A Focus On Nature Tour 
in
argentina

(tour: FON/AR–2 ’14)


2 Weeks 
For Birds, Butterflies, 
Mammals, and Other Nature 
 in northeast and north-central 
Argentina

Also during this tour, visits to the superb Ibera Marshes, 
where birds abound, 
and to the spectacular Iguazu Falls, 
where birds include colorful toucans, trogons, & tanagers.

"Top Birds" on this tour previously have included: 
Strange-tailed Tyrant, Red-tailed Comet,  
Rufous-throated Dipper, and Black-fronted Piping-Guan.

This 2 week tour can be done either on its own, or in conjunction
the tour that follows (FON/AR-3) in southern Argentina
as a combination tour thru Nov 30

Andean Condors are seen during our tours
 in north-central and  southern Argentina.

Links:

A Complete List (with some photos) of Argentina Birds, 
noting those during previous FONT tours (in 2 parts):  
Part#1: Tinamous to Flycatchers     Part#2: Antshrikes to Grosbeaks

Mammals during FONT Argentina Tours  (with some photos)

Butterflies in Argentina & Brazil at Iguazu Falls  (with some photos)

Itinerary:

Wed: Nov. 4  Departure from North America, or elsewhere.

Thu: Nov. 5  Arrival in Argentina. Birding in the afternoon (particularly for those arriving in the morning or mid-day) in Buenos Aires at the Costanera Sud Nature Reserve. Even though it's in the city, it's a great place for birding. We've seen over 115 species there, including:  
Stripe-backed Bittern, Black-headed and Masked Ducks, Gray-hooded Gull and Snowy-crowned Tern, Many-colored Rush-Tyrant and Wren-like Rushbird, Curve-billed Reedhaunter and Sulphur-bearded Spinetail, Scarlet-headed Blackbird and Black-capped Warbling-Finch.  
Overnight in Buenos Aires. 

Fri: Nov. 6  More birding, if time permits, in Buenos Aires prior to a flight to Posadas, a city in northeastern Argentina, near a superb area for birding, the vast Ibera Marshes and Lagoons. We'll have 3 full days and 4 overnights, in that area, where we'll stay at two estancias, or large ranches, with the birds and other wildlife close at hand. The settings of the estancias that will be our "homes", such as San Juan de Poriahu, will be superb.

Sat-Sun: Nov. 7-8  The fantastic birding to be enjoyed in the Argentine province of Correntes. In the area of the extensive Ibera Marshes. A tremendous place for birds ranging from rheas to seedeaters. Among the many birds, specialties of the region include: the Strange-tailed Tyrant (we've always seen the spectacular male, and sometimes family groups), the endangered Black-and-white Monjita, the rare Saffron-cowled Blackbird. Sounds to be heard, at the estancias, will be the calls of limpkins and screamers, and possibly, after dark, that of the rare Maned Wolf.

Mon: Nov. 9  Drive to Iguazu Falls, with birding enroute, particularly at the old mission of San Ignacio. Overnight at Iguazu Falls.

Tue-Wed: Nov. 10-11  In another fantastic area for birding, the national parks by Iguazu Falls (on both the Argentine and the Brazilian sides). Lots of birds there, notably "fruit-eaters" such as: toucans and aracaris, tanagers and trogons, and even the Red-ruffed Fruitcrow. Overnights at Iguazu Falls.

Iguazu Falls  (above) and
Great Dusky Swifts  (below)
on a ledge under the falls
(both photographs during a FONT tour)

Thu: Nov. 12  AM: Final birding at Iguazu Falls. PM: Flight to Buenos Aires. Overnight there.

Fri: Nov. 13  Morning flight from Buenos Aires to San Miguel de Tucuman (often called just "Tucuman"). Birding, west of that city, in an area of excellent "yungas" forest. In addition to the endemic Tucuman Mountain-Finch and Yellow-striped Brush-Finch, other niceties of the area include the Red-tailed Comet, Dot-fronted Woodpecker, Scribble-tailed Canastero, Rufous-throated Dipper, and Rust-and-yellow Tanager. Overnight in the area of Tucuman.

Sat: Nov. 14  After some morning birding, travel south from Tucuman toward Cordoba. With birding enroute (of course!), and particularly in an area of a large inland salt marsh known as Salinas Grandes. A rarity occurring there is the Salinas Monjita. 
We'll have our first contact, along the way, with good chaco habitat, where specialties occur such as: Spot-winged Falconet, Black-legged Seriema, Chaco Earthcreeper, and Crested Gallito. Overnight near Cordoba, in Miramar.

Ringed Teal photographed during a FONT tour
(photo by Marie Gardner)

Sun: Nov 15   Birding in an outstanding area for it — the region of the Laguna Mar Chiquita. The almost-certainly extinct Eskimo Curlew was reported to be seen in this area in October–November 1988 (3 birds), 1989 (4 birds), and 1993 (2 birds). Our chances for that would be of course nil, but who knows what else we'll see ? 
More relevant to 2011, the place is known for some tremendous birding, with massive numbers of shorebirds and waterfowl. The attractive Ringed Teal is notable among them. There are also some quite interesting and localized birds, including the Olive-crowned Crescent-chest and two species of doraditos (Crested and Dinelli's). Other notables include the Crested Hornero, Lark-like Brushrunner, Brown Cachalote, and the Many-colored Chaco-Finch. Overnight, again, at Miramar.

Mon: Nov. 16  This day, we'll travel west to a plateau known as the Pampa de Achala, in mountains called (in Spanish) the Sierra de los Comechingones, a rugged range isolated from the Andes to the west. One of the three Argentine endemics that occurs in this region is the Comechingones Cinclodes (now that's a mouthful!) Another cinclodes is also in the area, named after the renowned Argentine ornithologist, Olrog. And, there's the Cordoba Canastero, the Buff-breasted Earthcreeper, and the scarce Black-crowned Monjita.
Overnight in the town of Icho Cruz, a good site for the endemic Cinnamon Warbling-Finch.

Tue: Nov. 17  After some final birding in and near Icho Cruz, a flight from Cordoba to Buenos Aires.  
In the evening: the departing flight from Argentina. Or continuation on our tour to Southern Argentina (to the Valdes Peninsula and Patagonia: tour: FON/AR-2).

Wed: Nov. 18  For those returning to North America, arrival in the morning.

Price: US $3,595 per person, based upon double occupancy.
Single supplement (when applicable): US $395
Prices for 2012 subject to change. Price in effect at time of registration is guaranteed.

Includes:  
All overnight accommodations. 
All ground transportation within Argentina. 
Local guides. 
Entrance fees for national parks. 
Most meals: all breakfasts & lunches. Dinners except those in Buenos Aires and Iguazu Falls

Does not include: 
Air transportation to/from or within Argentina. 
Drinks or items of a personal nature. 
Gratuities. 
Departure tax at airports in Argentina.

Tours AR2 & AR3, Nov 4-29, can be done in combination.
Combination Price: US $5,895