14th-16th November 2002 and 27th December 2002 to 31st January 2003.

Itinerary

Bibliography

Identification

Status

Site Guides

Trip reports

The following reports were particularly useful (and see reports at "Birdtours")

I am also grateful to the people at Fantastico Sur in Punta Arenas who kindly provided me with gen. for the area around Punta Arenas.

General

Maps

Highlights/Top  birds (in no particular order)

Introduction

We traveled to Chile from Bolivia, where we only spent a few days. Prior to that we spent 5 weeks in Peru. We therefore didn't spend a lot of time looking for species we had already seen in Peru, and that included Diademed Sandpiper- Plover, Tawny-throated Dotterel, Peruvian Pygmy-Owl, Giant Conebill etc.

We bought an airpass  prior to leaving the UK and used the excellent internal air network to get around, and also hired cars in a number of places. Although expensive, this proved worthwhile, as even with a month it would have been a bit of a push relying on public transport.

Chile is a great place to go birding- the scenery is spectacular, the people friendly and the country has  something of a European feel. Learning a little Spanish helps as many people do not speak much English.

There are some great birds and finding most of the goodies is reasonably straightforward.

Should you require further information, please contact me at   bigtwitch72@hotmail.com

Systematic List        E = endemic

Puna Rhea  Pterocnemia pennata tarapacensis    
6 birds were scoped north of the police checkpoint at P.N. Lauca on 1/1.
Sometimes treated as a race of Lesser Rhea, but treated as a separate species by Jaramillo et al.
P.p. tarapacensis/garleppi is classified as Endangered , and in serious danger of extinction, with an estimated population of several hundred birds. The southern, nominate race, pennata is classified as Near Threatened by Birdlife International.

Darwin's Rhea  Pterocnemia pennata    
c20 on 23/1 between Punta Arenas and Porvenir, c50 on 26/1 along Pt. Dungeness road, with tame individuals noted around Possesion, and 15+ on 27/1.
For status and taxanomic note, see above.

Ornate Tinamou  Perdiz cordillerana    
4 by the roadside between Putre and P.N Lauca in the late afternoon on 31/12.

Chilean Tinamou  Perdiz chilena        E
Only seen on Easter Island, where a single bird encontered on 15/11.

Puna Tinamou  Tinamotis pentlandii    
Two birds eventually seen on the way back from El Tatio geysers, late am on 4/1.

Magellanic Penguin  Spheniscus magellanicus    
5 seen from the ferry to Tierra del Fuego on 23/1.

Pied-billed Grebe  Podilymbus podiceps
2 on 11/1 on Laguna El Peral.

White-tufted Grebe  Rollandia Rolland
10+ on 11/1 on Laguna El Peral.

Great Grebe  Podiceps major
Noted on 5 dates, with max. of c20 on 11/1 on Laguna El Peral.

Silvery Grebe  Podiceps occipitalis
Noted on 4 dates, with max. of c20 on 24/1 on a roadside lagoon south of Porvenir.

Northern Royal Albatross  Diomedea epomophora sanfordi
3-4  from the pelagic off Quintero on 11/1.
Sometimes split as a separate species from Southern Royal Albatross.
Classified as Endangered by Birdlife International, with a population of c13,000 and declining.

Black-browed Albatross  Thalassarche melanophris
5+ from the pelagic off Quintero,11/1, 10+ from the ferry to Tierra del Fuego on 23/1 and 3+ off Porvenir on 24/1.
Classified as Near Threatened by Birdlife International.

Salvin's Albatross  Thalassarche cauta salvini
c15 on 11/1 from the pelagic off Quintero.
Classified as Vulnerable by Birdlife International.

Southern Giant Petrel  Macronectes giganteus
c15 on 11/1 from the pelagic off Quintero, 50+ on 23/1 from the ferry to Tierra del Fuego and 2 on 24/1 from Porvenir.
Classified as Vulnerable by Birdlife International.

Southern Fulmar  Fulmarus glacialoides   
1 on 10/1 from Punta Liles and 6+ on 11/1 from the pelagic off Quintero.

Cape Petrel  Daption capense
c 10 from the pelagic off Quintero on 11/1.

Kermadec Petrel  Pterodroma neglecta   
3 around the rocky stacks off Orongo, Easter Is., 14/11.

Slender-billed Prion  Pachyptila belcheri   
A single bird from the pelagic off Quintero on 11/1.

White-chinned Petrel  Procellaria aequinoctialis    
3 seen from the pelagic off Quintero on 11/1.
Classified as Vulnerable by Birdlife International.

Westland Petrel  Procellaria  westlandica
c10 from the pelagic off Quintero on 11/1.
Classified as Vulnerable by Birdlife International.          

Pink-footed Shearwater  Puffinus creatopus
5+ on 10/1 from Punta Liles and 100+ on 11/1 from the pelagic off Quintero.
Classified as Vulnerable by Birdlife International.

Christmas Shearwater  Puffinus nativitatis    
150+ off Easter Is. on 14/11.

Sooty Shearwater  Puffinus griseus
5+ on 10/1 from Punta Liles and 40 + on 11/1 from the pelagic off Quintero.

Wilson's Storm Petrel  Oceanites oceanicus
60+ from the pelagic off Quintero on 11/1.

Peruvian Diving-Petrel  Pelecanoides garnoti    
One from the pelagic off Quintero on 11/1.
Classified as Endangered by Birdlife International, with a declining population of 25,000 to 28,000.

Peruvian Pelican  Pelecanus thagus
Noted as common on 27/12 from the Alacran peninsula, Arica, 50+ on 10/1 from Punta Liles and 50+ from the pelagic off Quintero on 11/1.

Peruvian Booby  Sula variegate
10+ from the Alacran peninsula, Arica ,on 10/1, 50+ from Punta Liles on 10/1 and 50+ from the pelagic off Quintero on 11/1.

