INTRODUCTION

 

Trip Highlights

• The magnificent Condor soaring in the Southern Andes.

• Stunning waders including Magellanic Plover, Two-banded Plover, Rufous-chested Dotterel, Tawny-throated Dotterel and seedsnipes!.

• Remarkable forest-dwelling birds such the Magellanic Woodpecker, Austral Parakeet and Chilean Hawk.

• Commerson's and Peale's dolphins in the Straits of Magellan.

• King Penguins! and visit to a Magellanic Penguin colony.

• Striking flora, including three species of Nothofagus beech, the southernmost forests in the world.

This program is operated as a scheduled departure, leaving on a set date.

A custom trip (flexible option which runs on a date you choose giving you more privacy) is available upon request for individuals or small private groups.

 

The Difference of Traveling with FS Expeditions:

• Great accommodation, superb dinning cuisine and memorable picnic lunches.

• Spacious vehicles that ensure a window seat to each trip participant.

• Each of our trips have a maximum of 6 participants.

• Each vehicle and driver we use has been authorized by the Chilean Transportation Authority.

• The service and expertise of a professional local naturalist birding guide, who will look after every logistical aspect of “your” holiday.

• The use of top-class spotting scopes for our guests for a better observation, identification and study of the birds and other wildlife.

• You will receive a free, signed copy of one of our great birding books for Patagonia.

• …plus an useful pre-departure information package, including maps, checklist and more.

 

Birding Patagonia & Tierra del Fuego can be combined with one of the following optional extensions:

• Tierra del Fuego & Cape Horn Expedition Cruise (4 days | 3 nights ; 5 days | 4 nights);

• The Falkland Islands (8 days / 7 nights), penguin encounters in the South Atlantic.

 

DAY-BY-DAY ITINERARY

 

Day 1 • Saturday | Arrival to Punta Arenas – Otway Sound and Rio Verde

After meeting your guide at the airport (before 11am), upon your arrival from Santiago, you will be transferred in a private vehicle to Otway Sound to visit an small breeding colony of Magellanic Penguin colony. We will be able to see our first Lesser Rhea along the road. Later we will visit the inland sound of Skyring and Fitz Roy Channel. Here we expect to see some dolphins (Peale's and hopefully the endemic Chilean Dolphin) and we will be scanning the surrounding cliffs, which hold an Andean Condor roost.

Hotel Diego de Almagro or similar, Punta Arenas (4*). (L,D)(G).

 

Day 2 • Sunday | Ferry to Tierra del Fuego – Laguna de los Cisnes area

During our 2-hour ferry crossing to Porvenir, Tierra del Fuego, we will enjoy the company of tubenoses such as Black-browed Albatrosses, Southern Giant Petrels, Cape and White-chinned Petrels, and Magellanic Diving-Petrels. Among our target species in Tierra del Fuego will be interesting shorebirds including Two-banded and Magellanic Plovers and Rufous-chested Dotterel. Then we will explore the shrubby slopes and moorlands of the Baquedano Hills, as we search for specialties such as Magellanic Horned Owl, Austral Canastero and the stunning Black-throated Finch.

Hostería Yendegaia, Porvenir (2*). (B,L,D)(G).

 

Day 3 • Monday | Birding Tierra del Fuego – Useless Bay

Today we will explore the huge embayment of Bahía Inútil – Useless Bay – where it is likely to find a wealth of seabirds and other aquatic birds. We will concentrate in finding Flightless and Flying Steamer-Ducks, Kelp Goose as well as King, Imperial and Rock Shags. We might find large numbers of gulls such as Kelp, Brown-hooded, and Dolphin Gulls and South American Tern. Along the bay we will have a slight chance of finding King Penguin as well.

Hostería Yendegaia, Porvenir (2*). (B,L,D)(G).

 

Day 4 • Tuesday | Ferry to mainland – Pali Aike road – Drive to Puerto Natales

Today we will cross the windswept steppes of Tierra del Fuego and mainland Patagonia in search of its specialties including Ruddy-headed Goose, Least Seedsnipe, Tawny-throated Dotterel, Short-billed Miner, Band-tailed Earthcreeper and Chocolate-vented Tyrant. A short ferry ride will allow us to be on mainland once again and if we are lucky to see the striking Commerson’s Dolphin following the wake. Chilean Flamingos, Upland Goose, Coscoroba Swans, Silver Teal, Black-headed Duck, and Rosy-billed Pochard will be possible to see. Thousands of waders such as Wilson’s Phalarope, Baird’s and White-rumped Sandpipers will be common at the roadside wetlands while we explore and enjoy of the beauty of this “big sky” open country.

