Acknowledgements

We would like to thank the following for assistance with our preparation for this trip. Barry Wright for supplying a copy of his tape recordings and for much useful pre-trip advice, Jon Hornbuckle for a copy of his detailed trip report and some useful advice, Howard & Thais Armstrong for obtaining and forwarding site information kindly provided by their friends, Barry & Gail Cooper for sending us site information, a map and for putting us in contact with Al Jaramillo who kindly pointed us in the direction of some of the scarcer species.

Itinerary
31/10 Left Heathrow 19.15hrs on LA5711 to Madrid arriving at 22.30hrs.

1/11 Left Madrid 00.40hrs on LA5705 to Santiago arriving at 10.15hrs. Collected Saloon Car at airport and drove to coast at Vina del Mar and onto Quintero arriving at 15.00 due to road-works and heavy traffic along Route 68. Arranged a pelagic with Franco Tel. 09-4938948 aboard his MV Franco Romo for the 2^nd. Spent the rest of day at the mouth of the Rio Aconcagua and along the coast at Punta Concon. Stayed at some Tourist Cabins near the Rio Aconcagua costing £28.

2/11 Pelagic off Quintero from 7.00 for 6 hours costing a total of US$85 (including US$15 for chum). Spent an hour around our tourist complex before driving to La Campana spending the evening walking the 'road' adjacent to the Campsites. And a side-track leading across the scrubby hillsides. Cost £9 to camp deciding to sleep in the car. 

3/11 La Campana walking to the mine and back. Left at 15.00 driving back to Santiago staying in the grim Aeropuerto Motel for £15.

4/11 Left Santiago at 07.55 on LA380 to Inquique and onto Arica arriving at 11.25. Collect pick-up at Arica Airport and drove south along the coast to the Alacran Peninsula and then inland to the Azapa Valley concentrating around KM11 before heading north to the Lluta Valley birding around Km3 before leaving at 19.00 for the 2 hour drive to Putre staying in the good value Paloma Cabins for £6.

5/11 All day at Putre birding the gullies around the village.

6/11 Early morning drive to Lauca where birded until 13.30 when returned to Putre as JFC suffering badly from altitude sickness.

7/11 DC drove back to Lauca early morning and birded until midday leaving JFC in bed still suffering badly from altitude sickness. Drove down to Arica in the afternoon and south to the Chaca Valley c.50km south of Arica. Stayed in a Hotel along the road to Azapa for £21.

8/11 Early morning drive back to Lauca arriving at 7.30 and spent all day there leaving at 18.00 driving back to our Azapa hotel.

9/11 Early morning birding along the Chaca Valley leaving at 8.00 and returned to Km11 along the Azapa Valley. Left at 9.00 leaving Arica at 12.00 on LA 381 to Iquique arriving 12.35. Left Iquique at 15.45 on LA173 to Antafagusta arriving 16.30. Left Antafagusta at 17.15 on LA350 to Calama arriving at 17.50. Collected pick-up at airport at 18.00 and drove out to San Pedro Atacama arriving after dark finding a room to stay at Hostal Quinta Adela Tel. 55 85 12 72 for £20.

10/11 Drove to Laguna Miscanti where birded until early afternoon before returning to San Pedro.

11/11 Left San Pedro dropping pick-up at Calama airport and left Calama at 11.45 on LA143 to Santiago arriving at 14.30. Left Santiago at 15.35 on LA247 to Conception arriving at 16.35. Collected pick-up at airport and drove to Laguna del Laja arriving after dark with the final 17km of road in poor condition. Slept in the pick-up at the entrance gate for 30pence.

12/11 All day Laguna Laja concentrating along 'Trail B' and overnight in the vehicle.

13/11 Morning again along 'Trail B' and then drove through rain to Nahuelbuta walking the track between the entrance gate and the campsite and back before sleeping in the vehicle inside the National Park for free.

14/11 All day Nahuelbuta concentrating on 'Trail B' and along the track to the entrance gate again sleeping in our vehicle.

15/11 Awoke to heavy rain so drove via Angol, Los Sauces, Puren, Pelaco, Cantete to Conception. Hotel near the airport for £26.

16/11 Dropped off pick-up at airport and left Conception at 9.30 on LA2 to Santiago arriving 10.25. Left Santiago at 11.00 on LA85 to Puerto Montt and onto Punta Arenas arriving at 15.20. Collected pick-up at airport and drove to the Punta Dungeness road sleeping in the vehicle.

17/11 Early morning birding the first 24km of the Punta Dungeness road before driving to Punta Delgada taking the car ferry for £10 to Tierra del Fuego and drive to Laguna Cisnes 19Km north of Porvenir. On to Porvenir sleeping in the vehicle at the airport.

18/11 Early morning visit to Laguna Cisnes before taking ferry back to Punta Delgada and onto driving the first 20km along the Pali Aike road before returning towards Punta Arenas driving c.70km north along the Puerto Natales road before driving to the Seno Otway Penguin colony arriving after dark and sleeping in the vehicle.

19/11 Drove the Seno Otway road and then the Punta Prat road until 11.00 before dropping off pick-up at airport at 11.45. Left Punta Arenas after a 4 hour delay at 16.35 on LA280 to Santiago arriving at 20.45 driving out to San Jose de Maipo arriving at 23.45 and sleeping in the vehicle along a side road.

20/11 All day along the road to El Yeso staying in a cabin at San Gabriel for £20.

21/11 Drove to El Yeso Resevoir leaving at midday driving for 6 hours to Quintero arranging another pelagic with Franco finding a cabin near Concon for £20. Spent evening birding dunes near the mouth of the Rio Aconcagua.

22/11 Pelagic for 7 hours from 07.00 costing US$90. Spent afternoon again in the dunes near the Rio Aconcagua and the evening at Punta Concon staying in the same cabin.

23/11 Drove back to Santiago leaving Santiago at 14.05 on LA5704 to Madrid arriving at 6.55 on 24^th.

24/11 Left Madrid 10.15 after an hour's delay on IB3162 arriving Heathrow 11.35.

Systematic List

We have attempted, where possible, to assign species to a subspecies level based primarily on ranges using Birds of the World: A Checklist, Fifth Edition (2000) by J.F. Clements, Birds of the High Andes, First Edition (1990) by J. Fjeldsa & N. Krabbe, The Birds of South America Vols. I & II, First Editions (1989) (1994) by R.S. Ridgely & G. Tudor and Handbook of the Birds of the World Vols. 1 - 6, (1992 - 2001) by J. del Hoyo, A. Elliott and J. Sargatal. Taxonomy largely follows Birds of the World: A Checklist, Fifth Edition (2000) by J.F. Clements.

Lesser Rhea - Rhea pennata tarapacensis / pennata
We saw a pair of Puna Rheas R.p. tarapacensis just west of the Police checkpoint in Lauca National Park on the 6^th and DC saw 1 in the same area the following day. Lesser Rheas P.t. pennata were a  common sight whilst driving the roads to the north of Punta Arenas with 60 seen on the 16^th, 20 seen on the 17^th, 40 on the 18^th and 15 on the 15^th. Somewhat surprisingly, none were seen on Tierra del Fuego. Lesser Rhea is classified as Near-threatened by BirdLife (2000) which states 'all populations have declined markedly and the northern subspecies are in serious danger of extinction'.

Ornate Tinamou - Nothoprocta ornata ornata
Seen both in the early morning and late in the afternoons whilst driving the stretch of road between Putre and Lauca National Park. We saw 8 on the 6^th, 14 on the 7^th and 12 on the 8^th.

Chilean Tinamou - Nothoprocta perdicaria perdicaria / sanborni
We saw 3 together in a Downland-like field just east of Vegas Blancas on our way to Nahuelbuta National Park on the 13^th.

Puna Tinamou - Tinamotis pentlandii
We saw 3 together walking slowly across the plain between Laguna Miscanti and Laguna Menique on the 10^th. Superb.

Humboldt Penguin - Spheniscus humboldti
We saw 15 from Punta Concon during the evening of the 1^st and 2 from our first pelagic trip off Quintero on the 2^nd. Humboldt Penguin is classified as Vulnerable by BirdLife (2000) which states 'an overall reduction in the number of breeding colonies indicates that there is probably an ongoing, underlying decline in both range and its population'.

