th April in the morning. Nine on 18th April. Eleven on 19th April. 35 on 20th April. 9 on 21st April. 12 on 22nd April. 4 on 23rd April. 12 on 24th April in the morning, but an amazing 228 following trawler in late afternoon. 6 on 25th April. 23 on 26th April. 122 on 27th April. 29 on 28th April. 68 on 29th April. 38 on 30th April. 20 on 1st May. 2 on 2nd May. 8 on 3rd May. 37 on 4th May. 37 on 5th May. Four on 6th May. Seven on 7th May. 17 on 8th May. One on 10th May. 10 on 11th May. 28 on 12th May. 26 on 13th May. 10 on 14th & 15th May. 6 on 16th May. 17 on 18th May. 48 on 21st May. 16 on 22nd May. 15 on 23rd May. 26 in the morning & 33 in the afternoon on 24th May. 22 on 26th May. 10 on 27th May. 5 on 29th May. One on 1st June.
Albatross sp. (Thalassarche sp.)
160+ following a trawler but very far out on 27th April. 100+ on 28th April. 25+ on 29th April. 70+ on 4th May. 40+ on 5th May. 80+ on 8th May. 3 on 18th: 19th & 21st May. 80 on 31st May.
Atlantic Yellow-nosed Albatross (Thalassarche chlororhynchus)
An immature on 26th April. Same bird seen three times in the bay on 27th, 28th & 29th April. Seen again today, flew in & sat on the sea for a few minutes before exiting the bay on 7th May. An adult quite close in on 11th May. An immature on 14th, 18th & 21st May. Adult on 23rd May. Immature on 25th May.
Giant Petrel sp. (Macronectes giganteus)
Three noted at dawn during a early morning sea-watch on 4th April. Too far out to see the colour of the bill tip but almost certainly southern. Northern is a vagrant/rare along this coast. One on 13th April. One on 15th & 16th April. One on 19th April. Two on 20th April. One on 21st April. One on 28th April. One on 15th May. One on 26th May.
Southern Giant Petrel (Macronectes giganticus)
One flew close inshore on 5th April. Stunning! One on 21st April sat on the sea. One on 22nd April close inshore. One on 8th May. Two on 21st & 25th May.
White chinned Petrel (Procellaria aequinoctialis)
One distant bird on 4th April. Three on 15th & 19th April. One on 21st April. One on 4th & 5th May. Two on 8th May.
Magellanic Penguin (Spheniscus magellanicus)
Six close inshore feeding on a huge shoal of fish with many terns & Great Grebes on 17th April. 13 (one adult) on 18th April. 6 on 19th April. 3 on 21st April. 2 on 23rd April. 7 on 24th April. One on 27th April. Three on 28th April. One on 30th April. One on 3rd May. One eaten by a male Sea Lion on 7th May. Three on 8th & 9th May. One on 14th May. Five on 15th May. Two on 16th May. Eleven on 16th May. 18 on 18th May. 2 on 19th & 21st May. 1 on 22nd May. 4 on 25th& 26th May. 1 on 31st May.
One adult flew south during the afternoon sea watch on 2nd April. Three distant birds on the afternoon of 10th April. Two on 12th April. 21 on 13th April, many just sat on the sea & others just leisurely flying around. 5 on 14th April. 6 on 15th April in both morning & afternoon watches. 8 on 16th April. 6 on 17th April in the morning. Nine on 18th April. Eleven on 19th April. 35 on 20th April. 9 on 21st April. 12 on 22nd April. 4 on 23rd April. 12 on 24th April in the morning, but an amazing 228 following trawler in late afternoon. 6 on 25th April. 23 on 26th April. 122 on 27th April. 29 on 28th April. 68 on 29th April. 38 on 30th April. 20 on 1st May. 2 on 2nd May. 8 on 3rd May. 37 on 4th May. 37 on 5th May. Four on 6th May. Seven on 7th May. 17 on 8th May. One on 10th May. 10 on 11th May. 28 on 12th May. 26 on 13th May. 10 on 14th & 15th May. 6 on 16th May. 17 on 18th May. 48 on 21st May. 16 on 22nd May. 15 on 23rd May. 26 in the morning & 33 in the afternoon on 24th May. 22 on 26th May. 10 on 27th May. 5 on 29th May. One on 1st June.
Albatross sp. (Thalassarche sp.)
160+ following a trawler but very far out on 27th April. 100+ on 28th April. 25+ on 29th April. 70+ on 4th May. 40+ on 5th May. 80+ on 8th May. 3 on 18th: 19th & 21st May. 80 on 31st May.
Atlantic Yellow-nosed Albatross (Thalassarche chlororhynchus)
An immature on 26th April. Same bird seen three times in the bay on 27th, 28th & 29th April. Seen again today, flew in & sat on the sea for a few minutes before exiting the bay on 7th May. An adult quite close in on 11th May. An immature on 14th, 18th & 21st May. Adult on 23rd May. Immature on 25th May.
Giant Petrel sp. (Macronectes giganteus)
Three noted at dawn during a early morning sea-watch on 4th April. Too far out to see the colour of the bill tip but almost certainly southern. Northern is a vagrant/rare along this coast. One on 13th April. One on 15th & 16th April. One on 19th April. Two on 20th April. One on 21st April. One on 28th April. One on 15th May. One on 26th May.
Southern Giant Petrel (Macronectes giganticus)
One flew close inshore on 5th April. Stunning! One on 21st April sat on the sea. One on 22nd April close inshore. One on 8th May. Two on 21st & 25th May.
White chinned Petrel (Procellaria aequinoctialis)
One distant bird on 4th April. Three on 15th & 19th April. One on 21st April. One on 4th & 5th May. Two on 8th May.
Magellanic Penguin (Spheniscus magellanicus)
Six close inshore feeding on a huge shoal of fish with many terns & Great Grebes on 17th April. 13 (one adult) on 18th April. 6 on 19th April. 3 on 21st April. 2 on 23rd April. 7 on 24th April. One on 27th April. Three on 28th April. One on 30th April. One on 3rd May. One eaten by a male Sea Lion on 7th May. Three on 8th & 9th May. One on 14th May. Five on 15th May. Two on 16th May. Eleven on 16th May. 18 on 18th May. 2 on 19th & 21st May. 1 on 22nd May. 4 on 25th& 26th May. 1 on 31st May.
Crested Duck (Lophonetta specularoides)
Seen every day along the shore 4-10 birds daily. Feeds mainly on the wave cut platforms. 14 present on 8th April. 24 present on 15th April. 20 on 8th May. 32 on 9th May. 54 on 13th May. 22 on 26th May.
Chiloe Wigeon (Anas sibilatrix)
4 arrived feeding on the shore on 1st April. Still present & seen every day since then until 6th April. 10 on 28th April.
White-cheeked Pintail (Anas bahamensis)
6 on the foreshore on 8th May.
Yellow-billed Pintail (Anas georgica)
2 on the foreshore on 10th April. Five flew low over the sea on 15th & 21st April. 4 on 11th May. 3 on 12th May. 4 on 13th May.
