Chile Days 8 & 9 – 29rd & 30th December 2015 – Altos de Lircay NR
Our flight from King George Island, Antarctica to Punto Arenas, Chile was several hours late. By the time we got to our hotel room, it was 8.30 pm. It was too late to meet our friends, have dinner or catch up on blogging. It was 11.00 pm before I got to bed and knew I would be tired tomorrow as we get to be up at 4.45 am to catch the first flight to Santiago.
The next morning, as we checked in for our 7.10 am flight many of the passengers from our ship were on the same flight. There was only time for a hello and wave before our flight.
At Santiago Airport, our bird guide from Albatross Birding, Fernando Diaz, was there to meet us in a hire car. We then headed south, driving to Colburn and then to Vilches birding on the way and arriving at Altos de Lirca National Park early afternoon to catch up on birding before dark.
Chris Craig in Altos de Lirca National Park
Photograph taken by and copyright Young Birder Birdgirl Mya-Rose Craig
Young Magellanic Woodpecker in a nest hole, Altos de Lirca National Park
White-throated Treerunner, Altos de Lirca National Park
After birding for a few hours, we went back to our lodge for dinner, before going out owling looking for Rufous-legged Owl and Austral Pygmy-owl. I am not a fan of owling, mainly because I get tired and we often don’t see anything. Tonight was no different and we got to bed at midnight with no success.
Scorpian, Altos de Lirca National Park
Photograph taken by and copyright Young birder Mya-Rose Craig
Best birds of the Day:
Chestnut-throated Huet Huet (a Tapuculo species)
Magellanic Woodpecker
Green-backed Firecrown
White-throated Treerunner