Buenos Aires - Entre Rios May-June 2015 birding trip report by Nathan Terzaghi

Larus atlanticus Olrog’s Gull, Punta Rasa This is a report of the birding I did during my time in the provinces of Buenos Aires and Entre Ríos. I owed my presence here to a program pertaining to the curriculum of my medical studies, whereby 3 other students from my university and I spent a month as observers in a hospital in Buenos Aires and another in Concordia, Entre Ríos. I arrived on the Tuesday of the week preceding the beginning of our observational period, which allowed me to rent a car and visit several birding sites in Buenos Aires province, as far south as San Clemente del Tuyú, and then back north visiting most importantly Punta Lara and Otamendi. While we were staying in Buenos Aires, I managed to visit Costanera Sur and Costanera Norte during my spare time. On the way to Concordia, I additionally managed to stop in Ceibas for some more birding. In Concordia I went several times to the local park and did an excursion to El Palmar national park.

Weather The weather overall was somewhat warmer than I expected; the first week and a half was indeed unseasonably warm, going daily well into the twenties (Celsius) but we did experience some cold weather, and El Palmar was actually draped in frost at dawn. Cloudiness and precipitation were also pretty variable and could go from clear skies to rain and back several times a week. Some wind was regularly present, but certainly not always.

Car rental I rented a car – I forget the model – from Buenos Aires for 4 days and 4 hours. Car rental in Argentina is pretty expensive; I ended up paying over 3000 pesos. Fuel is relatively cheap compared to Europe: about 10 pesos per liter. If memory serves, for my trip in Buenos Aires province I had to fill up the tank twice for maybe 1200 km;

I am not exactly sure of the size of the tank, but it was probably about 50 liters. For my day at the Palmar I paid 610 pesos, plus a 270 peso fine on account of my failure to locate the fire extinguisher.

Accommodation I had brought a tent with me but the poles turned out to be missing so I did no camping in this part of the trip. I bought an overpriced tent in Concordia which I used a few times later on. For this part of the trip, the 5 nights I spent “on the road” were in guest houses or hotels; if memory serves prices were in the 150 to 350 pesos range. Accessories A few useful accessories I had with me or acquired, and which one might not spontaneously think of, include: earplugs, sleeping mask, flashlight, gumboots, insect repellent, headphones, adapter, spare battery for phone, external battery, charger that fits in car’s cigar lighter. When I went for walks I would always bring my binoculars, my smartphone, and a backpack containing food, water, my bird guides, and my electronic equipment bag in case the phone or camera battery died. I had a spotting scope with me too but rarely used it. I did not have much medication and made little use of what I had; I did get several vaccines back in Geneva before leaving. At any rate I did not get sick during the trip. Vocalization recordings I spent a lot of time trying to learn bird songs. Before leaving home, I had bought Birds of the Southern Cone by Bernabe López-Lanus and Birds of Brazil by Peter Boesman, in view of my subsequent travels in Brazil. Some species in the area I visited were absent from either collection, so I downloaded some of their vocalizations from Xeno-Canto ; again this was quite time-consuming. Now for learning the songs : I did not have much time to study them before my trip, so I had to learn a lot during the trip. If I had the time, I would listen to songs in the evening, or, with headphones, in public situations, such as on a bus or in a restaurant. Ideally, from a “productivity”-oriented perspective, I would have spent several months beforehand studying my recordings, though I am not sure I would have had the patience; it’s not that fun an activity, but then it is satisfying in the field to recognize by voice most of the species. Identification books As for visual identification, I had with me the classic combo of Ridgley and Tudor’s Birds of S America: The Passerines and Princeton Illustrated Checklists’ Birds of S America: Rheas to Woodpeckers. Together these two books fully cover all birds species present in South America; my opinion of them is largely shared by other birders. The Princeton book is a bit excessively sparing in terms of wording, and what text there is tends to be unhelpful, trivial and redundant with respect to the illustrations. In the case of similar species, instead of focusing on the differences between the two, the text for one species will simply repeat the gross characteristics shared among both species, and which are made sufficiently evident by the illustrations, with the distinguishing markings mentioned, without any emphasis, within this general description. The illustrations are passable and most birds are clearly recognizable, but the level is clearly below that of Tudor’s, and is basically insufficient for identification of difficult Charadriiformes for instance. Still, at the very least Rodríguez Mata deserves credit for the hard work. The Ridgley and Tudor book is excellent but cumbersome; aside from that its only considerable flaw is to not illustrate all species, and among the species illustrated not to illustrate all plumages. To compensate for this deficiency, I downloaded from internet photos of the missing plumages. Site information I downloaded several trip reports to the region onto my smartphone, as well as pages from the Birding Buenos Aires website. Birding Buenos Aires provides useful information on most of the best birding sites within a half-day’s drive from the capital; practically all the places I visited in Buenos Aires province, and Ceibas too, are featured – in fact my itinerary was largely inspired by this website. I also used the Birdquest report (Southern Argentina) to get an idea of what to expect, since they are exceptionally successful and provide a thoroughly annotated species list.

Daily account

Please forgive me for referring to birds by their scientific names; I realize that it probably less convenient for most readers, and in fact in does cost me a little extra effort to use them. I insist nonetheless on using scientific names because it is such a more rational, orderly, and well, scientific, nomenclature. The bird list accompanying this report gives both names side by side, so you can always refer to the list to find the common name. I do not plan on writing much about my extra-avian activities, but I maybe should mention the more important cultural sites that I visited. In Buenos Aires city there are many potentially interesting places that I did not visit; I did get to walk around the historical neighborhoods of San Telmo and La Boca. In Concordia I visited the small Jewish and Anthropological/Geological/Zoological museums. 13.05: Buenos Aires to San Clemente Night flight from Geneva via Madrid Barajas, shared the flight with the other group doing their IMC in Argentina. Arrived in morning at Ezeiza Airport in Buenos Aires, and rented a car, quite expensive. My plan was to arrive in San Clemente del Tuyu in the afternoon. I did not like the route suggested by the GPS on my phone, which would make me go north through the city before heading back south, and then not even following the motorway. So I selected on the GPS a nearby town to the south that was on the route I desired. Sadly some roadwork blocked the route in that direction, and so, lacking clear signaling or useful help from the GPS I ended up following a much more westerly route than planned, passing through San Miguel del Monte. Most of the drive is through pampa, which has now been almost entirely modified for agriculture, and planted with rows of eucalyptus, but still provides good habitat for most native species. Species commonly seen during the drive include Columba picazuro, Caracara plancus, Milvago chimango, Myiopsitta monachus, Agelasticus thilius, Pseudoleistes virescens. Also a few small groups of Chauna torquata. In the end my westerly route was quite good since it made me drive, a few hours later, past a little roadside artificial reservoir near a small town called Pila, that I could easily have missed had I not been looking the right way. In this pond were several species that I would not see again for the rest of the trip. However being on the north side of the road it was backlit which made identification more difficult. Unfortunately I did not check the coordinates of the place and I am uncertain of its exact location. Looking on Google Earth, it seems that it probably was one of the ponds on the NE side of the road within the 10 km to the NW of the turnoff to Pila on the Gral Belgrano to Castelli road. Species of note in pond near Pila: Dendrocygna viduata, bicolor, Anas georgica, bahamensis, Callonetta leucophrys, Netta peposaca, Oxyura vittata, Gallinula melanops; Myocastor coypus Just S of Castelli (actually probably still in Castelli) a lake by the right side of the road held some more interesting waterbirds. Species of note in pond near Castelli: Anas platalea, Oxyura vittata, Podylimbus podiceps, Rollandia rolland, Podiceps major, Fulica armillata The third particularly interesting site for waterbirds of the day was a tidally inundated flat, located some km W of General Lavalle, just W of a bend in the road; coordinates 36°29'30"S 57°04'50"W. Species of note: Anas georgica, versicolor, Circus buffoni, Plegadis chihi, Limosa haemastica, Cinclodes fuscus I arrived in San Clemente a bit before sundown, having time to look at the beach and look for a campground. The first campground I searched for (with the help of a map I printed from Google Maps featuring the local campgrounds) apparently does not exist. Some people I asked near the supposed spot had never heard of it. They mentioned the other campgrounds on my list. I passed by the ACA campground but it was a little pricey. In the end I settled on los Tres Pinos, which like ACA is shaded by numerous eucalypts, and must be very cramped in the summer; now I was the only one there. However as I unpacked my tent I discovered that the poles were missing; thus I had to change my plans for the night. The owner of Los Tres Pinos kindly reimbursed me and indicated that