Magellanic Penguin - Speniscus magellanicus
We saw 5 from the ferry from Punta Delgada to Tierra del Fuego on the 17^th, 1 stood on a beach along the Punta Prat road on the 19^th and 6 from our second pelagic trip off Quintero on the 22^nd. This species is classified as Near-threatened by BirdLife (2000) which states 'overall, trends are uncertain but there are significant declines in some areas and substantial mortality owing to a variety of on-going threats'.

White-tufted Grebe - Rollandia rolland chilensis
We saw 3 on a lake near Casablanca on the 3^rd, 3 near Peleco on the 15^th, 1 on a roadside lake whilst driving towards Puerto Natales on the 18^th and 1 along the Quebrada Las Majadillas just north of the Rio Aconcagua on the 21^st.

Great Grebe - Podiceps major major / navasi
We saw 2 P.m. major on the Rio Aconcagua on the 1^st, 15 on a lake near Casablanca on the 3^rd, 3 near Peleco on the 15^th and 2 P.m. navasi in Porvenir harbour on the 17^th.

Silvery Grebe - Podiceps occipitalis occipitalis / juninensis
We saw 2 P.o. ocipitalis with bright yellow ear-tufts on the sea at Punta Concon on the 1^st, 8 P.o. juninensis lacking distinctly coloured ear-tufts in Lauca National Park on the 6^th with 6 seen there on the 7^th and 50, including good numbers on Lago Chungara, on the 8^th.

Black-browed Albatross - Thalassarche melanophris melanophris
We saw 10 on our pelagic trip off Quintero on the 2^nd and 5 on our second trip off Quintero on the 22^nd with most being immatures. This species is classified as Near-threatened by BirdLife (2000) which states 'documented declines may be attributable to the development of new longline fisheries over much of the Patagonian Shelf, around South Georgia and off the southern African coast'.

Salvin's Shy Albatross - Thalassarche cauta salvini
We saw 8 on our pelagic trip off Quintero on the 2^nd and 6 on our second pelagic trip off Quintero on the 22^nd. Salvin's Shy Albatross is classified as Vulnerable by BirdLife (2000) which states 'breeding is largely restricted to one tiny island group'.

Chatham Island Shy Albatross - Thalassarche cauta eremita

We saw a near-adult Shy Albatross with a distinctly yellow-orange bill although its head was not as dark as we would have expected for this subspecies although immature plumages remain undescribed. Chatham Island Shy Albatross is classified as Critical by BirdLife (2000) which states the breeding 'islet has undergone a significant decline in habitat condition as a result of extreme weather events'.

Antarctic Giant Petrel - Macronectes giganteus
We saw 2 on our pelagic trip off Quintero on the 2^nd, 1 from Punta Delgada on the 18^th and 2 on our second pelagic trip off Quintero on the 22^nd. Antarctic Giant Petrel is classified as Vulnerable by BirdLife (2000) which states 'this species is inferred to have sustained a population reduction of at least 20% over the last 60 years probably owing to interactions with longline fisheries although it is also sensitive to human disturbance such as tourist activities, ship movements and overflights'.

Southern Fulmar - Fulmarus glacialoides
We saw 10 on our pelagic trip off Quintero on the 2^nd and 8 on our second pelagic trip off Quintero on the 22^nd.

Cape Petrel - Daption capense capense
We saw 8 on our pelagic trip off Quintero on the 2^nd and 8 on our second pelagic trip off Quintero on the 22^nd.

Juan Fernandez Petrel - Pterodroma externa
We saw 10 on our second pelagic trip off Quintero on the 22^nd with many birds giving excellent views alongside and behind the boat being seen at a range of down to 20-30 metres. Superb. Juan Fernandez Petrel is classified as Vulnerable by BirdLife (2000) which states 'confirmation that introduced predators are causing a decline would result in an upgrading to Critical'.

Defilippe's Petrel - Pterodroma defilippiana
We saw 40 on our second pelagic trip off Quintero on the 22^nd with some giving excellent views down to a range of 20-30 metres. Superb. Defilippe's Petrel is classified as Vulnerable by BirdLife (2000) which states 'it has a very small breeding range at three or four locations'.

White-chinned Petrel - Procellaria aequinoctialis aequinoctialis
We saw 20 on our pelagic trip off Quintero on the 2^nd and 5 on our second pelagic trip off Quintero on the 22^nd. White-chinned Petrel is classified as Vulnerable by BirdLife (2000) which states that 'given likely recent massive mortality in longline fisheries, the probability that these circumstances will continue and its susceptibility to predation and loss of breeding habitat, a rapid and substantial population decrease is almost inevitable'.

Westland Petrel - Procellaria westlandica
We saw 2 on our pelagic trip off Quintero on the 2^nd. Westland Petrel is classified as Vulnerable by BirdLife (2000) which states 'if monitoring confirms that this species is declining, it should be upgraded to Critical'.

Pink-footed Shearwater - Puffinus creatopus
We saw 700 on our pelagic trip off Quintero on the 2^nd and 500 on our second pelagic trip off Quintero on the 22^nd. Pink-footed Shearwater is classified as Vulnerable by BirdLife (2000) which states it has a 'very small breeding range at only three locations and some threats on Isla Mocha'.

Sooty Shearwater - Puffinus griseus
We saw 20 from Punta Concon on the evening of the 1^st, 50 on our pelagic trip off Quintero on the 2^nd and 12 on our second pelagic trip off Quintero on the 22^nd.

Wilson's Storm-Petrel - Oceanites oceanicus
We saw 25 on our pelagic trip off Quintero on the 2^nd and 15 on our second pelagic trip off Quintero on the 22^nd.

Peruvian Diving-Petrel - Pelecanoides garnotii
We saw 5 on our pelagic trip off Quintero on the 2^nd and 1 on our second pelagic trip off Quintero on the 22^nd. Peruvian Diving-Petrel is classified as Endangered by BirdLife (2000) which states it 'has an extremely small occupied breeding range on four islands' and that 'all subpopulations are declining and some rapidly'.

Peruvian Booby - Sula variegata
We saw 6 from Punta Concon on the 1^st, 15 from our pelagic trip off Quintero on the 2^nd, 1,000 passing the Alacran Peninsula on the 4^th and 100 there on the 7^th, 1 off the Rio Aconcagua on the 21^st and 25 from our second pelagic trip off Quintero on the 22^nd.

Peruvian Pelican - Pelecanus thagus
We saw 30 from Punta Concon on the 1^st, 200 from our pelagic trip off Quintero on the 2^nd, 200 at the Alacran Peninsula on the 4^th and 10 there on the 7^th, 25 off Inquique on the 9^th, 1 off the Rio Aconcagua on the 21^st and 60 from our second pelagic trip off Quintero on the 22^nd.

Neotropic (Olivaceous) Cormorant - Phalacrocorax brasilianus brasilianus
Seen on nine dates being encountered along the coast at localities including Quintero, Arica and Conception with a daily maximum of 200 being seen at Arica on the 7^th.

Rock Shag - Phalacrocorax magellanicus
Only seen at the ferry terminal at Punta Delgada where we saw 10 on the 17^th and 6 on the 18^th.

Guanay Cormorant - Phalacrocorax bougainvillii
We saw 1 from Punta Concon on the 1^st, 3 from our pelagic off Quintero on the 2^nd, 1 from the Alacran Peninsula on the 4^th and 25 from there on the 7^th and 4 from our second pelagic from Quintero on the 22^nd.

Red-legged Cormorant - Phalacrocorax gaimardi
We saw 15 with some perched on the rocks at Punta Concon on the 1^st, 2 from our pelagic off Quintero on the 2^nd and 9 at Punta Concon on the 22^nd. Red-legged Cormorant is classified as Near-threatened by BirdLife (2000) which states 'populations have declined but it remains widespread, but nowhere common'.

Imperial (Blue-eyed) Shag - Phalacrocorax atriceps atriceps
We saw 60 at Porvenir on the 17^th.

Cocoi (White-necked) Heron - Ardean cocoi
A single individual was seen near Peleco on the 15^th.

