PATAGONIA AND THE ECLIPSE a unique event in a stunning landscape

Patagonia is a remote and beautiful corner of this planet that relatively few

Andean Condor

people get to visit. Is there a better place to witness one of nature’s most remarkable phenomena, a total solar eclipse? Starting in the south, this tour takes us to the stunning Fitz Roy massif, home of the Andean Condor and then on to the Strobel Plateau. This place is synonymous with the Hooded Grebe, one of the world’s prettiest waterbirds, which was only discovered as recently as 1974. It is also home to one of the weirdest waders in the world, the Magellanic Plover. The surrounding flower-filled steppe is the domain of Tawny-throated Dotterel and Austral Rail, while Los Glaciares National Park holds southern beech woodland specialities such as the giant Magellanic Woodpecker, as well as being the site of the spectacular Perito Moreno Glacier. The second part of our tour takes us to northern Patagonia. Its wild windswept coastline is home for Guanacos, Grey Foxes and Magellanic Penguins, a large colony of which resides at Punta Tombo. Here we can also seek out the very local Chubut Steamer Duck and watch for marauding Sub-Antarctic Skuas and Northern Giant Petrels that scavenge among the penguin and Southern Elephant Seal colonies. Heading north to Las Grutas, we pass through grasslands that hold flightless Darwin’s Rheas and Burrowing Parrots, before we arrive in the dry ‘Monte’ habitat characteristic of the area. It is here where we will view one of nature’s greatest events, a total eclipse of the sun. ITINERARY

SOUTHERN PATAGONIA From the UK, we fly non-stop on a direct flight to Buenos Aires where we rest for one night before continuing to El Calafate in Southern Patagonia the next morning. With five days in the south, we truly are in the land of the condor. Their nests, among the jagged peaks of the Fitz Roy Massif, overlook lakes filled with blue-green meltwater from associated glaciers, creating one of the most dramatic landscapes on earth. Two nights based at El Chalten allow us to look for the many steppe birds such as Patagonia Sierra-finch, Black-chested Buzzard-eagle, Cinereous Harrier, Black-faced Ibis, Austral Blackbird and Austral Thrush. Wetlands are home to Spectacled Duck, grazing Upland and Ashy-headed Geese as well as Two-banded Plover and Chilean Flamingo.

Driving to Rio Chico for two nights, we really are a long way from civilisation! We will explore gravel roads that take us onto the bleak Strobel Plateau in search of the gorgeous Hooded Grebe. With a population once down to just 75 individuals, it has taken a dedicated band of people to protect it. Faring much better now but still on the vulnerable list, we hope to see several among its commoner cousins, the White-tufted, Great and Silvery Grebes. In the surrounding tundra-like landscape, peppered with strange-looking specially adapted plants, we will search for Patagonian Tinamou, Tawny-throated Dotterel, Least Seedsnipe, Chocolate-vented Tyrant, Short-billed Miner, Patagonian Yellow-finch and Cinnamon-bellied Ground-tyrant. Day seven sees us travelling back to El Calafate for one night. En route, Lesser Horned Owl could be found roosting