Masked Booby  Sula dactylatra    
60+ from Easter Is. on 14/11.

Neotropic Cormorant  Phalacrocorax brasilianus
10+ from the Alacran peninsula, 27/12, 20+ from Punta Liles, 10/1 and 15+ from the pelagic off Quintero on 11/1.

Rock Shag  Phalacrocorax magellanicus    
3 on 11/1 from the pelagic off Quintero, 3+ on 23/1 from the ferry crossing to Tierra del Fuego, 5+ on 24/1 in the vicinity of Porvenir and 10+ on 25/1.

Guanay  Cormorant  Phalacrocorax  bougainvillii
10+ on 27/12 on the Alacran peninsula, Arica and 4 on 11/1 from the pelagic off Quintero.

Imperial Shag  Phalacrocorax atriceps    
23 on 22/1, 5+ on 23/1, 100+ on 24/1 in vicinity of Porvenir and 200+ on 27/1.

Great Frigatebird  Fregata minor    
Two on 14/11 and 5 on 15/11 on Easter Is.

Great White Egret  Ardea alba
One on 28/12, 2 on 11/1 and 1 on 16/1.

Snowy Egret  Egretta thula
5+ on 27/12 on the Alacran peninsula, 5+ on 11/1, and 5+ on 22/1.

Cattle Egret  Bubulcus ibis
50+ on 11/1 at Laguna El Peral.

Black-crowned Night-heron  Nycticorax nycticorax
3 on 28/12 and 2 on 11/1 at Laguna El Peral.

Stripe-backed Bittern  Ixobrychus involucris    
One on 12/1 at Laguna El Peral finally gave itself up early am after drawing a blank the previous evening.

Black-faced Ibis  Theristicus melanopis    
c100 on 19/1 en route to Valdivia, 150+ on 20/1 en route to P.N. Puyehue, noted as common by the roadside on 22/1 on way back to Puerto Montt, 100+ on 24/1 in area of Porvenir and finally 10+ on 28/1.

White-faced Ibis  Plegadis chihi
One on 20/1 near Valdivia.

Puna Ibis  Plegadis ridgwayi
40+ on 31/12 at Lauca N.P.

Chilean Flamingo  Phoenicopterus chilensis    
50+ on 31/12 at Lauca N.P., 1 on 3/1 and 20+ on 5/1 at Laguna Chaxa.
Classified as Near Threatened by Birdlife International.

Andean Flamingo  Phoenicoparrus andinus    
Six at Lauca N.P. on 1/1 and 56 counted at Laguna Chaxa on 5/1.
Classified as Vulnerable by Birdlife International.

Puna Flamingo  Phoenicoparrus jamesi    
Five on 31/12 at Lauca N.P.
Classified as Near Threatened by Birdlife International.

Black-necked Swan  Cygnus melancoryphus   
20+ on 11/1 at Laguna El Peral, c10 on 19/1 on the river at Valdavia, 15+ on 20/1, 3 on 24/1 near Porvenir,3 on 26/1, 2 on 29/1 at Torres del Paine N.P. and 5 there on 30/1.

Coscoroba Swan  Coscoroba coscoroba    
134 on 23/1 north of Punta Arenas and 27 on 24/1 south east of Porvenir.

Andean Goose  Chloephaga melanoptera
80+ on 31/12 at Lauca N.P., 5+ on 3/1 and 6+ on 4/1 on small marsh on way back from El Tatio.

Upland Goose  Chloephaga picta    
200+ on 23/1 south of  Punta Arenas, 500+ on 24/1 around Porvenir and also recorded on 26/1.

Kelp Goose  Chloephaga hybrida    
A family party of 5 birds, Porvenir bay on 24/1 were the only ones seen.

Ashy-headed Goose  Chloephaga poliocephala   
A pair of these attractive geese on 23/1 by the Rio Agua Fresca, south of Punta Arenas and 43 on 26/1 on a marsh by the road to Dinamarqueros crossing, between Punta Arenas and Punta Delgada.

Ruddy-headed Goose  Chloephaga rubidiceps   
3-4 were identified on 23/1 by the roadside on the way to Porvenir.

Flightless Steamerduck  Tachyeres pteneres    
A pair eventually tracked down near Rio Verde, on the Fitzroy Channel north of Punta Arenas. Huge ducks!

Flying Steamerduck  Tachyeres patachonicus    
19 counted in Porvenir harbour on 24/1.

Torrent Duck  Merganetta armata
One on 15/1 at P.N. Laguna Del Laja and a pair there the following day. Always impressive.

Chiloe Wigeon  Anas sibilatrix    
6 on 10/1 north of Rio Aconcagua, 4 on 13/1 Embalse El Yeso, 4 on 20/1 between Valdivia and P.N. Puyehue, 5 on 27/1 near Puerto Natales and 5 on 28/1.

Speckled Teal  Anas flavirostris
Noted on 5 dates, with max.of 50+ on 31/12 at Lauca N.P.

Spectacled Duck  Speculanusspecularis    
One on the reservoir at the entrance to P.N. Laguna Del Laja on 15/1 and 16/1 and a pair on 29/1 at Torres del Paine N.P. Well smart.
Classified as Near Threatened by Birdlife International.

Crested Duck  Lophonetta specularoides
Noted on 6 dates, with max. of 300+ on 24/1 on a roadside lagoon south east of Porvenir. Also of note, 60+ on 31/12 at Lauca N.P.

Yellow-billed Pintail  Anas georgica    
5 on 1/1 at Lauca N.P. on Lago Chungara, 2 on 10/1 north of Rio Aconcagua and 2+ on 11/1 at Laguna El Peral.

Puna Teal  Anas puna
40+ on 31/12 at Lauca N.P.and 3 on 4/1 on marsh on way back from El Tatio.

Cinnamon Teal  Anas cyanoptera
c10 on 10/1 north of the Rio Aconcagua.