Great Egret - Ardea alba egretta
We saw 1 on a lake near Casablanca on the 3^rd, 1 at Laguna Laja on both the 12^th and 13^th and 3 whilst driving between Nahuelbuta and Conception on the 15^th.

Little Blue Heron - Egretta caerulea
We saw 2 just south of the Alacran Peninsula and 1 at the Azapa Valley sewage pools all on the 4^th.

Snowy Egret - Egretta thula brewsteri
We saw 2 on a stretch of water alongside Route 68 on the 3^rd, 10 at the sewage pools in the Azapa Valley on the 4^th, 1 near Arica on the 7^th, 3 in the Azapa Valley on the 9^th and 1 between Nahuelbuta and Conception on the 15^th. Didn't realise that we were unfortunately missing the first for Britain at the time though !

Cattle Egret - Bubulcus ibis ibis
Usually encountered whilst driving with 1 seen on the 1^st and 10 on both the 2^nd and 3^rd all west of Santiago, 1 seen near Arica on the 9^th, 6 seen between Nahuelbuta and Conception on the 15^th and 1 west of Santiago on the 21^st.

Black-crowned Night-Heron - Nycticorax nycticorax obscurus
We saw 1 at the Rio Aconcagua on the 1^st, 1 just south of the Alacran Peninsula on the 4^th, 1 in Lauca NP and 3 in palm trees near the Plaza de Armas park in Arica on the 7^th, 2 at Laguna Chungara in Lauca NP on the 8^th and 1 near Conception on the 11^th. Most, including those seen at Laguna Chungara, belonged to the sooty N.n.obscurus.

Puna Ibis - Plegadis ridgwayi
In Lauca NP we saw 10 on the 6^th, 1 on the 7^th and 20 on the 8^th.

Black-faced Ibis - Theristicus melanopis
We saw 10 whilst driving to the north of Punta Arenas on the 16^th, 10 on Tierra del Fuego on the 17^th, 60 at their breeding colony on cliffs on Tierra del Fuego on the 18^th and 12 north of Punta Arenas on the 19^th. 

Chilean Flamingo - Phoenicopterus chilensis
We saw 12 on the 6^th, 6 on the 7^th and 40 on the 8^th in Lauca NP with many distant Flamingos left unidentified, 15 at Laguna Miscanti on the 10^th and 10 north of Punta Arenas along the road to Puerto Natales on the 18^th. Chilean Flamingo is classified as Near-threatened by BirdLife (2000) which states 'mining has wrought extensive habitat alteration, and it suffers from hunting and tourism-related disturbance'.

Coscoroba Swan - Coscoroba coscoroba
We saw 2 on roadside lakes along Route 225 to the north of Punta Arenas on both the 16^th and 18^th.

Black-necked Swan - Cygnus melanocorypha
We saw 4 on a roadside lake near San Gregorio along Route 225 on the 18^th.

Andean Goose - Chloephaga melanoptera
In Lauca NP we saw 18 on the 6^th, 10 on the 7^th and 40 on the 8^th.

Ashy-headed Goose - Chloephaga poliocephala
We saw 25 north of Punta Arenas heading towards Puerto Natales on the 16^th, 14 in the same area on the 18^th and 2 along the Punta Prat road on the 19^th.

Ruddy-headed Goose - Chloephaga rubidiceps
We saw pairs along the Punta Dungeness road and on Tierra del Fuego on the 17^th and two pairs on Tierra del Fuego the following day.

Upland Goose - Chloephaga picta picta
We saw large numbers daily around Punta Arenas and on Tierra del Fuego with a daily maximum of 800 seen on the 18^th and a pair at El Yeso above the Reservoir on the 21^st.

Crested Duck - Anas specularioides alticola / specularoides
Seen on nine dates with up to 25 A.s. alticola being seen daily at Lauca NP, 15 at Laguna Miscanti on the 10^th, up to 50 A.s. specularoides seen daily in the Punta Arenas / Tierra del Fuego area and 3 were seen on the Reservoir at El Yeso on the 20^th.

Flying Steamerduck - Tachyeres patachonicus
We saw a pair along the Punta Dungeness road and 10 at Porvenir harbour all on the 17^th.

Spectacled Duck - Anas specularis
We saw at least 4 at Laguna Laja around the entrance gate and near the dam on both the 12^th and 13^th. Superb. Spectacled Duck is classified as Near-threatened by BirdLife (2000) which states 'potential threats include predation by Mustela vison, increased pressure from tourism and salmon farming and trout stocking on Chilean rivers.

Speckled Teal - Anas flavirostris oxyptera / flavirostris
Seen on eight dates with up to 50 A.f. oxyptera being seen daily at Lauca NP, 6 at Laguna Miscanti on the 10^th, a pair on both days at Laguna Laja and up to 10 A.f. flavirostris seen on two dates in the Punta Arenas / Tierra del Fuego area.

Chiloe Wigeon - Anas sibilatrix
We saw 10 on a roadside lake near Casablanca on the 3^rd, 6 just north of Punta Arenas on the 18^th and 8 along the Punta Prat road on the 19^th.

Yellow-billed Pintail - Anas georgica spinicauda
We saw 5 at Lake Chungara in Lauca NP on the 8^th.

Puna Teal - Anas puna
We saw 15 at Lake Chungara in Lauca NP on the 8^th.

Torrent Duck - Merganetta armata armata
We saw a pair just above the dam at Laguna Laja on both the 12^th and 13^th.

Andean Duck - Oxyura ferruginea
We saw singles on pools near Parinacota in Lauca NP on the 7^th and 8^th.

Lake Duck - Oxyura vittata
We saw 5 on a lake near Casablanca on the 3^rd and 10 on the drive between Nahuelbuta and Conception on the 15^th.

Black Vulture - Coragyps atratus foetens
We saw up to 60 daily on five dates around Santiago, 4 at Nahuelbuta on the 14^th and 20 whilst driving between Nahuelbuta and Conception on the 15^th.

Turkey Vulture - Cathartes aura jota
Seen on ten dates with a daily maximum of 200 seen at Arica but seen as far south as 1 at Punta Prat on the 19^th.

Andean Condor - Vultur gryphus
We saw 1 at Laguna Laja on the 12^th, 7 feeding on a dead sheep to the north of Punta Arenas along the Puerto Natales road on the 18^th, 20 along the Seno Otway and Punta Prat roads on the 19^th and 15 at El Yeso on the 20^th. Superb. Andean Condor is classified as Near-threatened by BirdLife (2000) which states 'it is clearly adapted for exceptionally low mortality and reproductive output, and is therefore highly vulnerable to human persecution, which persists over most of its range owing to alleged attacks on livestock'.

White-tailed Kite - Elanus leucurus leucurus
We saw 1 near Quintero on the 2^nd, 3 between La Campana and Santiago on the 3^rd, 1 between Nahuelbuta and Conception on the 15^th and 3 near Quintero on the 21^st and 1 nearby on the 22^nd.

Cinereous Harrier - Circus cinereus
Up to 4 males were seen daily on four dates in the Punta Arenas / Tierra del Fuego area and singles were seen near Quintero on both the 21^st and 22^nd.

Black-chested Buzzard-Eagle - Geranoaetus melanoleucus australis
Singles were seen along the Punta Dungeness road on the 17^th, at San Gabriel on the 20^th and along the El Yeso road on the 21^st.

White-throated Hawk - Buteo albigula
We saw a single adult twice over the start of Trail B at Nahuelbuta on the 14^th.

Variable (Red-backed/Puna) Hawk - Buteo polysoma polyosoma / poecilochrous
Seen on nine dates being seen at La Campana, Putre, Lauca NP, between Nahuelbuta and Conception, El Yeso and at the Rio Aconcagua with a daily maximum of 6 seen at Putre on the 5^th. Those seen in Lauca NP were presumably B.p. poecilochrous.

Mountain Caracara - Phalcoboenus megalopterus
Singles were seen near Parinacota in Lauca NP on the 8^th and at Laguna Miscanti on the 10^th.

Crested Caracara - Caracara plancus plancus
A single individual was seen just outside Nahuelbuta NP on the 15^th and up to 30 were seen daily on four dates in the Punta Arenas / Tierra del Fuego area.