Speckled Teal (Anas flavirostris)
16 flew north over the sea on 21st April. One on the foreshore on 4th May. 5 on 11th May. 2 on 12th May. 5 on 13th May.
Red Shoveler (Anas platalea)
4 flew north with the above species on 21st April.
Corscoroba Swan (Coscorboba coscoroba)
3 flew low over the sea on 30th March. 2 flew north on 21st April. 15 north over the sea on 29th April. 3 on 14th May. 5 on 1st June.
Black necked Swan (Cygnus melancoryphus)
Two flew over the bay on 7th April. Two flew north on 3rd, 7th & 14th May.
Upland Goose (Chloephaga picta)
A pair flew low over the rocks on 7th April. A female flew north on 21st April. 74 north on 22nd April. 11 north on 23rd April. 11 north on 29th April. 9 north on 30th April. 11 north on 6th May. 6 north on 7th May. 18 north on 11th May. 3 on 15th May. 4 on 26th May.
Seen every day along the shore 4-10 birds daily. Feeds mainly on the wave cut platforms. 14 present on 8th April. 24 present on 15th April. 20 on 8th May. 32 on 9th May. 54 on 13th May. 22 on 26th May.
Chiloe Wigeon (Anas sibilatrix)
4 arrived feeding on the shore on 1st April. Still present & seen every day since then until 6th April. 10 on 28th April.
White-cheeked Pintail (Anas bahamensis)
6 on the foreshore on 8th May.
Yellow-billed Pintail (Anas georgica)
2 on the foreshore on 10th April. Five flew low over the sea on 15th & 21st April. 4 on 11th May. 3 on 12th May. 4 on 13th May.
Speckled Teal (Anas flavirostris)
16 flew north over the sea on 21st April. One on the foreshore on 4th May. 5 on 11th May. 2 on 12th May. 5 on 13th May.
Red Shoveler (Anas platalea)
4 flew north with the above species on 21st April.
Corscoroba Swan (Coscorboba coscoroba)
3 flew low over the sea on 30th March. 2 flew north on 21st April. 15 north over the sea on 29th April. 3 on 14th May. 5 on 1st June.
Black necked Swan (Cygnus melancoryphus)
Two flew over the bay on 7th April. Two flew north on 3rd, 7th & 14th May.
Upland Goose (Chloephaga picta)
A pair flew low over the rocks on 7th April. A female flew north on 21st April. 74 north on 22nd April. 11 north on 23rd April. 11 north on 29th April. 9 north on 30th April. 11 north on 6th May. 6 north on 7th May. 18 north on 11th May. 3 on 15th May. 4 on 26th May.
White tufted Grebe (Rollandia rolland)
Between 4-15 birds seen on the sea every day. 26 on 19th April. 14 on 22nd May. 11 on 25th May. 8 on 26th May. 7 on 1st June.
Between 4-15 birds seen on the sea every day. 26 on 19th April. 14 on 22nd May. 11 on 25th May. 8 on 26th May. 7 on 1st June.
Great Grebe (Podiceps major)
Variable numbers seen every day, usually from 10-18 birds. 24 on 17th April. 104 on 18th April. 32 on 16th May. An incredible 295 on 18th May. 224 on 19th May. 156 on 22nd May. 174 on 24th May. 85 on 25th May was a partial count of the bay. 79 on 26th May. 26 on 31st May. 28 on 1st June
Variable numbers seen every day, usually from 10-18 birds. 24 on 17th April. 104 on 18th April. 32 on 16th May. An incredible 295 on 18th May. 224 on 19th May. 156 on 22nd May. 174 on 24th May. 85 on 25th May was a partial count of the bay. 79 on 26th May. 26 on 31st May. 28 on 1st June
Silvery Grebe (Podiceps occipitalis)
Between 11-15 birds seen every day in the bay. 44 on 9th April. 17 on 22nd May. 9 on 25th May. 5 on 26th May.
Cory's Shearwater (Calonectris diomedea)
19 on 26th April. One on 21st May.
Please note: this species has recently been split into three species all of which could occur here. However, impossible to tell from land based views.
Great Shearwater (Ardenna gravis)
One on 13th April. 28 on 19th April. 2 on 20th April. 6 on 24th April. 1 on 26th April.
Large Shearwater sp. (Puffinus gravis/diomedea)
Early morning on 24th April at least 6,000 birds passed rapidly north far offshore, too far for specific identification. 37 on 26th April. 7,200+ on 27th April. c.700 on 4th May. Several hundred on 5th May, but impossible to count accurately because of haze. 2 on 11th May.
Sooty Shearwater (Ardenna grisea)
32 on 26th April. c.4,150 on 4th May. 59 on 5th May. 66 on 7th May. 6,780 on 8th May. 1,000+ on 9th May. 80+ on 11th May, (sat on the sea, which made counting difficult). 3,750 in a feeding flock far out on 18th May. 41,500 on 19th May. 17,000 on the morning of 21st May, with 2000 in the afternoon. 14,500 in the bay late afternoon 23rd May. 1,000 on 24th May. 68,500 in the morning 7 33,000 in the afternoon on 25th May. 54,000 in the morning of 26th May with only 42 in the afternoon! 7,200 in the afternoon on 27th May. 1050 on 29th May
Between 11-15 birds seen every day in the bay. 44 on 9th April. 17 on 22nd May. 9 on 25th May. 5 on 26th May.
Cory's Shearwater (Calonectris diomedea)
19 on 26th April. One on 21st May.
Please note: this species has recently been split into three species all of which could occur here. However, impossible to tell from land based views.
Great Shearwater (Ardenna gravis)
One on 13th April. 28 on 19th April. 2 on 20th April. 6 on 24th April. 1 on 26th April.
Large Shearwater sp. (Puffinus gravis/diomedea)
Early morning on 24th April at least 6,000 birds passed rapidly north far offshore, too far for specific identification. 37 on 26th April. 7,200+ on 27th April. c.700 on 4th May. Several hundred on 5th May, but impossible to count accurately because of haze. 2 on 11th May.
Sooty Shearwater (Ardenna grisea)
32 on 26th April. c.4,150 on 4th May. 59 on 5th May. 66 on 7th May. 6,780 on 8th May. 1,000+ on 9th May. 80+ on 11th May, (sat on the sea, which made counting difficult). 3,750 in a feeding flock far out on 18th May. 41,500 on 19th May. 17,000 on the morning of 21st May, with 2000 in the afternoon. 14,500 in the bay late afternoon 23rd May. 1,000 on 24th May. 68,500 in the morning 7 33,000 in the afternoon on 25th May. 54,000 in the morning of 26th May with only 42 in the afternoon! 7,200 in the afternoon on 27th May. 1050 on 29th May
Manx Shearwater (Puffinus puffinus)
First noted on 22nd March when 600+ in the bay in the evening. Noted every day since, with 625 on 28th March; 1,000 on 30th March.