a lady living very close by had rooms to rent. I went there and met the very nice lady, who gave me a small room, with a dysfunctional shower, but nonetheless amply sufficent for me, where I stayed for 2 nights. 14.05: San Clemente and Punta Rasa In the morning I took the car straight west from Los Tres Pinos to the beach. At this point along the coast, coastal scrub forest survives on the dunes, and reminded me quite a lot of spots on the New South Wales coast where I had been last austral winter. A few procellariiforms far out to sea were not identifiable with the ocean sunrise, my small scope, and lack of experience with seawatching. Species of note here: Hylocharis chryura, 1 in coastal scrub, the only seen in Buenos Aires province Larus atlanticus, probably at least 10, of different ages, among the 2 common gulls Lessonia rufa, 1 male on the beach Colaptes melanochloros, 1 in flight Getting to Punta Rasa is pretty easy: a look at the layout on Google Earth or maps will give a clearer idea than I could convey. The road through the reserve is the road continuing from a turnoff to the east from the road leading to the lighthouse. The road through the reserve leads to the actual point. I parked the car at the turnoff and walked, spotting scope on the shoulder, all the way to the point and back. The best place to see waterbirds is the hide that has been built on the east side of the road, overlooking a tidal pond. This pond is also visible from several other nearby points along the road, where some different birds might be present. This is what I call "main pond" in the bird list. Otherwise one encounters mostly passerines along the road, and not a huge variety. However at that point they were practically all lifers for me, and this is the only place on my trip where I saw Cistothorus platensis, and where Donacospiza albifrons was most numerous. The most common species are Embernagra platensis and Zonotrichia capensis. But above all, my walk allowed me to stumble upon a Porzana spiloptera which I flushed from close to the road, in a section where the vegetation was rather low. I had not really set any hopes up of seeing this bird, but amazingly I still succeeded. Admittedly this is probably the "most classic" place to see it anywhere. At the point were also several waterbirds, 2 of which I only saw here on my whole trip. Species of note here: Phoenicopterus chilensis, Circus cinereus, Circus buffoni, Porzana spiloptera, Charadrius semipalmatus, falklandicus, modestus, Pluvialis squatarola, Tringa flavipes, Limosa haemastica, Larus atlanticus, Sterna hirundinacea, Sterna trudeaui, Thalasseus maximus, Rynchops niger, Cinclodes fuscus, Cranioleuca sulphurifera, Poospiza nigrorufa, Embernagra platensis, Donacospiza albifrons; Cavia aperea 15.05: San Clemente to La Plata Today I drove from San Clemente to Ensenada, which holds the nearest hotel to Punta Lara. In the morning I drove west towards Gral Lavalle. Stopped at some tidal ponds E of Gral Lavalle. Species of note: Pluvialis squatarola, Limosa haemastica, Phleocryptes melanops, Thraupis bonariensis, Cinclodes fuscus Also stopped in some fields a bit to the W of the turnoff to Gral Lavalle, where I saw 1 Anumbius annumbi and a group of Sicalis luteola. The dirt road heading S directly opposite the turnoff to Gral Lavalle held 1 Nothura maculosa, a pair of Anumbius annumbi at their nest, and a group of Syrigma sibilatrix. Drove back to San Clemente to pack my gear, and then headed back W for the drive back north. This time I took the road that skirts Samborombon bay. Where the road is closest to the bay (in the northern part), there a quite a lot of ponds and pretty good grassland and wetland vegetation. Species of note: many species of waterbirds, including the 3 grebes mentioned for Castelli, the 2 possible swans, Chauna torquata, Egretta thula, Fulica rufifrons among the common F. armillata, Sterna trudeaui; Guira guira,