Chimango Caracara - Milvago chimango chimango / temucoensis
Seen on eleven dates with up to 50 M.c. chimango seen daily in the areas reached from Santiago, up to 40 M.c. temucoensis on three dates at sites reached from Conception and a few around Puntas Arenas.

American Kestrel - Falco sparverius cinnamominus / peruvianus
Seen on eleven dates in small numbers at sites reached from Santiago, Arica (presumably F.s. peruvianus) and Conception.

Aplomado Falcon - Falco femoralis femoralis
A superb adult was seen sat on a roadside fence on Tierra del Fuego on the 18^th.

Peregrine Falcon - Falco peregrinus cassini
We saw 1 near Putre on the 5^th, 2 in the Azapa Valley on the 9^th and 1 on Tierra del Fuego on the 17^th.

California Quail - Callipepla californica
A nuisance at La Campana where we saw 20 on the 2^nd and 30 the following day. We saw 2 at Laguna Laja on the 12^th and 10 on the drive to Nahuelbuta on the 13^th and 4 in the same area on the 15^th, 3 at El Yeso on the 20^th and 6 there on the 21^st.

Spot-flanked Gallinule - Gallinula melanops crassirostris
We saw 6 (including a breeding pair with juveniles) on roadside pools whilst driving from Nahuelbuta to Conception on the 15^th.

Moorhen - Gallinula chloropus garmani
We saw 20 on the sewage pools in the Azapa Valley on the 4^th.

Slate-coloured (Andean) Coot - Fulica ardesiaca
We identified 10 in Lauca NP on the 8^th.

Red-gartered Coot - Fulica armillata
We identified 6 on roadside pools along the Puerto Natales road on the 18^th and 4 at the Rio Aconcagua on the 22^nd.

Giant Coot - Fulica gigantea
At Lauca NP we saw 20 on the 6^th, 25 on the 7^th and 100 on the 8^th proving particularly common on Laguna Chungara.

Horned Coot - Fulica cornuta
We saw a total of 55 on Lagunas Miscanti and Menique with breeding (and immatures being fed) taking place on Menique. Superb. Horned Coot is classified as Near-threatened by BirdLife (2000) which states 'its fresh and brackish lakes are susceptible to contamination and vegetation trampling by cattle, and water is pumped from some to coastal towns and mines'.

Peruvian Thick-knee - Burhinus superciliaris
We found an impressive flock of 33 birds in a stubble field to the north of the road near the Km3 sign along the Lluta Valley road on the 4^th. Superb.

Southern Lapwing - Vanellus chilensis chilensis / fretensis
Seen daily from the 1^st to the 3^rd and from the 11^th to the 20^th in good numbers apart from on a single date when we didn't see any at Nahuelbuta. A daily maximum of 200 were recorded between Laguna Laja and Nahuelbuta on the 13^th. Those seen in the far south were V.c. fretensis.

Andean Lapwing - Vanellus resplendens
DC saw 1 at Lauca NP on the 7^th and we saw a pair there the following day just east of the police checkpoint.

Two-banded Plover - Charadrius falklandicus
Quite common in the Punta Arenas / Tierra del Fuego area with 5 seen on the 16^th, 8 on the 17^th and 20 on the 18^th being particularly common along the road leading to Pali Aike.

Puna Plover - Charadrius alticola
We saw a pair on a roadside pool to the west of the police checkpoint in Lauca NP on the 6^th and a pair at Lagune Menique on the 10^th.

Rufous-chested Dotterel - Charadrius modestus
We saw 15 including a pair with a chick along the stretch of road leading to Pali Aike on the 18^th. Superb.

Diademed Sandpiper-Plover - Phegornis mitchellii
As expected, this species proved to be the best seen. We located a superb pair at the first bog on the left as you enter Lauca NP from Putre reached by walking across the small area of bog visible from the road and walking up the bank alongside the stream which cascades down through the centre of the bog until you reach the much larger area of bog. Pass a small Lama farm (and scarecrow) on the left with the pair favouring the top left corner of the bog beyond the Lama farm. A second pair with a chick were seen in the area of bog just northwest of the El Yeso Reservoir - as marked on Pearman's map - on the 21^st. Stunning. Diademed Sandpiper-Plover is classified as Near-threatened by BirdLife (2000) which states 'the population has been estimated at fewer than 10,000 and declining, but occupation of a harsh environment at high altitude suggests that it may be relatively secure (at least) in parts of its range'.

Tawny-throated Dotterel - Oreopholus ruficollis ruficollis
We saw a party of 6 and then a single individual along the first 24km of the road leading to Punta Dungeness on the 17^th. Superb.

Magellanic Plover - Pluvianellus socialis
We saw a pair, even finding their nest containing a single large green egg speckled with brown, on Laguna Cisnes adjacent to the Km19 post north of Porvenir and another pair roadside on a lake a couple of Km to the south on the 17th and 4 on Laguna Cisnes adjacent to the Km19 post on the 18^th. Better than expected. Magellanic Plover is classified as Near-threatened by BirdLife (2000) which states 'the destruction and degradation of natural grassland in Patagonia by grazing livestock and introduced herbivores must have had some impact on mainland breeding habitat, and numbers are perhaps limited by the carrying capacity of the hostile environment'.

American Oystercatcher - Haematopus palliatus palliatus
We saw a pair at the Rio Aconcagua on the 1^st, 5 just south of the Alacran Peninsula on the 4^th and 30 at the Rio Aconcagua on the 21^st.

Magellanic Oystercatcher - Haematopus leucopodus
Seen daily in fair numbers on our four dates in the Punta Arenas / Tierra del Fuego area with a daily maximum of 12 seen on the 17^th.

Blackish Oystercatcher - Haematopus ater
We saw 1 just south of the Alacran Peninsula on the 4^th, 5 there on the 7^th and 1 just north of Punta Arenas on the 16^th.

Andean Avocet - Recurvirostra andina
We saw 5 including a pair with a chick in Lauca NP on the 6^th with the pair and chick seen again roadside just west of the police checkpoint on both the 7^th and 8^th.

Willet - Catoptrophorus semipalmatus inornatus
We saw 40 just south of the Alacran Peninsula on the 4^th.

Whimbrel - Numenius phaeopus hudsonicus
We saw 15 at the Rio Aconcagua on the 1^st, 80 just south of the Alacran Peninsula on the 4^th  with 2 seen nearby on the 7^th and 6 at the Rio Aconcagua on the 21^st and 12 there the following day.

Ruddy Turnstone - Arenaria interpres morinella
We saw 10 at Punta Concon on the 1^st, 15 just south of the Alacran Peninsula on the 4^th and 10 there on the 7^th, 1 at Porvenir harbour on the 17^th and 15 at Punta Concon on the 22^nd.

Surfbird - Aphriza virgata
We saw 20 at Punta Concon on the 1^st, 10 just south of the Alacran Peninsula on the 4^th, 100 at the Alacran Peninsula on the 7^th and 2 at Punta Concon on the 22^nd.

Sanderling - Calidris alba
DC saw 1 just south of the Alacran Peninsula on the 4^th.

White-rumped Sandpiper - Calidris fuscicollis
We saw 80 on tierra del Fuego on the 17^th and 30 there the following day and 30 along the Punta Prat road near Punta Arenas on the 19^th.

Baird's Sandpiper - Calidris bairdii
We saw 4 in Lauca NP on the 6^th and 15 there on the 8^th, 200 to the north of Punta Arenas on the 16^th, 50 on Tierra del Fuego on the 17^th and 40 there on the 18^th, 10 near Punta Arenas on the 19^th and 1 at el Yeso on the 20^th.

South American Snipe - Gallinago paraguaiae magellanica
We saw 1 along a stream on Tierra del Fuego on the 11^th and 4 drumming overhead just north of Punta Delgada on the 18^th.

Snipe sp. - Gallinago sp.
A single individual flushed in a bog close to the mine at virtually the highest elevation you can currently drive to at El Yeso on the 20^th. Although on range this individual would appear to relate to South American Snipe its altitude seems higher than would normally be expected for that species. Perhaps future observers should consider the possibility of Puna Snipe G. andina extending further south than is currently recognised. Unfortunately we just flushed our individual with it disappearing into the centre of the bog, so we couldn't establish its leg colour or any meaningful plumage characters.   

