species of mammals, 422 of birds, 38 of reptiles, and 18 of amphibians, a large number of which are threatened or vulnerable. The park harbours approximately 44% of Argentina's avifauna, of which at least 180 species are resident.

by Afforestation. The forestry boom subsidized by the state has resulted in the loss of populations of threatened birds in the “Campos” ecoregion in the northeast of Argentina. Potential Important Bird Areas (IBAs) are being lost before their official declaration by BirdLife International. As a consequence of the transformation of its best habitats, the Argentine Mesapotamian Grasslands Endemic Bird Area (EBA) is in danger. The IBA concept could be very useful to design a Conservation Action Plan for the Campos, based on the methodology and experience of BirdLife International. 

listing of birding sites close to Buenos Aires, with some brief pluuses and minuses for each site.

the Corrientes province of Argentina, is an area with an outstanding abundance in wildlife . Home to over 350 species of birds, 85 species of mammals, and more than 70 reptiles and amphibians, the reserve was created in 1983 to protect South America's second largest wetlands. 
...

Argentina national parks, with some mention of the specific bird species to be found there:
• Parque Nacional Nahuel Huapi
• Parque Nacional Laguna Blanca
• Parque Nacional Lanin
• Reserva Provincial Punta Tombo
• Parque Nacional Los Alerces
• Parque Nacional Los Glaciares
• Monumento Natural Bosques Petrificados
• Parque Nacional Perito Moreno

• Los Alerces National Park
• Peninsula Valdes
• Bosques Petrificados National Monument
• Perito Moreno National Park
• Los Glaciares National Park
• Tierra del Fuego National Park
• Aconcagua Provincial Park
• Los Cuevos de las Manos
• Mar del Plata
• Iguazú National Park
• Lake District / Argentina
• Laguna Blanca National Park
• El Palmar National Park

itinerary exploring Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego in the vast southern reaches of the country.

close to Buenos Aires.  Also available in Spanish.

This was the first Eagle-Eyes Tour to Argentina and I am glad to say that it ended up being very successful. It was wonderful for me to return to the country where I conducted my graduate research and once again experience the wonderful birding available in Argentina. As well, I was relieved to see that for the most part all of the best birding areas are unchanged, they are still there and under no imminent danger.

showing the location of the following reserves:
• Parque Costero del Sur Biosphere Reserve
• Reserva Ecologica de Nacunan Biosphere Reserve
• Reserva Natural de Vida Silvestre "Laguna Blanca" Biosphere Reserve
• San Guillermo Biosphere Reserve
• Laguna de Pozuelos Biosphere Reserve

part of the Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network. 

the High Andean Plateau of the Central Andes, is shared by Argentina, Bolivia, Chile and Peru. It is a cold, desert region with intense solar radiation and strong winds which cause extreme temperature variations. Yet in the middle of this desert landscape, the greatest explosion of life is without a doubt associated with the lakes and 'salares'; the great variety and number of birds, many of them endemic to La Puna, is particularly striking.(This is case study #1, part way down the page)

South America, Tierra del Fuego extends over 35,000km2 including Isla Grande as well as islands and archipelagos to the south of the Strait of Magellan. Along the coast and in the marine sectors, there are large sandy and stony beaches, numerous fjords, inlets and bays with wetlands which are highly variable in terms of salinity, and with luxuriant algae and peatlands surrounding them. Islands and fjords particularly in the exposed sector possess a large concentration and diversity of marine bird species. 

Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network. 

includes information on all Argentina's Ramsar designated sites, including:
• Laguna de los Pozuelos
• Laguna Blanca
• Rio Pilcomayo

Owenby. South America has three great wetlands:  the Llanos of Venezuela, the Pantanal in Brazil, and the Esteros del Iberá in northern Argentina.  The last, my next destination, is the most remote and least known of the three.  Even birders who visit Argentina seldom make it there.  The starting point is the city of Posadas, on the Rio   Paraná separating Argentina from Paraguay.

January 2003, by Sergio Corbet. San Clemente and Punta Rasa offer the possibility of seeing many if not all of the Pampas birds and also wintering migrators from as far as Alaska. Knowing the area well I thought it might help visiting birders if I described the best birding areas.

spent a few days near San Clemente del Tuyu (SE of Buenos Aires) and a few in Ushuaia (Tierra del Fuego), in order to find some good local birds. In this report some logistical information and a species list is given, as well as some pictures from the video shots I took.