Red Shoveler  Anas platalea    
6+ on 11/1 on Laguna El Peral.

Black-headed Duck  Heteronetta atricapilla   
5 on 11/1 on Laguna El Peral and 2 there the following day.
A strange, parasitic duck.

Andean Duck  Oxyura ferruginea    
9 on 1/1 on Lago Chungara , Lauca N.P.
Sometimes treated as conspecific with North American Ruddy Dock, O jamaicensis.

Lake Duck  Oxyura vittata    
Two on 10/1 north of Rio Aconcagua and 10+ on 11/1 on Laguna El Peral.

Black Vulture  Coragyps atratus
Two on 17/1, 5+ on 19/1 and 1 on 22/1. Possibly underrecorded.

Turkey Vulture  Cathartes aura
Common around Arica, and also specifically noted on 19th, 20th and 22/1.

Andean Condor  Vultur gryphus
3 on 12/1 at La Parva, 1 on 28/1 at Torres del Paine N.P., 1 there on 29th and 9 there on 30th.
Classified as Near Threatened by Birdlife International.

White-tailed Kite  Elanus leucurus
A pair on 11/1 near Laguna El Peral.

Cinereous Harrier  Circus cinereus
A male on 10/1 north of the Rio Aconcagua, 1 on 23/1, a male on 24/1 near Porvenir and singles on 25th and 26/1.

Chilean Hawk  Accipiter chilensis    
A close encounter with a bird at P.N. La Campana  on 9/1. It had just caught it's breakfast- a Chilean Pigeon, and did not appreciate being disturbed!
Sometimes treated as conspecific with Bicoloured Hawk A bicolor.

Black-chested Buzzard-Eagle  Geranoaetus melanoleucus
An imm. on 4/1 on way back to San Pedro de Atacama from El Tatio, 1 on 10/1 en route to Quintero, 4 on 28/1 at Torres del Paine N.P. and 3 there the following day.

White-throated Hawk  Buteo albigula    
Superb views of 2 birds soaring overhead from the summit of Piedra del Aguila , P.N. Nahuelbuta on 17/1.

Variable Hawk  Buteo polyosoma
Puna Hawk   B poecilochrous
One on 1/1 at Lauca N.P., 1 on 3/1 at Laguna Menique, and 2 on 5/1 near Laguna Chaxa were considered to be this form.
Red-backed Hawk  B polyosoma
3 on 30/12 at Putre, 1 on 31/12, 1 on 8/1 at P.N. La Campana, 1 there on 9/1, a pair on 16/1 and 1 on 23/1 en route to Porvenir.
There still seems to be some debate over the taxanomic position of these two forms.

Mountain Caracara  Phalcoboenus megalopterus   
Two on 12/1 at La Parva and 1 on 13/1 at Embalse El Yeso.

Southern Caracara  Caracara plancus    
One on 17/1 at P.N. Nahuelbuta, 1 on 20/1 at Valdivia, 10+ on 23/1, Punta Arenas to Porvenir, c10 on 26/1 and 3+ on 29/1 at Torres del Paine N.P.
Previously treated as race of Crested Caracara.

Chimango Caracara  Milvago chimango    
c20 on 15/11 on Easter Is., 2 on 8/1 near Santiago, several on 10/1 between P.N. La Campana and Quintero, common at P.N. Laguna del Laja on 16/1 and on 20/1 and 2 on 28/1 at Torres del Paine N.P.

American Kestrel  Falco sparverius
Recorded on 6 dates, with max. of 5+ on 20/1.

Aplomado Falcon  Falco femoralis
Three on 30/12 at Putre posed for photos as perched on fenceposts near our 'hotel'. Smart.

Peregrine Falcon  Falco peregrinus
One on 28/12 in the Azapa valley.

California Quail  Callipepla californica
10+ on 8/1 at P.N. La Campana and 10+ on 16/1 at P.N. Laguna del Laja.

Plumbeous Rail  Pardirallus sanguinolentus
Two on 11/1 at Laguna El Peral showed very well.

Spot-flanked Gallinule  Gallinula melanops    
Two on 10/1 on a small pool near our cabana north of the Rio Aconcagua and 1 on 11/1 at Lago Penuelas.

White-winged Coot  Fulica leucoptera    
30+ on 11/1 at Laguna El Peral.

Andean Coot  Fulica ardesiaca
5+ on 31/12 at Lauca N.P.

Red-gartered Coot  Fulica armillata    
100+ on 11/1 at Laguna El Peral and 1on 20/1 south of Valdivia.

Red-fronted Coot  Fulica rufifrons    
c15 on 10/1 north of Rio Aconcagua and 50+ on 11/1 at Laguna El Peral.

Giant Coot  Fulica gigantean
50+ on 31/12 at Lauca N.P.

Horned Coot  Fulica cornuta    
Classified as Near Threatened by Birdlife international.
100+ on 3/1 at Laguna s Menique and Miscanti. 20+ nests and several juvs. on Laguna Miscanti.
Amazing birds and a stunning backdrop.

Magellanic Oystercatcher  Haematopus leucopodus    
Eight on 22/1 c8km east of Puerto Montt, 5+ on 23/1, 20+ on 24/1 in vicinity of Porvenir and 10+ on 26/1.

Blackish Oystercatcher  Haematopus ater
Two on 27/12 on the Alacran peninsula.

American Oystercatcher  Haematopus palliates
Three on 10/1 north of the Rio Acancagua.

White-backed Stilt  Himantopus melanurus
Two on 11/1 at Laguna El Peral.
The taxanomic position of the Black-winged Stilt group is unclear. Jaramillo argues that melanurus differs consistently from other New World taxa  in voice as well as plumage.

Andean Avocet  Recurvirostra andina    
c15 on 31/12 at Lauca N.P. and 20+ on 5/1 on Laguna Chaxa.

