In association with Birdseekers
CHILE
Specialties & Endemics
October 3 – 24, 2009

This beautiful country features the mighty snow-capped Andes stretching from the Atacama Desert in the north to the wind swept plains of Tierra del Fuego and its sub-Antarctic bird life in the south. Our comprehensive tour offers the chance to bird in diverse habitats in some of the most breathtakingly beautiful scenery on Earth, from dry desert to rich forests, high altitude paramo, ice-fields, waterfalls and glaciers. These varied habitats are home to a unique array of South American endemics including Crag Chilia, Dusky and White-throated Tapaculo, Slender-billed Parakeet, Short-billed Miner, Dusky-tailed Canastero, Moustached Turca and many more.  With internal flights we can get to the very best areas for the country’s prized specialties and endemics. In addition, a pelagic trip in the nutrient-rich Humboldt Current will provide opportunities for albatrosses, petrels, penguins and dolphins. In the high grasslands we will look for one of the rarest and most sought after waders in the world, the exquisite Diademed Sandpiper-Plover.  If you need to further temptation to consider going on this incredible tour, see the photos from our 2006 trip>>

Don't miss this comprehensive and fully inclusive tour!

Trip Cost and Travel Planning  |   Registration Form

Day 1 - Arrival
Plan your flight for evening arrival in Santiago, Chile where we will be transferred to our hotel.

Day 2 - Vina del Mar/Pacific Coast
A morning arrival at Santiago will see us leave the sprawl of the city and set off on the drive to Vina del Mar for a two-night stay on the Pacific coast. As we introduce ourselves to the fantastic sights and sounds of Chile we will make several scheduled stops along the way. We will have already seen our first Chilean Swallows, the endemic Chilean Mockingbird and Chimango Caracaras which are everywhere.  Beside a small reed-fringed lake, we will find a good selection of water birds that should include Red-Gartered, Red-fronted and White-winged Coots, Chiloe Wigeon, Yellow-billed Pintail, White-tufted Grebe, Southern Lapwing and possibly the local Black-headed Duck. The edges of the lake may find us other exciting species such as Wren-like Rushbird, Stripe-backed Bittern and the spectacular Many-colored Rush-Tyrant. After leaving the lake we will drive to Cachagua to see an important breeding colony of Humboldt Penguins alongside many other birds characteristic of the area. The endemic Chilean Seaside Cinclodes will be our main target here, but we shall also look out for Surfbird, Blackish Oystercatcher, Red-legged Cormorant, Peruvian Pelican, Peruvian Booby, Inca Tern or a Southern Sea Otter.

Day 3 - Pelagic/Laguna El Peral Nature Reserve
After an early breakfast we will take a boat out into the cold waters of the Humboldt Current for what promises to be a spectacular pelagic trip. These waters are rich in nutrients brought to the surface from upwellings from the ocean floor and play host to huge numbers of seabirds and many marine mammals. Among the hordes of Pink-footed and Sooty Shearwaters we will search for Black-browed, Gray-headed and Northern Royal Albatross, with the chance also of Buller’s, Salvin’s, Chatham Island and even Wandering Albatross. Among the many petrels, we have good opportunities to see Cape, White-chinned, Wilson’s Storm, White-bellied Storm, Southern and Northern Giant, Westland, Defilippi’s, Juan Fernandez and Peruvian Diving-Petrel. Add to these flocks of Red and Red-necked Phalaropes, Chilean and South Polar Skuas, Humboldt Penguin and Inca Tern and this will surely be an unforgettable morning of sea birding.

After the pelagic we will have lunch and then drive to a river to find Plumbeous Rail, White-tailed Kite, Common Diuca-Finch, Spectacled Tyrant and Great Shrike-Tyrant. We will also search for wading birds such as Willet and Hudsonian Curlew as well as Black Skimmer, and Band-tailed, Brown-hooded, Franklin's and Kelp Gulls. Later on, we will drive to Laguna El Peral Nature Reserve, a special site for interesting rarities such as the Stripe-backed Bittern and Black-headed Duck (the only totally brood parasitic duck in the world).

