Sites visited


1. Potrerillos de Santa Teresa National Park       25-26th May, 2005

   This National Park (Km mark 302) is located near the town of La Coronilla (Km mark 314). There are several places to stay in town although most are located almost 2km away on the coast. We stayed at a hotel (500 pesos for a double room with great breakfast) to the right of another hotel called Castello del Mare (800 pesos). The area around the hotel had some good birds incluing Rufous-capped Antshrike, Chicli Spinetail, Epaulet Oriole and Whistling Herons in a damp field on the way to town. A walk along the beach turned up Grey-hood Gull, Yellow-billed & Snowy-crowned Terns. The national park was reached by bus which left at 9:45. On the left is the national park and on the right a road to Laguna Negra 2-3 km away. In the park is a bird hide over the small Laguna Pe�a where there was Giant Wood-Rail, Southern Screamer, Brazilian Teal plus Capybaras. From the highway to Laguna Negra is 3-4km but most of the area by the lake has been grazed. Areas of long grass and marsh are in the Ba�ados de Santa Teresa visible from the road to to the lake but not accesable. The best areas of the park are apparently accessed by boat where Black-and-white Monjitas and Saffron-cowled Blackbird occur. I saw neither. I saw Grea Rhea on the bus ride to from Montevideo to La Coronilla west of Santa Teresa.
I saw 70 species including lifers

Greater Rhea Rhea americana Near-threatened Seen on the way to La Coronilla
Neotropic Cormorant Phalacrocorax brasilianus
Whistling Heron Syrigma sibilatrix
Great Egret Ardea alba
Snowy Egret Egretta thula
Plumbeous Ibis Theristicus caerulescens
White-faced Ibis Plegadis chihi
Southern Screamer Chauna torquata
Brazilian Teal Amazonetta brasiliensis
Speckled Teal Anas flavirostris
Yellow-billed Pintail Anas georgica Seen on the way to La Coronilla
Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura
Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture Cathartes burrovianus
Long-winged Harrier Circus buffoni
Cinereous Harrier Circus cinereus
Roadside Hawk Buteo magnirostris
Southern Caracara Caracara plancus
Yellow-headed Caracara Milvago chimachima
Chimango Caracara Milvago chimango
American Kestrel Falco sparverius
Giant Wood-Rail Aramides ypecaha
Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus
Wattled Jacana Jacana jacana
American Oystercatcher Haematopus palliatus
White-backed Stilt Himantopus melanurus
Southern Lapwing Vanellus chilensis
Collared Plover Charadrius collaris
Greater Yellowlegs Tringa melanoleuca
Kelp Gull Larus dominicanus
Gray-headed Gull Larus cirrocephalus
Brown-hooded Gull Larus maculipennis
Snowy-crowned Tern Sterna trudeaui
Yellow-billed Tern Sterna superciliaris
Picazuro Pigeon Patagioenas picazuro
Spot-winged Pigeon Patagioenas maculosa
Eared Dove Zenaida auriculata
White-tipped Dove Leptotila verreauxi
Monk Parakeet Myiopsitta monachus Seen on the way to La Coronilla
Guira Cuckoo Guira guira
White-throated Hummingbird Leucochloris albicollis
Green-barred Woodpecker Colaptes melanochloros
Campo Flicker Colaptes campestris
Rufous Hornero Furnarius rufus
Chicli Spinetail Synallaxis spixi
Freckle-breasted Thornbird Phacellodomus striaticollis
Firewood-gatherer Anumbius annumbi
Rufous-capped Antshrike Thamnophilus ruficapillus
White Monjita Xolmis irupero
Austral Negrito Lessonia rufa
Spectacled Tyrant ? Hymenops perspicillatus
Cattle Tyrant Machetornis rixosus
Great Kiskadee Pitangus sulphuratus
Blue-and-white Swallow Pygochelidon cyanoleuca
House Wren Troglodytes aedon
Chalk-browed Mockingbird Mimus saturninus
Rufous-bellied Thrush Turdus rufiventris
Creamy-bellied Thrush Turdus amaurochalinus
Masked Gnatcatcher Polioptila dumicola
Blue-and-yellow Tanager Thraupis bonariensis
Diademed Tanager Stephanophorus diadematus
Long-tailed Reed-Finch Donacospiza albifrons
Black-and-rufous Warbling-Finch Poospiza nigrorufa
Saffron Finch Sicalis flaveola
Great Pampa-Finch Embernagra platensis
Rufous-collared Sparrow Zonotrichia capensis
Shiny Cowbird Molothrus bonariensis
Epaulet Oriole Icterus cayanensis
Brown-and-yellow Marshbird Pseudoleistes virescens
Hooded Siskin Carduelis magellanica
House Sparrow Passer domesticus Introduced species