Peruvian Thick-knee  Berhinus superciliaris
Seven on 29/12 in the Lluta valley. The birds were in a field viewable from the road after a few km of the start of the valley.

Southern Lapwing  Vanellus chilensis    
20+ on 10/1 in the area north of the Rio Aconcagua, 2 on 13/1 at Embalse El Yeso, and then noted daily from 20/1 in the south.

Andean Lapwing  Vanellus resplendens
5+ on 31/12 at Lauca N.P.

Puna Plover  Charadrius alticola    
Two on 31/12 at Lauca N.P., 15 on 4/1 on a roadside marsh on way back from El Tatio geysers, inc. 4 pairs, 2 of which with 2 young, and 50+ on 5/1 on Laguna Chaxa.

Two-banded Plover  Charadrius falklandicus    
Five on 24/1 at km 17 north of Porvenir, a pair on 25/1 on a pool by the road to P.N. Pali Aki and c 10 on 26/1 on the lagoon just south of the Dinamarqueros Crossing.

Rufous-chested Dotterel  Charadrius modestus    
Four juvs. on 26/1 on the lagoon just south of the Dinamarqueros crossing, after failing to find this species at several other sites. Not as smart as breeding ads., but still much appreciated.

Magellanic Plover  Haematopus leucopodus    
Five birds by the lagoon near km 17, north of Porvenir on 24/1.
Enigmatic, strange, dove-like waders.
Classified as Near Threatened by Birdlife International.

South American Snipe  Gallinago paraguaiae magellanica    
Seven at Embalse El Yeso on 13/1 and 1 on 24/1 35km east of Porvenir.

Whimbrel  Numenius phaeopus hudsonicus
c50 on the Alacran peninsula on 27/12, 1 on 10/1 at Punta Liles, 5 on 19/1 en route to Valdivia and 70+ on 22/1 east of Puerto Montt.

Greater Yellowlegs  Tringa melanoleuca
Two on 31/12 at Lauca N.P.

Willet  Catoptrophorus semipalmatus
3+ on the Alacran peninsula on 27/12.

Ruddy Turnstone  Arenaria interpres
50+ on 27/12 on the Alacran peninsula.

Surfbird  Aphriza virgata
c350 on the Alacran peninsula on 27/12.

White-rumped Sandpiper  Calidris fuscicollis
5+ on 23/1, c30 on 25/1 on a pool by the road to P.N. Pali Aki and 50+ on 26/1 on the lagoon just south of the Dinamarqueros crossing.

Baird's Sandpiper  Calidris bairdii
Noted on 7 dates from 31/12 to 25/1, with max. of 150+ on 24/1 on a lagoon south east of Porvenir.

Grey Phalarope  Phalaropus fulicaria
c40 on 11/1 from the pelagic off Quintero.

Rufous-bellied Seedsnipe  Attagis gayi   
Two birds flushed from near the roadside at Las Cuevas, Lauca N.P. on 31/12.
Previously heard only in Peru.

Grey-breasted Seedsnipe  Thinocorus orbignyianus    
c10 at Lauca N.P. on 31/12, 8+ on 4/1 at El Tatio, inc. several birds songflighting, and 4 at Embalse El Yeso on 13/1.

Least Seedsnipe  Thinocorus rumicivorus    
Suprisingly, one at the Punta Delgada road junction on 25/1 was the only one seen.

Chilean Skua   Stercorarius chilensis    
One on 10/1 from Punta Liles, 1 on 11/1 from the pelagic off Quintero, 50+ on 23/1 mostly on Tierra del Fuego and common on 24/1 north of Porvenir.

Dolphin Gull  Larus scoresbii    
Nine on 22/1 at Punta Arenas and 10+ on 24/1 north of Porvenir.

Band-tailed Gull  Larus belcheri
100+ on 27/12 on the Alacran peninsula.

Grey Gull  Larus modestus
300+ on 27/12 on the Alacran peninsula.

Kelp Gull  Larus dominicanus
Noted as common in coastal areas from 10/1.

Brown-hooded Gull  Larus maculipennis   
Noted as common on 11/1 at Laguna El Peral, 50+ on 19/1 around Valdivia, 40+ there on 20/1 and noted as common on 22/1 and 23/1.

Andean Gull  Larus serranus
5+ on 31/12 at Lauca N.P. and 5+ on 3/1 at Lagunas Menique and Miscanti.

Franklin's Gull  Larus  pipixcan
Thousands on the Alacran peninsula on 27/12, 5+ at Punta Liles on 10/1, 200+ at  Laguna El Peral on 11/1 and 10+ on 22/1 near Puerto Montt.

Elegant Tern  Sterna elegans
Hundreds on the Alacran peninsula pn 27/12, 10+ on 10/1 off Punta Liles and 5+ on 22/1 neat Puerto Montt.

South American Tern  Sterna hirundinacea
10+ on 10/1 off Punta Liles, c50 on 11/1 from the pelagic off Quintero, 3 on 22/1 at Punta Arenas and 200+ on 23/1.

Common Tern  Sterna hirundo
One on the Alacran peninsula on 27/12.

Snowy-crowned Tern  Sterna trudeaui   
30+ on 19/1  on the marshes to the south and the river to the west of Valdivia and 12 there on 20/1. Superb birds.

Blue-grey Noddy  Procelsterna caerulea    
c6 around the rocky stacks off Orongo, Easter Is., 14/11.   

Brown Noddy  Anous stolidus
c10  around the rocky stacks off Orongo, Easter Island on 14/11.

Inca Tern  Larosterna inca
30+ on the Alacran peninsula, Arica on 27/12 and 1 off Punta Liles, 10/1.

Rock Dove  Columba livia
Recorded on a number of dates.

Chilean Pigeon  Columba araucana   
Six on 9/1 at La Campana N.P. and 1 on 15/1 en route to  P.N.Laguna del Laja.

