ARGENTINA 11–28 November 2008 Leaders: Luis Segura and Vaughan Ashby

This superb new tour covers a huge range of habitats within Argentina: the sub-tropical forests of the north, the pampas and arid steppes of Patagonia in the centre, the xorophytic dry stony plains of the Valdes Peninsula, the Los Glaciares National Park in the Andes and the sub-Antarctic landscape of Tierra del Fuego. This itinerary gives us the opportunity to see species as diverse as Red-breasted Toucan, Greater Rhea and Magellanic Penguin.

Day 1 Overnight flight from London to Buenos Aires via Madrid.

Day 2 Early morning arrival in Buenos Aires and transfer from the international to the domestic airport for the connecting flight to Iguazú. After checking into our hotel, the afternoon will be spent birding around the gardens and nearby areas. Three nights in Puerto Iguazú.

Days 3–4 We will have two full days birding at Iguazú National Park. Set amidst sub-tropical forest, the Iguazú River cascades over the edge of a high plateau, sending its spray hundreds of feet in the air. These mighty waterfalls and the sub-tropical forest lying within the national park make it one of the top destinations in South America. Here, it is possible to venture into the jungle through miles of trails and admire the waterfalls from a complete network of walkways and bridges. More than 400 bird species have been recorded in Iguazú. Some of the special ones we will look for include Violet-capped Woodnymph, Surucua Trogon, Red-ruffed Fruitcrow, Blue Manakin, five species of euphonia and several species of tanager including Green-headed, Black-goggled and Ruby-crowned Tanagers, to name just a few. Mastering the air are thousands of Great Dusky Swifts and some big raptors such us Black-and-white Hawk-eagle. The forest canopy is home to noisy groups of parrots, parakeets, antwrens and five species of toucan, including Chestnut-eared Aracari and Red-breasted Toucan. Barred Forest-falcon, Black-fronted Piping-guan, Rufous-capped Motmot, Spot-backed Antshrike, White-throated Woodcreeper, Black-billed Scythebill and twelve species of woodpecker, including Blonde-crested and the rare Helmeted Woodpecker, inhabit the medium forest stratum. Listening to the whistles of the Solitary Tinamou, Spot-winged Wood-quail, Tufted Antshrike and Southern Antpipit is another way of experiencing the magic of the rainforest. Other species we may see include Rufous Gnateater, Blue Manakin and Neotropic River Warbler. The national park also holds populations of the furtive Tapir and even Jaguars as well as Coatis, Agoutis, Capuchin Monkeys and Brocket Deer.

Day 5 After an early walk birding around our hotel, we transfer to the airport and fly to Buenos Aires. Upon arrival, we transfer to the hotel in downtown Buenos Aires and, after checking in, we will spend the afternoon at Costanera Sur Nature Reserve. This remarkable area of pools and reed beds is located only fifteen minutes from downtown Buenos Aires, close to the city docks. The typical grasslands and marshy habitats of the pampas are well represented within its 350 hectares and, with just a half-day visit, it is possible to see 50 bird species, sometimes even more. Lagoons, marshes and reed beds hold White-tufted Grebe, Coscoroba and Black-necked Swans, Red-fronted, Red-gartered and White-winged Coots and several ducks including Black-headed Duck. Some passerines typical of these habitats are Yellow-billed Cardinal, Black-and-rufous Warbling-finch and Black-backed Water-tyrant. Overnight in Buenos Aires.

Day 6 Today we drive south from Buenos Aires, following the Rio de la Plata coast and exploring the aquatic riverine environments intermingled with Humboldt's Willow and Ceibo forests. A large number of species can be found here, including Giant Wood-rail, Snail Kite, Curve-billed Reedhaunter, Rufous-capped Antshrike, Diademed Tanager and Scarlet-headed Blackbird. Towards San Clemente, the riverbanks turn muddy and salty, with mudflats and brackish grasslands that are home to many species such as Maguari Stork, Warbling Doradito and the secretive South American Painted-Snipe. Two nights in San Clemente.

Day 7 San Clemente is a small beach town located by the Atlantic Ocean. Its strategic location is ideal for exploring a wealth of habitats including mudflats, estuaries, grasslands, marshes and seacoasts. At Punta Rasa reserve we'll look for terns and Black Skimmers as well as for the waders that visit the place during the northern winter, including American Oystercatcher, Hudsonian Godwit, Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs, White-rumped Sandpiper, Red Knot and American Golden Plover. The specialities of this area also include Olrog's Gull, Dot-winged Crake, Hudson's Canastero and Bay-capped Wren-spinetail.