In April 350-500 birds seen every day with 2,100 on 4th April. c.230 on morning sea watch on 9th April. One on 10th April. Ten on 11th April. 258 on 13th April. 10 on 14th April. 12 on 15th April in the morning & 17 on the afternoon sea-watch. 17 again on 16th April. 6 on 17th April. 11 on 19th & 20th April. 6 on 21st April. 1 on 22nd April. 1 on 23rd April. 6 in the morning & 158 in the evening on 24th April. 4 on 25th April. 68 on 26th April. 9 on 27th April. 2 on 28th April. 1 on 30th April. 31 on 1st May. 1,668 on 3rd May. 5 on 4th May. 3 on 5th May. 1 on 8th May. 11 on 11th May. 13 on 13th May. 3 on 14th May. 10 on 15th & 16th May. 7 on 16th May. 6 on 18th & 19th May. 1 on 22nd & 24th May. 2 on 25th May. 1 on 29th May
Snowy Sheathbill (Chionis alba)
One feeding on the wave cut platform on 17th April. Flew off south.
Chilean Flamingo (Phoenicopterus chilensis)
First noted on 22nd March when 600+ in the bay in the evening. Noted every day since, with 625 on 28th March; 1,000 on 30th March.
In April 350-500 birds seen every day with 2,100 on 4th April. c.230 on morning sea watch on 9th April. One on 10th April. Ten on 11th April. 258 on 13th April. 10 on 14th April. 12 on 15th April in the morning & 17 on the afternoon sea-watch. 17 again on 16th April. 6 on 17th April. 11 on 19th & 20th April. 6 on 21st April. 1 on 22nd April. 1 on 23rd April. 6 in the morning & 158 in the evening on 24th April. 4 on 25th April. 68 on 26th April. 9 on 27th April. 2 on 28th April. 1 on 30th April. 31 on 1st May. 1,668 on 3rd May. 5 on 4th May. 3 on 5th May. 1 on 8th May. 11 on 11th May. 13 on 13th May. 3 on 14th May. 10 on 15th & 16th May. 7 on 16th May. 6 on 18th & 19th May. 1 on 22nd & 24th May. 2 on 25th May. 1 on 29th May
Snowy Sheathbill (Chionis alba)
One feeding on the wave cut platform on 17th April. Flew off south.
Chilean Flamingo (Phoenicopterus chilensis)
1 on 30th March, 6 flew by on
610 feeding in the shallow end of the bay on 4th April. increasing to 800+ on 6th April. 480+ present on 7th-11th April. 350+ on 15th April. c.275 on 18th April. 510 on 19th April. 220 on 25th April. 95 on 30th April. 85 on 11th May. 95 on 14th May. 36 on 15th May. 46 on 16th May. 70 on 16th May. 250 on 18th May. 71 on 21st May. 208 on 22nd May. 74 on 25th May. 160 on 26th May.
Cape or Australian Gannet
An adult in the bay on 22nd April. Same bird fishing in the bay, then flying south on 5th May.
610 feeding in the shallow end of the bay on 4th April. increasing to 800+ on 6th April. 480+ present on 7th-11th April. 350+ on 15th April. c.275 on 18th April. 510 on 19th April. 220 on 25th April. 95 on 30th April. 85 on 11th May. 95 on 14th May. 36 on 15th May. 46 on 16th May. 70 on 16th May. 250 on 18th May. 71 on 21st May. 208 on 22nd May. 74 on 25th May. 160 on 26th May.
Cape or Australian Gannet
An adult in the bay on 22nd April. Same bird fishing in the bay, then flying south on 5th May.
Neotropic Cormorant (Phalacrocorax brasilianus)
Common on the wave cut platforms at low tide: up to 50 birds seen in a day. An ever present species. 85 on 13th April. 120+ on 17th April. 172 on 22nd May.
Imperial Cormorant (Phalacrocorax atriceps)
One flew north on 18th April. One on 24th April. One on 11th & 13th May. One on 16th & 25th May.
Common on the wave cut platforms at low tide: up to 50 birds seen in a day. An ever present species. 85 on 13th April. 120+ on 17th April. 172 on 22nd May.
Imperial Cormorant (Phalacrocorax atriceps)
One flew north on 18th April. One on 24th April. One on 11th & 13th May. One on 16th & 25th May.
Rock Cormorant (Phalacrocorax magellanicus)
One flew over the sea on 21st March. One on 16th & 19th April. 2 on 21st April. 3 on 23rd April. 2 on 24th & 25th April. 2 on 4th, 5th & 8th May. One on 9th; 13th & 25th May.
Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis)
2 flew south on 3rd May.
One flew over the sea on 21st March. One on 16th & 19th April. 2 on 21st April. 3 on 23rd April. 2 on 24th & 25th April. 2 on 4th, 5th & 8th May. One on 9th; 13th & 25th May.
Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis)
2 flew south on 3rd May.
Snowy Egret (Egretta thula)
One present on the shore every day from 17th March until the month end. One seen again on 3rd April. 4 on 19th April.
Great White Egret (Ardea alba)
2 on 25th March; 1 on 1st April & 2 on 3rd April. One present on foreshore on 5th/6th April. Two on 7th April & 1 on 8th & 9th. 2 on 10th April. One on 12th & 14th April. One on 17th & 18th April. Two on 19th April. One on 22nd & 23rd April. Two on 24th April. One on 27th April. Five north & one on the foreshore on 3rd May. One on 5th & 6th May. One on 9th & 12th May. One on 16th; 19th; 22nd; 23rd & 26th May. 1 on 31st May.
Black crowned Night Heron (Nycticorax nycticorax)
One immature flew over at dusk on 25th March & an adult present on the shore on 26th March. One immature on the foreshore on 11th & 12th April. An adult roosting in a nearby tree on 20th April. One on the foreshore on 28th April. An immature on 21st May. Immature on 31st May.
Black faced Ibis (Theristicus melanopis)
Fourteen flew over on 7th April. 11 flew north over the sea on 18th April. This was the day for this species flying north over the sea. The movement started soon after dawn & continued until approximately 10 am. Small to medium sized flocks totally 1,270 birds. A really amazing sight to see these birds migrating over the sea. 79 north on 22nd April. 3 north on 24th April. 55 north on 28th April. 7 north on 3rd May. Two north on 5th May. Ten north on 11th May. Seven north on 15th May.
One present on the shore every day from 17th March until the month end. One seen again on 3rd April. 4 on 19th April.
Great White Egret (Ardea alba)
2 on 25th March; 1 on 1st April & 2 on 3rd April. One present on foreshore on 5th/6th April. Two on 7th April & 1 on 8th & 9th. 2 on 10th April. One on 12th & 14th April. One on 17th & 18th April. Two on 19th April. One on 22nd & 23rd April. Two on 24th April. One on 27th April. Five north & one on the foreshore on 3rd May. One on 5th & 6th May. One on 9th & 12th May. One on 16th; 19th; 22nd; 23rd & 26th May. 1 on 31st May.
Black crowned Night Heron (Nycticorax nycticorax)
One immature flew over at dusk on 25th March & an adult present on the shore on 26th March. One immature on the foreshore on 11th & 12th April. An adult roosting in a nearby tree on 20th April. One on the foreshore on 28th April. An immature on 21st May. Immature on 31st May.
