wild parrots up close … · 2019. 10. 23. · wild parrots up close argentina and chile 2017 wild...

www.wildparrotsupclose.com WILD PARROTS UP CLOSE ARGENTINA AND CHILE 2017

WILD PARROTS UP CLOSE www.wildparrotsupclose.com [email protected]

ARGENTINA and CHILE

NOVEMBER 2017

This will be a trip to truly remember for all the right reasons. Patagonian Conures by the thousand with

Austral and Slender-billed Conures, are some of the special Parrots that cannot be seen in any other

country but also some amazing scenery with glorious colours of the mountains in the Salta/Jujuy

region, the coastal areas of the Valdes Peninsula and the lake crossings in Chile as well as lots of other

birds, including Flamingoes and Condors, and wildlife, including Right Whales, Sea Lions and

Elephant Seals, as we travel to the North-west and Patagonian regions of Argentina and into Chile.

OUTLINE ITINERARY 2017

Day 1 October 30th Arrive Buenos Aires

Day 2 October 31st Salta and Rosario de la Frontera for 2 sub-

species of Maximillians Parrot (P.m.siy and

P.m.lacerus) and Blue fronted Amazon (A.a.xanthopteryx)

Day 3 November 1st Huaico Reserve and San Lorenzo for Mitred

Conure and Tucuman Amazon

Day 4 November 2nd Custa del Obispo for Sierra Parakeet and Andean sub-species of the Patagonian

Burrowing Parrot

Day 5 November 3rd Los Perales and Humahuaca Valley for Mountain Parakeet and Blue crowned

Conure

Day 6 November 4th Jujuy o Yala for White eyed Conure and

Green cheeked Conure (P.m.australi)

Day 7 November 5th Calilegua for Monk Parakeet (M.m.calita)

and Yellow collared Macaw

Day 8 November 6th Calilegua for Maximillians Pionus (P.m.siy)

and Tucuman Amazon

Day 9 November 7th Libertador San Martin for Yellow

chevroned Parakeet (B.c.behni)

Day

10 November 8th

Salta for flight to Buenos Aires

Day 11 November 9th Buenos Aires to Trelew and onto our

lodge at Puerto Piramides

Day 12 November 10th Valdes Peninsula for Right Whales, Orcas, Elephant Seals and Sea Lions

Day 13 November 11th Chubut River Valley for Monk Parakeet and Patagonian Burrowing Parrots

Day 14 November 12th

Trelew to Buenos Aires to Bariloche


Bariloche for Austral Conures


Travel to Puerto Montt, Chile via roads

and lakes


Chiloe for Slender billed Conures


Puerto Montt to Buenos Aires or Santiago


Buenos Aires/Santiago to Home

http://www.wildparrotsupclose.com/




ITINERARY

30th October

The group meets up for the first time at our hotel in

Buenos Aires

31st October

We will be taking a morning flight to Salta in the

North-west. From the airport we initially will travel

south to Rosario de la Frontera.

Northwestern Argentina is a land full of spectacular

landscapes and with a vast cultural heritage. Remnants

of buildings and roads from the “Great Inca Empire of

the Sun” can still be found everywhere here, and many

cultural events and pre-Hispanic rituals, such as that in

honor of the “Pacha Mama” (Mother Earth), are still

celebrated by the locals. Andean music is heard

everywhere, and people still play their traditional

instruments. This incredibly varied region has a great

diversity of natural habitats, ranging from Yungas

Cloudforest to dry Chaco Woodlands. The three

provinces in the north-westernmost part of Argentina,

Jujuy, Salta and Tucuman, host some pristine

representatives of these habitats, all worth visiting for

birders to find both diversity and good numbers of

native species.

Rosario de la Frontera gives our first chances of

parrots in the form of Maximillians or Scaly-headed

Parrots, Blue-fronted Amazons and Monk

Parakeets.

