News - February 2015

February 07, 2015 02:30

Two spinetails
Sooty-fronted Spinetail *Synallaxis frontalis*© Hugo Aguilar © Dolores Fernández	Spix's Spinetail *Synallaxis spixi*© Elsa y Guillermo © Cora Rimoldi
These spinetails are difficult to see. They restlessly move in the bushes which prevent a clear sight of them. With luck they expose for a little while. Their voices will certainly announce their presence. As voices are very different we will know whether it is the Spix's or the Sooty-fronted Spinetail. But if there is no voice one must be careful not to confuse them since they are very similar. The crown is one of the keys to bear in mind. If the rufous colour of the crown also covers the front, it is the Spix's Spinetail. If the front is grey instead, it is the Sooty-fronted as the name indicates. The photos are for illustrative purposes

Tropical Parula
Setophaga pitiayumi

Least Grebe

Tachybaptus dominicus

21-02-15 © Eduardo Carreyra

This is in fact the first photo taken of the least grebe. It was the Saturday of the Birding Challenge, that is, one week before. As Eduardo learnt this bird had been seen he rechecked his photos and found it.

Blue-and-yellow Tanager

Pipraeidea bonariensis

27-02-15 © Ignacio Agudelo

Rufescent Tiger-Heron

Tigrisoma lineatum

27-02-15 © José Alberto Lell

Limpkin

Aramus guarauna

27-02-15 © Ignacio Agudelo

The juvenile common gallinule looks curiously. Is there anything for me?

Yellow-billed Teal

Anas flavirostris

27-02-15 © Ignacio Agudelo

The pair on the land

Wattled Jacana

Jacana jacana

27-02-15 © Ignacio Agudelo

Brazilian Teal

Amazonetta brasiliensis

27-02-15 © Ignacio Agudelo

Bran-colored Flycatcher

Myiophobus fasciatus

27-02-15 © Ignacio Agudelo

Fulvous Whistling-Duck

Dendrocygna bicolor

27-02-15 © Ignacio Agudelo

Counted 8 individuals

Roadside Hawk

Rupornis magnirostris

28-02-15 © Sergio Cusano

Yellow-chevroned Parakeet

Brotogeris chiriri

23-02-15 © Claudia y Diego Bastías

It is very common to see this parrot eat the seeds of Chorisia speciosa in the reserve. Since these trees have not born fruit yet they eat those of the Syagrus romanzoffiana

Bare-faced Ibis

Phimosus infuscatus

23-02-15 © Claudia y Diego Bastías

Brown-chested Martin

Progne tapera

28-02-15 © J. Simón Tagtachian

Two adults with a chick

27-02-15 © Claudia y Diego Bastías

Second clutch in the hornero nest at Viamonte. The rest of the butterly at the entrance is of a southern buckeye, delivered by the parents. These butterflies were very abundant during the week

Fork-tailed Flycatcher

Tyrannus savana

23-02-15 © Claudia y Diego Bastías

White-winged Becard

Pachyramphus polychopterus

20-02-15 © Sergio Cusano

Uncommon to find on the grass

Bran-colored Flycatcher

Myiophobus fasciatus

30-12-14 © José Alberto Lell

Hooded Siskin

Spinus magellanicus

20-02-15 © José Alberto Lell

Male eating bull thistle Cirsium vulgare

Double-collared Seedeater

Sporophila caerulescens

23-02-15 © Claudia y Diego Bastías

Green-barred Woodpecker

Colaptes melanochloros

28-02-15 © Claudia y Tito Di Mauro

Woodpecker's fight

Limpkin

Aramus guarauna

24-02-15 © Claudia y Tito Di Mauro

A limpkin eating snails attract the attention of a great kiskadee and a common gallinule, which are tempted.

Least Grebe

Tachybaptus dominicus

28-02-15 © Claudia y Tito Di Mauro

This grebe is smaller than the White-tufted Grebe Rollandia rolland as shown by Claudia y Tito in the video. The yellow eye distinguishes from the other grebes among other things.
This Least Grebe is out of the area of distribution. In Argentina it covers an area in the north part of the country from the mountains to the east and reaches the south to the provinces of Santa Fe, Córdoba and Entre Ríos though not completely.