Black faced Ibis (Theristicus melanopis)
Fourteen flew over on 7th April. 11 flew north over the sea on 18th April. This was the day for this species flying north over the sea. The movement started soon after dawn & continued until approximately 10 am. Small to medium sized flocks totally 1,270 birds. A really amazing sight to see these birds migrating over the sea. 79 north on 22nd April. 3 north on 24th April. 55 north on 28th April. 7 north on 3rd May. Two north on 5th May. Ten north on 11th May. Seven north on 15th May.
Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura)
A common bird overhead & sometimes feeding on the shore. Up to 25 seen together. A steady reduction of birds in April, presumably as they migrate north. Early April saw 5-8 birds daily but by 10th April only one bird noted. 7 on 11th April. 2 on 13th April. 5 on 14th April. 2 on 15th April. One on 16th & 18th April. One on 27th April.
Black-chested Buzzard-Eagle (Geranoatus melanoleucos)
A juvenile bird sat on a pole on 21st May.
Cinereous Harrier (Circus cinereus)
A female on 27th March; an adult male on 2nd April & two (male & female) on 4th April. Male & female on 8th April. Male flew by on 9th April. Male & female flew by on 10th April. Male on 14th April. One male on 15th April. One male on 17th April. A female on 21st & 23rd April. 2 on 25th & 26th April. 3 on 27th April. One on 30th April. One on 2nd May. One on 3rd May. Two on 5th May. One on 6th, 8th; 14th & 22nd May.
Harris's Hawk (Parabuteo unicinctus)
A sub-adult flew north on 3rd May.
Variable Hawk (Buteo polyosoma)
One seen soaring overhead on 4th & 5th April. One cruising down the street really low early morning of 9th April. One sat on a lamp post 13th April. A pair on 14th April. One on 15th & 16th April. One on 19th April. One on 24th & 28th April. One on 1st May. One on 3rd, 5th & 6th May. One on 11th May.
White-throated Hawk (Buteo albigula)
A juvenile flew north along the coast on 8th April. An absolute star bird this one!
Red-gartered Coot (Fulica armillata)
Two on the sea close inshore on 3rd May.
Southern Lapwing (Vanellus chilensis)
An ever present species. Up to six birds seen & heard.
Two banded Plover (Charadrius falklandicus)
3 on 25th March were the fist to be seen. Then noted every day at low tide building up to 37 on 3rd April, with 22 noted on 6th April. 46 on 10th April. 50+ on 16th April. 92 on 20th April. 54 on 3rd May after a long absence. One on 13th May. Five on 15th May. Eight on 16th May. 38 on 18th May. 114 on 22nd May. 252 on 24th May. 69 on 26th May.
Rufous-chested Dotterel (Charadrius modestus)
A juvenile was on the foreshore late afternoon on 3rd May.
A common bird overhead & sometimes feeding on the shore. Up to 25 seen together. A steady reduction of birds in April, presumably as they migrate north. Early April saw 5-8 birds daily but by 10th April only one bird noted. 7 on 11th April. 2 on 13th April. 5 on 14th April. 2 on 15th April. One on 16th & 18th April. One on 27th April.
Black-chested Buzzard-Eagle (Geranoatus melanoleucos)
A juvenile bird sat on a pole on 21st May.
Cinereous Harrier (Circus cinereus)
A female on 27th March; an adult male on 2nd April & two (male & female) on 4th April. Male & female on 8th April. Male flew by on 9th April. Male & female flew by on 10th April. Male on 14th April. One male on 15th April. One male on 17th April. A female on 21st & 23rd April. 2 on 25th & 26th April. 3 on 27th April. One on 30th April. One on 2nd May. One on 3rd May. Two on 5th May. One on 6th, 8th; 14th & 22nd May.
Harris's Hawk (Parabuteo unicinctus)
A sub-adult flew north on 3rd May.
Variable Hawk (Buteo polyosoma)
One seen soaring overhead on 4th & 5th April. One cruising down the street really low early morning of 9th April. One sat on a lamp post 13th April. A pair on 14th April. One on 15th & 16th April. One on 19th April. One on 24th & 28th April. One on 1st May. One on 3rd, 5th & 6th May. One on 11th May.
White-throated Hawk (Buteo albigula)
A juvenile flew north along the coast on 8th April. An absolute star bird this one!
Red-gartered Coot (Fulica armillata)
Two on the sea close inshore on 3rd May.
Southern Lapwing (Vanellus chilensis)
An ever present species. Up to six birds seen & heard.
Two banded Plover (Charadrius falklandicus)
3 on 25th March were the fist to be seen. Then noted every day at low tide building up to 37 on 3rd April, with 22 noted on 6th April. 46 on 10th April. 50+ on 16th April. 92 on 20th April. 54 on 3rd May after a long absence. One on 13th May. Five on 15th May. Eight on 16th May. 38 on 18th May. 114 on 22nd May. 252 on 24th May. 69 on 26th May.
Rufous-chested Dotterel (Charadrius modestus)
A juvenile was on the foreshore late afternoon on 3rd May.
American Oystercatcher (Haematopus palliatus)
Up to 75+ birds on the shore from 17th March on wards. However, number declined quickly in April, only 35 birds present on 5th April. 50+ on 9th May. 45 on 16th May. 39 on 18th May. 38 on 22nd May. 48 on 25th May. 42 on 31st May.
Hudsonian Whimbrel (Numenius phaeopus hudsonicus)
One feeding on the rocks at low tide on 2nd April. Three on 27th April.
Sanderling (Calidris alba)
9 on the foreshore on 3rd April. 2 on 9th April. Three on 10th April. Four on 20th April.
Up to 75+ birds on the shore from 17th March on wards. However, number declined quickly in April, only 35 birds present on 5th April. 50+ on 9th May. 45 on 16th May. 39 on 18th May. 38 on 22nd May. 48 on 25th May. 42 on 31st May.
Hudsonian Whimbrel (Numenius phaeopus hudsonicus)
One feeding on the rocks at low tide on 2nd April. Three on 27th April.
Sanderling (Calidris alba)
9 on the foreshore on 3rd April. 2 on 9th April. Three on 10th April. Four on 20th April.
White rumped Sandpiper (Calidris fuscicollis)
Up to 800+ birds present on the shore from 17th March. This number steadily declined until around 300 on 2nd April. However, 550+ on 7th April.
1,100 Calidris sp. seen on 8th April, but too far away for conclusive identification. However, almost certainly White rumped Sandpipers.
550+ on 9th April. 1,300+ on 10th April. c.1,000 on 16th April. c.700 on 21st April. 25 on 27th April. One on 3rd May.
Up to 800+ birds present on the shore from 17th March. This number steadily declined until around 300 on 2nd April. However, 550+ on 7th April.
1,100 Calidris sp. seen on 8th April, but too far away for conclusive identification. However, almost certainly White rumped Sandpipers.
550+ on 9th April. 1,300+ on 10th April. c.1,000 on 16th April. c.700 on 21st April. 25 on 27th April. One on 3rd May.
Baird's Sandpiper (Calidris bairdii)
Around 35 present on the shore from 17th March on wards. Very difficult to assess accurate numbers at this distance. Small numbers (under 10) seen to the end of March. Two seen on 8th April.