Overnight in Rosario de la Frontera

1st November

After an early morning look for more of the parrots

here we then travel back towards Salta and the

Huaico Reserve near to San Lorenzo where we can

see the Scaly-headed Parrots once again but also the

Mitred Conure and Tucuman Amazon

Overnight in San Lorenzo

2nd November

Today we will visit the area of Custa del Obispo to

look for the Sierra Parakeet and the Andean sub-

species of the Patagonian Burrowing Parrot.





Forming a wedge along the southern Andean chains of

Bolivia and northwestern Argentina, the Yungas

Cloudforest supports one of the greatest biological

diversities in the Neotropics. It harbors a wide variety of

forests and woodlands, each hosting its own and unique

community of flora and fauna, and all varying according

with their altitudinal ranges. Wildlife is abundant in this

humid environment. Ferns, bromeliads and other

epiphytic plants are particularly stunning here, and they

cover every single corner of the forest. This biological

treasure is well protected within the boundaries of

several national parks and nature reserves and we plan

to explore it thoroughly in different areas.

Overnight in San Lorenzo

3rd November

Travelling further north to Jujuy o Yala visiting Los

Perales and the Humahuaca Valley this time we

search for the Mountain Parakeet Tucuman Amazon

and the Blue-crowned Conure.

Just south of the Humahuaca Valley lays the small

village of Yala and the yala River, which is bordered by

lush Yungas cloudforest. Exploring this area is a unique

experience for naturalists. Remarkable bird species,

such as Rufous-throated Dipper, Torrent Duck, Red-

faced Guan and Lyre-tailed Nightjar, are restricted to

this particular ecosystem. A local reserve just above

Yala protects a good stand of pure Alder forest, offering

great chances to visit yet another habitat, with its own

and particular wildlife.

Overnight in Jujuy o Yala

4th November

In Yala itself we will look for some of the Conures

in the area, White-eyed, Green-cheeked, Blue-

crowned and Mitred Conures

Overnight in Jujuy o Yala

5th November

Travelling slightly further north again getting close

to the Bolivian Border we visit the pristine Yungas

of the Calilegua National Park with chances of the

Tucuman and Blue-fronted Amazons again as well

as Yellow-collared Macaws and if we are lucky

maybe the Military Macaw

Overnight in Libertador San Martin





6th November

Our second day in the Calilegua National Park

again looking for the Amazons and Macaws but

also searching for the four Conures as well as the

Mountain and Monk Parakeets and the Scaly-

headed Parrots once again just in case we missed

them elsewhere or even see a different behavior or

even try to get that bit closer for the better photos.

Overnight in Libertador San Martin

7th November

An adventurous day today as we collect our 4x4

vehicles and go off-road to look for the Yellow

chevroned Parakeets which will be the larger sub-

species of the one found in a large part of Brazil.

Overnight in Libertador San Martin.

Wildlife Highlights for the North-west are Andean,

Puna and Chilean Flamingo, Vicuna, Red-brocket

Deer, Red-tailed Comet, Chinchilla, King Vulture,

and an incredible diversity of Cacti hopefully we

have seen most if not all of these as well as many

other species including all the parrots.

8th November

Our time in the North-west comes to an end after a

morning of birding around the area and looking out

for those elusive species once again before driving

back to Salta for our afternoon flight onto Buenos

Aires.

Overnight in Buenos Aires

9th November

The next part of our Argentinian Adventure now

begins by flying from Buenos Aires to Trelew

where we pick up our vehicle and go onto our lodge

at Puerto Piramides.

We are now in the Eastern Patagonia region a land

of vast solitudes. It is here where the arid steppes of

the Patagonian Plateau reach the Atlantic Ocean.

Tall sedimentary cliffs frame endless gravel

beaches providing shelter to innumerable seabirds

and marine mammals that make their home in these

remote, barren shores.

Overnight in Puerto Piramides

10th November

Travelling a short distance today for our visit to the

Valdes Peninsula, a designated World Natural

Heritage Site, and arguably the richest nature

reserve in Eastern Patagonia.





