The Bagsy Blog: 'Birding' Santiago

Thursday, 4 February 2010

'Birding' Santiago

Santiago is, by comparison with most South America capital cities, ver small. That also goes for the 'tourist center' which appears less than a square mile. That may not be a bad thing this year, as like other places along the way numbers of visitors have been much reduced. However, my main objective this morning was making an early start at the Parque Metropolitano de Santiago, a wooded area I knew nothing about. Again at 06-30 I was listening for new sounds and calls, the most distinctive and numerous coming from flocks of Austral Blackbird, a species I hadn't seen previously.The same can be said for a lone Tufted Tit-Tyrant that put in a brief appearance, but not long enough to capture the image. It was good to start the day with a brace of 'lifers', but next came a conundrum, while out of range according to this book, I feel the Thrushes I was recording were Slaty, with very few being the resident Chiguanco, so until otherwise convinced I'll stick with the first option (good opportunity to get the 'Thrushes book out Dave!). Breakfast starts at 09-00 and while that wasn't the most important consideration of the day, I did restrict myself to the lower level of the Parque albeit a good number of steps above street level. There I found 2 raptors that for now remain unidentified, along with 3 California Quail and a pair of Chamango Caracara, while somewhere in the distance there was the raucous chatter of Parrots. The day had started very well!

After 2 slices of toast and a cup of coffee, advertised as breakfast, I was back again this time to take the funicular to even higher ground. Up in 'the gods' there was precious little sign of any life let alone birds, and as the day got hotter and I followed the long and winding road it seemed like I had returned to a different place. In my customary 'navigator' way I took a wrong turning and when reaching the bottom of the hill found I was 2Km from where I wanted to be. Front and center a Fast Black. Seemingly more expensive here, especially when you get seen off, the fare was £2, but worth it as one, the day was now roasting and twp, the Parrots were calling close by. A gang of about 30 Monk Parakeets awaited me. and if my memory serves this is the only Psittacine that builds a nest and does so communally? After a lunch of fine Chilean beef steak, mashed potato and coffee I spent the rest of the day lazing. Where I am staying is in the heart of Boogieville and despite the ear plugs the 'war drums' could still be heard at 04-30.

Never mind, a new day tomorrow and one in which I mean to branch out and try a real adventure. If it comes off it should be a great moment in my travelling life, if it doesn't, nothing ventured nothing gained!

WATCH THIS SPACE!

'Lists Update'

GOLDEN-SPOTTED GROUND-DOVE*

WHITE-WINGED CINCLODES*

ANDEAN HILLSTAR*

PUNA MINER*

LESSER (PUNA) RHEA*

GIANT COOT

AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVER

BURROWING OWL

PERUVIAN THICK-KNEE*

AUSTRAL BLACKBIRD*

TUFTED TIT-TYRANT*

CHIMANGO CARACARA

CINERIOUS HARRIER

MONK PARAKEET

SLATY THRUSH*

CHILEAN MOCKINGBIRD*

PLAIN-BREASTED GROUND-DOVE

CHILEAN SWALLOW*

CALIFORNIA QUAIL

WHITE-CRESTED ELAENIA*

CINERIOUS HARRIER

Trip Total - 845
World Lifers - 554
Endemics - 57

Andean Hillstar nest, unfortunately the parent birds were not seen to return.

Overlooking Santiago, Chile

Parque Metropolatano de Santiago

White-crested Elaenia

showing a little more of its usually hidden treasures.

Being claimed, until further checks are made

as Slaty Thrush

The streaking on the throat points to Slaty Thrush

California Quail (male)

California Quail (female)

You said I'd have another Dave and here it is (also species as predicted). Just as a matter of interest, this is also on my Derbyshire List, as Andy Lindsay and I 'clocked' one when Barbel fishing on the Derwent some years ago!