Around 35 present on the shore from 17th March on wards. Very difficult to assess accurate numbers at this distance. Small numbers (under 10) seen to the end of March. Two seen on 8th April.
Greater Yellowlegs (Tringa melanoleuca)
35+ present on 17th March. Present every day but numbers declining to 13 at the month end. Three seen on 2nd April. Two on 7th April. Five on 8th April. 27 flying north over the garden early morning on 9th April. Migrating north? 2 on 10th & 11th April. 6 on 12th April. 2 on 15th April. One on 16th April. Seven on 17th April. 2 on 18th April. One on 19th April. 2 on 22nd & 23rd April. One on 25th April. 3 on 27th April. 1 on 29th April. 5 on 2nd. 6 on 3rd May. 2 on 6th May. 1 on 7th May. 4 on 8th May. 2 on 9th & 11th May. 9 on 13th May. 7 on 15th May. 8 on 16th May. 2 on 17th May. 5 on 18th May. 2 on 21st May. 4 on 22nd May. 1 on 31st May. 1 on 1st June.
35+ present on 17th March. Present every day but numbers declining to 13 at the month end. Three seen on 2nd April. Two on 7th April. Five on 8th April. 27 flying north over the garden early morning on 9th April. Migrating north? 2 on 10th & 11th April. 6 on 12th April. 2 on 15th April. One on 16th April. Seven on 17th April. 2 on 18th April. One on 19th April. 2 on 22nd & 23rd April. One on 25th April. 3 on 27th April. 1 on 29th April. 5 on 2nd. 6 on 3rd May. 2 on 6th May. 1 on 7th May. 4 on 8th May. 2 on 9th & 11th May. 9 on 13th May. 7 on 15th May. 8 on 16th May. 2 on 17th May. 5 on 18th May. 2 on 21st May. 4 on 22nd May. 1 on 31st May. 1 on 1st June.
Brown Skua (Stercorarius antarcticus antarcticus)
This species is often known as Falklands Skua. Three were in the bay on 20th March. One on 15th April. One on 19th April. One on 23rd April. One on 27th April. One on 11th; 13th; 17th & 19th May. One on 26th May. Two on 31st May.
Please note: it seems surprising that we have not yet recorded Chilean Skua which is often found along the coast.
Chilean Skua (Stercorarius chilensis)
One flew by close inshore on 25th April. At last! One in the bay on 5th May. One on 24th May.
Brown Skua sp. (Stercorarius sp.)
Two on on 30th April. Two on 11th May. One on 19th May. two on 21st May.
Pomarine Skua (Stercorarius pomarinus)
One on 11th, 12th & 13th May.
This species is often known as Falklands Skua. Three were in the bay on 20th March. One on 15th April. One on 19th April. One on 23rd April. One on 27th April. One on 11th; 13th; 17th & 19th May. One on 26th May. Two on 31st May.
Please note: it seems surprising that we have not yet recorded Chilean Skua which is often found along the coast.
Chilean Skua (Stercorarius chilensis)
One flew by close inshore on 25th April. At last! One in the bay on 5th May. One on 24th May.
Brown Skua sp. (Stercorarius sp.)
Two on on 30th April. Two on 11th May. One on 19th May. two on 21st May.
Pomarine Skua (Stercorarius pomarinus)
One on 11th, 12th & 13th May.
Arctic Skua (Stercorarius parasiticus)
1 on 22nd March, 2 on 23rd, 6 on 26th, 66 at dusk on 28th, & 6 on 30th March. 12 on 1st April, 25 on 2nd, 5 on 3rd & 4th April.
On the evening on 5th April a big storm rolled in & within an hour 1,004 were seen, some very close inshore in rafts on the sea. All were first summer birds, no adult noted, presumably adults have left for their breeding grounds?
2 on 6th April, 1 on 7th & 8th April. 2 on 9th April. 9 on 10th April. 37 on 11th April. 27 on 12th April. 29 on 13th April. 65 on 14th April. 6 on 15th April in the morning & 27 in the late afternoon. 54 on 16th April. 2 on 17th April. 37 on 18th April. 20 on 19th April. 8 on 20th April. 5 on 21st April. 17 on 22nd April. 39 on 23rd April. 7 on 24th April. 17 on 25th April. 5 on 26th April. 21 on 27th April. Seven on 28th April. 42 on 29th April. 20 on 30th April. 6 on 2nd May. One on 3rd May. Two on 4th May. 3 on 6th May. 8 on 11th May. 14 on 13th May. 3 on 14th May. 6 on 15th May. 22 on 16th May. 33 on 17th May. 8 on 18th May. 71 on 19th May. 50 on 21st May. 10 on 22nd May. 4 on 25th May. 10 on 26th May. 15 on 27th May. 1 on 29th May. 7 on 31st May. 2 on 1st June.
Long tailed Skua Stercorarius longicaudes)
Nine first summers flew by, going out of the bay during the storm on 5th April.. One on 12th & 13th April. One on 24th & 25th April. Three on 28th April. One on 25th May.
Andean Gull (Larus serranus)
A first winter was on the rocks on 21st April with Brown-hooded Gulls.
1 on 22nd March, 2 on 23rd, 6 on 26th, 66 at dusk on 28th, & 6 on 30th March. 12 on 1st April, 25 on 2nd, 5 on 3rd & 4th April.
On the evening on 5th April a big storm rolled in & within an hour 1,004 were seen, some very close inshore in rafts on the sea. All were first summer birds, no adult noted, presumably adults have left for their breeding grounds?
2 on 6th April, 1 on 7th & 8th April. 2 on 9th April. 9 on 10th April. 37 on 11th April. 27 on 12th April. 29 on 13th April. 65 on 14th April. 6 on 15th April in the morning & 27 in the late afternoon. 54 on 16th April. 2 on 17th April. 37 on 18th April. 20 on 19th April. 8 on 20th April. 5 on 21st April. 17 on 22nd April. 39 on 23rd April. 7 on 24th April. 17 on 25th April. 5 on 26th April. 21 on 27th April. Seven on 28th April. 42 on 29th April. 20 on 30th April. 6 on 2nd May. One on 3rd May. Two on 4th May. 3 on 6th May. 8 on 11th May. 14 on 13th May. 3 on 14th May. 6 on 15th May. 22 on 16th May. 33 on 17th May. 8 on 18th May. 71 on 19th May. 50 on 21st May. 10 on 22nd May. 4 on 25th May. 10 on 26th May. 15 on 27th May. 1 on 29th May. 7 on 31st May. 2 on 1st June.
Long tailed Skua Stercorarius longicaudes)
Nine first summers flew by, going out of the bay during the storm on 5th April.. One on 12th & 13th April. One on 24th & 25th April. Three on 28th April. One on 25th May.
Andean Gull (Larus serranus)
A first winter was on the rocks on 21st April with Brown-hooded Gulls.
Brown hooded Gull (Larus maculipennis)
A common ever present species, numbers varying between 300-500 birds each day.
A common ever present species, numbers varying between 300-500 birds each day.