Athene cunicularia, Dendrocolaptes angustirostris, Tyrannus savana, Mimus triurus, Paroaria coronata. The Tyrannus savana are rather surprising given the time of year; I saw a few from the car but did not stop as I figured I would probably see more and because they are so distinctive that one scarcely needs to stop to ID them. Now however I regret not having stopped to at least take a picture as proof. I also saw several Phalacrocorax brasilianus on this day but forgot to write down the sightings, so not too sure where. Further north the only real place of interest was a set of small ponds near Magdalena. Looking at Google Earth, I think they are about 6 km W of Magdalena. Unfortunately the visibility is largely blocked by vegetation; there may have been more interesting species. Species of note: Jacana jacana, Anas versicolor, Oxyura vittata. I arrived at La Plata a bit before sundown. I had originally rented the car for 3 days which meant I needed to return it the following morning. I had been debating whether I wanted to go to Punta Lara and return the car, or skip PL and go to Otamendi and return it in the PM with a penalty, or keep it an extra day and some extra hours so that I could visit both Punta Lara and Otamendi. In the end I settled on the latter, and am glad that I did. I wanted to do a reconnaissance visit of PL in the evening so that I would not waste time finding it in the morning. Unfortunately I mistakenly ended up on the motorway and lost at least an hour trying to turn around and get on the right road. In the end I got off at the exit directly inland from Punta Lara, and drove in the dark along a very rutted 8-km dirt track that leads from the exit to the coast. Near the end one has to drive through a deep water-filled hole that spans the entire track and could easily leave one stranded. Thankfully I made it through, but just barely. After that I had to drive another 15 km back to the SE to Ensenada where I stayed athe rather classy Hotel Querandi, for 300-something pesos. Coordinates of the beginning (costal end) of the track: 34°46’55”S 58°00’43”W. 16.05: Punta Lara and Otamendi Punta Lara is not really a point, just a slight rounded protrusion of the coastline. About 1 km before the NW end of the coastal road is the visitor's entrance to the Punta Lara nature reserve. When I drove past it just after sunrise it was closed. What seemed to me like in any case a better option was to return to the potholed track I had taken the night before, which skirts essentially intact coastal forest and wetland. On Google Earth it seems that between the trails for visitors in a patch of forest, and the track heading inland, there is a quite large expanse of reed-like vegetation, but I am not sure if any is accessible. Heading inland, the track passed first through humid low coastal forest, with a few ponds and water-associated vegetation. Unfortunately the road here is appallingly littered with ubiquitous trash that lends a disagreeable smell to the place (see the pictures that I took here), but the birds do not seem to care at all. Further inland, the forest acquires a drier appearance and harbors species more associated with espinal; from this point on, on the right side of the track the vegetation is no longer natural (largely pasture and some eucalypts), but there is at first some reedy vegetation next to the road. Heading further inland the forest eventually disappears on both sides. If you drive along this track make sure you have decent ground clearance. There was lots of vocalizing here in the early morning; many sounds I could not identify so there might be several species that I overlooked, e.g. Leptotila verreauxi. There are lots thrushes, pigeons, and rails on the track in the early morning. I was lucky enough to see a Laterallus cross the track twice. Unfortunately, having read about Laterallus leucopyrrhus as a possibility at PL, I forgot that there was another similar species that was more likely to be seen, namely L. melanophaius. Sure as I was that I was seeing L. leucopyrrhus, both times I saw the crake I scrambled to take out my camera instead of looking at it properly with binoculars. As a result I am still uncertain which species I saw; I figure L. melanophaius is more likely and I am pretty sure that the Laterallus song I heard several times was L. melanophaius. It definitely was this sp. I heard at Costanera Norte. Species of note (only or mostly in coastal forest): Aramides cajanea, Laterallus melanophaius, Cranioleuca sulphurifera, Phylloscartes ventralis, Cyclarhis gujanensis, Parula pitiayumi, Basileuterus culicivorus, Thraupis bonariensis, Stephanophorus diadematus

Mostly inland forest, roadside "reeds": Tigrisoma lineatum, Aramides ypecaha, Guira guira, Parabuteo unicinctus, Limnornis curvirostris, Lepidocolaptes angustirostris, Cyclarchis gujanensis, Poospiza nigrorufa Mostly pasture and scrub: Syrigma sibilatrix By mid-morning the avian activity had dropped substantially and I headed back to the hotel to recover my bags before heading back though the dirt track at Punta Lara on my way to Otamendi. After that it is continuous motorway all the way to the exit for Otamendi. With the GPS it was no problem going through Buenos Aires; without GPS follow signs indicating something like "northwards", and then Campana. There are several tolls on the motorway, which do not accept the credit card so you have to make sure that you have cash on you. Otamendi is both a town and a nature reserve; the town is next to the motorway about 5 km before Campana; there does not seem to be any accommodation there. The trails around the HQ are mostly in the forest so there is not much opportunity to see wetland birds; I got there just before closing time so did not have time to reach the mirador, which as far as I can tell from Google Earth and photos simply overlooks rank vegetation, with the main pond faintly visible over a km away. The main birding part is the 5-km road that crosses the wetland on the way to the ferry that crosses a branch of the Parana. Reaching this road without the help of Google Earth was a bit difficult, because the GPS did provide an accurate map. Basically you take the road perpendicular to the motorway, through the town, past the access road to the HQ on your right, and then the road will turn to the left, and then right and down past a motocross circuit. Unfortunately when I arrived it was full of teenagers blasting around on their bikes and I thought that turning right would simply lead me into the motocross. However the road continues and then swerves back right, down the hill, and back left across the train tracks, and which point begins the interesting stretch. Unfortunately this road is relatively trafficked and vehicles regularly drive past, leaving you coated in dust, even at dusk and at dawn, which I found unpleasant. To bird here I simply parked the car at various points on the side of the road and walked along the road for a few 100 meters. The road is surrounded by wetlands on both sides but the road itself, not belonging to the nature reserve, is often lined with trees, some exotic, but also many typical of espinal vegetation that were good for birds. For species, see next day. When it got dark I left and drove to Campana in search of a place to stay. Campana seemed to me a bit seedy and unsettling, and the hotel I found (Hotel Rex) certainly reinforced my initial impression. However the owner, which I had some misgivings about, ended up helping me open my suitcase with a pick when the lock would not open, and although not quite friendly, was overall respectable and respectful. Beginning of road across wetlands: 34°13’17”S 58°53’45”W. 17.05: Otamendi At 6 am I was woken up by a riot that broke out among teenagers having just left a nightclub, and that was broken up by the police. People here go out at night extremely late; apparently it is typical to go to the club from 3 to 6 am. Anyway I packed up and drove to Otamendi, arriving before sunrise. The birds were active at first but became significantly more quite when some clouds began to mask the morning sun. I reached the ferry terminal at the river and then headed back. Species of note for both days: Anas versicolor, Plegadis chihi probable, Phimosus infuscatus, Phleocryptes melanops, Limnornis curvirostris, Cranioleuca pyrrhophia, Phacellodromus striaticollis, Thamnophilus ruficapillus, Serpophaga nigricans, Tachuris rubrigastra, Pseudocolopteryx flaviventris probable, Thraupis sayaca, Piranga flava, Amblyramphus holosericeus, Sturnella superciliaris I drove to the next motorway exit to the SE, where the train track passes by the small village on the NE side of the motorway. I had seen at the information center that the track goes through the reserve, and so I was interested to try walking along it. I parked in front of the northernmost house, and having asked the owners their permission