Day 4 - La Campana National Park
Early in the morning we will leave the coast to drive to La Campana National Park in the coastal mountains. Here among the thorny scrub and cacti we will try to find three Chilean endemics: the noisy and elusive White-throated Tapaculo, Dusky-tailed Canastero and Moustached Turca (a large tapaculo). There is also a good chance of seeing the remarkable Giant Hummingbird, as well as Chilean Tinamou, Plain-mantled Tit-Spinetail, Thorn-tailed Rayadito, Fire-eyed Diucon, Tufted Tit-Tyrant and Rufous-tailed Plantcutter. After leaving this wonderful area and we will travel back to Santiago, stopping enroute at a site for both Rosy-billed Pochard and South America Painted Snipe. Overnight Santiago.

Day 5 - El Yeso
On a clear day the views of the Andes can be breathtaking! After an early breakfast we will set off to check some of the spectacular montane habitats that include boggy grasslands, flower covered rocky slopes, bushy valleys and jagged rocky outcrops. Pausing along the road we will scan the craggy ravines for Crag Chilia, a Chilean Andes endemic. Today we have an excellent opportunity of finding the majestic Andean Condor, what a sight it is to see this huge bird soaring over the mountain tops! The reservoir and surrounding meadows of El Yeso are a fantastic setting to encounter one of the world’s most beautiful wading birds – the Diademed Sandpiper-Plover. With careful searching we should find this sometimes incredibly tame bird and a variety of other species including Grey-breasted Seedsnipe, White-sided Hillstar, Cinereous, Ochre-naped and Black-fronted Ground-Tyrants, Scale-throated Earthcreeper, Band-tailed Sierra-Finch, Mountain Caracara and Grey-flanked Cinclodes. Overnight Santiago.

Day 6 - Talca
Today we transfer to Talca, south of Santiago in search of some very special forest dwelling birds of the Andean slopes. Amongst this spectacular scenery we will look for many species but in particular the superb Chestnut-throated Huet-huet, Great Shrike-tyrant, Magellanic Woodpecker and with luck a Rufous-legged Owl.

Day 7 - Colbun Reservoir
This morning we have the chance to catch up with any species missed yesterday, before visiting Colbun Reservoir where we will not only concentrate on the endemic Dusky Tapaculo, we will also look for the threatened Chilean race of Burrowing Parrot which can often be seen congregating in noisy flocks. Once successful with our target species we will transfer back to Santiago and our usual hotel.

Day 8 - Farellones Ski Area/Lake District
Early in the morning we drive to Farellones Ski Area. Once again we have the opportunity to find the mighty Andean Condor, Black-chested Buzzard-Eagle, Greater Yellow-Finch, Yellow-rumped Siskin, Gray-hooded and Mourning Sierra-Finches, Cinereous, Black-fronted, White-browed and Rufous-naped Ground-tyrants, Band-tailed and the rare and localized Creamy-rumped Miner.  This area can also hold Gray-breasted Seedsnipe and White-sided Hillstar. Returning to Santiago for lunch we then take the short flight to Temuco where we stay for the next two nights. This is the entrance to the Chile’s Lake District, and just outside our luxury hotel is the main entrance to the forested Cerro Nielol nature reserve. Walking the trails here we will attempt to find Black-throated Huet-Huet, Des Murs Wiretail, and the rare and local Rufous-tailed Hawk.

Day 9 - Conguillio National Park
Today we will be privileged in visiting the fascinating Conguillio National Park, surrounded by the imposing snow-capped Llaima volcano and spectacular monkey-puzzle Araucaria trees. The sight of these magnificent trees amidst the fantastic mountain backdrop is simple breathtaking. Here we will search for Green-backed Firecrown, White-throated Treerunner, White-crested Elaenia, Patagonian Tyrant plus other specialties of the southern temperate Nothofagus forests. Night Temuco.

Day 10 - Puerto Montt
Today we will take a flight to Puerto Montt in south-central Chile where we drive to the village of Pargua, and take the ferry to the Isla Grande de Chiloé. This is a very interesting mini-pelagic crossing with several seabirds including our first chance to see the Magellanic Penguin. Other birds and mammals that will accompany our journey include Common and Magellanic Diving-Petrels, Wilson’s and occasionally Black-bellied Storm-Petrels, Peale’s and Chilean Dolphins, South American Sea Lions and Southern Fur Seals. We then have a short visit to the bay of Caulín where we expect to see Flightless Steamer Duck, Snowy-crowned Tern, Silvery Grebe, Ringed Kingfisher and wintering flocks of Hudsonian Godwit and Red Knot. This is also one of the best places to look for the endemic Slender-billed Parakeet which we have never missed yet!