New bird species

Least Grebe

Tachybaptus dominicus

28-02-15 © Pablo Manuel Fernández

Pablo and Amelia discovered this least grebe in the RECS

28-02-15 © Sergio Cusano

Pablo and amelia discovered this least grebe in the Coypu Pond

28-02-15 © Silvia Loiacono

Green Kingfisher

Chloroceryle americana

28-02-15 © Sergio Cusano

28-02-15 © J. Simón Tagtachian

Diademed Tanager

Stephanophorus diadematus

28-02-15 © Dolores Fernández

Vermilion Flycatcher

Pyrocephalus rubinus

28-02-15 © Silvia Loiacono

Summer is coming to an end and vermilion flycatchers are returning to the north. Diego Bastías had already seen a male on Wednesday 25th. Here a juvenile.

Warbling Doradito

Pseudocolopteryx flaviventris

11-02-15 © José Alberto Lell

Scarlet-headed Blackbird

Amblyramphus holosericeus

28-02-15 © Sergio Cusano

Rosy-billed Pochard

Netta peposaca

25-02-15 © Claudia y Diego Bastías

In this pochard family there are two fulvous whistling-duck chicks. The Fulvous Whistling-Duck may dump eggs in other birds' nests of its same species or not. This is not the first time we witness this event. There is a previous record of December 2009. On that occasion also a Rosy-billed Pochard was seen with a Fulvous Whistling-Duck chick among her ducklings.

17-12-09 © José Luis Merlo

The 2009 family

Ringed Teal

Callonetta leucophrys

22-02-15 © Cora Rimoldi

And now the final results of the Birding Challenge. Only one data: 118 bird species registered during the whole event. The winners of all categories and the detail of what was spotted by whom is on ecoregistros.org

And the Birding Challenge took place as planned on February 21st and 22nd. Two days birdwatching . Very early in the morning when the RECS was not open yet many observers began from the sidewalk. At 8 o'clock sharp the reserve opened and the group entered for the inside walk. Some words in charge of one of the organizers, Jorge La Grotteria, and we left for Canal Viamonte. The dynamics of the group was such that the number of birders increased or decreased according to their needs.

Of course breakfast was a must to charge batteries. The day was beautiful, but it was already getting hot. And lunch could not be skipped either.



More than 110 bird species observed (heard, photographed and/or seen) during the event. Wednesday is the deadline to hand over the material. So by that time we will know the exact number of species. Anyway follow the provisional results And now some gems of the event

New bird species

Southern Martin

Progne elegans

22-02-15 © J. Simón Tagtachian

22-02-15 © Jorge La Grotteria

Varias veces vista, pero por primera vez la foto

South American Snipe

Gallinago paraguaiae

22-02-15 © Elsa y Guillermo Marcaida

A terrific surprise when Guillermo downloaded the photos. There was a South American snipe behind some ducks on an island.