Grey hooded Gull (Chroicocephalus cirrocephalus)
One flew by on 21st March
One flew by on 21st March
Kelp Gull (Larus dominicanus)
A common species, up to 600+ on the shore & close inshore each day. c.2,200 on 27th April.
A common species, up to 600+ on the shore & close inshore each day. c.2,200 on 27th April.
South American Tern (Sterna hirundinacea)
Single birds on 21st March, 29th March & 3rd April. Three on 4th April. One on 23rd & 25th April. One on 5th May. Four on 8th May. One on 13th & 14th May. Two on 16th May. Five on 18th May. Four on 19th May. 1 on 25th May. 6 on 26th May.
Arctic Tern (Sterna paradisea)
An adult in non-breeding plumage came into the bay on 2nd May late on. Same bird flew south on 5th May.
Single birds on 21st March, 29th March & 3rd April. Three on 4th April. One on 23rd & 25th April. One on 5th May. Four on 8th May. One on 13th & 14th May. Two on 16th May. Five on 18th May. Four on 19th May. 1 on 25th May. 6 on 26th May.
Arctic Tern (Sterna paradisea)
An adult in non-breeding plumage came into the bay on 2nd May late on. Same bird flew south on 5th May.
Snowy crowned Tern (Sterna trudeaui)
Common species, up to 35 present on the shore & feeding close in the bay each day. 50+ on 12th April. 65 on 16th April. 55+ on 23rd April. 21 on 13th May. 9 on 14th May. 27 on 15th May. 43 on 17th May. 21 on 18th May. 127 on 21st May. 31 on 22nd May. 26 on 25th May.
Common species, up to 35 present on the shore & feeding close in the bay each day. 50+ on 12th April. 65 on 16th April. 55+ on 23rd April. 21 on 13th May. 9 on 14th May. 27 on 15th May. 43 on 17th May. 21 on 18th May. 127 on 21st May. 31 on 22nd May. 26 on 25th May.
Royal Tern (Thalasseus maximus)
Common close in offshore feeding in the bay. Also present in small numbers on the rocks at low tide. 15-40 birds recorded each day. Big drop off in numbers in April, only 6-8 birds until 18th April. 5 on 21st April & 1-5 birds recorded until the end of the month. From 1st-7th May 1-3 birds each day. One on 11th & 13th May. 2 on 18th May. 1 on 19th May.
Elegant Tern (Sterna elegans)
One roosting on the rocks in full summer plumage on 3rd April.
Common close in offshore feeding in the bay. Also present in small numbers on the rocks at low tide. 15-40 birds recorded each day. Big drop off in numbers in April, only 6-8 birds until 18th April. 5 on 21st April & 1-5 birds recorded until the end of the month. From 1st-7th May 1-3 birds each day. One on 11th & 13th May. 2 on 18th May. 1 on 19th May.
Elegant Tern (Sterna elegans)
One roosting on the rocks in full summer plumage on 3rd April.
Cayenne Tern (Sterna sandvicensis)
Recorded in small numbers 4-10 birds each day on the foreshore & feeding offshore. 17 on 7th April. 181 flew close inshore at dusk on 14th April. 200+ on 18th April. Numbers dwindled until 30+ at the month end. 5-10 birds noted first week of May. Last seen on 7th May.
However, please note, several hundred of Sterna type terns seen regularly far offshore feeding, too far out for specific identification, probably this species.
Black Skimmer (Rynchops niger)
One immature on the wave cut platform on 17th April.
Rock Dove
One on 26th May.
Recorded in small numbers 4-10 birds each day on the foreshore & feeding offshore. 17 on 7th April. 181 flew close inshore at dusk on 14th April. 200+ on 18th April. Numbers dwindled until 30+ at the month end. 5-10 birds noted first week of May. Last seen on 7th May.
However, please note, several hundred of Sterna type terns seen regularly far offshore feeding, too far out for specific identification, probably this species.
Black Skimmer (Rynchops niger)
One immature on the wave cut platform on 17th April.
Rock Dove
One on 26th May.
Picazuro Pigeon (Patagioenas picazuro)
One on 6th May. Two on 7th May.
One on 6th May. Two on 7th May.
Spot winged Pigeon (Patagioenas maculosa)
Common on trees, & wires, seen every day. Up to six birds daily. 9 on 18th May.
Common on trees, & wires, seen every day. Up to six birds daily. 9 on 18th May.
Eared Dove (Zenaida auriculata)
Seen every day in small numbers (1-3 birds). usually in the street behind our apartment.
Picui Ground Dove (Columbina picui)
One sat on the wires in the street on 16th April.
Southern Caracara (Caracara planus)
An adult flew low along the beach on 3rd April. A sub-adult flew by on 21st April. One on 28th & 29th April. One on 6th May.
Seen every day in small numbers (1-3 birds). usually in the street behind our apartment.
Picui Ground Dove (Columbina picui)
One sat on the wires in the street on 16th April.
Southern Caracara (Caracara planus)
An adult flew low along the beach on 3rd April. A sub-adult flew by on 21st April. One on 28th & 29th April. One on 6th May.
Chimango Caracara (Milvago chimango)
Common flying over the house, scavenging in the street & on the foreshore. At dusk up to 25 birds may fly over, they must roost communally. Numbers slowly dwindled 6 on 18th May. 4 on 19th May. 4 on 26th May.
Peregrine (Falco peregrinus)
An adult of the very dark race cassini powered low over the rooftops on 31st March. A large female flew high over the garden on 7th April. A pair over high on 22nd April. One on 24th May.
Aplomado Falcon (Falco femoralis)
One flew along the coastal road early morning on 23rd April. One on 27th April.
Common flying over the house, scavenging in the street & on the foreshore. At dusk up to 25 birds may fly over, they must roost communally. Numbers slowly dwindled 6 on 18th May. 4 on 19th May. 4 on 26th May.
Peregrine (Falco peregrinus)
An adult of the very dark race cassini powered low over the rooftops on 31st March. A large female flew high over the garden on 7th April. A pair over high on 22nd April. One on 24th May.
Aplomado Falcon (Falco femoralis)
One flew along the coastal road early morning on 23rd April. One on 27th April.
American Kestrel (Falco sparverius)
One roosted on a nearby pole on 21st March & another flew over on 4th April. One on 29th April. One on 3rd, 8th & 12th May.
One roosted on a nearby pole on 21st March & another flew over on 4th April. One on 29th April. One on 3rd, 8th & 12th May.
Burrowing Parakeet (Cyanoliseus patagonus)
Green barred Woodpecker (Colaptes melanchloros)
Two present on 4th April. A most unexpected visitor! One on 10th April. One on 20th April. One on 5th & 15th May.
This iconic species is abundant here. A frequent visitor to the garden & often perches on telegraph poles. Up to 40+ birds seen flying overhead on several occasions.
A large decrease in numbers after 5th April. Now only 2-6 daily. Birds migrating out? 2 on 10th April. 2 on 12th & 13th April. One on 14th April. Two on 15th April. 4 on 16th April. 2 on 17th April. 4 on 19th April. 2 on 21st, 22nd & 23rd April. 8 on 24th April. 11 on 25th April. 8 on 28th April. 6 on 29th April. 6 on 30th April. 8 on 1st & 2nd May. 11 on 3rd May. 13 on 6th May. 8 on 9th May. 6 on 11th May. 10 on 12th May. 12 on 13th May. 22 on 14th May. 16 on 15th May. 12 on 16th May. 10 on 17th May. 40 on 18th May. 8 on 19th May. 4 on 21st May. 16 on 22nd May. 32 on 25th May.