Although we didn't go to Argentina and Chile for birding only, we took any opportunity to spot those birds and we ended up with about 130 species. All the areas we visited offered wonderfull birding opportunities. These are some spots (follow the links in the navigation bar for more information) we'll always remember: 
• Torres Del Paine - Chile
• Los Glaciaras National Park - Argentina
• Peninsulla Valdez - Argentina
• Iguazu National Park - Argentina
• Los Esteros Del Ibera - Argentina

We travelled to Argentina with Naturetrek to explore the Pampas and Patagonia. During the trip, we saw 191 species which was well short of the 230-240 target due to the disastrous start. This richly illustrated trip report includes many photos of birds and vistas, as well as maps.

Mølgaard, Jesper Meedom & Stig K. Rasmussen. (NOTE: this is a downloadable report from the Danish Ornithological Society´s website). In September-October 1993, the excursion committee of the Copenhagen department of the Danish Ornithological Society (DOF) carried out its first trip to Argentina. The purpose of the journey was to visit a representative selection of habitats in this vast country and to observe as rich a variety of birds and animals as possible. The number of bird species recorded was impressive. We made up a birdlist of 571 species. The tour was scheduled for three weeks with an optional one week extension to the Patagonia. All participants were with us for all four weeks! 

By Greg Roberts, Australia

Michael Mills. During the latter part of 1997 I was fortunate to go on a tourist expedition to the Antarctica, Falklands and South Georgia Islands with my family. Our ship departed from the southern tip of South America - Ushuaia in southern Argentina. In order to reach our port of departure, we had to travel via Buenos Aires. To catch connecting flights, we had either to spend some time in Buenos Aires or Ushuaia and decided upon some time in each. Being a bird-watcher from the African bush, even the thought of a sprawling city didn’t put me off. This was a great opportunity for an introduction to South American birds. Having done some prior research, I knew that
Costanera Sur was a good place to start. We also managed to get some information from the National Parks Office in Buenos Aires about other nearby sites: Otamendi National Park and Refugio Natural Educativo de la Ribera Norte.

Jon Hornbuckle. To fill the major gap in my South American list, I decided to visit Chile and most of Argentina (having already been to Iguazu). I started in Córdoba, then spent 6 full days in NW Argentina, before taking a bus across the Andes to northern Chile where I met up with 3 other stalwarts from South Yorkshire: Phil Gibson, Andy Marshall and Graham Speight. We then covered the whole of Chile, in 4 stages over 3 weeks, after which Andy and I bussed across to southern Argentina for the last leg of the trip. We were to have been joined by a third birder for the last part but as he had to drop out, we   cut it short by omitting Ushuaia and Corrientes. The birding was very successful, especially in Chile where I hardly missed anything I        hoped to see, thanks to a lot of help and a good team. 

Goldbach. Birdwise this journey was a great success, in total we found 458 species, of which 226 lifers.The timing of the tour was rather optimal: during the austral spring. This year the winter had been rather cold and long in Argentina, and as a result springtime just had started. 

July 10th - 13th, 2003, by Sergio Corbet. During the last month of January I bird guided Lars Johansson around Costanera Sur NR in Buenos Aires. He was back from an 'Antarctica Pelagic Trip' and wanted to photograph some of the local avifauna before flying home to Sweden. Fortunately (weather conditions were perfect!) his quest proved successful and so now he calls me again, this time to guide him and his wife Anita during their 3 days stay at Iguazu before going on to Brazil into the "Pantanal".

Knud Rasmussen. My trip to Argentina was not solely for birding but also to experience as much of the daily life in a different country as possible. Argentina did not disappoint us and it met all our expectations. A country well worth the visit, with great nature, friendly people and still many unspoiled places to see. Could also be a great place for "snowbirds" with a pleasant climate, economical lodging and little crime. It was also to try first hand, the advantage of using local contacts through Birdingpal, to not only get better birdwatching but also to meet new friends and I can say I was not disappointed.

by Harold Stiver. This is a cross between a trip report and a photo journal. Heavily illustrated.

available at Blake Maybank's Birding the Americas Trip Report Archive.