to cross the property and also that they look after the car, I walked north along the track for several hundred meters. Here I was entirely alone and the place certainly seems to have potential, although since it was overcast and late in the morning I did not encounter all that much. Species of note: Phytotoma rutila, Saltator aurantiirostris, Sporophila collaris After that I drove back to Ezeiza to return the car. To reach the appartment in Belgrano where I was to stay for the 2 following weeks I took a bus with Tienda Leon which brought me to the Newberry airport where I then took a taxi with the same company; it seems doing this cost me about half the price of taking a taxi the whole way. Buenos Aires Overall in Buenos Aires there were only common species. However at the Botanical Gardens which I visited one day I saw Veniliornis mixtus and Parabuteo unicinctus. 22.05: Costanera Sur I spent most of this day, a Friday, in Costanera Sur. From Belgrano I took the D line to 9 de Julio where I switched to the B line to the end at L N Alem. Alem is clearly the closest subte station to Costanera Sur; from there it is a bit over 1 km to the entrance, which you reach by crossing the bridge next to the tall ICBC building. I arrived a bit before the opening time of 8:00. When it opened, the guard at the entrance asked for my ID, and laughed when he saw I was 21. When I later asked another guard, he explained that unaccompanied minors were forbidden to enter. I walked along most of the trails of the park. The habitat is a patchwork of "reedy" wetland vegetation and low coastal forest; the only open water aside from the Rio de la Plata is a pond that is largely hidden from view on the western side, and also a small estuary at the southern end. There is not much difference in habitat between one side of the park and the other, so I believe it is not that useful to mention where in the park I saw each species. Species of note: Aramides cajanea, ypecaha, Fulica armillata, Guira guira, feral population of Nandayus nenday, Limnornis curvirostris, Synallaxis frontalis, Lepidocolaptes angustirostris, Tachycineta meyeni or leucorrhoa, Basileuterus culicivorus, Parula pitiayumi, Thraupis bonariensis, Saltator aurantiirostris, Paroaria coronata, Poospiza nigrorufa, Icterus cayanensis, Cacicus solitarius

27.05 and 28.05: Costanera Norte In the evening of the 27th and the morning of the 28th I visited the small park next to the Ciudad Universitaria called Costanera Norte. I got there by the 107 bus which I took at Cabildo and Blanco Encalada, 2 squares to the NE from the Juramento station of the D line. At the University you can either walk along the NE side of the university, which gives you a view over the ponds, or from the E side you can walk coastwards through a grassy parking lot into the small reserve, which consists mostly of coastal forest and grass. Species of note: Aramus guarauna, Jacana jacana, Parabuteo unicinctus, Chloroceryle americana, Serpophaga subcristata, Anairetes flavirostris, Paroaria capitata, Cacicus solitarius, Chrysomus ruficapillus, unIDd female Sporophila (not collaris). 29.05 and 30.05: Ceibas On the 29th I took the 9:00 RapidoTata bus from Retiro, which actually arrived at 10:00. Saw a Megaceryle torquata from bus somewhere N of Campana. Arrived about 13:00 at Ceibas. My plan was to find a place to stay and a bicicycle and motorbike to ride around for a day of two. Thus, with my two large suitcases in tow bouncing around on the gravel, I walked towards the nearest houses to enquire about my possibilities. Some people working in an automobile repair garage told me there was a single hotel in Ceibas where I could go. As I was

walking off towards the hotel, a young lad maybe about my age called me back and offered to lend me his bike. It was a rather homely yellow steed with only a single gear and an excessively low saddle which required a wrench to be adjusted. Nonetheless satisfied, I returned to pick up the bike after I had dropped my gear off at the hotel. I then took the overpass across the motorway and headed east along the dirt road which I had seen on Google Earth and supposed was the classical birding site in Ceibas despite not having found any clear information on the subject. That afternoon I made it about 3/4 of the way to the turnoff to the south about 10 km E of Ceibas. I made it back to Ceibas and returned the bike around nightfall. The road is entirely unpaved; the first km or so is good but then it gets quite sandy and it was harder going, especially with the bike I had. The hotel in Ceibas, located just off the motorway, on the W side, is very much a motel; the rooms are located in a low building and the doors face out towards the parking lot. They can cook an evening meal for you in the separate lobby/restaurant. Costs 210 pesos per night The following day I returned to pick up the bicycle before daybreak; unfortunately the owner of the bike was asleep and had not left it outside like I had thought he would. Consequently I first woke up some other guy by making his dog bark, who then told me where the owner lived. I woke him up too and he gladly lent me his bike again; I offered to pay him a little but he refused. The morning was overcast so there was less bird activity than the previous evening, but the rain that had fallen during the night had compacted the sand and made the riding a little easier. I made it to the turnoff to the south at 9:45 and rode a few km south until I was deterred by three large dogs barking and racing out of a farmhouse gate towards me. I promptly turned the bike around and pedaled as fast as I could until they stopped pursuing me, about 100 meters or so. Luckily it was not too sandy here. Then I drove back to the crossroads and rode NE to the next village. There I turned around and rode back to Ceibas, arriving a bit earlier than the previous evening. The habitat lining the eastwards road is largely espinal, but there are also stretches that are planted with eucalypts, and various open areas without arborescent plants. The south road first crosses a large area of reedy vegetation, before passing through alternating patches of grass and wetland and thinner strips of espinal. A few ponds were present; one in particular on the W side of the road 3 or 4 km south of the intersection had some interesting species. Overall, the road south is good for wetland and open-country species, whereas the eastwards road is better for espinal specialties. Species of note: Mostly eastwards road: Rhynchotus rufescens, Columba maculosa, Buteogallus meridionalis, Melanerpes cactorum, Melanerpes candidus, Pseudoseisura lophotes, Synallaxis frontalis, Schoeniophylax phryganophilus, Cranioleuca sulphurifera, Asthenes baeri, Leptasthenura platensis, Lepidocolaptes angustirostris, Phytotoma rutila, Mimus triurus, Saltator aurantiirostris, Paroaria capitata, coronata, Poospiza nigrorufa, melanoleuca, Icterus cayanensis Mostly southwards road: Anas versicolor, Phalacrocorax brasilianus, Phimosus infuscatus, Plegadis chihi, Pardirallus sanguinolentus, Aramides ypecaha, Charadrius collaris, Falco femoralis, Cinclodes fuscus, Limnornis curvirostris, Phleocryptes melanops, Cranioleuca sulphurifera, Certhiaxis cinnamomeus, Serpophaga subcristata, nigricans, Pseudocolopteryx flaviventris, Pyrocephalus rubinus, Lessonia rufa, Tachycineta meyeni, Saltator similis, Sporophila collaris, Chrysomus ruficapillus, Agelasticus cyanopus. Coordinates of the beginning of the road south: 33°28’44”S 58°41’23”W. In the evening I decided to take the 19:00 bus to Gualeguaychú so that I would only have one bus to take to Concordia the following day, and so I could eat at a real restaurant and get a feel for the nightlife in Gualeguaychu, having ascertained that there is essentially none in Ceibas. The owner of the hotel in Ceibas was very nice, and he let me leave in the evening even though I had said I would stay another night and had left my stuff in the room. Stayed at a hotel near Bolivar and Mitre; I think it cost a bit over 300 pesos. Had a dinner in a rather unexpectedly fancy and good Asian restaurant by the costanera. Then went to a bar and talked to some people there until 2:00 or 3:00. Too tired (and unaccustomed to beer by the liter) to accompany them to the nightclub. In the morning walked in a park in Gualeguaychú; interestingly Columba maculosa is common in town here. I took an afternoon bus to Concordia the next day.