This area is home to more than 32.000 Southern

Elephant Seals and over 8,000 Southern Sea Lions,

but it is best known for its cetaceans, with roughly

1,000 Southern Right Whales relying on these

waters yearly to complete their breeding cycle and

its world-renowned population of sea-lion hunting

Orcas. A boat trip here helps us to see lots of these

amazing animals.

Overnight in Trelew

11th November

We head in a different direction today to the Chubut

River Valley looking for Monk Parakeet and

Patagonian Burrowing Parrots both different sub-

species of the ones we hopefully were able to see in

the North-west – can you spot the difference?

Driving through the steppe, we will always have

chances to see and photograph several land

mammals and birds.

Herds of Guanaco still roam freely in the endless

steppes of Patagonia. The Mara, or Patagonian Cavy, is

the largest rodent in Patagonia. It is an Argentine

endemic and the entire population is restricted to the

driest areas of central Argentina and Northern

Patagonia. Their smaller cousin, Patagonian Lesser

Cavy is frequently found taking the sun just outside

Magellanic Penguins’ burrows, where they shelter. Two

species of armadillo: Large Hairy and Pichi live here as

well. Other mammals possibly found along the way

include Lesser Grisson, Humboldt’s Hog-nosed Skunk,

Geoffroy’s Cat and 2 species of Fox: Patagonian Grey

and Culpeo.

Birds in this part of the world are really unique since

many of them are restricted to the Patagonian region

such as White-headed Steamer-Duck, Rusty-backed

Monjita, Band-tailed Earthcreeper, Patagonian

Canastero and Carbonated Sierra-finch among others.It

is also here where the largest colonies of Magellanic

Penguin can be found with up to about one million

nesting penguins raising their young and molting their

feathers every year.

Although we will enjoy all the sights of the wildlife

in this region our main target will be the Burrowing

Parrots or Patagonian Conures. 70-80,000 nest in

the shoreline cliffs every year and we should have

chances of seeing lots of them with many

opportunities for photographing these amazing

Parrots.

Overnight in Trelew





12th November

After an early morning birding expedition we have

the remainder of the day travelling with a flight

back to Buenos Aires and then another flight onto

Bariloche on the border of Chile San Carlos de Bariloche (commonly called Bariloche) is

a town in Argentina’s Patagonia region. It borders

Nahuel Huapi, a large glacial lake surrounded by the

Andes Mountains. Bariloche is known for its Swiss

alpine-style architecture and its chocolate, sold in shops

lining Calle Mitre, the main street. It's also a popular

base for hiking and skiing the nearby mountains and

exploring the surrounding Lake District.

We arrive after the skiing season so hopefully not too

cold although I think we may need some warmer

clothing for this part of the trip.

Overnight in Bariloche

13th November

We explore the area for the Austral Parakeets or

Conures the most southerly found Parrot in the

Neotropics. We should also see lots of other birds,

most notably the Andean Condor, and maybe a few

mammals in the region

Overnight in Bariloche

14th November

We now have another travel day although this one

will be a bit more relaxed as we travel to Puerto

Montt, Chile via road and boats as we traverse the

lakes across Chile taking in the amazing scenery.

Snow-capped volcanoes provide unique

opportunities for some landscape photography.

Puerto Montt is a port city in southern Chile’s Lake

District, known as a gateway to the Andes mountains

and the Patagonian fjords. The city’s neoclassical

cathedral, built from wood in the 19th century,

overlooks Plaza de Armas square. Nearby, Casa del

Arte Diego Rivera displays contemporary works by local

and national artists. Just outside the city lie Caleta de

Angelmó Market and Calbuco, an active volcano.

Overnight in Puerto Montt

15th November

After a day of travelling and hopefully re-charging

our own body-batteries again we now have a full

day to find the Slender-billed Conure, locally

known as a Choroy, and the only endemic parrot

species in Chile so definitely one to watch.