Wilson's Phalarope - Phalaropus tricolor
We saw 4 on roadside pools along Route 225 north-east of Punta Arenas on the 16^th.

Grey Phalarope - Phalaropus fulicaria
We saw 250 on our first pelagic off Quintero on the 2^nd but just 2 on our second trip on the 22^nd.

Grey-breasted Seedsnipe - Thinocorus orbignyianus ingae / orbignyianus
Up to 14 T.o. ingae were seen on all three days at Lauca NP and up to 4 T.o. orbignyianus were seen on both dates at El Yeso.

Least Seedsnipe - Thinocorus rumicivorus rumicivorus
We saw a pair in the Atacama desert between Aguas Blancas and Socaire on the 10^th and up to 10 T.r. rumicivorus on three dates in the Punta Arenas / Tierra del Fuego area.

Chilean Skua - Catharacta chilensis
Seen on all four dates in the Punta Arenas / Tierra del Fuego area with a daily maximum of 40 seen on the 11^th.

South Polar Skua - Catharacta maccormicki
We saw 2 from our second pelagic off Quintero on the 22^nd.

Black Skimmer - Rynchops niger cinerascens
We saw 1 at the Rio Aconcagua on the 1^st and 17 there on the 22^nd.

Dolphin Gull - Larus scoresbii
We saw 70 at Porvenir harbour on the 11^th and 2 at Punta Arenas on the 18^th. Superb.

Band-tailed Gull - Larus belcheri
We saw 30 at the Alacran Peninsula on the 4^th and 20 there on the 7^th.

Kelp Gull - Larus dominicanus
Seen on ten dates often in large numbers being encountered at Punta Concon, Quintero, Conception, Punta Arenas and Tierra del Fuego with 500 recorded on a couple of dates.

Andean Gull - Larus serranus
Up to 12 were seen daily on our three days at Lauca NP and 12 were seen at Laguna Miscanti including a juvenile on the 10^th.

Franklin's Gull - Larus pipixcan
We saw 150 at the Rio Aconcagua on the 1^st, 30 on our first pelagic trip of Quintero on the 2^nd, 300 just south of the Alacran Peninsula on the 4^th, 1,000 at a fish factory just south of Arica on the 7^th, 100 at the Rio Aconcagua on the 21^st and 300 on our second pelagic trip on the 22^nd. Superb with mainly adults being seen.

Brown-hooded Gull - Larus maculipennis
We saw 8 at a lake near Casablanca on the 3^rd, 6 at some sewage ponds on the drive from Nahuelbuta to Conception on the 15^th, 1 north of Punta Arenas on the 16^th and 30 at Porvenir harbour on the 17^th and nearby on the 18^th.

Sabine's Gull - Xema sabini woznesenskii
We saw 6 on our first pelagic trip off Quintero on the 2^nd and 2 on our second pelagic trip there on the 22^nd. Superb.

Swallow-tailed Gull - Creagrus furcatus
A superb non-breeding plumaged adult was seen from our second pelagic trip off Quintero on the 22^nd. Perhaps the biggest surprise of our pelagic trips and certainly most welcome!

Grey Gull - Larus modestus
JFC saw 2 at Quintero on the 1^st and we saw 800 just south of the Alacran Peninsula on the 4^th and 1,000 there on the 7^th. Superb.

South American Tern - Sterna hirundinacea
We saw 1 at Punta Concon on the 1^st, 10 on the pelagic off Quintero on the 2^nd, 1 near Punta Arenas on the 16^th, 100 off Punta Delgada on the 17^th and 40 there on the 18^th, 100 along the Punta Prat road on the 19^th and 15 on our second pelagic trip off Quintero on the 22^nd.

Elegant Tern - Sterna elegans
We saw 3 on our first pelagic trip off Quintero on the 2^nd, 40 off the Alacran Peninsula on the 4^th and 6 from there on the 7^th and 8 on our second pelagic trip off Quintero on the 22^nd.

Inca Tern - Larosterna inca
We saw an estimated 250 from Punta Concon on the 1^st with some sat on the coastal rocks there. Superb. When fishing, they would fly slowly low over the water in tight flocks often with Humboldt Penguins directly beneath them.

Chilean Pigeon - Columba araucana
We saw 3 whilst driving from Santiago to the coast on the 1^st, 2 at La Campana on the 2^nd and 10 there on the 3^rd and JFC saw 1 on the drive to Nahuelbuta NP on the 13^th.

Eared Dove - Zenaida auriculata auriculata / virgata
Seen on nine dates in small numbers being encountered at La Campana (Z.a. auriculata), Santiago, near Arica, near Conception, Tierra del Fuego (Z.a. virgata) and El Yeso.

Pacific (White-winged) Dove - Zenaida meloda
We saw 25 in the Arica areas on the 4^th, 8 there on the 7^th and 15 on the 9^th, 2 at San Pedro de Atacama on the 10^th and 1 there on the 11^th which appears to represent the south-easternmost point in the range of this species.

Picui Ground-Dove - Columbina picui picui
We saw up to 10 daily on our first three dates in the country.

Croaking (Golden-billed) Ground-Dove - Columbina cruziana
We saw 10 in the Azapa Valley on the 4^th and 4 there on the 9^th.

Bare-faced Ground-Dove - Metriopelia ceciliae zimmeri
We saw 200 in the Putre valleys on the 5^th, 1 in Putre on the 6^th and 2 there the following day.

Golden-spotted Ground-Dove - Metriopelia aymara
We saw 4 by the dry walls and the ruined houses along the lower road leading to Parinocota in Lauca NP on the 8^th and 200 around Laguna Miscanti and Menique on the 10^th.

Black-winged Ground-Dove - Metriopelia melanoptera melanoptera
We saw 10 near Putre on the 5^th, 100 at El Yeso on the 20^th and 130 there on the 21^st.

Austral Parakeet - Enicognathus ferrugineus minor / ferrugineus
We saw 1 E.f. minor at Nahuelbuta on the 13^th and 15 there the following day, 2 E.f. ferrugineus north of Punta Arenas along the Puerto Natales road on the 18^th and 6 along the Punta Prat road on the 19^th.

Barn Owl - Tyto alba tuidara
A single individual was seen dead on a road near Santiago on the 21^st.

Magellanic Horned Owl - Bubo magellanicus
A superb individual was flushed from the roadside on Tierra del Fuego c.1km south of the signed turning to Percy between Porvenir and Punta Delgada. It then perched in a low bush and JFC was then able to approach it to within a few feet to obtain photographs.

Rufous-legged Owl - Strix rufipes rufipes
A pair were heard calling along the track at La Campana adjacent to campsite No.8 where a great deal of effort was required until we eventually obtained a flight view of 1 directly overhead. Frustratingly, they seemed to continually perch in dense foliage high in the canopy.

Austral Pygmy-Owl - Glaucidium nanum
A single individual performed well for us in daylight along the track leading to the mine at La Campana on the 3^rd.

Peruvian Pygmy-Owl - Glaucidium peruanum

A single individual was heard calling from palm trees in a walled garden at Km12 along the Azapa Valley. Unfortunately we couldn't find it and our imitations failed to yield the desired effect.

Burrowing Owl - Athene cunicularia cunicularia
We saw 3 hunting the fields on leaving San Pedro de Atacama heading south early in the morning of the 10^th.

Band-winged Nightjar - Caprimulgus longirostris bifasciatus
DC saw 1 briefly in the headlights just south of the Lagune Laja entrance gate on the 11^th and 1 was repeatedly flushed in daylight and eventually found resting on the ground along Trail B at Laguna Laja on the 12^th. Superb.

Andean Swift - Aeronautes andecolus parvulus
We saw 3 hunting along the roadside not far from Putre whilst driving towards Arica on the 7^th. Superb.

Andean Hillstar - Oreotrochilus estella estella
A superb species with 40 being seen in the valleys at Putre on the 5^th including some fine males and 2 were seen in Lauca NP on the 8^th.

White-sided Hillstar - Oreotrochilus leucopleurus
We saw 3 at El Yeso on the 20^th and 1 there the next day.

