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Argentina Buenos Aires City

Roadside Hawk Buteo magnirostris Š Steve Blain http://www.steveblain.co.uk

Having so many distinctive natural regions, Argentina offers very interesting birding opportunities. The wide latitudinal range includes tropical rainforests the north to the vast wind-swept Patagonian steppe in the south. The central pampas and hills, the Andes mountains along the western border with Chile and the eastern seacoast complete the basic picture of the country.

Argentina is still mostly wild and unspoilt, so visitors will be fascinated by the wide expanses, the great views and the chance to bird in solitary and remote places. In contrast, Buenos Aires is a large city. Even so, there are a number of nature reserves, which are good for birding. Of outstanding interest is the Costanera Sur Nature Reserve, due to its immediate proximity to the city centre, making it very convenient. Other nearby sites, described below, are also of interest.

Many farms close to Buenos Aires offer day visits to see the pampas. Some are geared as a show of traditional gaucho activities (dances, rodeos, etc. plus the incomparable asado barbecue,); but others do offer good birding outings, which will typically take you out on the grasslands, through native or implanted forests and past swampy lagoons. To get further afield, tour operators provide excellent day trips and longer excursions to spot Argentina`s more than 1,000 bird species. The main places are outlined below...

top sites

Costanera Sur Nature Reserve

This place is walking distance from the city centre. From Florida St. head down Córdoba Ave. towards the port area. Some 100 yards after crossing a small bridge you arrive at the northern entrance gate. Once in the reserve, you have more than 5 miles of different trails that take you bordering bushes, lagoons and the Rio de la Plata shore. Here you will be able to see shore birds, many different waterfowl including, gallinules, grebes, swans, etc. There are various herons, pigeons, rails, thrushes, etc. Some of the likely species are: Green-barred Woodpecker, Rufous Hornero, Black-and-rufous Warbling-Finch, Bay-winged Cowbird, Masked Gnatcatcher, and many others. Restrooms are found only at the Visitor`s Centre, some 2,000 m south of the northern entrance.

Iberá Wetlands

The huge Iberá wetlands, in the northeastern province of Corrientes, is a must with great birding in lagoons reed beds and tall grass. Not far from there is another prolific region: the Chaco, with its diverse vegetation including palms and quebracho forests.

National and Provincial Parks

- Argentina has many National and Provincial Parks dotted throughout the country. All of them are excellent for birding. Each park protects very different natural environments, assuring a wide variety of bird species. Most are also beautifully scenic. Touring these parks will take you to the cloudforests of Calilegua in the north-western province of Jujuy, the dry and wet regions of the Chaco, the andean forests near Bariloche and Esquel, the palm-belt near Colon in Entre Ríos province, or marine birds from the coasts of Tierra del Fuego.

Puerto Madryn

Puerto Madryn, in Patagonia, is a good base from which to explore both the coast and the steppe. From here many tours offer day trips to Punta Tombo, the largest Magellanic Penguin colony, or to see the curious wildlife of the Valdéz Peninsula.

Rainforests of Misiones

The rainforests of Misiones support a vast diversity of birds, while also offering a chance to see the spectacular Iguazú falls. A guide is recommended for this destination due to the difficulty of identification of very similar birds, and also to expose many species that often remain hidden in the undergrowth.

contributor

Alec Earnshaw
Guide
aearnshaw@sinectis.com.ar
http://www.geocities.com/fotosaves/Birds.html

Sergio Corbet
sergiobdfan@surfbirder.com

useful reading

Birds of Argentina and Uruguay - A field guide

Birds of Argentina and Uruguay - A field guide - GOLD EDITION by Tito Narosky, Dario Yzurieta & Hector Rivarola (Illustrator), Marioano Moldes (Translator) - Paperback - 348 pages - 15th Edition - (May 2003) [The English translation of 1st edition by Maurice Earnshaw - Vazquez Mazzini Editores
ISBN: 987913205X
Buy this book from NHBS.com

Books, CDs, DVDs etc.

See the main Brazil page for guides etc. covering the whole country...

clubs

Administración de Parques Nacionales

http://www.parquesnacionales.gov.ar/
The National Parks organization of Argentina. The interesting web site has information on every National Park and other reserves.
Address: Santa Fe 690 - (1059) Buenos Aires Phone: [5411] 4311-0303 [Website in Spanish only]

Aves Argentinas Asociación Ornitológica del Plata

http://www.avesargentinas.org.ar
Now 85 years old, is the first NGO in Argentina created to address environmental issues. It is the local partner of Birdlife International. It promotes conservation of the wild bird population, runs many courses, encourages studies and runs several conservation projects.
Address: 25 de Mayo 749 2ş Piso, Buenos AiresPhone: (54-11) 4312-8958; (54-11) 4312-1015 (spanish-language site) email: info@avesargentinas.org.ar

museums

Museo Argentina de Ciencias Naturales (MACN)

http://www.macn.secyt.gov.ar
The Museo Argentina de Ciencias Naturales (MACN) has on display many stuffed animals including a large collection of birds with rarities such as a Harpy Eagle. The museum is an important center of study and stores an important collection of bird skins.
Address: Av. Angel Gallardo 470 (1405) - Buenos Aires Phone: (5411) 4982-0306 or -1154 or 5243 Fax: (5411) 4982-4494 [The website is in Spanish only] e-mail: macn@musbr.org.secyt.gov.ar.