Weskar Lodge or similar, Puerto Natales (3*). (B,L,D)(G).

 

Day 5 • Wednesday | Torres del Paine National Park

During our journey to the park, we will observe how the strong southerly winds have sculpted the vegetation of the Patagonian steppes. We will try to find southern grey foxes and Patagonian skunks while enjoying our first contact with southern beech (Nothofagus) forests. This morning we will explore the lagoons of the eastern side of the park in search of a wealth of waterbirds including Great Grebe, Spectacled Duck, Chiloe Wigeon, Speckled Teal, Yellow-billed Pintail, among others. We also expect to see Cinereous Harrier and Black-chested Buzzard-Eagle hovering in these places in search of its prey. Chilean Flicker, Striped Woodpecker and Austral Pygmy Owl will be our tagets around a patch of secondary woodland. We will scan the fast-flowing rivers hoping to find the remarkable Torrent Duck. In the eastern side of the park, we will delight in seeing groups of the most southern representative of the camelid family, the charismatic Guanaco. The reed-fringed lagoons can be very interesting; we hope to find Andean Duck, Silvery and White-tufted Grebes and with luck the elusive and recently re-discovered Austral Rail. We will visit Lake Grey to enjoy the dramatic sight of its southern shore dominated by stunning blue icebergs. Our visits to the surrounding sub-Antarctic forests will provide ample opportunity to observe Thorn-tailed Rayadito, White-throated Treerunner, Austral Parakeet, Austral Blackbird and the striking Magellanic Woodpecker.

Hostería Las Torres or similar, Torres del Paine (4*). (B,L,D)(G).

 

Day 6 • Thursday | Sierra Baguales – Punta Arenas

Early in the morning we will explore the Baguales Range, located north-east of Torres del Paine. Along the road, in the scrubby gullies, we will look for interesting passerines such as Patagonian Mockingbird and Gray-bellied Shrike-Tyrant. As we continue exploring this montane habitat we might find the local White-throated Caracara, Grey-breasted Seedsnipe, Cinnamon-bellied and Ochre-naped Ground-Tyrants, Patagonian and Greater Yellow-Finches and the stunning Yellow-bridled Finch. During the afternoon you will be transferred to Punta Arenas for overnight.

Hotel Diego de Almagro or similar, Punta Arenas (4*). (L,D)(G).

 

Day 7 • Friday | Punta Arenas

Transfer to Punta Arenas airport after breakfast. End of the trip. (B).

 

Codes: B=Breakfast; L=Lunch/Box-lunch; D=Dinner; G=Guide; *=Hotel Category

 

MAP

 

DATES & RATES

 

Dates and Rates for 2011-12 Scheduled Departures:

Birding Patagonia & Tierra del Fuego - Scheduled Departures
Season 2011-2012
Trip Length	7 days, 6 nights ; Saturday through Friday
2011 Dates	22-28 October 5-11 November (sold out) 26 November - 2 December 17-23 December
2012 Dates	7-13 January 4-10 February
Price per person	$1,998
Single Supplement	$330
Trips are guaranteed to depart with a minimum of 4 participants. Maximum group size 6 participants.

 

 

Rates for 2011-12 Custom Departures (you choose the date): Available from October 2011 through late February 2012. Daily departures from Punta Arenas, Chile.

Birding Patagonia & Tierra del Fuego - Custom Departures
Season 2011-2012
Trip Length	7 days, 6 nights
# of guests	2-3	4	Single Suppl.
Price per person	$2,298	$1,998	$330

 

Notes:

- The above price is per person in US$, based in double accommodation.

- Trips are guaranteed to depart with a minimum of 2 participants.

 

Do you want us to arrange your flights from Santiago to Punta Arenas?

Domestic flights Santiago (SCL) – Punta Arenas (PUQ) – Santiago (from US$ 350 per person).

Duration of the flight: 3-4 hours.

 

What the trip includes/excludes

Single supplement will be added if single accommodations are requested.

The trip price includes: All accommodations, meals and guide services as stated in the itinerary, private ground transportation during the tour, ferry fares to Tierra del Fuego and park entrance fees.

The trip price excludes: Domestic flights (Santiago – Punta Arenas – Santiago or other route), tipping, travel insurance, entrance tax to Chile, excess baggage charges, private excursions, à la carte dishes, snacks, drinks, laundry, telephone calls and anything else of a purely personal nature.