Giant Hummingbird - Patagona gigas gigas / peruviana
We saw 2 P.g. gigas at La Campana on the 2^nd and 3 there the following day, 6 P.g. peruviana in the Putre valleys on the 5^th, 1 P.g. gigas between Nahuelbuta and Conception on the 15^th, 1 at El Yeso on the 20^th and 2 there the following day.

Green-backed Firecrown - Sephanoides sephaniodes
We saw 6 at La Campana on the 3^rd, 2 at Laguna Laja along Trail B on the 12^th and 1 at Nahuelbuta on the 13^th.

Oasis Hummingbird - Rhodopis vesper vesper
We saw 6 in the Azapa Valley on the 4^th.

Peruvian Sheartail - Thaumastura cora
We saw 8 in the Azapa Valley on the 4^th and 4 there on the 9^th with most seen being adult males. Superb.

Chilean Woodstar - Eulidia yarrellii
We twice saw a male and a single female attending flowering roadside Lantana bushes at a garden at Km12 along the Azapa road on the 4^th. Chilean Woodstar is classified as Endangered by BirdLife (2000) which states 'it has a very small range with all viable populations apparently confined to remnant habitat patches in two desert river valleys'.  

Striped Woodpecker - Picoides lignarius
We saw 3 at La Campana on the 3^rd, 1 along Trail B at Laguna Laja on the 13^th and 1 at Nahuelbuta on the 14^th. Better than expected.

Chilean Flicker - Colaptes pitius
We saw a pair on concrete(!) telegraph poles adjacent to the entrance gate at Laguna Laja on the 12^th, 5 on the drive to Nahuelbuta on the 13^th and just outside Nahuelbuta on the 15^th.

Andean Flicker - Colaptes rupicola rupicola
In Lauca NP we saw 5 on the 6^th, 10 on the 7^th and 8 on the 8^th.

Greyish Miner - Geositta maritima
We saw 3 in a dry valley near a car dump and where the vegetation ends along the road between Putre and Arica on the 7^th.

Rufous-banded Miner - Geositta rufipennis
We saw 50 at El Yeso on the 20^th and 20 there the next day.

Puna Miner - Geositta punensis
In Lauca NP we saw 10 on the 6^th, 10 on the 7^th, 25 on the 8^th and at Laguna Miscanti we saw 20 on the 10^th.

Common Miner - Geositta cunicularia cunicularia
We identified just 5 along the road leading to Pali Aike on the 18^th.

Short-billed Miner - Geositta antarctica
We saw 50 on Tierra del Fuego on the 17^th and 100 there the next day.

Scale-throated Earthcreeper - Upucerthia dumetaria dumetaria / saturatior
We saw 3 U.d. dumetaria along the road leading to Punta Dungeness on the 17^th, 15 U.d. saturatior at El Yeso on the 20^th and 6 there the next day.

White-throated Earthcreeper - Upucerthia albigula
We saw 3 in a green field at the lower end of Wet Gorge A on the 5^th. Having looked carefully all day at Plain-breasted Earthcreepers they proved quite distinctive with a contrasting white throat and white supercilium.

Plain-breasted Earthcreeper - Upucerthia jelski
We saw 12 in the valleys at Putre on the 5^th, 3 in Lauca NP on the 6^th, 6 there on the 7^th and 2 on the 8^th.

Straight-billed Earthcreeper - Upucerthia ruficauda ruficauda
DC saw a pair in Valley C at Putre on the 5^th, a pair were seen roadside just above Putre on the 8^th and 3 were seen near Laguna Miscanti on the 10^th.

Crag Chilia - Chilia melanura melanura
At El Yeso we saw a pair attending their nest at Km 3.9 on the 20^th and a single roadside individual at Km10 on the 20^th and 1 of the birds was seen attending the nest again on the 21^st. Superb and much better than expected.

Dark-bellied Cinclodes - Cinclodes patagonicus patagonicus
We saw 6 along the Punta Prat road on the 19^th and 1 at San Gabriel just below El Yeso was tentatively identified as this species.

Grey-flanked Cinclodes - Cinclodes oustaleti oustaleti
We saw 4 around the reservoir and DSP bog at El Yeso on the 21^st.

Bar-winged Cinclodes - Cinclodes fuscus albiventris / fuscus
Seen on eleven dates being seen at Putre (C.f. albiventris), Lauca NP, Laguna Miscanti, Laguna Laja, below Nahuelbuta, Tierra del Fuego (C.f. fuscus) and at El Yeso where our daily maximum of 15 were seen on the 20^th.

White-winged Cinclodes - Cinclodes atacamensis atacamensis
In Lauca NP we saw 4 on the 5^th, 10 on the 6^th and 12 on the 8^th.

Chilean Seaside Cinclodes - Cinclodes nigrofumosus
We saw a pair at Punta Concon on the 1^st and 1 there on the 22^nd.

Des Murs' Wiretail - Sylviorthorhynchus desmursii
We saw 2 at Nahuelbuta on the 13^th and 1 there the next day. Superb views obtained in response to tape playback. Better than expected.

Thorn-tailed Rayadito - Aphrastura spinicauda spinicauda
We saw 3 at La Campana including a pair tending a nest in a mineshaft, 5 at Laguna Laja on the 12^th and a few the following day and 15 at Nahuelbuta on the 14^th.

Streak(ed)-backed Tit-Spinetail - Leptasthenura striata striata
We saw 8 in the valleys at Putre on the 5^th.

Plain-mantled Tit-Spinetail-Leptasthenura aegithaloides aegithaloides/berlepschi
We saw 1 at La Campana (L.a. aegithaloides) on the 3^rd, 2 at Laguna Miscanti (L.a. berlepschi) on the 10^th, JFC saw 1 at Nahuelbuta (L.a. aegithaloides) on the 14^th and 1 at El Yeso on the 20^th.

Dark-winged Canastero - Asthenes arequipae
We saw 20 in the valleys at Putre on the 5^th.

Lesser (Sharp-billed) Canastero - Asthenes pyrrholeuca sordida
We saw 3 in response to tape playback at El Yeso on the 20^th and JFC saw 1 there the following day.

Dusky-tailed Canastero - Asthenes humicola humicola
We saw 1-2 in response to tape playback on the scrubby hillsides at La Campana on the 2^nd and 2 along the main track the following day.

Canyon Canastero - Asthenes pudibunda pudibunda
We saw 5 in the wet gorge A at Putre on the 5^th.

Cordilleran Canastero - Asthenes modesta
In Lauca NP we saw 6 A.m. modesta on the 6^th, 4 on the 7^th and 15 on the 8^th and 6 A.m. australis were seen at Laguna Miscanti on the 10^th.

Austral Canastero - Asthenes anthoides
We found a pair at Km 24 along the Punta Dungeness road on the 17^th. Austral Canastero is classified as Near-threatened by BirdLife (2000) which states 'it was thought to be declining owing to grassland destruction from intensive grazing by sheep, but there is no evidence that it occupied the formerly widespread grasslands of Patagonia'.

White-throated Treerunner - Pygarrhichas albogularis
We saw 4 along Trail B at Laguna Laja on the 13^th and 2 at Nahuelbuta on the 14^th.

Chestnut-throated Huet-huet - Pteroptochos castaneus
A single individual was seen head-height in a bush at the top of the scree slope along Trail B at Laguna Laja. It had jumped up in the tree in response to tape playback and after a while looking for the source of the taped calls it ran along the branch, dropped back to the ground and we never saw it again. Surprisingly we never heard any vocalising.

Black-throated Huet-huet - Pteroptochos tarnii
In marked contrast to the previous species it was commonly heard on all three days primarily at dawn and dusk at Nahuelbuta. We saw 5 on the 14th along 1km of Trail B where it passes through forest with superb views eventually being obtained. Stunning.

Moustached Turca - Pteroptochos megapodius magapodius
At La Campana we saw 4 on the 2^nd and 5 on the 3^rd with excellent views easy to obtain. At one point we had one individual dislodge another from its calling perch by literally 'reversing' along the branch into it ! At El Yeso we saw 1 on the 20^th and 2 on the 21^st. Superb.

White-throated Tapaculo - Scelorchilus albicollis albicollis
At La Campana we obtained prolonged views of a single individual in response to tape playback with another 5 being heard all on the 3rd. Stunning.