Day 11 - Punihuil/Punta Arenas
This morning we will visit the penguin colony at Punihuil which supports both Magellanic and Humboldt Penguins. Given enough time we may be able to go in search of Magellanic Woodpecker, Black-throated Huet-Huet and Chilean Woodpigeon before heading back to Puerto Montt to connect with our flight down to . After our arrival we may be able to visit another active breeding colony of Magellanic Penguins at Otway Sound where we also expect to see the local Austral Canastero.

Day 12 - Porvenir/Tierra del Fuego
Today after some local birding we will take a ferry across the Magellan Straits, again observing pelagic seabirds such as Black-browed Albatross, Southern Giant Petrel, Southern Fulmar, White-chinned Petrel and Magellanic Diving-Petrel. We then continue our trip to Porvenir, a small village located on the central coast of Tierra del Fuego Island. After lunch we will try to see the dove-like Magellanic Plover, the delicate Two-banded Plover, and the colorful and elegant Rufous-chested and Tawny-throated Dotterels. In the large salty lakes in the north of Tierra del Fuego, we will try to observe the beautiful Coscoroba Swan, as well as flocks of Baird's and White-rumped Sandpipers, while along the roadside we should also be able to see the endemic Short-billed Miner, Red-backed Hawk and the stunning Black-throated Finch. Overnight Porvenir.

Day 13 - Chilean Patagonia
Driving north we will take another ferry from Punta Delgada crossing a narrow stretch of the straits of Magellan giving us another opportunity to see some pelagic birds plus groups of the small but beautiful Commerson's Dolphin. On our way back to the mainland, we will visit the coast and search for species such as the Snowy Sheathbill and the Magellanic Oystercatcher, while also approaching a breeding colony of Rock Cormorants.

After lunch in a small restaurant, we will then explore the east side of Chilean Patagonia, and the border with Argentina with its numerous inland lakes. Here on Patagonia's windswept steppes is one of the most unexplored national parks (Palie Aike) of the southern part of this region, offering us the chance to see many different birds. We will look for family groups of Lesser Rhea, Flying and Flightless Steamer Ducks, Two-banded Plover, Chilean Skua, Upland Goose, Dolphin Gull, Chocolate-vented Tyrant, Patagonian Yellow-Finch, Canary-winged Finch, Correndera Pipit, Crested Caracara, Common Miner, Austral Canastero and the remarkable Cinnamon-bellied Ground-Tyrant. Along the road it is possible to observe the threatened Ruddy-headed Goose. Night Puerto Natales.

Day 14 - Torres del Paine National Park
This morning we will drive to one of the most stunning and beautiful places on the planet, Torres del Paine National Park. On the way we will have the opportunity to visit some small brackish ponds that are an ideal habitat for small flocks of Chilean Flamingo, the ubiquitous Upland Goose, Red Shoveler, the scarce Silver Teal, Chiloe Wigeon, Black-necked Swan and noisy groups of beautiful Black-faced Ibis. In Puerto Natales, we will scan the coasts of the Last Hope Inlet, where we should see good numbers of Imperial Cormorant. From this small and pleasant town we will drive to Torres del Paine National Park, a magnificent location. Finally we'll arrive at the Hostería Las Torres, located in the heart of this enormous and very special national park, where we will spend the next two nights.

Day 15 - Torres del Paine National Park
Torres del Paine National Park is a place where mountains, glaciers, wetlands, steppes and forests come together to provide varied habitats for a vast array of birds, many of which are restricted exclusively to these latitudes. We will start by trying to see one of the region's most magnificent birds, the enormous Magellanic Woodpecker. We should also see the remarkable White-throated Treerunner and in the park steppes, we will look for Bar-winged Cinclodes, Scaly-throated Earthcreeper and Patagonian Mockingbird. A nearby wetland is home to Andean Ruddy Duck, Red Shoveler, Black-necked Swan, the beautiful Great and White-tufted Grebes, and we will try our best to spot the recently re-discovered and very elusive Austral Rail.

