EPIC CAPE HORN CRUISE: DAY 6 PUNTA ARENAS

Arriving in Punta Arenas at 7am we were on the first tender and landing at the dock by 8am where our first Dolphin Gulls lounged on the quay. A Dark-bellied Cinclodes was also seen under our minibus when we met our excellent local guide Claudio Vidal. Heading along the coastal road we stopped at some pools where Chilean Flamingo’s, Chiloe Wigeon and Red Shovelers were seen. 

Chilean Flamingo's

Red Shoveler

Many Upland Geese were dotted around the area, along with a few Black-faced Ibis and a couple of Coscoroba Swans. 

Upland Goose

After a short drive further along the coastal road we stopped to view a gathering of Flying Steamer-Ducks and we were lucky to spot a pair of Flightless Steamer-Ducks perched on a rock together. There was also a Rock Shag, many Imperial (King) Cormorants here as well, along with a pair of Crested Ducks and even a few Peale’s Dolphins. 

Flightless Steamer-Duck

Flying Steamer-Duck

We then headed inland, seeing lots of Lesser (Darwin’s) Rhea’s and drove to a large lake. Here we found the key species of our day, Magellanic Plover, although it took some searching in the strong winds. Also here were a few Two-banded Plovers, a flock of Patagonian Yellow-Finch, Austral Negrito and several White-rumped Sandpipers and Chilean Skuas gave close views. 

Chilean Skuas

Two-banded Plover

Heading further inland for around 90kms we found 100’s of Least Seedsnipe, over 50 Tawny-throated Dotterels, Common Miner, Scale-throated Earthcreeper, Correndera Pipit, more Two-banded Plovers and eventually a couple Rufous-chested Dotterels. 

Least Seedsnipe were so common today

Rufous-chested Dotterel

Tawny-throated Dotterel in habitat...

Tawny-throated Dotterel

A small wetland held a few Ashy-headed Geese, Chiloe Wigeon, as well as numerous Upland Geese. Leaving here we saw many more Lesser Rhea’s and Guanacos, some fox thing as well before heading back to the port and our cruise ship. 

Guanaco

 Once aboard, we had time to get some food from the buffet restaurant and grab a nice coffee before meeting on deck. Our view from the very front of the ship is superb and as we sailed along the Magellan Straits we enjoyed pretty decent views of a few Magellanic Diving Petrels, 23 Black-browed Albatross, 2 Southern Giant Petrels and a couple of Magellanic Penguins to round off a brilliant day. Oh and we had some distant views of another wacky pteradroma species as well….. And so ends another cracking day.