Reserva Ecológica Costanera Sur

Sitio realizado por aficionados a la observación de aves desde 10 de enero 2006

Release of a Spotted Rail

Dear Cora and the Reservacostanera staff:

Today I bring a brief and very nice story for the site. This Saturday 21st of October 2017 at 03:06 pm, we were allowed to release a bird by the Recs Personnel. It was a spontaneous and succesful one here in the RECS.
Mario Albornoz, a neighbour of Buenos Aires City, brought an adult individual of Spotted Rail (Rallus maculatus), with all its plumage complete, healthy and in good condition to be released in the Duck Pond, near the Visitors' Center. Though the species has records in the area, it is very important to follow its adaptation to the reserve, in case we, the observers, find it in our walks. Besides, I do not believe this is a common species for Capital Federal (opinion based on my own personal observations, Julián Hernández).


Liberación gallineta overa/Release of Spotted Rail

PHOTO 1 – Mario Albornoz holding the spotted rail (Rallus maculatus) ready to be released in the RECS, Capital Federal, 21-10-2017. Julián Hernández.


The individual flew well to land into the reed bed. In less than two minutes it was alreday foraging with no problem and drinking water. It stayed for more than an hour at the same spot and seemed to be not worried about people or noises. It walked about the area fearlessly, even waded with the water up to its flanks. We could say that, at least at the very beginning, the bird adapted to its new home. It shared the area with two big adult Coypus, a Rufous-bellied Thrush, a Masked Yellowthroat and a Black-backed Water-Tyrant with no problem at all.
It had been found and rescued by Mario's daughter, to whom we deeply thank, at Entre Ríos Av. between Chile and Mexico. The bird appeared in a high floor of a building. It was disoriented but with no injuries.

Liberación gallineta overa/Release of Spotted Rail
PHOTO 2 – Prevoius moments to the release in the Duck Pond. The bird was restless and pecking agressively. Julián Hernández.



Liberación gallineta overa/Release of Spotted Rail
PHOTO 3 – Chosen place. The bird walked about the mounds and vegetation. Julián Hernández.


(The bird is not seen due to the quality of the photo, taken with a mobile, but it was there. I am getting in touch with Brian, AA's member, to get good pictures of the bird he captured as the bird was foraging).
This example serves to value and to strengthen the importance of these green areas in a big city, as is the case of the Reserva Ecológica Costanera Sur in Capital Federal. Besides providing clean air to breathe, helping in the regulation of the climate and being the home for native species of the Pampa Biome, places like this one give the huge opportunity to reinforce the Nature-Society bond in a direct way. These places are ideal for environmental education and to teach people that a good deed to take after the surrounding environment, though it might be a small one, may be a big step to preserve and protect it. With the Reserve all these animals can go back to its habitat quickly and safely. I want to thank the Albornoz' who rescued the bird and brought it here.
We will see if it stays in the reserve and in the surroundings where it was released and we hope to have news about the released spotted rail.

Let's follow the step, be attentive and let's not confuse this bird with this South American Painted-Snipe, please. I am available to answer any doubt.

Best regards, Julián Hernández.