 

Tour Registration:

To book this tour, please complete our registration form. We will process your booking form and will send you (within 24 hours) a note with space confirmation and a deposit invoice with payment instructions. The deposit amount is US$ 500 per person. Full payment of the tour fee is due 90 days prior to tour departure.

NOTE: Inquires received on Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays will be replied during the following working day.

 

IMPORTANT NOTICE

 

Cancellation Policy:

Notice of cancellation can only be accepted IN WRITING from the person who signed the booking form and takes effect on the day such noticed is received by us.

 

Refunds are made according to the following schedule:

If cancellation is made 120 days or more before departure date, the deposit less US$ 200 is refundable.

If cancellation is made between 120 and 60 days before departure, the deposit is not refundable, but any payments covering the balance of the fee will be refunded.

If cancellation is made fewer than 60 days before departure date, no refund is available.

This policy and fee schedule also applies to pre-trip and post trip extensions, as well as any transfers from one tour to another. We strongly recommend the purchase of trip cancellation insurance to protect yourself.

 

GUIDES

	Claudio F. Vidal has been exploring and birding since the age of 12 and currently leads birding / nature tours and photo safaris throughout Patagonia, Chile and South America. Claudio has a particular interest in the seabirds and marine mammals occurring in the Humboldt Current, Patagonia and Antarctica. One of his most recent passions involves the photographic documentation of wildflowers of desert and Mediterranean regions of the world. Claudio is now finishing the writing of a Field Guide to the Birds of Chile together a team of accomplished field ornithologists, and is co-author of more than 20 books, featuring 'Birds of Patagonia, Tierra del Fuego and Antarctic Peninsula'. He is actively involved in several ecotourism projects in Chile and is founding partner of FS Expeditions since 1997. He lives in Punta Arenas. You can see his work at his website 'Claudio Vidal Photo'.
	Enrique Couve is a Industrial Engineer by profession, although a field naturalist by true passion. He has been birding and studying the natural history of Chile during more than 45 years. He is co-author of more than 20 publications on the nature heritage of Chile and Patagonia, and among his published works is the praised title 'Birds of Patagonia, Tierra del Fuego and Antarctic Peninsula'. Enrique is a very gifted field spotter, and he uses this skill on his nature photography work, as he has one of the most complete and extensive files on the flora and fauna of the country. Enrique has extensively traveled throughout Chile and South America, its oceanic islands and Antarctica. He is the main author of an upcoming and long-waited Field Guide to the Birds of Chile. He is founding partner and manager of FS Expeditions and lives in Punta Arenas with his wife Cecilia.
	Roberto Donoso has been part of our team since 2003, but he has been involved in the process of learning on birding and handling visitors to Chile and Patagonia with us since 1999. Roberto has an extensive experience leading birdwatching tours throughout Chile and his most recent trips has taken him to the Falkland Islands and the Antarctic Peninsula. During the last couple of years he has developed an interest in mammals, particularly cats, and he is responsible of leading some of the hardcore puma and mammal tours that we are currently carrying out with clients from the US and the UK. Rob is one of the FS favourite guides due to his kind and charismatic personality, his particular attention to detail and his involvement with the goals and interests of our clients. Roberto lives in Punta Arenas with his wife Vjera and their two lovely girls, Vjerita and Florencia.

PHOTOS

Check out our photo gallery with images from recent birding trips in Patagonia & Tierra del Fuego

CHECKLIST

Checklist for the Birds and Mammals of Patagonia & Tierra del Fuego (possible species to be seen during this trip)

Compiled by Claudio F. Vidal, FS Expeditions

 

 

B I R D S

 