A large decrease in numbers after 5th April. Now only 2-6 daily. Birds migrating out? 2 on 10th April. 2 on 12th & 13th April. One on 14th April. Two on 15th April. 4 on 16th April. 2 on 17th April. 4 on 19th April. 2 on 21st, 22nd & 23rd April. 8 on 24th April. 11 on 25th April. 8 on 28th April. 6 on 29th April. 6 on 30th April. 8 on 1st & 2nd May. 11 on 3rd May. 13 on 6th May. 8 on 9th May. 6 on 11th May. 10 on 12th May. 12 on 13th May. 22 on 14th May. 16 on 15th May. 12 on 16th May. 10 on 17th May. 40 on 18th May. 8 on 19th May. 4 on 21st May. 16 on 22nd May. 32 on 25th May.
Green barred Woodpecker (Colaptes melanchloros)
Two present on 4th April. A most unexpected visitor! One on 10th April. One on 20th April. One on 5th & 15th May.
Rufous Hornero (Funarius rufus)
An ever present both in the garden & in the street outside. Only one pair present as they are territorial.
Scale-throated Earthcreeper (Upucerthia dumetaria)
One flushed out of the long grass where I sea-watch. Later seen perched up on a bush in the dunes on 6th May.
Chaco Earthcreeper (Tarphonomus certhiodes)
One in the long grass in front of the house. perched up nicely & then flew into the dunes on 16th April.
An ever present both in the garden & in the street outside. Only one pair present as they are territorial.
Scale-throated Earthcreeper (Upucerthia dumetaria)
One flushed out of the long grass where I sea-watch. Later seen perched up on a bush in the dunes on 6th May.
Chaco Earthcreeper (Tarphonomus certhiodes)
One in the long grass in front of the house. perched up nicely & then flew into the dunes on 16th April.
Buff winged Cinclodes (Cinclodes fuscous fuscous)
A pair are resident in the garden ever day. This is the southern form, which is migratory, so they might be gone soon. Last seen 2 on 3rd May.
Plain-mantled Tit-Spinetail (Lepasthenura aegithaloides)
One in the garden 13th April. One on 15th April. Two on 16th April. One on 17th, 21st, 22nd & 27th April. 1 on 29th & 30th April. One on 2nd & 4th May. One on 6th, 7th, 9th & 10th May. Two on 11th, 12th, 13th, 14th & 15th May. One on 16th; 18th; 21st; 22nd; 26th & 31st May.
Short-billed Canastero (Asthenes baeri)
Two in the dunes on 12th April. Two in the dunes on 6th May.
Dark-faced ground Tyrant (Dormilona tontita)
Four on 22nd April on the foreshore. Nine there on 23rd April. One on 24th April. One on 26th April. Five on 27th April. One on 29th April. Four on 30th April. 4 on 3rd May. 6 on the 6th May. 3 on 7th & 8th May. One on 10th, 11th, 12th, 13th, 14th & 15th May. One on 22nd May. 2 on 24th May. One on 26th May.
A pair are resident in the garden ever day. This is the southern form, which is migratory, so they might be gone soon. Last seen 2 on 3rd May.
Plain-mantled Tit-Spinetail (Lepasthenura aegithaloides)
One in the garden 13th April. One on 15th April. Two on 16th April. One on 17th, 21st, 22nd & 27th April. 1 on 29th & 30th April. One on 2nd & 4th May. One on 6th, 7th, 9th & 10th May. Two on 11th, 12th, 13th, 14th & 15th May. One on 16th; 18th; 21st; 22nd; 26th & 31st May.
Short-billed Canastero (Asthenes baeri)
Two in the dunes on 12th April. Two in the dunes on 6th May.
Dark-faced ground Tyrant (Dormilona tontita)
Four on 22nd April on the foreshore. Nine there on 23rd April. One on 24th April. One on 26th April. Five on 27th April. One on 29th April. Four on 30th April. 4 on 3rd May. 6 on the 6th May. 3 on 7th & 8th May. One on 10th, 11th, 12th, 13th, 14th & 15th May. One on 22nd May. 2 on 24th May. One on 26th May.
Tufted Tit-Tyrant (Anairetes parulus)
Two in the garden on 17th March. One in the garden 13th April. One on 16th April. One in the garden on 23rd April. One on 29th April. One on 1st May. One on 8th & 11th May.
White-crested Elaenia (Elaenia albiceps)
Two in the magic tree next to the garbage on 9th/10th April. One on 12th & 13th April. One on 14th April. One on 16th April. Two on 17th April. One on 18th & 19th April. Amazingly after all this time, one on 5th May.
Greater Wagtail-Tyrant (Stigmatura budytoides)
One came into roost on 10th April. Two in the dunes on 12th April. Two in the garden 14th April. One in the garden on 21st April.
Two in the garden on 17th March. One in the garden 13th April. One on 16th April. One in the garden on 23rd April. One on 29th April. One on 1st May. One on 8th & 11th May.
White-crested Elaenia (Elaenia albiceps)
Two in the magic tree next to the garbage on 9th/10th April. One on 12th & 13th April. One on 14th April. One on 16th April. Two on 17th April. One on 18th & 19th April. Amazingly after all this time, one on 5th May.
Greater Wagtail-Tyrant (Stigmatura budytoides)
One came into roost on 10th April. Two in the dunes on 12th April. Two in the garden 14th April. One in the garden on 21st April.
Great Kisadee (Pitangus sulphuratus)
A pair are ever present in the garden.
A pair are ever present in the garden.
Tropical Kingbird (Tyrannus melancholicus)
A pair with two well fledged young are regular visitors to the garden. Last seen early April.
A pair with two well fledged young are regular visitors to the garden. Last seen early April.
Blue & White Swallow (Pygochelidon cyanoleuca)
Small numbers 1-4 birds are an almost daily visitor hawking over the garden. 4 at dusk hawking over the beach. Very late record?
Small numbers 1-4 birds are an almost daily visitor hawking over the garden. 4 at dusk hawking over the beach. Very late record?
Chilean Swallow (Tachycincta meyeni)
1-2 birds seen almost daily over the garden.
1-2 birds seen almost daily over the garden.
Southern Martin (Progne elegans)
12 birds sat on wires on 20th March. Seen every day in small numbers (1-3) until 27th March.
12 birds sat on wires on 20th March. Seen every day in small numbers (1-3) until 27th March.
Brown chested Martin (Golondrina parda)
Common at dusk hawking over the garden from 20th March on wards. 6-8 birds involved. However, decreased rapidly in April with just 1-2 birds seen until 4th April. 1 on 8th April.
Common at dusk hawking over the garden from 20th March on wards. 6-8 birds involved. However, decreased rapidly in April with just 1-2 birds seen until 4th April. 1 on 8th April.