Day 16 - Torres del Paine/high Andes
Today we will visit a high-altitude habitat in the Southern Andes, where we will try to find some characteristic species, many of them consistently hard to spot. Along the road we should see Cinereous Harrier, Andean Condor, Ochre-naped Ground-Tyrant, Black-billed Shrike-Tyrant, Plain-mantled Tit-Spinetail and the delicate Eared Dove. We will try to find the beautiful and remarkable Torrent Duck, a bird that is characteristic of the Andes and explore the surrounding area in search of species such as Mountain Caracara, Cinnamon-bellied Ground-Tyrant, Scaly-throated Earthcreeper, Austral Thrush and Austral Negrito, Least Seedsnipe, and if we are lucky Darwin’s Rhea. This is an excellent place to see Andean Condor, Southern Caracara, and Black-chested Buzzard-Eagle. We may also get a chance to look for Peruvian Pygmy Owl.

Day 17 - Arica
Today we take an early flight to Arica, Chile's northernmost city where we will visit the interesting Chaca Valley, located a short distance south of Arica. We will explore this cultivated region located in the middle of the desert, trying to find the last two specialties of this region, the local and scarce Tamarugo Conebill and the Chilean Woodstar. Night Arica.

Days 18 & 19 - Putre/Surire
Early this morning we will drive to the Altiplano or Puna Zone, more than 10,500 feet, or 3,500 meters above sea level, birding along the way to find the rare Grayish Miner, plus flocks of Greenish Yellow-Finch. Our destination is Putre, a pleasant hamlet where we will overnight. In the afternoon we will explore the surrounding area in search of species such as Sparkling Violet-Ear, Andean Hillstar, Bare-faced Ground-Dove, Spot-winged Pigeon, Mourning Sierra-Finch, Greenish Yellow-Finch, Plain-breasted Earthcreepers, Chiguanco Thrush, Streaked Tit-Spinetail, Dark-winged Canastero, White-browed Chat-Tyrant, Blue-and-yellow Tanager, Golden-billed Saltator and Hooded Siskin that are found here at the southern limit of their range. Other species we hope to find here include Aplomado Falcon, Mountain Parakeet, the very scarce White-throated Earthcreeper, Straight-billed Earthcreeper, Black-throated Flowerpiercer and another chance of D'Orbigny's Chat-Tyrant. The following morning we will be searching for Ornate Tinamou, and whilst looking through the vast areas of grassland we hope to find Puna Tinamou. We will then visit Surire, an excellent spot for seeing the three species of flamingo: Chilean, Andean and the rare and local Jame's.

Day 20 - Lauca National Park
On our last full day we will visit Lauca National Park, established to protect the highest lake in the world and a Biosphere Reserve that encompasses a great diversity of Andean specialties and all within stunningly beautiful scenery. Some of the spectacular species we will search for include Andean Avocet, Puna Ibis, Puna Teal, Giant and Andean Coots, Andean Lapwing, Puna Plover, Rufous-bellied Seedsnipe and Andean Swallows. We might also spot Andean Flicker, White-fronted Ground-Tyrant, Andean Gull, Cordilleran and Canyon Canasteros, as well as getting a second opportunity to see the superb Diademed Sandpiper-Plover.

Days 21 & 22 - Azapa Valley
We will bird the nearby Azapa Valley looking for specialties such as Peruvian Sheartail, Oasis Hummingbird, Slender-billed Finch, Peruvian Meadowlark and Peruvian Thick-knee. The coastal areas around the city will find us huge flocks of Guanay Cormorants, Peruvian Pelicans, Gray Gulls and other seabirds that characterize the Humboldt Current. Later we fly to Santiago and connecting flights home.

Leaders: Steve Bird, Gina Nichol and Enrique Couve

Local Leader: Enrique Couve
Enrique is arguable one of the best guides in South America and certainly the best in Chile.  He has been birdwatching for 40 years in his native Chile and is the author of the Field Guide to the Birds of Chile. Enrique is extremely skilled in finding and identifying birds and is an excellent nature photographer, having one of the most complete portfolios of Chile’s birds and wildlife. He lives in Punta Arenas with his wife and 4 children.

Extensions
We are pleased to offer pre- and post-tour extensions as follows. Please inquire for details.

Pre-tour Extension:
Juan Fernandez Archipelago & Robinson Crusoe Island
September 30 – October 4, 2009

Post-tour Extension:
Iquique Pelagic
October 23 - 26, 2009