Concordia In the urban zone of Concordia I mostly saw the regular common species, although Hylocharis chrysura is quite common and I also saw Columbina picui and Thraupis bonariensis. On Google Earth I saw that there was a small river on the W side of the town flanked with some decent-looking riparian forest. I saw a path heading west from calle Castelli and decided to go for a walk there. However in the flesh the place is not quite so appealing. Firstly the western end of Castelli goes through a shantytown which is littered in trash, likely has no public electricity or sanitation, and smells terrible. Past the shantytown is a dump, which like in apparently most countries that are less developed than western Europe, has no proper boundaries, and has no way of preventing trash from being dispersed. Thus the riparian forest past the dump is likewise full of garbage. A man at the dump wanted to know what I was doing and when I told him he discouraged me from proceeding towards the river, on the grounds that I was likely to get robbed. I nevertheless nervously made my way to the river and then walked north to reenter the town at another point. Luckily I met no one else. Not far from the dump I encountered a Cathartes aura circling low over the forest (actually the head looked a bit too yellow for aura, but I imagine burrovianus would be unlikely). Species of note by the dump: Leptotila verreauxi, Rupornis magnirostris, Cathartes aura. Parque San Carlos is a large and pleasant park at the NE edge of the town, along the Rio Uruguay, which serves as the border between Argentina and Uruguay. It holds the remains of a large mansion that had various French owners before burning down in the 30s, and its claim to fame is Antoine de Saint-Exupéry's repeated stay as a guest here. I came here a total of 3 times; the first time with the other students, and not seeing many species owing to the strong but very warm breeze. The second time I arrived early in the morning on a mostly cloudy day and stayed until midday. The third time I visited in the late afternoon, with low clouds and a short drizzle. On the second and third visits I visited the same places, namely the natural riparian vegetation that still grows in the sections of the park closer to the river and extends inland along a few small creeks, and also similar vegetation that extends to the north of the park. Interestingly, in the latter section I found on both occasions a mixed species flock at practically the same spot, both largely containing the same species. I am not sure whether was more or less the same flock or not; at the Palmar I encountered several such flocks with a similar array of species, and it is obvious that some species preferentially form part of such a flock. In any case, to get to where I found the flock I followed the road north along the river and then a small trail that crosses a little brook. The river here has a few exposed islets in the middle which form what is called Salto Chico, and which held a few waterbirds. Species of note in river: Dendrocygna autumnalis, Phaetusa simplex In forest: Taraba major, Thamnophilus caruleus, Syndactyla rufosuperciliata, Synallaxis frontalis, Ceratotriccus margaritaceiventer, Cyanocorax chrysops, Cyanoloxia glaucocaerulea, Saltator similis, Microspingus cabanisi, Myiothlypis leucoblephara El Palmar On one day I rented a car for 24 hours, picking it up in the evening downtown and bringing it back to our house for the night, so that I could visit the Parque Nacional El Palmar, between Concordia and Colón to the south, which holds remnants of an interesting habitat consisting of shrubland, grassland, and palm stands. Riparian vegetation similar to that in San Carlos is found along the main stream and the Rio Uruguay. The park opened at 8:00, but the ticket vendors had not yet arrived and the lady was willing to let me go through. The price of entry for 1 person was 120 pesos, which I paid on my way out. People here are pretty trusting; I would have had no problem simply driving out without paying. There did not seem to be that much avian diversity in the palm and dry scrubby parts; in the riparian vegetation on the other hand I found many of the same interesting species I had seen in San Carlos, as well as a few different ones. I took the side roads to the south and walked the small loops and the end of those roads by the stream. The best birding area was at the eastern end of the park: there is a trail that makes a loop south from where the road ends at the Rio Uruguay; I made my way around it slowly and came across several mixed-species flocks. Species of note: same as San Carlos forest, plus Nothura maculosa, Veniliornis spilogaster, Pachyramphus viridis, Knipolegus cyanirostris, Cyclarhis gujanensis, Stephanophorus diadematus

Nothura maculosa Spotted Nothura, El Palmar

Bird List

The bird list is arranged by taxonomic order but it might seem unfamiliar to some. Indeed this list deviates significantly from the "classic" sequence (although by now I am not too sure what that might be) to reflect recent discoveries in avian phylogeny borne by molecular research. Initially I starded by gleaning information from Wikipedia rather than by going directly to the source. Then I started to look for papers on avian phylogeny and arranged several clades based on these papers, and following the IOC list when no other source was available. However in the end I stumbled upon the TiF (taxonomy in flux) list, which is the very impressive accomplishment of a single man named John Boyd, who is not even a professional ornithologist. His list, which classifies all 10000 or so bird species on earth, essentially follows the same principles as I wanted for my list, and keeps up to date with the most recent findings; as such it is constantly updated, hence the "in flux". In the end I have decided to almost entirely follow the TiF list; a few times I do not follow it exactly if it appears that it should have been arranged differently based on the cladogram presented by Boyd for the group in question. In particular, when considering two sister clades, I consider the "derived" clade (which is the one to come after the" basal" clade) to be the one where occurred the most ancient split between surviving lineages within the clade. Boyd on the other hand will sometimes place a species-rich clade after a sister clade which is species-poor but has greater diversity of higher-level taxa.

I recorded a total of 164 native species in BA and ER provinces, and 683 over the course of my entire trip in

Argentina and Brazil.

