News - February 2016



Great southern white
Ascia monuste automate
Great southern white
20-02-16 © Sergio Cusano
Great southern white
20-02-16 © Sergio Cusano
Great southern white
27-02-16 © Gustavo F. Brahamian
Caulonia groundstreak
Calycopis caulonia
Caulonia groundstreak
20-02-16 © Claudia Vilma Mon
Snout
Libytheana carinenta
Snout
20-02-16 © Sergio Cusano
Lesbia sulphur
Colias lesbia
Lesbia sulphur
27-02-16 © Gustavo F. Brahamian

Heliceoides form

Mexican silverspot
Dione moneta
Mexican silverspot
20-02-16 © Sergio Cusano

Leaf-footed bug
Holhymenia histrio
Leaf-footed bug
27-02-16 © Gustavo F. Brahamian
Golden Silk Orbweaver
Trichonephila clavipes
Golden Silk Orbweaver
28-01-16 © Gustavo F. Brahamian
Katydid
Hyperophora major
Katydid
14-02-16 © Sergio Cusano
Spur-throated grasshopper
Dichroplus elongatus
Spur-throated grasshopper
20-02-16 © Sergio Cusano
Paper wasp
Polistes sp.
Paper wasp
14-02-16 © Sergio Cusano
Band-eyed drone fly
Eristalinus taeniops
Band-eyed drone fly
21-01-16 © Gustavo F. Brahamian

Rosy-billed Pochard
Netta peposaca
Rosy-billed Pochard
22-02-16 © Gustavo F. Brahamian
Nenday Parakeet
Aratinga nenday
Nenday Parakeet
25-02-16 © Gustavo F. Brahamian

Scene of great and snowy egrets
Snowy Egret
Egretta thula
Snowy Egret
22-02-16 © Nicolás Giorgio
Snowy Egret
22-02-16 © Nicolás Giorgio
Snowy Egret
22-02-16 © Nicolás Giorgio

Nicolas tells us that "This morning I was walking along the outer side of the Coypu Pond when I saw an unusual number of egrets at Parrilla Don José. It was a group of 70 individuals foraging and moving actively in the pond. They barely flew about. I had never seen a group this big! Since I had previously seen young fish near this area I thought this could be their food ...
An awesome scene!"


Black-crowned Night-Heron
Nycticorax nycticorax
Black-crowned Night-Heron
22-02-16 © Gustavo F. Brahamian



Three exotic and toxic plants
They are toxic because they are exotic. All the plants have chemical compounds to defend themselves and some of them may be toxic to us. In this case it coincides that besides being toxic they are exotic.
The degree of toxicity depends on the amount one consumes, of the age of the consumer, of the part of the plant ingested, of its elaboration. Many of these chemical compounds are used to make medicines which should be taken in the appropriate dose. Both in children and old people effects tend to worsen since physiological functions are not either developed or are diminishing.
Remember them anywhere you may find them
Pokeweed
Phytolacca americana
Hierba carmín/Pokeweed20 2 16 © Sergio cusano

Native to the east of the United States. Family Phytolaccaceae. It shares the genus Phytolacca with our ombu tree.
With different degrees of toxicity all the components are toxic, roots, stems and fruits. Ii is advisable to remove this plant from gardens or nearby domestic areas so that children may not be tempted to ingest the fruit due to the aspect and colour. This weed should be manipulated using gloves since the sap toxins may permeate the skin and cause allergies.
Nerium
Nerium oleander
Laurel de jardín/Nerium13 2 16 © J. Simón Tagtachian
Native possibly to the southwest of Asia. Family Apocynaceae. It is a very showy plant seen in gardens and parks. All its parts are toxic if ingested. Its sap also contains allergenic substances which can cause dermatitis. This plant is in the Willow Path
Ricino
Ricinus communis
Ricino/Castor bean11 2 16 © Gustavo F. Brahamian

Ricino/Castor bean11 2 16 © Gustavo F. Brahamian

Ricino/Castor bean11 2 16 © Gustavo F. Brahamian

Ricino/Castor bean11 2 16 © Gustavo F. Brahamian
Native to North Africa or India. Family Euphorbiaceae. Most species of this family are toxic. (See Pencil plant Euphorbia tirucalli). Its seeds are very toxic. Ingestion of two seeds may cause the death of a child, ten of an adult.
Castor oil is obtained from the seeds. This oil has been used in kids as a purgative till half a decade ago. The oil loses the toxicity in the heating process, when the ricine, the toxic component, is destroyed. Today the oil has industrial use.
This plant is invasive and scattered all over the reserve.

