We checked out the surroundings of our lodge before breakfast, following a trail through the bushes and trees to a marshy area seeing Crowned Slaty-Flycatcher, Southern Yellowthroat, Freckle-breasted Thornbird, and after a bit of a battle everyone had views of a typically skulking Sulphur-bearded Reedhaunter. Back at the lodge we staked out the trees and bushes from beside the swimming pool where Greyish Saltator, Blue-and-yellow Tanager, Sayaca Tanager, White-naped Xenopsaris and a flyover American Cliff Swallow were all new for our list.
After a great breakfast we drove out to a different area, passing fields full of Southern Screamers. I mean we saw literally hundreds and hundreds of them, and it really was quite phenomenal.
Southern Screamer
We began with our best views of Pampa-Finch, followed by Sooty-fronted Spinetail and White-crested Tyrannulet. The road we were on was once again dusty and he few cars that were using it kicked up clouds of dust, which was more of an inconvenience than anything else.
Pampa Finch
But the birds kept on coming, and a tiny Fulvous-crowned Scrub-Tyrant showed repeatedly in the bushes bordering the road, as did a pair of Little Thornbirds. The same stretch of road also produced Pale-breasted Spinetail, White Monjita and a pair of White-tipped Plantcutters, the latter species has usually departed this area by now so we were once again fortunate to get them.
After lunch back at the wonderful Rio de las Aves and a siesta during the heat of the early afternoon we drove to another section of Ceibas, and we found ourselves amidst a huge, wide-open landscape of fields and dried-up marshes. We were on the look out for Greater Rhea and drove quite a long way before Michel somehow spotted a lone individual a long way off. Views in the scope were ok and again, we were lucky. But the afternoon was a roaring success for the views of several Spotted Nothuras that eventually proved to be rather obliging.
Spotted Nothura
From the first bird that squatted in the grass becoming near-invisible (that was the one next to the shark’s fin rock!) to one or two birds walking in the open practically beside the minibus. There were huge flocks of American Golden Plovers in the fields and we spent some time scanning them for Buff-breasted Sandpipers without any joy, but we did see a few Burrowing Owls, a pair of Firewood-Gatherers that had a nest in a small windmill, and our only White-browed Blackbird of the trip. With the sun setting all too quickly we stopped at an area that Lucas said was our only shot at Marsh Seedeater, and a small chance at that.
Marsh Seedeater
Well, despite their rare and erratic appearances here we had stunning views of a few birds in a big overgrown ditch – and what a bird they are! A Warbling Doradito was also present, along with another Freckle-breasted Thornbird.
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| We'd had a thoroughly enjoyable day.... |
It was a very pleasant way to end the day watching such great birds and with a huge, super moon rising we left for the drive back to the lodge.
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| What a spectacular moon |
Along the way we stopped when a few Nacunda Nighthawks flew over the road, much to Stephen’s relief! As we got out of the minibus, more and more nighthawks flew over and we witnessed a spectacular show as they passed overhead in streams. Amazing.
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| Little Nightjar |
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| Tropical Screech-Owl |
Once back at the lodge we had time to shower and change before yet another amazing feast complimented by copious amounts of wine and beer. But we weren’t done yet, as a short night-birding session resulted in great views of Tropical Screech-Owl and Little Nightjar to round off another exceedingly successful day in Argentina.
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