Eared Dove  Zenaida auriculata
Common in the Azapa valley on 28/12, 3+ on 2/1 and 5+ on 8/1 at La Campana N.P. Possibly under-recorded.

Pacific Dove  Zenaida meloda
10+ on 27/12 around Arica.

Picui Ground-Dove  Columbina picui   
Five on 8/1 en route to La Campana N.P. and 2 on 12/1 at Laguna El Peral.

Croaking Ground-Dove  Columbina cruziana
10+ on 28/12 in the Azapa valley.

Bare-faced Ground-Dove  Metrriopelia ceciliae
30+ on 30/12 at Putre.

Black-winged Ground-Dove  Metriopelia melanoptera   
One on 30/12 at Putre, c10 on 12/1 at La Parva and 3 on 13/12 at Embalse El Yeso.

Golden-spotted Ground-Dove  Metriopelia aymara    
Seven on 1/1 at Lauca N.P. and 100+ on 3/1 at Lagunas Menique and Misconti.

Austral Parakeet  Enicognathus ferrugineus    
5+ on 14/1 nr. Km 68, Valle Las Trancas, c15 on 15/1 in same area, 4+ on 16/1, 4+ on 20/1 near Valdavia, 5 on 26/1 near Rio Verde, c15 on 28/1 at Torres del Paine N.P. and 2 there on 29/1.

Slender-billed Parakeet  Enicognathus leptorhynchus       E
Four birds on 20/1 c12km east of Entre Lagos. Very distinctive when seen well.
This seems to be a reliable site at this time of year, as others have scored here recently.

Mountain Parakeet  Psilopsiagon aurifrons
c25  in valley C (Peerman) at Putre on 30/12 and 5 on 3/1 at Lagunas Menique and Misconti.

Groove-billed Ani  Crotophaga sulcirostris
One in the Lluta valley on 29/12,

Magellanic Horned Owl  Bubo magellanicus    
One found roosting  on the ground amongst small bushes at km 24 on the Pt. Dungeness road on 26/1 gave superb views.

Austral Pygmy-Owl  Glaucidium nanum    
Three heard at La Campana N.P. on 8/1, good views of one on the La Mina trail there on 9/1 and another one heard, 1 seen on 16/1 on track B (Peerman) at P.N. Nahuelbuta and 1 heard on 21/1 at Fruitilla.

Burrowing Owl  Athene cunicularia
One on 28/12 in the Azapa valley.

Andean Swift  Aeronautes andecolus
5+ on 29/12 en route to Putre.

Sparkling Violet-ear  Colibri corruscans
Three in gorge A (Peerman) at Putre on 30/12.

Andean Hillstar  Oreotrochilus estella    
Three on 29/12 at Putre, c15 there on 30/12 and 2 on 31/12 at Lauca N.P.

White-sided Hillstar  Oreotrochilus leucopleurus    
Two on 12/1 at La Parva and 1 on 13/1 at Embale El Yeso.

Giant Hummingbird  Patagonas gigas
c5 at Putre on 30/12, 2 on 8/1 at La Campana N.P., 3 there on 9/1 and 2 on 10/1 and 2 on 13/1 at Embale El Yeso.

Green-backed Firecrown  Sephanoides sephanoides    
Noted on 6 dates from 9/1 at La Campana to 20/1, with max. of 15+ on 17/1 at P.N. Nahuelbuta.

Oasis Hummingbird  Rhodopis vesper
One on 27/12 in Arica and c15 on 28/1 in the Azapa valley.

Peruvian Sheartail  Thaumastura cora    
A male in the Azapa valley on 28/12.

Chilean Woodstar  Eulidia yarrellii    *
Two males in the Azapa valley on 28/12.
Classified as Endangered by Birdlife International, with a declining population of 2,500 to 10,000 birds restricted to two valleys.

Ringed Kingfisher  Ceryle torquata
One on 20/1 at P.N. Puyehue.

Striped Woodpecker  Picoides lignarius    
A pair on 8/1 at La Campana N.P. , a pair on 10/1 in the grounds of our residencia near the park entrance and a pair on 28/1 at La Torres campsite, Torres del Paine N.P.

Chilean Flicker  Colaptes pitius    
Noted on 6 dates from 8/1 to 29/1, with max. of 4 at La Campana N.P. on the former date and 4 at Torres del Paine N.P. on the latter date.

Andean Flicker  Colaptes rupicola
6+ on 31/12 at Lauca N.P.

Magellanic Woodpecker  Campephilius magellanicus    
4( 1 male, 3 females) on track C at P.N. Nahuelbuta on 17/1 and a pair on the trail to Glacier Grey, Torres del Paine N.P. on 29/1. Impressive indeed.

Greyish Miner  Geositta maritime    
Two on 29/12 near the roadside close to km post 81 in the Upper Lluta valley, en route to Putre on 29/12.

Common Miner  Geositta cunicularia  
Four  were identified at Lauca N.P., near Parinacota Lake. The rare northern altiplano race, G.c. titicacae.
Seperated from similar Puna Miner by faint, but obvious, streaking on breast, amongst other features. Not so common.

Puna Miner  Geositta punensis    
5+ at Lauca N.P. on 31/12 and 1/1 and 5+ at  Lagunas Menique and Miscanti on 3/1.

Short-billed Miner  Geositta Antarctica    
10+ on 23/1 and 40+ on 24/1 in vicinity of Porvenir.

Rufous-banded Miner  Geositta rufipennis    
15+ on 12/1 and 13/1 at La Parva and Embalse El Yeso respectively.

Scale-throated Earthcreeper  Upucerthia dumetaria    
c8 at Embalse El Yeso on 13/1, singles on 25th and 26th and 3 on 28/1 at Torres del Paine N.P.

Plain-breasted Earthcreeper  Upucerthia jelskii   
One at Putre on 29/12,  3-4 there on 30/12, and 2 at Lauca N.P. on 31/12.