on one of the many rocky cliffs. Reeds and marshes are home to the secretive Austral Rail. The dove-like Magellanic Plover is a strange wader that can be found nesting by one of the many ponds that dot the landscape. It is high on the wanted list for many birders. Any poster depicting Argentina’s Patagonia usually shows off the Perito Moreno Glacier, and for good reason: it is simply stunning. The following morning we take a short ride into Los Glaciares National Park to see it. Here we can spot birds including Austral Parakeet, Thorn-tailed Rayadito, White-throated Treerunner and White-crested Elaenia, all in the southern beech woods that echo to the creaking sounds of the glacier. There is a chance to find something special here such as an Austral Pygmy-owl or the massive Magellanic Woodpecker. This remarkable place even has hummingbirds: we will keep an eye open for the Green-backed Firecrown. On our last visit, we even saw Grey Foxes and Guanacos in the car park. VALDES PENINSULA, NORTHERN PATAGONIA In the afternoon of day eight we take a flight across Patagonia to Trelew, where we stay for one night. This is the gateway to the Valdes Peninsula region. After a good night's sleep, we head to Punta Tombo where a large Magellanic Penguin colony can be reached after a gentle walk. Rich with easy pickings, this area attracts Sub-Antarctic Skuas, Kelp Gulls and Northern Giant Petrels as well as raptors like Variable Hawk, Turkey Vulture and Southern and Chimango Caracaras. Cinereous and Long-winged Harriers quarter the dramatic Patagonian steppe that stretches far inland, inhabited by Darwin’s Rheas and both Elegant-crested and Darwin’s Tinamous. This coastline is the only place to find Chubut Steamer Duck. Essentially flightless, it is found beside South American Sea Lions and Southern Elephant Seals. Rock Cormorant, Kelp Gull and South American and Cayenne Terns feed in the surf offshore while closer in we can find American Oystercatcher, Patagonian Crested Duck and Chilean Teal. Continuing to Puerto Madryn allows us to look for a whole range of typically Patagonian passerines such as Scale-throated Earthcreeper, Patagonian Canastero and Chocolate-vented Tyrant. There is also a good chance to see the strange Patagonian Mara. Looking a bit like a giant hare, it feeds in clearings on the steppe grasslands. Coscoroba Swans can be found on lagoons alongside several other wetland species, including three species of coot. After a night in Puerto Madryn we will then drive to Las Grutas for a two night stay. LAS GRUTAS The arid Monte thorn-scrub is the predominant vegetation by our hotel. It is an endemic biome in Argentina and home to correspondingly localised birds like Sandy Gallito, White-throated Cacholote, Stripe-crowned Spinetail, Black-crowned and Rusty-backed Monjita, Carbonated Sierra-finch, and Cinnamon and Ringed Warbling-finches. Red-backed Hawks watch from treetops and poles, while Burrowing Owls and Burrowing Parrots use subterranean nest sites. On the afternoon of 14th, we will relax and take time to watch a total eclipse of the sun. This phenomenon has intrigued man for centuries and, even though clear skies can never be guaranteed, it is always exciting. As it goes dark, it will be interesting to see if the bird behaviour changes. In the past we have noted some species going to roost during totality,

while owls have begun to call. Others are just thrown into a screaming panic! No doubt we will witness something quite special here. We will drive back to Trelew, then fly to Buenos Aires for one night before flying home the next day. CLIMATE AND PACE We visit at the start of summer, so can look forward to some nice weather, although Patagonia is famous for experiencing four seasons in one day. We can expect hot, sunny days but it can often be breezy, with a chance of rain and cold wind. Breakfast will be around 6.30am most mornings. Basic fitness is all that is required and there is some gentle uphill walking. ACCOMMODATION AND FOOD Full-board accommodation is provided, with one night at the Hotel Lafayette, Buenos Aires, two nights at the Hotel Senderos, El Chalten, two nights at the Estancia La Angostura, Rio Chico, one night at Hosteria Koi Aiken, El Calafate, one night at Libertador Hotel, Trelew, one night at Hotel Bahaia Nueva, Puerto Madryn, two nights at a nice hotel in Las Grutas and one night back at the Hotel Lafayette, Buenos Aires. All hotels are of a good standard and all rooms have an en suite bathroom. Single rooms with en suite at Rio Chico are limited and will be allocated on a first come first served basis. PRICE INCLUDES ….. All birdwatching excursions with Bird Holidays leader and expert local guide, full-board accommodation (starting with lunch on 5th, ending with breakfast on 16th), soft drinks at meal times, bottled water throughout, transport throughout by minibus and 4x4’s, reserve entrance fees, domestic flights and international flights. WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED Travel insurance. Personal items, alcoholic drinks, laundry. We can advise you on the equipment (special glasses, camera filters etc) that you will need for viewing the eclipse. Glasses allowing you to look directly at the sun before and after totality are essential and can be purchased for around £10. INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS Return direct flight from London Heathrow to Buenos Aires using the scheduled services of British Airways. Outbound flight departs late evening, return flight arrives back early morning. Domestic flights from Manchester and other UK airports are available on this tour. See booking form for details.

13 nights including two overnight flights: Principal leader: Local guide: Maximum group size: Cost with discount (if you book before 21st August 2020): Full Cost: Deposit:

4th to 17th December 2020 Phil Palmer Hector Slongo 10 clients with one leader and a local guide £6250 per person sharing (£460 single supplement) £6400 per person sharing £1000 per person