Birdwatching - Patagonia birdwatching

The Baker River basin is a unique ecosystem surrounded by mountains, the great Northern Patagonian ice fields and Magallanic Forest.
This environment is the habitat of a very special birdlife that outstands for its specificity. Many of the specialties and endemic birds to Patagonia can be found, as the remarkable Magellanic Woodpecker, Austral Parakeet, and Chucao Tapaculo.

One of the areas that will be visited during the expedition is the Tamango National Reserve, where birds cheers habitat with the Huemul (Southern Andean Dear). This Reserve is in addition one of the few remaining areas in the world, where this very rare mammal can be found.

At the Lodge:

In the surroundings we will be able to find birds such as Eared Dove, Austral Thrush, Southern House Wren, White-crested Elaenia, Patagonian Sierra-Finch, Rufous-collared Sparrow and the Black-chinned Sisken. With a breathtaking view of the Baker River as background, we will be able to see other birds like Neotropic Cormorant, Brown-hooded Gull, Ringed Kingfisher, Chilean Swallow and the Dark-bellied Cinclodes.

Trip Highlights

- The majestic Andean Condor, the lord of the Andes.
- Native southern beech forest birds as the Magellanic Woodpecker, Austral Parakeet and Thorn-tailed Rayadito.
- Up to 15 patagonian endemic birds, including: Ashy headed Goose, Chucao Tapaculo and Patagonian Sierra-Finch.
- Magellanic forest, the southernmost forest in the world, including three species of Nothofagus.
- The rare South Andean Deer.
- The Guanaco, the southernmost camelid in the world.

Example of trip itinerary 4 Days 5 Nights program:

In addition to above, we can work out special customized birdwatching programs based on your preferences and time availability.

Day One

We are going to search for the majestic Andean Condor, in an environment surrounded by the Andes, visiting the vast General Carrera lake, second largest in South America, and other smaller lakes in the area. Observing other typical birds of this part of the world, such as Black-faced Ibis, Southern Lapwing, and the Patagonian endemic Ashy-headed Goose. There will be good chances to spot the Yellow-billed Pintail, Brown-hooded Gull, Green-backed Firecrown (the southernmost hummingbird in the world), Austral Negrito, Dark-bellied Cinclodes and the Yellow-winged Blackbird, amongst others.

Day Two

The search will focus on the most typical birds of the Magellanic Forest, such as the White-throated Treerunner, Thorn-tailed Rayadito, Plain-mantled Tit-Spinetail, White-crested Elaenia, Austral Thrush, the discreet Des Murs's Wiretail and the Patagonian endemic Patagonian Sierra-Finch. Three different kinds of Woodpeckers can be found, such as the Chilean Flicker, the Striped Woodpecker and the remarkable Magellanic Woodpecker. The search will continue for the southernmost parrot in the world, the Patagonian endemic Austral Parakeet.

Day three

A visit to the Tamango National Reserve, in search of the remarkable Chucao Tapaculo, and others birds such as White-browed Ground-Tyrant, Fire-eyed Diucon, Common Diuca-Finch, and if we are lucky enough, the very discreet and hard to see Black-throated Huet-Huet. This Reserve is in addition one of the few areas where the very rare Huemul (South Andean Deer) can be found. There are pretty good chances to spot it. We will also observe other types of birds such as the Black-chinned Sisken, Austral Blackbird, Plumbeus Sierra-Finch and the Rufous-tailed Plantcutter. Raptors such as Black Vulture, Black-chested Buzzard-Eagle, Variable Hawk, Cinereus Harrier, Southern Caracara, Chimango Caracara, and American Kestrel can also be seen in this area.

Day four

We will visit a wetland in the Cochrane area surrounded by Patagonian Steppe (arid grasslands). Here, some of the most typical birds in this kind of environment can be seen: the Patagonian endemic Upland Goose, Chilean Flamingo, and the beautiful Black-necked Swan. We will also try to find the elusive Patagonian Tyrant and raptors like the rare Rufous-tailed Hawk (endemic to Patagonia), and the White-throated Hawk, which during these last years have extended its geographic distribution to the Patagonia and can be seen in the area.

Program Includes

- 5 nights in luxury rooms with private bathroom and direct view to Baker River.
- Ground transportation Balmaceda - Lodge - Balmaceda.
- Breakfast and two meals a day, with hous wine, or beer or soft drinks.
- Cocktails before dinner.
- Bilingual Ornithologist and Birding Guide
- Ground transportation to the observation areas
- Satellite TV (Club House).
- Wi- Fi Access (unlimited usage with own portable).

Other Services not Included

- Air charter Balmaceda - Lodge - Balmaceda.
- Use of telephone/fax..
- Extra meals, beverage, and liquor.
- Laundry.
- Extra outdoor activities.
- Birding gear and equipment