Rheas | Rheidae 

Lesser Rhea Rhea pennata

Penguins | Spheniscidae 

King Penguin Aptenodytes patagonica

Magellanic Penguin Spheniscus magellanicus

Grebes | Podicipedidae 

White-tufted Grebe Rollandia rolland 

Great Grebe Podiceps major 

Silvery Grebe Podiceps occipitalis

Albatrosses | Diomedeidae 

Black-browed Albatross Thalassarche melanophris

Shearwaters & Petrels | Procellariidae 

Antarctic Giant Petrel Macronectes giganteus 

Southern Fulmar Fulmarus glacialoides 

Cape Petrel Daption capense 

White-chinned Petrel Procellaria aequinoctialis 

Sooty Shearwater Puffinus griseus

Storm-Petrels | Hydrobatidae 

Wilson's Storm-Petrel Oceanites oceanicus

Diving-Petrels | Pelecanoididae 

Magellanic Diving-Petrel Pelecanoides magellani

Cormorants | Phalacrocoracidae 

Neotropic Cormorant Phalacrocorax brasilianus 

Rock Shag Phalacrocorax magellanicus 

Imperial Shag Phalacrocorax atriceps

Herons, Egrets & Bitterns | Ardeidae 

Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis 

Black-crowned Night-Heron Nycticorax nycticorax

Ibises & Spoonbills | Threskiornithidae 

Black-faced Ibis Theristicus melanopis

Flamingos | Phoenicopteridae 

Chilean Flamingo Phoenicopterus chilensis

Ducks, Geese & Swans | Anatidae 

Black-necked Swan Cygnus melanocorypha 

Coscoroba Swan Coscoroba coscoroba 

Upland Goose Chloephaga picta 

Kelp Goose Chloephaga hybrida 

Ashy-headed Goose Chloephaga poliocephala 

Ruddy-headed Goose Chloephaga rubidiceps 

Flightless Steamerduck Tachyeres pteneres 

Flying Steamerduck Tachyeres patachonicus 

Chiloe Wigeon Anas sibilatrix 

Speckled Teal Anas flavirostris 

Spectacled Duck Anas specularis 

Crested Duck Anas specularioides 

Yellow-billed Pintail Anas georgica 

White-cheeked Pintail Anas bahamensis 

Silver Teal Anas versicolor 

Red Shoveler Anas platalea 

Black-headed Duck Heteronetta atricapilla 

Andean Duck Oxyura ferruginea 

Lake Duck Oxyura vittata

New World Vultures | Cathartidae 

Andean Condor Vultur gryphus

Hawks, Eagles & Kites | Accipitridae 

Cinereous Harrier Circus cinereus 

Chilean Hawk Accipiter chilensis 

Black-chested Buzzard-Eagle Geranoaetus melanoleucus 

Variable Hawk Buteo polyosoma

Falcons & Caracaras | Falconidae 

Southern Crested Caracara Caracara plancus 

Chimango Caracara Milvago chimango 

American Kestrel Falco sparverius 

Aplomado Falcon Falco femoralis 

Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus

Rails, Gallinules & Coots | Rallidae 

Plumbeous Rail Pardirallus sanguinolentus 

White-winged Coot Fulica leucoptera 

Red-gartered Coot Fulica armillata 

Red-fronted Coot Fulica rufifrons

Oystercatchers Haematopodidae 

Magellanic Oystercatcher Haematopus leucopodus 

Blackish Oystercatcher Haematopus ater 

American Oystercatcher Haematopus palliatus

Plovers & Lapwings Charadriidae 

Southern Lapwing Vanellus chilensis 

American Golden-Plover Pluvialis dominica 

Two-banded Plover Charadrius falklandicus 

Rufous-chested Dotterel Charadrius modestus 

Tawny-throated Dotterel Oreopholus ruficollis

Magellanic Plover | Pluvianellidae 

Magellanic Plover Pluvianellus socialis

Sandpipers & Allies | Scolopacidae 

South American Snipe Gallinago paraguaiae 

Hudsonian Godwit Limosa haemastica 

Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus 

Lesser Yellowlegs Tringa flavipes 

Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres 

Red Knot Calidris canutus 

Sanderling Calidris alba 

White-rumped Sandpiper Calidris fuscicollis 

Baird's Sandpiper Calidris bairdii 

Wilson's Phalarope Phalaropus tricolor

Seedsnipes | Thinocoridae 

Gray-breasted Seedsnipe Thinocorus orbignyianus 

Least Seedsnipe Thinocorus rumicivorus

Sheathbills | Chionidae 

Snowy Sheathbill Chionis alba

Skuas & Jaegers | Stercoraridae 

Chilean Skua Stercorarius chilensis 

Parasitic Jaeger Stercorarius parasiticus

Gulls | Laridae 