Chucao Tapaculo - Scelorchilus rubecula rubecula
Our favourite Tapaculo proving an amazing character. It caused a few false alarms as it has a Robin-like behaviour of investigating and chasing other species - hence it readily reacts to virtually any tape you might be playing including Huet-huets! At Laguna Laja we saw 3 along Trail B on the 12^th and 4 there on the 13^th with 6 being seen at Nahuelbuta with many more heard there. Stunning.

Ochre-flanked Tapaculo - Eugralla paradoxa
Only seen at Nahuelbuta in stands of chusquea bamboo with 1 being taped into view along the main entrance track on the 13^th and 3 seen on the 14^th with others being heard.

Magellanic Tapaculo - Scytalopus magellanicus
Calling persistently throughout the day at Nahuelbuta where we saw 2 on the 13^th and 6 on the 14^th. Superb.

Dusky Tapaculo - Scytalopus fuscus
Males were taped into view in the grounds of our tourist complex at the Rio Aconcagua on the 2^nd and around the mine workings at La Campana on the 3^rd. Superb.

White-crested Elaenia - Elaenia albiceps
Seen on thirteen dates being encountered at the Rio Aconcagua (E.a. chilensis), La Campana where very common, the Azapa Valley (E.a. modesta), Chaca Valley, Laguna Laja (E.a.chilensis), Nahuelbuta, Punta Arenas and El Yeso. Ridgely & Tudor (1994) speculates at 'whether a pair of biological species are involved'.

Yellow-billed Tit-tyrant - Anairetes flavirostris arequipae
We saw 2 in the wet gorge A at Putre on the 5^th.

Tufted Tit-Tyrant - Anairetes parulus parulus
At La Campana we saw 2 on the 2^nd and 8 on the 3^rd, 1 at Laguna Laja and 1 along the Puerto Natales road north of Punta Arenas on the 18^th.

Vermilion Flycatcher - Pyrocephalus rubinus cocachacrae
We saw 4 in the Azapa and Lluta Valleys on the 4^th and 8 in the Lluta Valley on the 7^th.

White-browed Chat-Tyrant - Ochthoeca leucophrys leucometopa
We saw a single individual along Valley C at Putre on the 5^th.

Patagonian Tyrant - Colorhamphus parvirostris
We saw 3 along Trail B at Nahuelbuta on the 14^th.

Fire-eyed Diucon - Xolmis pyrope pyrope
Seen on nine dates in small numbers being encountered at La Campana, Conception, Laguna Laja, Nahuelbuta, along the Puerto Natales road north of Punta Arenas and at El Yeso.

Chocolate-vented Tyrant - Neoxolmis rufiventris
We saw a pair along the Route 225 between Punta Delgada and the turnoff for Punta Dungeness on the 16^th, 1 along the first km of the Punta Dungeness road on the 17^th and an impressive 12 along the road leading to Pali Aike on the 18^th. Superb.

Black-billed Shrike-Tyrant - Agriornis montana maritima
A single individual was seen along the 7km entrance track to Laguna Miscanti on the 10^th.

White-tailed Shrike-Tyrant - Agriornis andicola albicauda
We saw singles (or the same individual) along both roads leading to Parinocota in Lauca NP on the 6^th and 8^th. Along the lower road it favoured the area of walls and deserted buildings. At one point this individual was seen to chase another Shrike-Tyrant which although was only seen briefly in flight appeared to show a considerable amount of black in the tail so was almost certainly the sympatric Black-billed. White-tailed Shrike-Tyrant is classified as Vulnerable by BirdLife (2000) which states it has a 'small, declining and severely fragmented population'.

Great Shrike-Tyrant - Agriornis livida livida
Something we looked for at many sites but eventually found by the 'cultural buildings' just north of the Rio Aconcagua on the 22^nd. Thanks must go to Clive and Mary Green for telling us about the prescence of this individual.

Spot-billed Ground-Tyrant - Muscisaxicola maculirostris maculirostris
We saw 1 in the wet gorge A at Putre on the 5^th, 4 at Laguna Miscanti on the 10^th and 1 at El Yeso on the 20^th.

White-fronted Ground-Tyrant - Muscisaxicola albifrons
We saw 2 in Lauca NP on the 6^th and 15 there on the 8^th.

Cinnamon-bellied Ground-Tyrant - Muscisaxicola capistrata
A single individual was seen at the co-operative community at Km23 along the Punta Dungeness road on the 17^th. Superb.

Rufous-naped Ground-Tyrant - Muscisaxicola rufivertex pallidiceps / rufivertex
We saw 6 M.r. pallidiceps in the valleys around Putre on the 5^th including a bird nesting in the wall of a road cutting, 2 there on the 8^th and 20 M.r.rufivertex at Laguna Miscanti on the 10^th.

Puna Ground-Tyrant - Muscisaxicola juninensis
Only seen in Lauca NP where we saw 12 on the 6^th, 6 on the 7^th and 10 on the 8^th.

White-browed Ground-Tyrant - Muscisaxicola albilora
We saw 10 at Laguna Laja on the 12^th and 2 there the next day, 25 at El Yeso on the 20^th and 5 there the following day.

Cinereous Ground-Tyrant - Muscisaxicola cinerea cinerea
We saw 5 at El Yeso on the 20^th and 1 there the following day.

Ochre-naped Ground-Tyrant - Muscisaxicola flavinucha flavinucha
We saw 3 at El Yeso on the 20^th and 1 there the following day.

Black-fronted Ground-Tyrant - Muscisaxicola frontalis
We saw 8 at Laguna Miscanti on the 10^th and a pair near the miner's accommodation at El Yeso on the 20^th.

Andean Negrito - Lessonia oreas
Only seen in Lauca NP where we saw 10 on the 6^th, 12 on the 7^th and 6 on the 8^th.

Austral Negrito - Lessonia rufa
Seen on eight dates with 6 at Laguna Laja on the 12^th and 2 there the next day, up to 50 on four dates in the Punta Arenas / Tierra del Fuego areas and 4 on the coast at the Rio Aconcagua on the 21^st and 2 there on the 22^nd.

Spectacled Tyrant - Hymenops perspicillatus andina
JFC saw 1 near Conception on the 13^th, we saw 3 whilst driving from Nahuelbuta to Conception on the 15^th and a male just north of the Rio Aconcagua on the 21^st.

Rufous-tailed Plantcutter - Phytotoma rara
We saw a male at the tourist complex at the Rio Aconcagua on the 1^st and a pair there the following day, a pair at La Campana on the 3^rd and 3 at Laguna Laja NP on the 12^th.

Peruvian (Southern) Martin - Progne murphyi
We saw 6 at Km12 in the Azapa Valley on the 4^th.

Chilean Swallow - Tachycineta meyeni
Seen on thirteen dates in good numbers being seen along the coast at the Rio Aconcagua, at the Conception areas and the Punta Arenas / Tierra del Fuego areas.

Blue-and-white Swallow - Pygochelidon cyanoleuca patagonica
Seen on twelve dates in good numbers being seen at Punta Concon, around Arica, Putre, Laguna Laja, Tierra del Fuego and El Yeso.

Sand Martin - Riparia riparia riparia
We saw 3 on telegraph wires at Toconao on the 10^th.

Swallow - Hirundo rustica erythrogaster
We saw 6 in the Lluta Valley on the 4^th and 10 there on the 7^th and 15 at Toconao on the 10^th.

Andean Swallow - Stelgidopteryx andecola andecola
We saw 15 in the Putre valleys on the 5^th and up to 25 on all three days in Lauca NP.

Cliff Swallow - Petrochelidon pyrrhonota pyrrhonota
A single individual was seen very well on the telegraph wires at Toconao on the 10^th.

House Wren - Troglodytes aedon chilensis / tecellatus
Seen on ten dates in fair numbers being encountered at La Campana (T.a.chilensis), near Arica (T.a. tecellatus), the Conception sites, Tierra del Fuego and San Gabriel.

Chiguanco Thrush - Turdus chiguanco anthracinus
We saw 2 in Valley A near Putre on the 5^th and 1 nearby the following day, 3 at San Pedro de Atacama on the 10^th and 3 there the next day.

