August is the second month of winter in Patagonia, migrating birds begin to move during the second half of the month. It would surprise you, as I keep on enjoying and learning to share with me all the birds I saw this month. Some, I was lucky to get a photo of, and others I thoroughly enjoyed but did not have my camera with me. It had been years since I had seen Rufous-chested Dotterel (Eudromias modestus) in the area of Peninsula Valdes-Punta Tombo and yesterday I showed my grandson, husband and daughter a flock of 5 of them! They must be on their way South.
I have been birding these past few weeks in the surrounding areas of Puerto Madryn, on the Golfo Nuevo, on the Atlantic Coast of Patagonia, Argentina.
Chilean Flamingo (Phoenicopterus chilensis)
A flock of approximately 50 flamingoes, which include several immature birds that have white and black plumage, have been feeding at low tide on the beaches of Puerto Madryn. They have been incredibly patient with people approaching them to take pictures, with dogs by entering the water until they can barely stand. We have had some very low tides, in the mud flats exposed at these low tides is where the feed on tiny organisms.
Last weeks favorite birds:
Red Backed Hawk (Buteo polyosoma) a male perched on an Atriplex bush. This majestic bird of prey is also known as Variable Hawk, it has a wide distribution in Argentina and Chile. The female is the one that has the red on the back. The nest on posts or on the tallest shrubs and build the nest with twigs, they eat small rodents, lizards and small birds. This photo was taken on the road to Doradillo beach.
Southern Giant Petrel (Macronectes giganteus)
To watch a Giant Petrel fly just above the surface of the water is an unforgettable sight. This particular petrel was a clumsy young bird, trying to dive for fish; but unbeatable in flight. Young birds are much darker brown, almost black, than the adults. 
Brown-hooded gull (Larus maculipennis)
These small gulls molt into breeding plumage this month. Sometimes they look a lot like terns when they are flying; they have bright red legs and feet and feed on the “restingas” at low tide.
Crested Duck (Anas specularoides)
This large duck has got its common English name for a crest which is not quite so, as it is on the back neck, so it is not very visible, unless you get very good looks of the head. They live in salty or fresh water and are wide spread in Argentina and Chile. They have a large green iridescent patch on their wings which is visible in flight, and it is after this patch that they were given the Latin name specularoides.
Two-banded Plover (Charadius falklandicus)
A flock of 20 or 30 plovers with breeding and non breeding plumage were feeding at low tide, on the “restingas” (rocky platforms with small mussels, barnacles, tidal pools with anemones, snails & worms) near Cerro Avanzado. When I downloaded the photos I realized several were banded so I sent the information to the local researchers. They run a few meters and stop while they are feeding, they love eating a worm which is so big compared to their size, you wonder where the fit it in! They migrate within Argentina, and are strictly a South American shorebird. Other birds who were sharing the food available were Kelp Gulls and Blackish Oystercatchers.
Some flocks of wild geese have been flying South, the most common is the Upland Goose. The few land birds I saw were mostly Rufous–collared Sparrows, the always happy singer the Patagonian Mockingbird, and the gorgeous looking Long –tailed Meadowlark. This last bird is one of the few with Red coloration we have the pleasure to spot on the vast desert.
September is when the Magellanic penguins return to nest at the several colonies along the Coast of Patagonia. Keep on checking our blog with further news on penguins.
Carol Mackie de Passera
Causana Viajes 