White-throated Earthcreeper  Upucerthia albigula    
Two birds eventually tracked down at Putre on 30/12. The birds were at the eastern end of gorge A( Peerman).
These birds were distinctive when seen well.

Straight-billed Earthcreeper  Upucerthia rufucaudus    
One in dry valley B at Putre on 29/12 and another was seen in valley C at Putre on 30/12.

Crag Chilia  Chilia melanura         E
One seen well at Embalse El Yeso on 13/1 around the crags at km 4.

Chilean Seaside Cinclodes  Cinclodes nigrofumosus         E
A pair at Punta Liles on 10/1.

Dark-bellied Cinclodes  Cinclodes patagonicus    
One on 13/1 at Embalse El Yeso was followed by sightings on a further 8 dates from 15/1 to 26/1, with max. of 5 on 16th, 22nd and 26th.

Grey-flanked Cinclodes  Cinclodes oustaleti    
c10 at Embalse El Yeso on 13/1.       

Bar-winged Cinclodes  Cinclodes fuscus
Noted on a minimum of 7 dates. Max. count, 10+ at Embalse El Yeso on 13/1.

White-winged Cinclodes  Cinclodes atacamensis
A pair at Putre on 29/12, 4 at Lauca N.P. on 30/12 and 4+ there on 31st.

Des Murs' Wiretail  Sylviorthorhynchus desmursii    
Two seen at Nahuelbuta on 17/1, with another bird heard.
Hard work.

Thorn-tailed Rayadito  Aphrastura spinicauda   
Noted on 8 dates from 8/1 to 29/1, with max. of 10+ on 16/1 at Laguna del Laja and Nahuelbuta.

Streaked Tit-Spinetail  Leptasthenura striata    
Three on 29/12 - 1 in the upper Lluta valley and 2 at Putre and 6 on 30/12 at Putre.

Plain-mantled Tit-Spinetail  Leptasthenura aegithaloides    
Two on 4/1 at El Tatio, 1 on 9/1 at La Campana N.P., 1 on 10/1 north of the Rio Aconcagua, 1 on 12/1 at Laguna El Peral , 2 on 15/1 and 1 on 24/1.

Wren-like Rushbird  Phleocryptes melanops
One on 11/1 at Laguna El Peral.

Dark-winged Canastero  Asthenes arequipae    
5+ at Putre on 29/12 and c8 there on 30/1.

Sharp-billed Canastero  Asthenes pyrrholeuca   
Five at Embalse El Yeso on 13/1.

Dusky-tailed Canastero  Asthenes humilis         E?
Two on 8/1 at La Campana on scrubby hillside A (Peerman).

Cordilleran Canastero  Asthene modesta    
Two on 30/12 at Putre, 3 on 31/12 at Lauca N.P., 1 on 3/1 at Lagunas Menique and Miscanti, 2 on 4/1 at El Tatio and 2 on 13/1 at Embalse El Yeso.

Canyon Canestero  Asthene pudibunda   
5+ on 30/12 in gorge A (Peerman) at Putre. Song noted.

Austral Canastero  Asthene anthoides    
One on 25/1 near km 24 on the Pt. Dungeness road and 1 on 26/1 in the same area.
Different jizz to the other canasteros- more pipit like. Not particularly easy to find.

White-throated Treerunner  Pygarrhichas albogularis   
One on 8/1 at La Campana N.P., 1 on 14/1 on Las Truncas road and 1 on 17/1 at P.N. Nahuelbuta.

Black-throated Huet-huet  Pteroptochos tarnii    
Good views of 1 on track B at  P.N.Nahuelbuta on 16/1, with a further 5+ heard, 8 seen there on 17/1 with several more heard and singles heard on 19th and 20th at our campsite west of Valdavia.
Superb birds.

Chestnut-throated Huet-huet  Pteroptochos castaneus         E
Four seen around our cabana near km 68 along the road to Termas de Chillan, east of Chillan, early morning on 15/1. The birds were very vocal and easy to see from the roadside. Also a pair in valley B (Peerman) at Laguna del Laja on 16/1 ( also early am).
We had anticipated some difficulty in seeing this sought after species and John Penhallurick put me on to this site. I was however surprised at how easy the birds were here.
Super-tapaculos!

Moustached Turca  Pteroptochos megapodius         E
One seen and 5 heard on 9/1 at La Campana N.P., and 4 on 13/1 at Embalse El Yeso .

White-throated Tapaculo  Scelorchilus albicollis         E
One on 8/1 at La Campana N.P., with a further 3 birds heard, and 2 seen there on 9/1 with a further 6 heard.
A gem!

Chucao Tapaculo  Scelorchilus rubecula   
One heard on 15/1 at Laguna del Laja, 1 seen there on 16/1, 5 seen at Nahuelbuta on 17/1, with additional birds heard there, 1 heard on 19/1 near Valdavia, 2 heard on 20/1 and 1 seen on 21/1 near P.N. Puyehue and a further 3 heard.

Ochre-flanked Tapaculo  Eugralla paradoxa    
Three seen and 1 heard at P.N. Nahuelbuta on 17/1.

Magellanic Tapaculo  Scytalopus magellanicus    
Three seen and 2 heard on 16/1 at P.N. Nahuelbuta, 3+ heard there on 17/1 and 1 on 19/1 near Valdavia.

Dusky Tapaculo  Scytalopus fuscus    
One on 9/1near the entrance to the mine at La Campana N.P., and 1 heard north of the Rio Aconcagua on 10/1.

Rufous-tailed Plantcutter  Phytotoma rara    
One on 10/1 near our campsite north of the Rio Aconcagua, a pair on 11/1 at Laguna El Peral, 1 on 12/1 there and 1 heard on 15/1 near km 68 on the Termas de Chillan road.

White-crested Elaenia  Elaenia albiceps
5+ on 28/12 in the Azapa valley, 2+ on 29/12 , also noted on 8/1, 9/1 and 17/1and finally 10+ on 29/1 at Torres del Paine N.P.