Ash-colored Cuckoo

Coccycua cinerea

21-02-15 © Elsa y Guillermo Marcaida

Peregrine Falcon

Falco peregrinus

21-02-15 © J. Simón Tagtachian

Ultramarine Grosbeak

Cyanoloxia brissonii

22-02-15 © J. Simón Tagtachian

White-eyed Parakeet

Psittacara leucophtalmus

21-02-15 © J. Simón Tagtachian

Long-winged Harrier

Circus buffoni

22-02-15 © J. Simón Tagtachian

Light morph

White-banded Mockingbird

Mimus triurus

21-02-15 © Jorge La Grotteria

Yellow-chevroned Parakeet

Brotogeris chiriri

22-02-15 © Sergio Cusano

Eating the fruits of Syagrus romanzoffiana

Kelp Gull

Larus dominicanus

21-02-15 © J. Simón Tagtachian

22-02-15 © Sergio Cusano

Brown-hooded Gull

Chroicocephalus maculipennis

21-02-15 © J. Simón Tagtachian

Campo Flicker

Colaptes campestris

21-02-15 © Jorge La Grotteria

European Starling

Sturnus vulgaris

22-02-15 © Jorge La Grotteria

Yellow-winged Blackbird

Agelasticus thilius

22-02-15 © Elsa y Guillermo Marcaida

Cattle Tyrant

Machetornis rixosa

22-02-15 © Jorge La Grotteria

Rosy-billed Pochard

Netta peposaca

22-02-15 © Dolores Fernández

Ringed Teal

Callonetta leucophrys

22-02-15 © Dolores Fernández

Creamy-bellied Thrush

Turdus amaurochalinus

22-02-15 © Jorge La Grotteria

Red-eyed Vireo

Vireo olivaceus

22-02-15 © Jorge La Grotteria

Nenday Parakeet

Aratinga nenday

22-02-15 © Jorge La Grotteria

Plants
*Dolichandra cynanchoides* © Sergio Cusano	*Dolichandra cynanchoides* © Sergio Cusano
Calico flower *Aristolochia elegans*© Sergio Cusano	Striped rosemallow *Hibiscus cisplatinus*© Victoria Mansilla
Catclaw mimosa *Mimosa pigra*© Flor	Catclaw mimosa *Mimosa pigra*© Flor
Balloon vine *Cardiospermum grandiflorum*© Sergio Cusano	Pink flowered tweedia *Oxypetalum solanoides*© Sergio Cusano
Yellow bird of paradise *Caesalpinia gilliesii*© Sergio Cusano	Squash *Cucurbita maxima*© Flor
Buttercup tree *Senna corymbosa*© Sergio Cusano	*Wedelia glauca* © Sergio Cusano
Giant arrowhead *Sagittaria montevidensis*© Sergio Cusano	Spanish dagger *Yucca gloriosa*© Flor

New moth species

Diademed Tanager

Stephanophorus diadematus

03-01-21 © Fernando Crespo

New moth species

Crambid snout moth

Samea sp.