Argentina is the only national bird conservation organization in Argentina. The group operates on a small budget, but has been extremely effective in gathering support for bird conservation, and is developing a project to protect the country's threatened pampas grasslands. The project will include research and advocacy to protect Important Bird Areas (IBAs) in these grasslands, and to help create a Swainson's Hawk sanctuary in Cordoba Province. Individuals can join Aves Argentina from the U.S. for $50. Aves Argentina can also arrange bird tours with English-speaking guides. 

Highly respected for their excellent birding tours. Experienced english-speaking guides. The best spotting equipment and an incredible stock of recorded birdcalls needed to bring the rarities out of the bush. Birding Argentina organizes tours nationwide. Offices in Buenos Aires and several other cities. Please visit their website for more information and to contact them.

Dec 21, 1999 for 12 days. A combined Southern Argentina and Southern Chile trip starting in Trelew, Argentina. Group size is limited to 6 in order to have high comfort in the Van. Birding Argentina will never be as inexpensive as this. Should you prefer to upgrade to very good hotels, this trip will still be a bargain compared to other operators. For the millenium we are booking good hotels and restaurants. You will be at the end of the world by then. Kolibri Expeditons is based in Lima, Peru. On all trips we go off the beaten track to give you all possible endemics and specialties of the particular area you are in. There is usually a bias on quality of unique birds rather than overall numbers. Then again, visiting areas where the endemics are, usually gives a large final overall list. 

**..Nature and Wildlife in Patagonia with Causana Viajes -  specializes

in natural history, birdwatching, flora, nature photography both in Argentina and Chile. Causana's clients travel with a purpose: to see, experience and appreciate the natural enviroment and cultures. Enjoy seven days in Patagonia searching for endemic and spectacular species with a knowledgable english-speaking guide.

**.Northern Argentina - with Cheesemans' Ecology Safaris. Visit

Humahuaca Canyon, Lake Pozuelos, Calilegua, Gran Chaco, Corrientes, Iberá, Iguazu Falls and more. From April 2 to 22, 2002. Yatay-Palm floating swamp forests, dry chaco woodlands, rugged and misty Camegua, airy Andean peaks - Northern Argentina is like the Maned Wolf (which you may even see!): enigmatic and unique. Leaders: Doug & Gail Cheeseman with Ricardo Clark. 12 participants.

**..Northern Argentina with Victor Emanuel Nature Tours (VENT) - 

Natural history and birding groups have long favored Argentina's classic southern destinations, yet Argentina's northern frontier is the richest part of the country for birds. Most of the northern habitats-chaco desert, yungas forest, and puna grasslands-are not well-known to birders and natural history enthusiasts. This trip focuses on northwestern Argentina, a fascinating region of deserts, arid canyons, mountains, and shimmering altiplano lagoons.
• Northern Argentina- October 23 - November 05, 2002 (13.0 days - Limit 16) with leaders Steve Hilty & Andrew Whittaker. 
VENT offers nearly 140 tours to over 100 land-based destinations each year and is the largest tour company in the world specializing in birding and natural history.

**..Southern Argentina with Victor Emanuel Nature Tours (VENT) - 

Our Southern Argentina tour visits all of the classic regions–the Pampas grasslands, the Patagonian shrublands, the Nothofagus beech forests of Tierra del Fuego, and the Beagle Channel. This tour is an in-depth natural history and birding tour of the classic regions of southern Argentina. In addition to the wildlife, it is a chance to experience the rich history and romance of famous regions like the Pampas and Patagonia, a chance to walk in the footsteps of Darwin and George Gaylord Simpson, and to visit the stormy seas that defied great mariners like Drake and Magellan. What sets this tour apart from others is the depth of natural history interpretation which we believe is unequaled in the tour industry.
• Southern Argentina - November 04 - November 20, 2002 (16.0 days - Limit 16) with leaders Steve Hilty & Andrew Whittaker. 

More than 350 species of birds can be found here. Much of the income from running the Posada go towards food and schooling for local children, helping the people in Colonia Carlos Pellegrini. The web site is not in English (but the pictures are illustrative). The owner is an English speaker and you can contact Alejandro at:  posadadelalaguna@ibera.net.

Graham Harris (Illustrator), William Conway. This is the first guidebook to the birds and mammals of the coastal region of Patagonia, a vast area at the southern tip of South America. This guide describes the 185 species of birds and 61 species of mammals known to inhabit the land and sea along two thousand miles of the Patagonian coast, from Peninsula Valds to the Strait of Magellan. 

(Illustrator)