Museo de Ciencias Naturales de La Plata

http://www.welcomeargentina.com/paseos/museo_ciencias_naturales/index_i.html?idcorredor=&origen=
Another interesting museum in the city of La Plata, has some displays with stuffed birds.

reserves

Reserva de Vicente Lopez

http://www.fotosaves.com.ar/Lugares.html
Right by the American Lincoln School in La Lucila, who shares in the running of the place. Small place with short but attractive walk around a lagoon, crossing a swamp. High tides have just knocked down the longer of two elevated walkways over the lagoon. Hopefully this will be restored by December 2002. Good for seeing Spot-flanked Gallinule, Southern Lapwing (in nearby playingfield) and White-browed Blackbird (in summer)Address: Where Parana Street meets the Rio de la Plata Coast. Parking space. Enter grounds and walk between costline and playing field to the fenced-in protected area. There is a Visitor Center, with posters, small reference library, restroom, warden (not permanent). Good security provided by permanent police patrol. Open: 9am to 5pm (winter) and 9am to 6pm (summer) Phone: (5411) 4795-7445

Reserva Ecológica Costanera Sur

http://www.gcba.gov.ar/areas/med_ambiente/reserva/?menu_id=2486
La Reserva Ecológica Costanera Sur es un espacio verde con características únicas dentro de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires...

Reserva Natural Puerto de la ciudad de Mar del Plata

http://www.reservanatural.org.ar/
La Reserva Natural Puerto cuenta con aproximadamente 40 has. y se encuentra en jurisdicción del Partido de Gral. Pueyredón (Pcia. de Buenos Aires) en el predio ubicado al sur del Puerto de Mar del Plata...

Ribera Norte Nature Reserve

http://www.geocities.com/riberan/Birding.htm
Ribera Norte is an excellent place for birding. I have personally seen over 160 species here. If your are visiting Buenos Aires, birding at Costanera Sur is a must due to its proximity and greaater avian diversity, but Ribera Norte has its singular attractions too...

trip reports

Travelling Birder
http://www.travellingbirder.com
The Travellingbirder.com birding trip report search engine guides you to 7,000+ birding trip reports on the Internet. You can search for trip reports from a specific country and time of year. Not all these reports are in English. So, if you cant find the trip report you want on this Fatbirder page give them a try!

2000 [May] - Ignaas Robbe - Costanera Sur Reserve

http://www.birdtours.co.uk/tripreports/argentina/arg6/CostaneraSur2000.htm
To reach the reserve you just walk down the Avda Corrientes from the Obelisco then you take the bridge over the dock straight on until some old docks and then you go right, to the entrance of the reserve itself, a 20 minutes walk from the Obelisco.

local guides

Alec Earnshaw

http://www.geocities.com/riberan/index_en.htm
Alec Earnshaw is available to guide you around Ribera Norte Nature Reserve and on daytrips to all the hotspots in the BA area. He can also supply maps, plans, bird lists, photos, opening times, etc. Do the illustrated virtual trail walk now! See photos of birds, native plants, etc.

Birding Argentina EVT

http://www.birding-argentina.com/
This birding and travel organisation was founded by some of the leading birder guides with ample experience in taking groups to all corners of the country. Good English spoken. Well equipped with spotting scopes and the best recording equipment and birdcall stock. The best-available knowledge on birding in Argentina. info@birding-argentina.com Buenos Aires office: 25 de Mayo 758 10ş "G", (1002) Buenos Aires Phone: (+54-11) 4312-0928
Puerto Madryn Office: Viamonte 155, (9120) Puerto Madryn, Chubut, Phone/Fax: (+54-2965) 45-1758
Iguazú, Misiones Office: Palmeras y Tacuara, (3370) Iguazú Misiones, Phone/Fax: (+54-3757) 42-0157

Birding Pal

http://birdingpal.org/Argentina.htm
Local birders willing to show visiting birders around their area...

artists

Photographer - Alec Earnshaw

http://www.fotosaves.com.ar/index_english.html
Includes 500+ of his own photos of Argentine birds - great stuff [as well as information on some birding places in the BA area. Alec is available as a guide to drive you out to the best hotspots].