Dolphin Gull Larus scoresbii 

Kelp Gull Larus dominicanus 

Brown-hooded Gull Larus maculipennis 

Franklin's Gull Larus pipixcan 

South American Tern Sterna hirundinacea

Doves & Pigeons | Columbidae 

Rock Dove Columba livia 

Eared Dove Zenaida auriculata

Parrots, Macaws & Allies | Psittacidae 

Austral Parakeet Enicognathus ferrugineus

Barn Owls | Tytonidae 

Barn Owl Tyto alba

Typical Owls | Strigidae 

Magellanic Horned Owl Bubo magellanicus 

Austral Pygmy-Owl Glaucidium nanum 

Short-eared Owl Asio flammeus

Hummingbirds | Trochilidae 

Green-backed Firecrown Sephanoides sephaniodes

Kingfishers | Alcedinidae 

Ringed Kingfisher Ceryle torquata

Woodpeckers & Allies | Picidae 

Striped Woodpecker Picoides lignarius 

Chilean Flicker Colaptes pitius 

Magellanic Woodpecker Campephilus magellanicus

Ovenbirds | Furnariidae 

Common Miner Geositta cunicularia 

Short-billed Miner Geositta antarctica

Scale-throated Earthcreeper Upucerthia dumetaria 

Band-tailed Earthcreeper Eremobius phoenicurus 

Dark-bellied Cinclodes Cinclodes patagonicus 

Gray-flanked Cinclodes Cinclodes oustaleti 

Bar-winged Cinclodes Cinclodes fuscus 

Thorn-tailed Rayadito Aphrastura spinicauda 

Plain-mantled Tit-Spinetail Leptasthenura aegithaloides 

Wren-like Rushbird Phleocryptes melanops 

Lesser Canastero Asthenes pyrrholeuca 

Cordilleran Canastero Asthenes modesta 

Austral Canastero Asthenes anthoides 

White-throated Treerunner Pygarrhichas albogularis

Tapaculos Rhinocryptidae 

Magellanic Tapaculo Scytalopus magellanicus

Plantcutters Phytotomidae 

Rufous-tailed Plantcutter Phytotoma rara

Tyrant Flycatchers | Tyrannidae 

White-crested Elaenia Elaenia albiceps 

Tufted Tit-Tyrant Anairetes parulus 

Patagonian Tyrant Colorhamphus parvirostris 

Fire-eyed Diucon Xolmis pyrope 

Chocolate-vented Tyrant Neoxolmis rufiventris 

Dark-faced Ground-Tyrant Muscisaxicola macloviana 

Cinnamon-bellied Ground-Tyrant Muscisaxicola capistrata 

Austral Negrito Lessonia rufa

Swallows | Hirundinidae 

Chilean Swallow Tachycineta meyeni 

Blue-and-white Swallow Pygochelidon cyanoleuca 

Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica

Wagtails & Pipits | Motacillidae 

Correndera Pipit Anthus correndera

Wrens | Troglodytidae 

House Wren Troglodytes aedon 

Sedge Wren Cistothorus platensis

Mockingbirds & Thrashers | Mimidae 

Patagonian Mockingbird Mimus patagonicus

Thrushes & Allies | Turdidae 

Austral Thrush Turdus falcklandii

Old World Sparrows | Passeridae 

House Sparrow ( I ) Passer domesticus

Siskins, Crossbills & Allies | Fringillidae 

Black-chinned Siskin Carduelis barbata

Buntings, Sparrows & Allies | Emberizidae 

Gray-hooded Sierra-Finch Phrygilus gayi 

Patagonian Sierra-Finch Phrygilus patagonicus 

Mourning Sierra-Finch Phrygilus fruticeti 

Plumbeous Sierra-Finch Phrygilus unicolor 

Canary-winged Finch Melanodera melanodera 

Patagonian Yellow-Finch Sicalis lebruni 

Rufous-collared Sparrow Zonotrichia capensis

Troupials & Allies | Icteridae 

Long-tailed Meadowlark Sturnella loyca 

Austral Blackbird Curaeus curaeus

 

M A M M A L S

 

Armadillos | Dasypodidae

Big Hairy Armadillo Chaetophractus villosus

Pichi Zaedyus pichiy

 

Rabbits & Hares | Leporidae

Old World Rabbit Oryctolagus cuniculus

Brown Hare Lepus capensis

 

Nutrias | Myocastoridae

Nutria Myocastor coypus

 

Camels | Camelidae

Guanaco Lama guanicoe

 

Dolphins | Delphinidae

Peale's Dolphin Lagenorhynchus australis

Chilean Dolphin Cephalorhynchus eutropia

Commerson's Dolphin Cephalorhynchus commersonii

 

Eared Seals | Otariidae

Southern Sea Lion Otaria byronia

 

Deer | Cervidae

Southern Andean Deer Hippocamelus bisulcus

 

Cats | Felidae

Puma Puma concolor

 

Dogs | Canidae

Southern Grey Fox Pseudalopex griseus

Culpeo Fox Pseudalopex culpaeus

 

Skunks | Mephitidae

Patagonian Hog-nosed Skunk Conepatus humboldti