2. Around San Miguel Fort, Chuy       27-28th May, 2005

   The town of Chuy is on the Brazilian birder and has a few places to stay. We stayed at a place 1 block from the plaza which was 150 pesos for a double. 8.5km north of the town is the historical fortress of San Miguel. Buses for 18 de Julio leave town regularly and pass Fuerte de San Miguel. Before the fort, there is a bridge over a large river and wetland that is visible from the bridge itself of from a hide on the far side. Blue-billed Black-Tyrant, Snail Kite and Rufescent Tiger-Heron were seen here. Heading towards the fort and before the bridge is a right turn. Along here was excellent birding. On the left in a marshy area near the fence was a Pinnated Bittern. On the road towards the fort birding is good also between the 3 and 5km marks. At 3km was a left turn where there was a small rubbish dump. Here was Chestnut-capped Blackbird and Double-collared Seedeater. At km4 on the right were many Screaming Cowbirds and in the field behind, many White-faced Ibis with a single Roseate Spoonbill.
I saw 85 species including lifers

Pied-billed Grebe Podilymbus podiceps
Whistling Heron Syrigma sibilatrix
Cocoi Heron Ardea cocoi
Great Egret Ardea alba
Snowy Egret Egretta thula
Black-crowned Night-Heron Nycticorax nycticorax
Rufescent Tiger-Heron Tigrisoma lineatum
Pinnated Bittern Botaurus pinnatus
Maguari Stork Ciconia maguari
Plumbeous Ibis Theristicus caerulescens
Bare-faced Ibis Phimosus infuscatus
White-faced Ibis Plegadis chihi
Roseate Spoonbill Platalea ajaja
Southern Screamer Chauna torquata
Brazilian Teal Amazonetta brasiliensis
Speckled Teal Anas flavirostris
Silver Teal Anas versicolor
Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura
Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture Cathartes burrovianus
White-tailed Kite Elanus leucurus
Snail Kite Rostrhamus sociabilis
Long-winged Harrier Circus buffoni
Roadside Hawk Buteo magnirostris
White-tailed Hawk ? Buteo albicaudatus
Southern Caracara Caracara plancus
Yellow-headed Caracara Milvago chimachima
Chimango Caracara Milvago chimango
American Kestrel Falco sparverius
Aplomado Falcon Falco femoralis
Limpkin Aramus guarauna
Spot-flanked Gallinule Gallinula melanops
Wattled Jacana Jacana jacana
White-backed Stilt Himantopus melanurus
Southern Lapwing Vanellus chilensis
South American Snipe Gallinago paraguaiae
Brown-hooded Gull Larus maculipennis
Royal Tern Sterna maxima
Picazuro Pigeon Patagioenas picazuro
Eared Dove Zenaida auriculata
Picui Ground-Dove Columbina picui
Monk Parakeet Myiopsitta monachus
Guira Cuckoo Guira guira
Burrowing Owl Athene cunicularia
Ringed Kingfisher Ceryle torquata
White-spotted Woodpecker Veniliornis spilogaster
Green-barred Woodpecker Colaptes melanochloros
Campo Flicker Colaptes campestris
Rufous Hornero Furnarius rufus
Stripe-crowned Spinetail Cranioleuca pyrrhophia
Freckle-breasted Thornbird Phacellodomus striaticollis Only heard
Firewood-gatherer Anumbius annumbi
Rufous-capped Antshrike Thamnophilus ruficapillus
