birding...

Black Jacobin - Melanotrochilus fuscus © Sergio Corbet sergiobdfan@thebirder.net

Otamendi Nature Reserve and southern Entre Rios province. Driving to the north of the city of Buenos Aires, along the Panamerican highway for about 60 km (40 miles) you will see to your right several signs showing you how to get to the nearby Otamendi Nature Reserve. This place gives the birder a chance to look at birds of the bushy highlands and the neighbouring marshy lowlands. This is the home to the Straight and Curve-billed Reedhaunters and the White-tipped Dove, Spectacled Tyrant, different Hummingbirds, Finches, Warblers and Tanagers. Grey-breasted Martins and White-rumped Swallows fly all over the place while in the adjacent marshes Brown and Yellow marshbirds and Scarlet-headed Blackbirds can be seen flying over the reeds with the Giant Wood Rail walking on the water edges. The Road-side hawk is very common.

Driving another 30 km (20 m.) to the north get off the Panamerican highway and turn to the left. The signs show you the way into southern Entre Rios crossing the large bridges over the Paraná river. The road is bordered by marshes and lagoons that are overflown by Caracaras, Picazuro Pigeons, while standing on the shores Southern Screamers and Limpkins can be seen together with Ibices and diferent Herons and the Roseate Spoonbills. Closer to the transition area where bushy trees appear we see the White Monjita, Double-collared Seedeater and Fork-tailed Flycatchers. Get off into the side roads and you will see many more unexpected birds.