Austral Thrush - Turdus falklandii magellanicus
Seen on thirteen dates in fair numbers being seen at the Rio Aconcagua, La Campana, Laguna Laja, Nahuelbuta, Tierra del Fuego Punta Arenas and El Yeso.

Chilean Mockingbird - Mimus thenca
Seen in fair numbers on nine dates and often whilst driving between sites including near Santiago, near La Campana, the Conception areas and at El Yeso.

Correndera Pipit - Anthus correndera chilensis
We saw 2 on Tierra del Fuego on the 17^th, 1 there the following day and 6 along the Punta Prat road just north of Punta Arenas on the 19^th.

Black-throated Flower-piercer - Diglossa brunneiventris
We saw 10 in the valleys near Putre on the 5^th.

Cinereous Conebill - Conirostrum cinereum littorale
We saw 10 in the Azapa Valley on the 4^th, 3 in the valleys at Putre on the 5^th, 3 in the Chaca Valley on the 7^th and 2 in the Chaca Valley and 2 in the Azapa Valley on the 9^th.

Tamarugo Conebill - Conirostrum tamarugensis
A superb male was seen in the natural habitat in the Chaca Valley on the 9^th. Some similar looking habitat still remains along the first few Km of the Azapa Valley which may still hold this localised species. Tamarugo Conebill is classified as Vulnerable by BirdLife (2000) which states 'it breeds at perhaps only two locations, where potential changes in forest management could severely effect the entire population'.

Blue-and-yellow Tanager - Thraupis bonariensis darwinii
We saw 2 in Valley A at Putre on the 5^th and 1 was seen at Nahuelbuta on the 13^th.

Golden-billed Saltator - Saltator aurantiirostris albociliaris
We saw 1 in the wet gorge A at Putre on the 5^th.

Chestnut-throated Seedeater - Sporophila telasco
We saw 40 in the Azapa Valley on the 4^th and 3 there on the 9^th.

Bright-rumped Yellow-finch - Sicalis uropygialis uropygialis
We saw 1 in Lauca NP on the 6^th and 20 just east of the police checkpoint there on the 8^th and 3 at Laguna Menique on the 10^th. Superb.

Greater Yellow-finch - Sicalis auriventris
We saw 40 at el Yeso on the 20^th and 10 there the following day.

Greenish Yellow-finch - Sicalis olivascens chloris
We saw 50 at Putre on the 5^th, 100 whilst driving between Putre and Arica on the 7^th and 20 in the same area on the 8^th and  30 on the drive to Laguna Miscanti on the 10^th  and 25 on the drive between San Pedro and Calama on the 11^th.

Patagonian Yellow-finch - Sicalis lebruni
We saw 20 along the first 24km of the Punta Dungeness road on the 17^th, 1 near Punta Delgada on the 18^th and 1 along the Seno Ottway road on the 19^th.

Grassland Yellow-finch - Sicalis luteola luteiventris
We saw 1 around the tourist complex at the Rio Aconcagua on the 2^nd and 2 there on the 3^rd, 10 between Laguna Laja and Nahuelbuta on the 13^th and 8 between Nahuelbuta and Conceptuion on the 15^th and 2 at the Rio Aconcagua on the 22^nd.

Slender-billed Finch - Xenospingus concolor
We saw 6 in the Azapa Valley on the 4^th, 10 in the Chaca Valley on the 7^th and 10 there on the 9^th. Slender-billed Finch is classified as Vulnerable by BirdLife (2000)

which states 'this species probably has a small and declining population in areas where natural habitat fragmentation is exacerbated by human activities'.

White-winged Diuca-Finch - Diuca speculifera speculifera
Only seen in Lauca NP where we saw 10 on the 6^th, 2 on the 7^th and 8 on the 8^th.

Common Diuca-Finch - Diuca diuca diuca
Seen along the coast at the Rio Aconcagua, at Laguna Laja, near Nahuelbuta and El Yeso in fair numbers with a daily maximum of 15 seen on the 13^th.

Black-throated Finch - Melanodera melanodera princetoniana
We saw 3 males including 1 displaying along the road leading to Pali Aike on the 18^th.

Patagonian Sierra-Finch - Phrygilus patagonicus
We saw 6 in some woodland along the Punta Prat road just north of Puntra Arenas on the 19^th.

Grey-hooded Sierra-Finch - Phrygilus gayi minor / caniceps
We saw 3 at La Campana (P.g. minor) on the 3^rd, up to 15 daily on three dates in the Punta Arenas / Tierra del Fuego areas (P.g. caniceps) and up to 40 on our two dates at El Yeso.

Black-hooded Sierra-Finch - Phrygilus atriceps
We saw 10 in the Putre valleys on the 5^th, 2 in Lauca NP on the 7^th and 2 at Laguna Miscanti on the 10^th.

Mourning Sierra-Finch - Phrygilus fruticeti fruticeti
Seen in good numbers on eight dates at Putre, Lauca NP, Laguna Miscanti, Punta Dungeness and El Yeso with a daily maximum of 200 seen on the 5th.

Plumbeous Sierra-Finch - Phrygilus unicolor unicolor
We saw up to 15 daily on our three dates in Lauca NP, 10 at Laguna Miscanti on the 10^th and 2 at El Yeso on the 20^th.

Red-backed Sierra-Finch - Phrygilus dorsalis
A single individual was seen with 2 White-throated Sierra-Finches in Lauca NP at the first bog on the left on entering the NP from Putre on the 6^th.

White-throated Sierra-Finch - Phrygilus erythronotus
We saw 12 in Lauca NP on the 6^th and 4 there on the 8^th.

Ash-breasted Sierra-Finch - Phrygilus plebejus plebejus
We saw 5 in the Putre valleys on the 5^th, 6 nearby on the 6^th and 50 at Laguna Miscanti on the 10^th.

Band-tailed Sierra-Finch - Phrygilus alaudinus
We saw 2 P.a. bipartitus in the Putre valleys on the 5^th and 2 P.a. alaudinus at El Yeso on the 20^th.

Rufous-collared Sparrow - Zonotrichia capensis antofagastae / chilensis / sanborni / australis
The most widespread species in Chile being seen every day often in large numbers and in every habitat.

Shiny Cowbird - Molothrus bonariensis bonariensis
Seen on eight dates being seen near Santiago, the 'Santiago coastal area', the Azapa Valley and Conception areas.

Austral Blackbird - Curaeus curaeus curaeus
We saw 10 at La Campana on the 3^rd, up to 4 daily at Laguna Laja, 8 at Nahuelbuta, 2 along the Puerto Natales road north of Punta Arenas on the 18^th, 4 along the Punta Prat road on the 19^th and up to 6 on our two dates at El Yeso.

Yellow-winged Blackbird - Agelaius thilius thilius
JFC saw 2 near Conception on the 11^th, we saw 4 between Nahuelbuta and Conception on the 15^th, 2 at the Rio Aconcagua on the 21^st and 4 there on the 22^nd.

Long-tailed Meadowlark - Sturnella loyca loyca
Seen on thirteen dates in good numbers being encountered near Santiago, Laguna Laja, Conception, Punta Arenas / Tierra del Fuego and El Yeso.

Peruvian Meadowlark - Sturnella bellicosa albipes
We saw 10 along the Azapa Valley on the 4^th and 15 in the Lluta and Chaca Valleys on the 7^th.

Hooded Siskin - Carduelis magellanica urubambensis
We saw 80 in the Putre Valleys on the 5^th.

Black Siskin - Carduelis atrata
We saw up to 4 on all three dates in Lauca NP and a pair at Laguna Miscanti on the 10^th.

Yellow-rumped Siskin - Carduelis uropygialis
We saw 6 in Lauca NP on the 6^th and 5 there on the 8^th, 12 at Laguna Laja on the 12^th, 20 at El Yeso on the 20^th and 3 there the following day.

Black-chinned Siskin - Carduelis barbata
Seen on nine dates in good numbers being seen at La Campana, Laguna Laja, between Nahuelbuta and Conception and the Punta Arenas / Tierra del Fuego areas.

House Sparrow - Passer domesticus
Seen on thirteen dates throughout the country.