Sooty Tyrannulet Serpophaga nigricans
White Monjita Xolmis irupero
Blue-billed Black-Tyrant Knipolegus cyanirostris
Spectacled Tyrant Hymenops perspicillatus
Yellow-browed Tyrant Satrapa icterophrys
Cattle Tyrant Machetornis rixosus
Great Kiskadee Pitangus sulphuratus
White-rumped Swallow Tachycineta leucorrhoa
Blue-and-white Swallow Pygochelidon cyanoleuca
Bank Swallow ? Riparia riparia
House Wren Troglodytes aedon
Chalk-browed Mockingbird Mimus saturninus
Rufous-bellied Thrush Turdus rufiventris
Creamy-bellied Thrush Turdus amaurochalinus
Masked Gnatcatcher Polioptila dumicola
Rufous-browed Peppershrike Cyclarhis gujanensis
Tropical Parula Parula pitiayumi
Golden-crowned Warbler Basileuterus culicivorus
Diademed Tanager Stephanophorus diadematus
Black-and-rufous Warbling-Finch Poospiza nigrorufa
Rusty-collared Seedeater Sporophila collaris
Double-collared Seedeater ? Sporophila caerulescens
Saffron Finch Sicalis flaveola
Red-crested Cardinal Paroaria coronata
Rufous-collared Sparrow Zonotrichia capensis
Yellow-winged Blackbird Agelaius thilius
Chestnut-capped Blackbird Agelaius ruficapillus
Bay-winged Cowbird Molothrus badius
Screaming Cowbird Molothrus rufoaxillaris
Shiny Cowbird Molothrus bonariensis
Hooded Siskin Carduelis magellanica
European Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis Introduced species
House Sparrow Passer domesticus Introduced species

3. Laguna de Rocha       29-30th May, 2005

   Laguna de Rocha can be accessed from Rocha or better from La Paloma. La Paloma is easily reached though by regular buses from Rocha. Both places have a number of places to stay. The cheapest place we could find in Rocha was Hotel Municial 1 block South of the plaza with a double for 420 including breakfast. From La Paloma there is a track to the lake but it doesn't seem passable in a car, instead take a turning a few kms north of La Paloma on Route 15. If walking from La Paloma it seemed about 10km. The track runs parrallel with the beach but winds a bit. Some areas of dunes, scrub and small marshes had a few birds. Once you reach sight of the lake, you can either walk along the shore or follow the road along. Between the lake shore and the road are some good boggy areas. At the 'Cabito' or the point at the end there is a hide with a view over the lake and where it empties out into the sea. Here U saw several species of gull, tern and wading birds aswell as 40 or more Chilean Flamingos on the other side. Rufous-throated Sapphire was seen in the garden of a house on the way back that had many red flowers.
On another day, I walked from Rocha to the main Chuy-Montevideo highway turning right towards Montevideo and turning off where signed to Puerto de los Botes 5km away. Birding is quite good on this road in some marshy areas on the left where Giant Wood-Rail was seen. Grey Monjita was seen perched on a post a little further along. Puerto de los Botes is next to the river where you can walk along a little and explore some areas of reeds.
I saw 89 species including lifers