Momento de pececitos
We have been finding young fish everywhere. Insects are difficult to determine, much more are fish which are underwater. We thank Guillermo Ivan Spajic for helping us in the identification
Live bearer
Cnesterodon sp.
Live bearer
28-11-15 © J. Simón Tagtachian
Live bearer
28-11-15 © J. Simón Tagtachian
Live bearer
16-02-16 © Nicolás Giorgio
These livebearers are found in rivers, lagoons, etc. with aquatic vegetation. They are called livebearers since they give birth to live young. The male has a modified anal fin through which the semen is inserted in the female. They feed on mosquito larvae, worms, aquatic insects, etc. 
Ten-spotted livebearer
Cnesterodon decemmaculatus
Ten-spotted livebearer
16-02-16 © Nicolás Giorgio

The fish with the small black stripes




Diademed Tanager
Stephanophorus diadematus
Diademed Tanager
20-02-16 © Sergio Cusano
Diademed Tanager
20-02-16 © Sergio Cusano
Green Kingfisher
Chloroceryle americana
Green Kingfisher
20-02-16 © Sergio Cusano
Long-winged Harrier
Circus buffoni
Long-winged Harrier
20-02-16 © Gustavo Masuzzo
Whistling Heron
Syrigma sibilatrix
Whistling Heron
20-02-16 © J. Simón Tagtachian
Unicolored Blackbird
Agelasticus cyanopus
Unicolored Blackbird
20-02-16 © Sergio Cusano
Stripe-backed Bittern
Ixobrychus involucris
Stripe-backed Bittern
20-02-16 © J. Simón Tagtachian
Southern Screamer
Chauna torquata
Southern Screamer
20-02-16 © Sergio Cusano
Screaming Cowbird
Molothrus rufoaxillaris
Screaming Cowbird
20-02-16 © Sergio Cusano
Lake Duck
Oxyura vittata
Lake Duck
20-02-16 © J. Simón Tagtachian

Black-backed Water-Tyrant
Fluvicola albiventer
Black-backed Water-Tyrant
20-02-16 © J. Simón Tagtachian
Roseate Spoonbill
Platalea ajaja
Roseate Spoonbill
20-02-16 © J. Simón Tagtachian
Roseate Spoonbill
20-02-16 © J. Simón Tagtachian
Roseate Spoonbill
20-02-16 © J. Simón Tagtachian
White-lined Tanager
Tachyphonus rufus
White-lined Tanager
20-02-16 © Sergio Cusano
Yellow-browed Tyrant
Satrapa icterophrys
Yellow-browed Tyrant
20-02-16 © Sergio Cusano
White-winged Coot
Fulica leucoptera
White-winged Coot
20-02-16 © Sergio Cusano

Appearances may be deceiving
Articulaciones/Joints
In this photo both the beautiful model and the beautiful egret have an articulation half way through the leg. We know that the model's is the knee. In egrets and birds in general this is .... Enteráte cómo es la pata de las aves




Wattled Jacana
Jacana jacana
Wattled Jacana
16-02-16 © Nicolás Giorgio
Bare-faced Ibis
Phimosus infuscatus
Bare-faced Ibis
30-01-16 © Nicolás Giorgio
Southern Screamer
Chauna torquata
Southern Screamer
16-02-16 © Nicolás Giorgio

With great egret on the left and cocoi heron on the right


Banded longwing
Heliconius erato phyllis
Banded longwing
14-02-16 © Sergio Cusano
Silverdrop
Epargyreus tmoli
Silverdrop
11-02-16 © Gustavo F. Brahamian
Syma sister
Adelpha syma
Syma sister
11-02-16 © Sergio Cusano
Southern buckeye
Junonia genoveva hilaris
Southern buckeye
07-02-16 © Sergio Cusano
Southamerican lady
Vanessa braziliensis
Southamerican lady
11-02-16 © Sergio Cusano
Southamerican lady
11-02-16 © Sergio Cusano
Lesbia sulphur
Colias lesbia
Lesbia sulphur
14-02-16 © Sergio Cusano

Heliceoides form

Common yellow
Eurema deva
Common yellow
11-02-16 © Sergio Cusano
Lyssipoides metalmark
Riodina lyssipoides
Lyssipoides metalmark
14-02-16 © Claudia Vilma Mon
Fiery skipper
Hylephila phyleus
Fiery skipper
14-02-16 © Sergio Cusano
Gulf fritillary
Agraulis vanillae maculosa
Gulf fritillary
11-02-16 © Sergio Cusano
Claudina crescent
Tegosa claudina
Claudina crescent
14-02-16 © Sergio Cusano
Blwck witch
Ascalapha odorata
Blwck witch
14-02-16 © Claudia Vilma Mon

Four othopterans
Leaf katydid
Ligocatinus spinatus
Leaf katydid
11-02-16 © Sergio Cusano
The Order Orthoptera is formed by two groups: Ensifera or mainly called crickets and Caelifera or grasshoppers. The most basic form to tell them apart is the length of the antennas. Crickets have more than 30 segments, grasshoppers, less than that. That is long and short antennas
Spur-throated grasshopper
Dichroplus elongatus
Spur-throated grasshopper
11-02-16 © Sergio Cusano
Lubber Grasshopper
Chromacris speciosa
Lubber Grasshopper
07-02-16 © Sergio Cusano
These two lubber grasshoppers are caeliferans and belong into the family Romaleidae. Having striking colours is characteristic of this family, which serves as a warning to predators.
Lubber Grasshopper
Zoniopoda tarsata
Lubber Grasshopper
14-02-16 © Sergio Cusano