Rhynchotus rufescens Rufous-winged Tinamou 1 flushed Ceibas main track, distinctive rufous wings. Another unID tinamou seen before on S track, probably following sp. based on size. Nothura maculosa Spotted Nothura 1 walking on road just S of Gral Lavalle, 2 tinamous seen on road N to la Plata on same day probably this sp, 2 together on the main road at El Palmar Chauna torquata Southern Screamer several small groups on road to San Clemente, 1 W of Gral Lavalle, group of about 10 in Samborombon, group by road N of Campana, often seen at Ceibas Dendrocygna viduata White-faced Whistling-Duck quite a lot in pond near Pila Dendrocygna autumnalis Black-bellied Whistling-Duck 2 together in Uruguay river seen from Parque San Carlos Dendrocygna bicolor Fulvous Whistling-Duck a few seen briefly near Pila Coscoroba coscoroba Coscoroba Swan W of Gral Lavalle, Punta Rasa, road N to La Plata, Otamendi, Costanera Sur, Ceibas Cygnus melancoryphus Black-necked Swan several in pond in Samborombon Callonetta leucophrys Ringed Teal a few near Pila and at Ceibas pond Anas georgica Yellow-billed Pintail seen in various ponds on road to San Clemente, with quite large numbers near Pila and W of Gral Lavalle Anas flavirostris Speckled Teal common in ponds in S Buenos Aires, also heard at Costanera Sur, 3 at Costanera Norte pond, several at Ceibas pond Anas versicolor Silver Teal a few W of Gral Lavalle, a few near Magdalena, 1 in flight at Otamendi, quite a lot in Ceibas pond Anas bahamensis White-cheeked Pintail 1 seen briefly near Pila, perhaps there were more Anas platalea Red Shoveler 1 female near Castelli and 1 male W of Gral Lavalle Netta peposaca Rosy-billed Pochard many near Pila Oxyura vittata Lake Duck several near Pila, 1 near Castelli, several near Magdalena Phoenicopterus chilensis Chilean Flamingo 3 in Punta Rasa main pond, 1 juvenile W of Gral Lavalle, several in Samborombon Podilymbus podiceps Pied-billed Grebe 1 near Castelli, and seen in various ponds in Samborombon Podicephorus major Great Grebe seen in various ponds in S Buenos Aires, also 1 in sea at San Clemente and at Punta Lara each Podiceps rolland White-tufted Grebe seen in various ponds in S Buenos Aires, with quite a few near Castelli Patagioenas picazuro Picazuro Pigeon Common in Buenos Aires province, less so but still present in Entre Rios. Patagioenas maculosa Spot-winged Pigeon common from Ceibas north in espinal and towns Zenaida auriculata Eared Dove quite common in many places Leptotila verreauxi White-tipped Dove probably heard and even seen in Punta Lara but did not pay attention to pigeons there; at least 1 at Otamendi and likely more heard; commonly heard and a few seen at Costanera sur and Norte and less commonly at Ceibas Columbina picui Picui Ground-Dove small group in flight in Buenos Aires outskirts on first day, small group along Otamendi railway, small group on Ceibas S road Guira guira Guira Cuckoo group in Samborombon, 1 at Costanera Sur entrance looking for handouts, 3 groups at Ceibas Piaya cayana Squirrel Cuckoo 1 in Parque San Carlos N forest on first visit and 1 at El Palmar coastal trail Hylocharis chrysura Gilded Sapphire 1 at San Clemente beach, moderately common in Concordia, 1 heard at El Palmar coastal trail Pardirallus sanguinolentus Plumbeous Rail several immediately responded in reedy vegetation along Ceibas S road when I played their song on my phone, heard only Aramides cajanea Grey-necked Wood-Rail several at Punta Lara, 1 at Costanera Sur, 2 at Costanera Norte, 1 at hide at beginning of El Palmar coast trail Aramides ypecaha Giant Wood-Rail several at Punta Lara, Otamendi and Costanera Sur; commonly seen and heard in evening at Ceibas, 2 at hide near beginning of El Palmar coast trail Porzana spiloptera Dot-winged Crake 1 flushed at Punta Rasa. Small, upperparts and upper wings dark with pale spots Gallinula chloropus Common Moorhen several in various ponds on road from San Clemente to La Plata, and various along Ceibas S road Fulica armillata Red-gartered Coot often common in ponds in S Buenos Aires, 1 at Costanera Sur W pond Fulica rufifrons Red-fronted Coot several in various ponds in Samborombon Laterallus melanophaius Rufous-sided Crake several heard and seen twice crossing track at Punta Lara (may have been L leucopyrrhus), at least 2 heard at Costanera Norte, perhaps heard at Otamendi and Costanera Sur Aramus guarauna Limpkin 1 likely W of Gral Lavalle, 3 at Costanera Norte, rather common along Ceibas S road Haematopus palliatus American Oystercatcher common at Punta Rasa

Himantopus (himantopus) melanurus White-backed Stilt common in wetland habitats in S Buenos Aires and Ceibas Vanellus chilensis Southern Lapwing common in open habitats throughout Pluvialis squatarola Black-bellied Plover about 3 at Punta Rasa main pond and 1 in pond E of Gral Lavalle Charadrius semipalmatus Semipalmated Plover 1 at Punta Rasa main pond Charadrius falklandicus Double-collared Plover group of about 20 at beach at Punta Rasa point Charadrius collaris Collared Plover 1 at Ceibas pond Charadrius modestus Rufous-chested Dotterel 1 at main pond and 3 in flight at Punta Rasa Jacana jacana Wattled Jacana 1 in Samborombon, 1 in pond near Magdalena, several at Costanera Norte, along Ceibas S road, and in a creek seen on road between El Palmar and Concordia Tringa flavipes Lesser Yellowlegs 1 at Punta Rasa main pond Limosa haemastica Hudsonian Godwit several small groups at Punta Rasa and in ponds E and W of Gral Lavalle Chroiocephalus maculipennis Brown-hooded Gull common in ponds around Gral Lavalle, in San Clemente and Punta Rasa, and in Samborombon; also a few seen along coast around Buenos Aires city, and some distanly seen at Salto Chico Larus dominicanus Kelp Gull common in San Clemente and Punta Rasa, and some more seen in flight at Punta Lara and Costanera Sur Larus atlanticus Olrog's Gull fair numbers at San Clemente beach and Punta Rasa at main pond, above road in flight, and at point Rynchops niger Black Skimmer very large group at Punta Rasa main pond Phaetusa simplex Large-billed Tern group of about 15 on sandbar at Salto Chico in Rio Uruguay on first visit, IDd by distinctive wing pattern in flight Thalasseus maximus Royal Tern several flying over at Punta Rasa near the actual point Sterna trudeaui Snowy-crowned Tern common at Punta Rasa Sterna hirundinacea South American Tern several at Punta Rasa main pond; on one got to see projecting tail streamers Ciconia maguari Maguari Stork common in wetland habitats Phalacrocorax brasilianus Neotropic Cormorant several in S Buenos Aires, 2 in Ceibas, but tended to forget to write down sightings so maybe more sightings Tigrisoma lineatum Rufescent Tiger-Heron 1 at Punta Lara, and several along Ceibas S road Syrigma sibilatrix Whistling Heron group of about 10 in flight just S of Gral Lavalle, another similar group in flight at Punta Lara Egretta thula Snowy Egret 2 separate in Samborombon Ardea alba Great Egret common in wetland habitats Ardea cocoi Cocoi Heron quite common in wetland habitats Phimosus infuscatus Bare-faced Ibis 1 in flight at Otamendi, and various seen at Ceibas, alone or in small groups Plegadis chihi White-faced Ibis many W of Gral Lavalle, large groups in flight at Otamendi and Ceibas, and seen on ground along Ceibas S road Cathartes aura Turkey Vulture At least 4 by Rio Uruguay at El Palmar. Also 1 Cathartes seen in riparian forest on W side of Concordia; head not obviously red even though seen through binoculars quite close, indicating C. burrovianus, but not certain. Circus buffoni Long-winged Harrier several seen at Punta Rasa and between San Clemente and Samborombon Circus cinereus Cinereous Harrier 1 at Punta Rasa Buteogallus meridionalis Savanna Hawk 2 separate seen on both days at Ceibas Rupornis magnirostris Roadside Hawk a few at Punta Lara, Otamendi, Costanera Sur, along road N of Campana, at Ceibas, in woodland on W side of Concordia, at El Palmar Parabuteo unicinctus Harris's Hawk pair at Punta Lara, at least 1 at Costanera Norte, several at El Palmar Athene cunicularia Burrowing Owl 5 total in Samborombon Chloroceryle americana Green Kingfisher 1 at Costanera Norte, several possible kingfishers glimpsed in wetlands elsewhere Megaceryle torquata Ringed Kingfisher 1 along road N of Campana Melanerpes candidus White Woodpecker 2 together and 1 single at Ceibas Melanerpes cactorum White-fronted Woodpecker several at Ceibas Veniliornis spilogaster White-spotted Woodpecker several at El Palmar in palms, 1 woodpecker tapping in coastal trail could have been this sp; there was some confusion here with Veniliornis because I thought only mixtus was possible and at first dismissed spilogaster as such; but yellow back distinctiv Veniliornis mixtus Checkered Woodpecker 1 at Otamendi, 1 at Buenos Aires botanical garden, quite common at Costanera Sur and Ceibas Colaptes melanochloros Green-barred Woodpecker 1 at San Clemente beach, Punta Lara, Otamendi HQ, Costanera Sur, and Costanera Norte each, quite common at Ceibas, 1 at Parque San Carlos with previous sp, heard at El Palmar