Day 8 On the way back to Buenos Aires, we'll explore some private land on a typical Argentinean Estancia, where we will find extensive grasslands, sometimes bordered by Hackberry tree forests and dotted with lagoons, streams and marshes. Here we will look for Greater Rhea, Spotted Nothura, Buff-breasted Sandpiper, Southern Screamer, Firewood-gatherer and Blue-and-yellow Tanager. Other wildlife inhabiting the pampas includes the South American Coypu (Nutria), Cavy (Guinea pig), Little Water-opossum, Grison (a kind of Weasel), Hog-nosed Skunk, Tegu (Tupinambis) Lizard and Hillary's Side-necked Turtle. Overnight in Buenos Aires.

Day 9 Today we fly to Trelew where, on arrival, we will start our Patagonian birding. Totally new fauna and flora awaits us here. Some of the more common birds to be found in the area include Elegant-crested Tinamou, Patagonian Mockingbird, Mourning Sierra-finch and Burrowing Parrot. Three nights in Trelew.

Day 10 Today we will visit the Valdes Peninsula. This world known reserve is the main breeding area for Southern Right Whales. Southern Sea Lions and Southern Elephant Seals also breed here and land mammals like Guanacos, Maras, Armadillos and Foxes inhabit this remote paradise as well. Birdwatching here is also spectacular and we will look for endemics including Rusty-backed Monjita, Carbonated Sierra-finch, White-throated Cacholote and Patagonian Canastero and many other species including Plain-mantled Tit-spinetail, Scale-throated Earthcreeper and Tufted Tit-tyrant.

Day 11 After breakfast, an early morning departure will take us to Punta Tombo, where hundreds of thousands of Magellanic Penguins breed. Here we can also find Darwin's Rhea, Imperial and Rock Shags, Southern Giant-petrel, Antarctic Skua, Chocolate-vented Monjita, Least Seedsnipe and two endemics: Chubut Steamerduck and Eremobius.

Day 12 Today we fly to El Calafate. On arrival, we check in to our hotel and then visit the reserve "Laguna Nímez", located on the outskirts of town. This small lagoon adjacent to the Lago Argentino is a good site for Magellanic Plover, Upland Goose, Black-faced Ibis, Andean Ruddy Duck, Chilean Flamingo and Hellmayr's Pipit. Two nights in El Calafate.

Day 13 A full-day excursion to Los Glaciares National Park will enable us to explore the ancient Southern Beech woods while enjoying spectacular views of the mighty Glacier "Perito Moreno". Several special bird species including Austral Parakeet, Thorn-tailed Rayadito, Fire-eyed Diucon, White-crested Elaenia, Austral Blackbird, Spectacled Duck and Rufous-tailed Plantcutter inhabit this extraordinary park.

Day 14 Today we fly to Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world and our gateway to the island of Tierra del Fuego. Our hotel is located in a nice quiet area of town, facing the Beagle Channel. From the gardens we will be able to see Black-browed Albatross, Flightless Steamerduck, Dolphin Gull, Kelp Goose and Black-chinned Siskin, to name just a few. Three nights in Ushuaia.

Day 15 While exploring the mountains, rivers and Nothofagus forests of Tierra del Fuego National Park, we will encounter a dazzling array of birds. Ashy-headed Goose, Andean Condor, White-throated Caracara, Austral Pygmy-owl, the mighty Magellanic Woodpecker, White-throated Treerunner, Ochre-naped Ground-tyrant, Dark-bellied Cinclodes, Chilean Swallow, Austral Thrush, Magellanic Tapaculo and Yellow-bridled Finch are some of the species inhabiting these high latitudes.

Day 16 This morning we will re-visit some of the local sites. After lunch, we will sail down the Beagle Channel to look at a mixed colony of Magellanic and Gentoo Penguins. Other species we may see from the boat include Magellanic Diving-petrel, Sooty Shearwater and Chilean Skua. We will also approach a breeding colony of Southern Sea Lions and Fur Seals that usually has Snowy Sheathbill in attendance.

Day 17 The morning will be spent birding around the Ushuaia area looking for any species we may have missed. After lunch, you will either transfer to the airport for the flight back to the UK via Buenos Aires or transfer to the port for the Antarctic Peninsula cruise.

Day 18 Arrival back in the UK.

General Information The climate is highly variable, from cold in the mountains to hot and humid in the forests. A suitable mix of clothing should be brought, including walking shoes. There are a number of special health requirements so please consult your GP. The pace of the tour is moderate with just a basic degree of fitness required. Accommodation will be in good quality hotels, all with en-suite facilities.

Group size Minimum number for tour to go ahead: 6; maximum group size: 16 with 2 leaders.

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