16-02-15 © Sergio Cusano

It seems to have been predated upon by a spider or bug due to its posture

Butterflies of February

White-patched duskywing

Chiomara autander autander

11-02-15 © Sergio Cusano

Snout

Libytheana carinenta

11-02-15 © Sergio Cusano

Poltys satyr

Parypthimoides poltys

17-02-15 © Victoria Mansilla

Ithra crescent

Ortilia ithra

17-02-15 © Gustavo F. Brahamian

16-02-15 © Sergio Cusano

Fiery skipper

Hylephila phyleus

17-02-15 © Gustavo F. Brahamian

Celmis satyr

Ypthimoides celmis

16-02-15 © Sergio Cusano

Chilean lady

Vanessa carye

16-02-15 © Sergio Cusano

Southamerican lady

Vanessa braziliensis

11-02-15 © Sergio Cusano

Eurytulus scrub-hairstreak

Strymon eurytulus

11-02-15 © Sergio Cusano

Lesbia sulphur

Colias lesbia

11-02-15 © Sergio Cusano

Common yellow

Eurema deva

07-02-15 © Victoria Mansilla

With claudina crescent on the left

Southern Monarch

Danaus erippus

07-02-15 © Gustavo F. Brahamian

12-02-15 © Flor A Modeo

Gulf fritillary

Agraulis vanillae maculosa

16-02-15 © Sergio Cusano

05-02-15 © Sergio Cusano

Mexican silverspot

Dione moneta

05-02-15 © Sergio Cusano

14-02-15 © Amelia Besana

Campo Flicker

Colaptes campestris

19-02-15 © Nicolás Giorgio

Wattled Jacana

Jacana jacana

20-02-15 © José Alberto Lell

19-02-15 © Nicolás Giorgio

16-02-15 © Sergio Cusano

Brown-chested Martin

Progne tapera

17-02-15 © Gustavo F. Brahamian

Gathered at the antenna ready to begin the journey

17-02-15 © Gustavo F. Brahamian

Gathered at the antenna ready to begin the journey

17-02-15 © Gustavo F. Brahamian

Gathered at the antenna ready to begin the journey

Striated Heron

Butorides striata

20-02-15 © Sergio Cusano

Eared Dove

Zenaida auriculata

11-02-15 © Sergio Cusano

House Sparrow

Passer domesticus

20-02-15 © Sergio Cusano

Harris's Hawk

Parabuteo unicinctus

11-02-15 © Sergio Cusano

Hooded Siskin

Spinus magellanicus

20-02-15 © Sergio Cusano

Southern Lapwing

Vanellus chilensis

19-02-15 © Nicolás Giorgio

Five lapwings

Rufescent Tiger-Heron

Tigrisoma lineatum

20-02-15 © Nicolás Giorgio

Dos registros importantísimos

White-naped Xenopsaris

Xenopsaris albinucha

01-12-13 © Marcelo Castro

The nearest record dates back to Januray 2000

Rufous-browed Peppershrike

Cyclarhis gujanensis

08-06-14 © Marcelo Castro

White-banded Mockingbird

Mimus triurus

07-02-15 © Diego Carús

19-02-15 © Sergio Cusano

Cada vez es más frecuente el hallazgo de algún individuo de esta especie que nos visita en el invierno

Long-winged Harrier

Circus buffoni

14-02-15 © J. Simón Tagtachian

Dark morph

14-02-15 © J. Simón Tagtachian

Dark morph

Masked Duck

Nomonyx dominicus

14-02-15 © J. Simón Tagtachian

Los fierritos siguen creciendo

Green-winged Saltator

Saltator similis

Masked Yellowthroat

Geothlypis aequinoctialis

Common Gallinule

Gallinula galeata

White-winged Becard

Pachyramphus polychopterus

This fledgling was being fed by an adult

Blue-and-white Swallow

Pygochelidon cyanoleuca

White-crested Tyrannulet

Serpophaga subcristata

Neotropic Cormorant

Phalacrocorax brasilianus

European Starling

Sturnus vulgaris

Rufous-bellied Thrush

Turdus rufiventris

Warbling Doradito

Pseudocolopteryx flaviventris

White-tufted Grebe

Rollandia rolland

Glittering-bellied Emerald

Chlorostilbon lucidus

Unicolored Blackbird

Agelasticus cyanopus

Scrub Blackbird

Dives warszewiczi

Cattle Tyrant

Machetornis rixosa

White-lined Tanager

Tachyphonus rufus

Snowy Egret

Egretta thula

Sayaca Tanager

Thraupis sayaca

Gray-breasted Martin

Progne chalybea

Fork-tailed Flycatcher

Tyrannus savana

Fork-tailed flycatcher and brown-chested martin face to face in flight

White-winged Becard

Pachyramphus polychopterus

Monk Parakeet

Myiopsitta monachus

Black-necked Stilt

Himantopus mexicanus

Scarlet-headed Blackbird

Amblyramphus holosericeus

Domestic Duck
Cairina moschata domestica

Neotropical Waterbird Census at RECS
On Saturday 7th the count of waterbirds was carried out. This event is organized by Wetlands International and coordinated by Aves Argentinas in our country.
As expected most waterbirds were registered early in the morning along the Coypu Pond. The Black-necked Stilt and the Roseate Spoonbills were the outstanding ones.

Red Bug

Dysdercus albofasciatus

This colourful bug controls Pavonia sepium, the yellow flower in the picture. This mallow is native and invasive due to the great number of spiky seeds which attach to whatever passes near and may be dispersed far away. This bug feeds almost exclusively on the ovules, if the flower has not been fertilized yet, or the seeds. By controlling these two factors the plant is not that invasive. Being its primary food this bug is found where there is Pavonia sepium. In this case male and female are mating.

Black-headed Duck

Heteronetta atricapilla