Spotted Nothura Nothura maculosa
Great Grebe Podiceps major
Neotropic Cormorant Phalacrocorax brasilianus
Whistling Heron Syrigma sibilatrix
Cocoi Heron Ardea cocoi
Great Egret Ardea alba
Snowy Egret Egretta thula
Maguari Stork Ciconia maguari
Plumbeous Ibis Theristicus caerulescens
Bare-faced Ibis Phimosus infuscatus
White-faced Ibis Plegadis chihi
Chilean Flamingo Phoenicopterus chilensis Near-threatened
Southern Screamer Chauna torquata
Black-necked Swan Cygnus melanocorypha
Coscoroba Swan Coscoroba coscoroba
Brazilian Teal Amazonetta brasiliensis
Speckled Teal Anas flavirostris
Yellow-billed Pintail Anas georgica
Silver Teal Anas versicolor
Lake Duck Oxyura vittata
Roadside Hawk Buteo magnirostris
Southern Caracara Caracara plancus
Chimango Caracara Milvago chimango
American Kestrel Falco sparverius
Limpkin Aramus guarauna
Giant Wood-Rail Aramides ypecaha
Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus
Red-gartered Coot Fulica armillata
American Oystercatcher Haematopus palliatus
White-backed Stilt Himantopus melanurus
Southern Lapwing Vanellus chilensis
Semipalmated Plover Charadrius semipalmatus
Collared Plover Charadrius collaris
Two-banded Plover Charadrius falklandicus
Rufous-chested Dotterel Charadrius modestus
South American Snipe Gallinago paraguaiae
Greater Yellowlegs Tringa melanoleuca
Lesser Yellowlegs ? Tringa flavipes
Kelp Gull Larus dominicanus
Gray-headed Gull Larus cirrocephalus
Brown-hooded Gull Larus maculipennis
Royal Tern Sterna maxima
South American Tern ? Sterna hirundinacea
Snowy-crowned Tern Sterna trudeaui
Yellow-billed Tern Sterna superciliaris
Black Skimmer Rynchops niger
Picazuro Pigeon Patagioenas picazuro
Spot-winged Pigeon Patagioenas maculosa
Picui Ground-Dove Columbina picui
White-tipped Dove Leptotila verreauxi
Monk Parakeet Myiopsitta monachus
Guira Cuckoo Guira guira
Rufous-throated Sapphire Hylocharis
Rufous-throated Sapphire Hylocharis
White-throated Hummingbird Leucochloris albicollis
Amazon Kingfisher Chloroceryle amazona
Green-barred Woodpecker Colaptes melanochloros
Bar-winged Cinclodes ? Cinclodes fuscus
Rufous Hornero Furnarius rufus
Wren-like Rushbird Phleocryptes melanops Only heard
Chicli Spinetail ? Synallaxis spixi
Freckle-breasted Thornbird Phacellodomus striaticollis Only heard
Sooty Tyrannulet Serpophaga nigricans
White-crested Tyrannulet Serpophaga subcristata
Gray Monjita Xolmis cinerea
White Monjita Xolmis irupero
Dark-faced Ground-Tyrant Muscisaxicola macloviana
Austral Negrito Lessonia rufa
Spectacled Tyrant ? Hymenops perspicillatus
Cattle Tyrant Machetornis rixosus
Great Kiskadee Pitangus sulphuratus
Blue-and-white Swallow Pygochelidon cyanoleuca
House Wren Troglodytes aedon
White-banded Mockingbird Mimus triurus
Rufous-bellied Thrush Turdus rufiventris
Creamy-bellied Thrush Turdus amaurochalinus
Masked Gnatcatcher Polioptila dumicola
Tropical Parula Parula pitiayumi
Long-tailed Reed-Finch Donacospiza albifrons
Black-and-rufous Warbling-Finch Poospiza nigrorufa
Saffron Finch Sicalis flaveola
Great Pampa-Finch Embernagra platensis
Rufous-collared Sparrow Zonotrichia capensis
Yellow-winged Blackbird Agelaius thilius
Bay-winged Cowbird Molothrus badius
Brown-and-yellow Marshbird Pseudoleistes virescens
Hooded Siskin Carduelis magellanica
European Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis Introduced species
House Sparrow Passer domesticus Introduced species
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