Colaptes campestris Campo Flicker pair near Ezeiza airport, several in S Buenos Aires, 3 along Otamendi railway, several at Ceibas including group of 5, pair at Parque San Carlos, at least 1 at El Palmar Caracara plancus Southern Crested Caracara common in many habitats throughout Milvago chimango Chimango Caracara common in Buenos Aires, a few seen in Ceibas Falco sparverius American Kestrel various sightings in S Buenos Aires, 1 in Concordia and 1 at El Palmar Falco femoralis Aplomado Falcon 2 at Ceibas S road, 1 likely at Punta Lara Myiopsitta monachus Monk Parakeet common in many places, usually in groups; seems to favor large eucalypts for nesting Taraba major Great Antshrike several both times in mixed-species flock in riparian forest on N side of Parque San Carlos Thamnophilus ruficapillus Rufous-capped Antshrike a few at Otamendi Thamnophilus caerulescens Variable Antshrike several seen in heard in mixed flcok in riparian forest on N side of Parque San Carlos; rather common in riparian vegetation at El Palmar, mostly in mixed flocks Lepidocolaptes angustirostris Narrow-billed Woodcreeper 1 in Samborombon, 1 seen and several heard at Punta Lara, 1 at Costanera Sur, quite common at Ceibas, 1 heard at El Palmar; mostly in espinal Furnarius rufus Rufous Hornero common to abundant practically everywhere Cinclodes fuscus Bar-winged Cinclodes regularly encountered at Punta Rasa, Gral Lavalle, and Ceibas, generally found on or near exposed mud Phleocryptes melanops Wren-like Rushbird 1 heard and glimpsed E of Gral Lavalle, several heard and seen at Otamendi, 1 heard in reedy vegetation at Ceibas Limnornis curvirostris Curve-billed Reedhaunter several heard and seen at Punta Lara, Otamendi and Ceibas; heard only at Costanera Sur Syndactyla rufosuperciliata Buff-browed Foliage-Gleaner probably several both times in mixed flock in riparian forest on N side of Parque San Carlos; various seen in mixed flocks along coastal trail at El Palmar. Leptasthenura platensis Tufted Tit-Spinetail 1 at Ceibas in espinal Phacellodomus striaticollis Freckle-breasted Thornbird common at Punta Rasa, several heard and at least 1 seen on road between San Clemente and Samborombon, common at Otamendi, several heard at Costanera Sur, common at Ceibas, at least 1 heard at El Palmar Asthenes baeri Short-billed Canastero common at Ceibas in espinal Anumbius annumbi Firewood-gatherer 1 near Gral Lavalle and then pair at nest just S of turnoff to Gral Lavalle Limnoctites sulphuriferus Sulphur-bearded Spinetail several at Punta Rasa, at least 1 at Punta Lara, several on Ceibas S road Cranioleuca pyrrhophia Stripe-crowned Spinetail several at Otamendi and Ceibas, in espinal Pseudoseisura lophotes Brown Cacholote a few seen and quite often heard in Ceibas, in espinal vegetation Schoeniophylax phryganophilus Chotoy Spinetail various at Ceibas in espinal Certhiaxis cinnamomeus Yellow-chinned Spinetail quite common along Ceibas S road Synallaxis frontalis Sooty-fronted Spinetail 2 together and 1 single at Costanera Sur, a few at Ceibas; at least 1 both times in mixed flock in N Parque San Carlos; several separate at El Palmar, one in palms and others in riparian forest. Phytotoma rutila White-tipped Plantcutter 1 female along Otamendi railway, and quite common at Ceibas Pachyramphus viridis Green-backed Becard 1 male in mixed flock at El Palmar coastal trail Tachuris rubrigastra Many-colored Rush-Tyrant 1 at Otamendi Phylloscartes ventralis Mottle-cheeked Tyrannulet 1 in wet forest at Punta Lara Ceratotriccus margaritaceiventer Pearly-vented Tody-Tyrant 1 in mixed flock in riparian forest on N side of Parque San Carlos on first visit; 2 sightings in mixed flocks at El Palmar coastal trail Anairetes flavirostris Yellow-billed Tit-Tyrant 1 at Costanera Norte Pseudocolopteryx flaviventris Warbling Doradito 1 probable at Otamendi, and 1 along Ceibas S road Serpophaga subcristata White-crested Tyrannulet 2 sightings at Costanera Norte, 3 at Ceibas, and 3 at El Palmar Serpophaga nigricans Sooty Tyrannulet pair at Otamendi, and various along Ceibas S road Machetornis rixosa Cattle Tyrant quite common in open habitats in many places, but also several in eucalypts in Ceibas Pitangus sulphuratus Great Kiskadee common almost everywhere Tyrannus savana Fork-tailed Flycatcher several seen in Samborombon. rather surprising for this time of year. Pyrocephalus rubinus Vermilion Flycatcher 1 immature male along Ceibas S road Lessonia rufa Austral Negrito 1 male at San Clemente beach and 3 separate at Ceibas on open terrain including 1 female Hymenops perspicillatus Spectacled Tyrant several at Punta Rasa, on road from San Clemente to Samborombon, at Otamendi, and at Ceibas; all males except 1 female at Ceibas Knipolegus cyanirostris Blue-billed Black-Tyrant several males and 1 female at El Palmar, all but 1 on coastal trail Xolmis irupero White Monjita several at Ceibas Cyclarhis gujanensis Rufous-browed Peppershrike at least 2 separate at Punta Lara, 2 together in mixed flock at El Palmar

