Chile Day 11 – 1st January 2016 – Cerro Nielol National Park
This morning we were up and out at 6.00 am, to go back to Cerro Nielol National Park, just on the outskirts of Temuco, the fifth biggest city in Chile and one south of Santiago. Fernando from Albatross Birding was our guide for the day, who was absolutely brilliant.
We spent the morning birding here. It was a morning of Tapaculos and very successful. We saw Black-throated Huet Huet, Magellanic Tapaculo, Ochre-flanked Tapaculo and Chucao Tapaculo. Anyone who knows anything about Tapaculos will understand why I have no photographs of them!
Also, we had some daytime great views of Austral Pygmy Owl.
Late morning, Fernando drove us on a two-hour journey to see Patagonian Forest Earthcreeper, another endemic. It took some time, but eventually, she got brilliant views.
Patagonian Forest Earthcreeper
We then made it back to the airport at Temuco, for our 5.55 pm flight to Santiago.
Once in Santiago, we said goodbye to Fernando and got a taxi to our airport hotel. We had a quick change of clothes and then got the hotel transport back to the airport, to meet our Canadian friends. My friend’s father had the all-clear to fly the next day, so would be joining them for their flight back to Vancouver. We had a lovely meal with her and her Mum and hopefully, we will get to meet up sometime soon.
Best birds of the day:
Black-throated Huet Huet
Magellanic Tapaculo
Ochre-flanked Tapaculo
Chucao Tapaculo
Also, we had some daytime great views of Austral Pygmy Owl.
About The Author
Hi, I’m Dr. Mya-Rose Craig. I am a 19-year-old prominent British-Bangladeshi ornithologist, environmentalist, diversity activist as well as an author, speaker and broadcaster. At age 11 I started the popular blog Birdgirl, and at age 17 I became the youngest person to see half of the birds in the world.
Lyrical, poignant and insightful.’ - Margaret Atwood
This is my story; a journey defined by my love for these extraordinary creatures. Because large or small, brown, patterned or jewelled, there is something about birds that makes us, even for just moments at a time, lift our eyes away from our lives and up to the skies.
Lyrical, poignant and insightful.’ - Margaret Atwood
This is my story; a journey defined by my love for these extraordinary creatures. Because large or small, brown, patterned or jewelled, there is something about birds that makes us, even for just moments at a time, lift our eyes away from our lives and up to the skies.