Tufted Tit-Tyrant  Anairetes parulus
10+ on 8/1 at La Campana N.P., also noted on 9/1 , 2+ on 10/1 north of the Rio Aconcagua, 2 on 13/1 at Embalse El Yeso and 2+ on 15/1 on the road to Termas de Chillan.

Many-coloured Rush-Tyrant  Tachuris rubigastra
5+ on 11/1 at Laguna El Peral.
Jewels.

Vermilion Flycatcher  Pyrocephalus rubinus
c10 on 28/12 in the Azapa valley and 5+ on 29/12 in the Lluta valley.

White-browed Chat-Tyrant  Ochthoeca leucoprhys
One on 29/12 .

Patagonian Tyrant  Coloramphus parvirostris    
A pair on 16/1 on track B at P.N. Nahuelbuta.

Fire-eyed Diucon  Xolmis pyrope     *
Two on 9/1 at La Campana N.P., 1 on 14/1 along the road to Termas de Chillan, 3 on 15/1 around km 68 on the Termas de Chillan road, 4 on 21/1 at P.N. Puyehue and 1 on 29/1 at Torres del Paine N.P.

Chocolate-vented Tyrant  Neoxolmis rufiventris    
Two on 25/1 on Tierra del Fuego.
Well smart.

Black-billed Shrike-Tyrant  Agriornis montana
Two on 31/12 at Lauca N.P., 2 on 4/1 at El Tatio, 2 on 12/1 at La Parva and 1 on 13/1 at Embalse El Yeso.

Great Shrike-Tyrant  Agriornis livida    
One on 8/1 on scrubby hillside A at La Campana N.P.

Dark-faced Ground-Tyrant  Muscisaxicola macloviana    
Five on 21/1 at Volcan Raihuen, P.N.Puyehueand 1 on 29/1 at Torres del Paine N.P.

Rufous-naped Ground-Tyrant  Muscisaxicola rufivertex    
c5 on 31/12 at Lauca N.P., 2 on 3/1 at Lagunas Menique and Miscanti and 5 on 4/1 at  El Tatio.

Puna Ground-Tyrant  Muscisaxicola juninensis
c10 on 31/12 at Lauca N.P.

White-browed Ground-Tyrant  Muscisaxicola albilora    
10+ on 13/1 at Embalse El Yeso and 6+ on 16/1 at Laguna del Laja.

Cinereous Ground-Tyrant  Muscisaxicola cinerea     *
Two on 3/1 at lagunas Menique and Miscanti, 2 on 12/1 at La Parva and 1 on 13/1 at Embalse El Yeso.

White-fronted Ground-Tyrant  Muscisaxicola albilora
c5 on 31/12 at Lauca N.P.

Ochre-naped Ground-Tyrant  Muscisaxicola flavinucha   
One on 31/12 at Lauca N.P., 2 on 3/1 at Lagunas Menique and Misconti and 2 on 12/1 at La Parva.

Black-fronted Ground-Tyrant  Muscisaxicola frontalis    
Two on 3/1 at Lagunas menique and misconti and 2 on 12/1 at La Parva.

Andean Negrito  Lessonia rufa   
c20 on 31/12 at Lauca N.P. and 3 on 4/1 at El Tatio.

Austral Negrito  Lessonia oreas    
Noted on 6 dates from 15/1 to 26/1, with max. count of c6 on 16th at Laguna del Laja N.P.

Spectacled Tyrant  Hymenops perspicillata    
A female and a juvenile on 10/1 north of the Rio Aconcagua and a male on 20/1 near Valdavia.

Chilean Swallow  Tachycineta meyeni    
5+ on 8/1 at La Campana N.P., 5+ there on 9/1, 300+ on 11/1 at Laguna El Peral, noted on 16/1, 10+ on 17th at P.N. Nahuelbuta.

Blue-and-white Swallow  Pygochelidon cyanoleuca
Noted on 9 dates from 27/12 to 21/1. Max. counts 10+ on 30/12 and 13/1.

Andean Swallow  Haplochelidon andecola
1+ on 29/12 at Putre.

Sand Martin  Riparia riparia
Singles on 28/12 and 29/12 and 20/1 at Valdavia.

Barn Swallow  Hirundo rustica
Two on 27/12 at Arica airport and 1 on 29/12 in the Lluta valley.

Correndera Pipit  Anthus correndera    
Six on 31/12 at Lauca N.P., 3+ on 24/1 in Porvenir area and 3 on 26/1.

Southern House Wren  Troglodytes musculus
Noted on 7 dates from 28/12 to 25/1.

Chilean Mockingbird  Mimus tenca         E
10+ on 8/1 at La Campana N.P., 3+ there on 9th, 2 on 13/1  near entrance to Embalse El Yeso, 2-3 on 15/1 near km 68 on road to Termas de Chillan and 3+ on 16/1 en route to Angol.

Chiguanco Thrush  Turdus chiguanco
5+ on 29/12 at Putre, several there on 30th,and 1 at San Pedro de Atacama on 4/1.

Austral Thrush  Turdus falcklandii    
Singles on 6/1 and 7/1 in Santiago, 3+ on 8/1 at La Campana N.P., 3+ there on 9/1 and 10+ on 10/1 north of the Rio Aconcagua.

Cinereous Conebill  Conirostrum cinereum
10+ on 28/12 in the Azapa valley, 1 on 29/12 in the Chaca valley and 5+ on 30/12 at Putre.

Tamarugo Conebill  Conirostrum tamarugense     
5 in the Chaca valley on 29/12.
The birds were in the scrubby area to the west of the highway where it crosses the valley.
Classified as Vulnerable by Birdlife International.

Blue-and-yellow Tanager  Thraupis bonariensis
Four on 30/12 at Putre.

