The next stop in the
tour would take us to La Balandra which is a popular spot by the river in the
summer for local people to relax. It is where the days target bird also hangs
out in the reeds. The Red and White Crake is a tricky character and brief views
of the bird were possible. I knew this was not going to be easy but Mark was confident
we would see this skulking species.
A stop along the
road to the entrance to watch a splendid White-banded Mockingbird was a brief diversion
from our goal. But we were soon checking the areas of reeds waiting for a call
announcing the birds presence.
A Plumbeous Rail
appeared from the reeds during the search nervously looking about in its hunt
for a tasty morsal.
The Crake was
proving to be as tricky as was expected with the odd random call but no
movement towards small clearings in the thick reed-bed. After a walk around the
area we returned to our first stake out point where the Crake eventually put in
a good but brief appearance. Woo hoo!
The final stop of
the day would take us back to Reserva Costanera Sur to find the Red Fronted
Coot which I had bypassed on my first visit. The day was closing in by the time
we arrived and the waterway busy with roosting birds. Around eighty Great White
Egrets were seen arriving in small groups to line the reed-beds.
A Coypu was observed
swimming across the waterway taking position on a small island and a turtle was
seen on one of the small islands. A fitting end to the day in which Mark had
been the perfect host providing a wealth of information about the areas we had
visited and the birds! Many thanks for a wonderful day!
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