Overnight in Puerto Montt





16th November

All good things must come to an end or do they as

we now have a choice – do we take a flight back to

Buenos Aires, Argentina and see the city sights or

do we fly to Santiago, Chile and explore that city

instead? Whoever books this trip will have the

chance to choose. If we choose Santiago then there

would be a possibility of starting the whole trip a

day or two early to take in the attractions that

Buenos Aires has to offer. I am open to

suggestions!!!

Overnight in Buenos Aires or Santiago.

17th November Whichever city we decided to fly onto we could

spend an extra day there or fly home today

whatever the decision I am sure we will all go home

with some extraordinary memories and probably

lots of photos.

You should have your wide angle lens available

wherever we go as the scenery will be extraordinary

and changes around every corner but equally you

should have your long lens available for the parrots

and wildlife, they will be everywhere. Maybe take 2

cameras to be ready for anything – I will be!!

PRICE - per person sharing a double/twin room

single supplement

DEPOSIT

Balance to be paid 90 days before the start of the

trip and can be paid in instalments as long as the

total is paid before the 90 days

Included services:

• Full time English-speaking birding local leader.

• Private transportation for all transfers and

excursions.

• Accommodations on a twin/double room

basis with breakfast included.

Please bear in mind that breakfast in Argentina and

Chile is NOT American style, and it normally

includes only a hot beverage toast, croissants, butter

and jam.

• All rooms en-suite

• All lunches, boxed-lunches and dinners from

lunch on the 31st October to 15th November

excluding dinner on the 8th November

• Admission fees to all national parks and nature

reserves.

• Local guides where required by law.

• Drinkable water on board the vehicles while on

tour.

• Cross Lake services on November 14th

• Regular navigation for watching the Right

Whales in Valdés Peninsula on November 10th.

Not included:

• International and domestic airfares and airport

taxes.

• Personal travel and medical insurance.

• Tips of any kind

• Anything not stated on “Included services”





PARROTS TO BE SEEN ON THIS TRIP

PARROTS SOUTHERN

ARGENTINA & CHILE NORTHWEST ARGENTINA

Military Macaw Ara militaris bolivianus X – very slim chance

Yellow-collared Macaw Primolius auricollis X

Nanday Conure Aratinga nenday X

Blue-crowned Conure Thectocercus acuticaudatus acuticaudatus

X

White eyed Conure Psittacara leucophthalmus leucophthalmus

X

Mitred Conure Psittacara mitrata mitrata X

Peach-fronted Conure Eupsittula aurea X

Patagonian Conure Cyanoliseus patagonus patagonus X

Patagonian Conure Cyanoliseus patagonus andinus X

Monk Parakeet Myiopsitta monachus monachus X X

Monk Parakeet Myiopsitta monachus calita X X

Austral Conure Enicognathus ferrugineus minor X

Slender-billed Conure Enicognathus leptorhynchus X

Green-cheeked Conure Pyrrhura molinae australis X

Sierra Parakeet Psilopsiagon aymara X

Mountain Parakeet Psilopsiagon aurifrons margaritae X

Yellow-chevroned Parakeet Brotogeris chiriri behni X

Scaly-headed Parrot Pionus maximiliani lacerus X

Scaly-headed Parrot Pionus maximiliani siy X

Blue-fronted Amazon Amazona aestival xanthopteryx X

Tucuman Amazon Amazona tucumana X

All of the Parrots listed above occur within the regions we will be visiting on this trip to Argentina & Chile. There are more Parrots to be found in these countries but not on this trip. I cannot guarantee seeing all of the Parrots on any of my trips but we will try extremely hard to see, photo and or video or even just observe as many as possible.

To enquire about this trip for more information or booking please contact:- STEVE BROOKES

at

WILD PARROTS UP CLOSE [email protected]



mailto:[email protected]

wild parrots up close … · 2019. 10. 23. · wild parrots up close argentina and chile 2017 wild...

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