Black-hooded Sierra-Finch  Phrygilus atriceps    
Three on 29/12 at Putre, 2 on 31/12 at Lauca N.P., 1 on 3/1 at Lagunas Menique and Miscanti and 2 on 4/1 at El Tatio.

Grey-hooded Sierra-Finch  Phrygilus gayi   
Noted on 7 dates from 12/1 at La Parva to 26/1. Max. 20+ on 13/1 at Embalse El Yeso and on 25/1.

Patagonian Sierra-Finch  Phrygilus patagonicus    
1+ on 17/1 at P.N. Nahuelbuta, 1 there on 18/1 and 2 on 29/1 at Torres del Paine N.P.

Mourning Sierra-Finch  Phrygilus fruticeti
5+ on 29/12 at Putre, noted as common there on 30th, 5+ on 13/1 at Embalse El Yeso and 1 on 16/1 at P.N. Laguna del Laja.

Plumbeous Sierra-Finch  Phrygilus unicolor
Two on 1/1 at Lauca N.P., 1 on 4/1 at El Tatio and 5+ on 13/1 at Embalse El Yeso.

Red-backed Sierra-Finch  Phrygilus dorsalis    
One eventually seen at El Tatio on 4/1 on the rocky slopes east of the geysers.

White-throated Sierra-Finch  Phrygilus erythronotus    
Four on 31/12 at Lauca N.P.

Ash-breasted Sierra-Finch  Phrygilus plebejus
3+ on 29/12 at Putre, 10+ on 30/12 at Putre, 10+ on 31/12 at Lauca N.P., noted as common on 3/1 at Lagunas Menique and Miscanti, 10+ on 4/1 at El Tatio and 5+ on 13/1 at Embals El Yeso.

White-winged Diuca-Finch  Diuca speculifera
c10 on 31/12 at Lauca N.P.

Common Diuca-Finch  Diuca diuca
Common on Easter Island, where the only passerine; 2 on 10/1 at P.N. La Campana, 1 on 13/1 at Embalse El Yeso, 1 on 15/1 at km68 on the road to Termas de Chillan, and 10+ on 16/1 at P.N. Laguna del Laja.

Slender-billed Finch  Xenospingus concolor    
3-4 in  the Azapa valley on 28/12, inc. 2 birds in the grounds of the Museo Arqueologico San Miguel de Azapa, which is well worth a visit anyway.
Classified as Vulnerable by Birdlife International.

Blue-black Grassquit  Volatinia jacarina
c10 on 28/12 in the Azapa valley.

Chestnut-throated Seedeater  Sporophila telasco
5+ on 28/12 in the Azapa valley and 3+ on 29/12 in the Lluta valley.

Band-tailed Seedeater  Catamenia analis
3+ on 29/12 at Putre and 10+ there on 30/12.

Black-throated Flowerpiercer  Diglossa brunneiventris
One on 30/12 at Putre.

Grassland Yellow-Finch  Sicalis luteola
3+ on 20/1en route to P.N. Puyehue.

Bright-rumped Yellow-Finch  Sicalis uropygialis
Two on 1/1 at Lauca N.P., 4 on 3/1 at Lagunas Menique and Miscanti and 1 on 4/1 at El Tatio.

Greater Yellow-Finch  Sicalis auriventris    
Two on 3/1 at Lagunas Menique and Miscanti, 15+ on 12/1 at La Parva and good nos. at Embalse El Yeso on 13/1.

Greenish Yellow-Finch  Sicalis olivacens
One on 29/12 at Putre, 6+ there on 30/1 and noted as common on 3/1 at Lagunas Menique and Misconti.

Patagonian Yellow-Finch  Sicalis lebruni    
Two on 25/1 north of Porvenir and 5 on 26/1 at km 23 on the Pt. Dungeness road.

Rufous-collared Sparrow  Zonotrichia capensis
Common throughout.

Golden-billed Saltator  Saltator aurantiirostris
One on 30/12 in gorge A at Putre.

Yellow-winged Blackbird  Agelaius thilius
Two on 10/1 north of the Rio Aconcagua and 10+ on 11/1 at Laguna El Peral.

Peruvian Meadowlark  Sturnella bellicose
Common in the Lluta valley on 29/12.

Long-tailed Meadowlark  Sturnella loyca   
Noted on 6 dates from 9/1 at P.N. La Campana to 24/1. Max. 10+ on 16/1 at P.N. Laguna Del Laja.

Shiny Cowbird  Molothrus bonariensis
Two on 28/12 in the Azapa valley. Probably under-recorded.

Austral Blackbird  Curaeus curaeus    
10+ on 8/1 at P.N. La Campana, 3+ there on 9/1, 3+ on 15/1 at km 68 on the road to Termas de Chillan, and 3 on 17/1 at P.N. Nahuelbuta.

Hooded Siskin  Carduelis magellanica
One on 28/12 in the Azapa valley, 3+ on 29/12 at Putre and 30+ there on 30/12.

Black-chinned Siskin Carduelis barbatus   
Noted on 7 dates from 8/1 at P.N. La Campana to 29/1 at Torres del Paine N.P. Noted as common on 6 of these dates.

Black Siskin  Carduelis atrata
Two on 31/12 at Lauca N.P., 7 there on 1/1, c10 on 3/1 at Lagunas Menique and Miscanti and c50 at El Tatio on 4th.

Yellow-rumped Siskin  Carduelis uropygialis    
One on 12/1 at La Parva and c10 on 13th at Embalse El Yeso.

House Sparrow  Passer domesticus
Recorded.

260 species,  8/9 endemics.

Mammals

Commerson's Dolphin  -crossing to Tierra del Fuego.
Southern Grey Fox  -Lagunas Miscanti and Menique etc.
Vizcacha
Guanaco
Vicunia  -Lauca N.P.
Llama
Alpaca
Hare sp.
Rabbit sp.
Mouse sp.  -Lauca N.P. (large with big ears!)