Cyanocorax chrysops Plush-crested Jay group of 3 in forest strip in SE part of Parque San Carlos on first visit, quite common at El Palmar with various groups seen and heard along stream and river Tachycineta meyeni Chilean Swallow only 1 100% certain, along Ceibas S road. Various more at Ceibas, and 3 at Costanera Sur and a day later in Puerto Madero, could have been T. leucorrhoa Polioptila dumicola Masked Gnatcatcher common in many places Cistothorus platensis Sedge Wren various at Punta Rasa Troglodytes (aedon) musculus Southern House Wren common in most places Mimus saturninus Chalk-browed Mockingbird common in most places Mimus triurus White-banded Mockingbird 2 just out of Ezeiza, 1 in Samborombon, several in Ceibas Turdus rufiventris Rufous-bellied Thrush common in most places from Punta Lara north; more common than following sp. in Buenos Aires Turdus amaurochalinus Creamy-bellied Thrush common in many places from Punta Lara north; more common than previous sp. in Entre Rios Sporagra magellanica Hooded Siskin recorded at Punta Lara, Otamendi railway, Costanera Sur, Costanera Norte, and Ceibas, mostly in rather sizeable groups Zonotrichia capensis Rufous-collared Sparrow common almost everywhere Piranga flava Hepatic Tanager 1 immature male at Otamendi Cyanoloxia glaucocaerulea Glaucous-blue Grosbeak 1 male in mixed flock in forest strip in SE Parque San Carlos; male and female in N forest mixed flock on second visit; female in mixed flock at El Palmar coastal trail. Pipraeidea bonariensis Blue-and-yellow Tanager 1 male E of Gral Lavalle, 2 females at Punta Lara, 1 male at Costanera Sur and 1 male in Concordia Stephanophorus diadematus Diademed Tanager 1-3 in large tree in coastal forest at Punta Lara. Forgot to write down sighting at time so not sure of exact number (written 04.06). Quite common at El Palmar, various seen near stream and near river Paroaria coronata Red-crested Cardinal quite a few in espinal in Samborombon, 2 at Costanera Sur, common at Ceibas, a few at El Palmar Paroaria capitata Yellow-billed Cardinal 2 together at Costanera Norte, and a few at Ceibas, mostly with following sp. Tangara sayaca Sayaca Tanager 2 at Otamendi in roadside trees, in Parque San Carlos 2 probably seen in SE forest strip on first visit, and at least 1 in N forest on second visit. Sicalis flaveola Saffron Finch seen at all birding sites from Punta Lara north, quite common, mostly in groups Sicalis luteola Grassland Yellowfinch small group near Gral Lavalle was only certain sighting, but many small unID passerines in flight in S Buenos Aires were likely this sp. Saltator similis Green-winged Saltator 1 in mixed flock in forest strip in SE Parque San Carlos on first visit, 1 in N side of park on both visits; 1 at El Palmar near the river Saltator coerulescens Grayish Saltator 2 (perhaps same) along Ceibas S road Saltator aurantiirostris Golden-billed Saltator 1 along Otamendi railway, several at Costanera Sur, quite common at Ceibas and El Palmar Embernagra platensis Great Pampa-Finch common at Punta Rasa and Otamendi, and quite common along Ceibas S road Poospiza nigrorufa Black-and-rufous Warbling-Finch quite common at Ceibas Donacospiza albifrons Long-tailed Reedfinch various at Punta Rasa including decent-sized goup, small group along Otamendi railway Microspingus cabanisi Gray-throated Warbling-Finch 3 separate at Punta Rasa, several at Punta Rasa and Otamendi, 1 at Costanera Sur, 1 at Ceibas Microspingus melanoleucus Black-capped Warbling-Finch several in mixed flock in forest in N Parque San Carlos on both visits, and several in various mixed flocks along coastal trail at El Palmar. Sporophila collaris Rusty-collared Seedeater 1 female along Otamendi railway, 1 male along Ceibas S road Sturnella superciliaris White-browed Blackbird 1 at Otamendi Cacicus solitarius Solitary Cacique quite a few seen and heard in morning at Costanera Sur including pair at nest, 1 heard at Costanera Norte Icterus pyrrhopterus Variable Oriole at least 3 in all seen at Costanera Sur, 1 probably seen at Costanera Norte, and 2 seen at Ceibas near intersection, 2 together in mixed flock inforest strip in SE Parque San Carlos Molothrus bonariensis Shiny Cowbird 1 at Costanera Sur, several at Costanera Norte incl. group with Sturnus vulgaris, quite a lot a Ceibas, often in large groups, on or near open ground Amblyramphus holosericeus Scarlet-headed Blackbird 2 together at Otamendi Agelaioides badius Baywing small group at end of road at Otamendi, group at Costanera Norte, various groups at Ceibas, group at El Palmar

Agelasticus thilius Yellow-winged Blackbird common in S Buenos Aires, also seen in coastal forest and pasture at Punta Lara, various groups at Otamendi, 2 together in palms at El Palmar Agelasticus cyanopus Unicolored Blackbird a few small groups along Ceibas S road. Had a bit of trouble IDing all-black icterids like males of this sp. In this cas the females were the giveaway. Chrysomus ruficapillus Chestnut-capped Blackbird 2 females and 1 immature male at Costanera Norte, and quite a few along Ceibas S road Pseudoleistes virescens Brown-and-yellow Marshbird very common in S Buenos Aires, several at Otamendi and Ceibas Setophaga pitiayumi Tropical Parula 1 in tall tree in Punta Lara coastal forest, 2 separate at Costanera Sur, 1 at Ceibas near intersection, several at Parque San Carlos, and various at El Palmar Myiothlypis leucoblephara White-rimmed Warbler quite common at Parque San Carlos and at El Palmar Basileuterus culicivorus Golden-crowned Warbler quite common in coastal forest at Punta Lara, and at Costanera Sur, and I think 1 at Ceibas S road, common at Parque San Carlos where often in groups, 1 in mixed flock at El Palmar coastal trail introduced: Columba "livia" "domestica" Feral Rock Dove common in towns Nendayus nanday Nanday Parakeet seen mostly in groups at Costanera Sur and Norte Passer domesticus House Sparrow quite common in many towns Sturnus vulgaris European Starling groups seen in Buenos Aires city including Costanera Sur and Norte, and at Otamendi; likely elsewhere but forgot to record also: Procellariiformes sp. various seen off of San Clemente, with distinctive shape and flight, but with distance and backlighting, my little spotting scope was of little use, and I am incapable of Iding seabirds by gizz.

Donacospiza albifrons Long-tailed Reedfinch, Punta Rasa