Southern House Wren (Troglodyts musculus)
A pair are ever present in the garden. One of the first birds to sing at dawn.
White tipped Plantcutter (Phytoma rutila)
A female sat on our balcony on 2nd April. A major surprise!
A pair are ever present in the garden. One of the first birds to sing at dawn.
White tipped Plantcutter (Phytoma rutila)
A female sat on our balcony on 2nd April. A major surprise!
Austral Thrush (Turdus falcklandii)
An abundant ever present in the gardens & the street. c.10 birds seen regularly.
White Monjita (Xolmis irupero)
One seen on 28th March in the garden. Seen again on 29/30th March. One on 15th April.
An abundant ever present in the gardens & the street. c.10 birds seen regularly.
White Monjita (Xolmis irupero)
One seen on 28th March in the garden. Seen again on 29/30th March. One on 15th April.
Chalk browed Mockingbird (Mimus saturinus)
Very common in the garden & street.
Patagonian Mockingbird (Mimus patagonicus)
A pair hawking insects from the rooftop at dusk on 31st March. This pair seen intermittently until 30th April. Up to four birds in early May.
Correndera Pipit (Anthus correndera)
One flew over the dunes & along the coast on 8th April. One in the dunes on 12th April.
Very common in the garden & street.
Patagonian Mockingbird (Mimus patagonicus)
A pair hawking insects from the rooftop at dusk on 31st March. This pair seen intermittently until 30th April. Up to four birds in early May.
Correndera Pipit (Anthus correndera)
One flew over the dunes & along the coast on 8th April. One in the dunes on 12th April.
Long tailed Meadowlark (Sturnella loyca)
One on 22nd March, then a pair were around until 30th March. Three in the dunes on 9th April. Two on 12th April. A flock of 15 in the dunes on 14th April. 3 on 15th, 16th & 17th April. 4 on 18th April. 2 on 22nd April. 1 on 24th April. 6 on 25th April. 17 on 26th April. 10 on 28th April. 2 on 30th April. 2 on 3rd May. 1 on 6th May. 3 on 10th, 11th; 15th & 17th May. 5 on 18th May.
Grassland Yellowfinch (Sicalis luteola)
A male in the street, behind the apartment on 8th April.
Mourning Sierra Finch (Phrygilus fruticeti)
One flushed from the dunes by a stray dog on 30th April. One in the dunes on 22nd May.
Common Diuca Finch (Diuca diuca)
A female in the tree close to the car port on 7th April. A pair in a tree in the street on 13th April. A female in the tree next to the garbage on 23rd April. A female on 11th May.
Blue & Yellow Tanager (Thraupis bonariensis)
A pair in the garden on 2nd April. A pair in the street on 13th April. Two on 29th April.
Yellow-winged Blackbird (Agelaius thilus)
A pair were seen on the dunes then just outside where we sea-watch on 8th April. female in the garden on 9th April.
Shiny Cowbird (Molothrus bonariensis)
6 first seen on 27th March. One to two birds present until 5th April. Always around the garbage spot in the street behind the apartment. 2 on 9th April. Three on 15th & 17th April. One on 20th April.
Screaming Cowbird (Molothrus rufoaxillaris)
One on 27th March.
Greyish Baywing (Agelaiodes badius)
Three birds on 3rd April in the street behind the apartment. One bird noted on 4th April. 2 on 9th April. 2 on 14th & 15th April. Two on 16th April. One on 2nd May. Four on 7th May. 2 on 18th May.
Rufous collared Sparrow (Zonotrichia capensis)
A pair visit the garden nearly every day.
Saffron Finch (Sicalis flaveola)
6 in the street on 16th April. 2 feeding on the lawn on 24th April. One in the garden on 26th, 28th & 29th April. 5 on 2nd May. 1 on 3rd May. 2 in the garden on 7th, 8th; 15th; 18th; 21st & 26th May.
Black-chinned Siskin (Carduelis barbatus)
Three (two males & a female) in the garden on 12th May.
Hooded Siskin (Carduelis magellanica)
Two flew over the apartment calling on 27th March. One flew over the garden on 9th April. Two on 10th April. Three flew over on 13th April. One on 21st May. 12 on 26th May.
One on 22nd March, then a pair were around until 30th March. Three in the dunes on 9th April. Two on 12th April. A flock of 15 in the dunes on 14th April. 3 on 15th, 16th & 17th April. 4 on 18th April. 2 on 22nd April. 1 on 24th April. 6 on 25th April. 17 on 26th April. 10 on 28th April. 2 on 30th April. 2 on 3rd May. 1 on 6th May. 3 on 10th, 11th; 15th & 17th May. 5 on 18th May.
Grassland Yellowfinch (Sicalis luteola)
A male in the street, behind the apartment on 8th April.
Mourning Sierra Finch (Phrygilus fruticeti)
One flushed from the dunes by a stray dog on 30th April. One in the dunes on 22nd May.
Common Diuca Finch (Diuca diuca)
A female in the tree close to the car port on 7th April. A pair in a tree in the street on 13th April. A female in the tree next to the garbage on 23rd April. A female on 11th May.
Blue & Yellow Tanager (Thraupis bonariensis)
A pair in the garden on 2nd April. A pair in the street on 13th April. Two on 29th April.
Yellow-winged Blackbird (Agelaius thilus)
A pair were seen on the dunes then just outside where we sea-watch on 8th April. female in the garden on 9th April.
Shiny Cowbird (Molothrus bonariensis)
6 first seen on 27th March. One to two birds present until 5th April. Always around the garbage spot in the street behind the apartment. 2 on 9th April. Three on 15th & 17th April. One on 20th April.
Screaming Cowbird (Molothrus rufoaxillaris)
One on 27th March.
Greyish Baywing (Agelaiodes badius)
Three birds on 3rd April in the street behind the apartment. One bird noted on 4th April. 2 on 9th April. 2 on 14th & 15th April. Two on 16th April. One on 2nd May. Four on 7th May. 2 on 18th May.
Rufous collared Sparrow (Zonotrichia capensis)
A pair visit the garden nearly every day.
Saffron Finch (Sicalis flaveola)
6 in the street on 16th April. 2 feeding on the lawn on 24th April. One in the garden on 26th, 28th & 29th April. 5 on 2nd May. 1 on 3rd May. 2 in the garden on 7th, 8th; 15th; 18th; 21st & 26th May.
Black-chinned Siskin (Carduelis barbatus)
Three (two males & a female) in the garden on 12th May.
Hooded Siskin (Carduelis magellanica)
Two flew over the apartment calling on 27th March. One flew over the garden on 9th April. Two on 10th April. Three flew over on 13th April. One on 21st May. 12 on 26th May.
House Sparrow (Passer domesticus)
An ever present resident in the garden, street & rooftops. Up to 15 birds daily.
114 species
An ever present resident in the garden, street & rooftops. Up to 15 birds daily.
114 species
Fab blog entry Dad, just reinforces that I don't have to feel sorry for you though, it looks amazing and look I read it! Love you xx
ReplyDeleteFinally! Ha! Ha!
DeleteLove you
Dad
xxxx