Small-billed Elaenia
Elaenia parvirostris
Small-billed Elaenia
14-02-16 © Claudia Mon
Small-billed Elaenia
14-02-16 © Claudia Mon
Small-billed Elaenia
14-02-16 © Claudia Mon
White-crested Tyrannulet
Serpophaga subcristata
White-crested Tyrannulet
14-02-16 © Sergio Cusano
Creamy-bellied Thrush
Turdus amaurochalinus
Creamy-bellied Thrush
14-02-16 © Sergio Cusano

Bitterns at the Rescue Center
Bitterns at the Rescue Center
Two bitterns were taken to the Rehabilitation Center
Read more

Roseate Spoonbill
Platalea ajaja
Roseate Spoonbill
13-02-16 © J. Simón Tagtachian

Silvia González discovered it flying and luckily everybody had enough time to enjoy it.

Long-tailed Reed Finch
Donacospiza albifrons
Long-tailed Reed Finch
13-02-16 © Claudia Mon
White-eyed Parakeet
Psittacara leucophtalmus
White-eyed Parakeet
13-02-16 © J. Simón Tagtachian
Fork-tailed Flycatcher
Tyrannus savana
Fork-tailed Flycatcher
13-02-16 © J. Simón Tagtachian

Lots of fork-tailed flycatchers flying everywhere. Are they gathering to go back to the north of South America?

By this time in 2012 I witnessed a mass migration .
Masked Duck
Nomonyx dominicus
Masked Duck
13-02-16 © J. Simón Tagtachian

Photographed very early in the morning this female was not seen during the whole day

Wattled Jacana
Jacana jacana
Wattled Jacana
13-02-16 © J. Simón Tagtachian

The jacana also took the chicks out to eat early in the morning

Great Egret
Ardea alba
Great Egret
13-02-16 © J. Simón Tagtachian
Spot-flanked Gallinule
Gallinula melanops
Spot-flanked Gallinule
13-02-16 © J. Simón Tagtachian

A hard bird to find lately


Shiny Cowbird
Molothrus bonariensis
Shiny Cowbird
13-02-16 © J. Simón Tagtachian
Shiny Cowbird
13-02-16 © J. Simón Tagtachian
Shiny Cowbird
13-02-16 © J. Simón Tagtachian
Shiny Cowbird
13-02-16 © J. Simón Tagtachian

Six juveniles changing into the adult male plumage were foraging in the sidewalk strips. All of them have different degrees of black.

Ultramarine Grosbeak
Cyanoloxia brissonii
Ultramarine Grosbeak
13-02-16 © J. Simón Tagtachian
Fork-tailed Flycatcher
Tyrannus savana
Fork-tailed Flycatcher
13-02-16 © J. Simón Tagtachian

A fork-tailed flycatcher Tyrannus savana and a tropical kingbird Tyrannus melancholicus.swooping

Striated Heron
Butorides striata
Striated Heron
11-02-16 © Gustavo F. Brahamian

Great egret Ardea alba and striated heron Butorides striata to compare sizes

Pied-billed Grebe
Podilymbus podiceps
Pied-billed Grebe
11-02-16 © Gustavo F. Brahamian
Black-backed Water-Tyrant
Fluvicola albiventer
Black-backed Water-Tyrant
09-02-16 © Claudia Mon
Black-backed Water-Tyrant
09-02-16 © Claudia Mon

Orphan ducklings
Orphan ducklings
Six orphan ducklings wanted to join a ringed teal family and were rejected by the adults
Read more

Rufescent Tiger-Heron
Tigrisoma lineatum
03-01-16 © Claudia y Tito Di Mauro

Second nest of tiger-herons of this season. It is very far and concealed. Anyway the activity of the two chicks may be observed.

Yellow-chevroned Parakeet
Brotogeris chiriri
Yellow-chevroned Parakeet
11-02-16 © Sergio Cusano
Yellow-chevroned Parakeet
11-02-16 © Sergio Cusano
Bare-faced Ibis
Phimosus infuscatus
Bare-faced Ibis
11-02-16 © Sergio Cusano
Fork-tailed Flycatcher
Tyrannus savana
Fork-tailed Flycatcher
11-02-16 © Gustavo F. Brahamian
Fork-tailed Flycatcher
11-02-16 © Gustavo F. Brahamian
Fork-tailed Flycatcher
11-02-16 © Gustavo F. Brahamian
Common Gallinule
Gallinula galeata
Common Gallinule
11-02-16 © Sergio Cusano
Common Gallinule
11-02-16 © Gustavo F. Brahamian
Common Gallinule
11-02-16 © Gustavo F. Brahamian
Common Gallinule
11-02-16 © Gustavo F. Brahamian
Rufous-bellied Thrush
Turdus rufiventris
Rufous-bellied Thrush
11-02-16 © Sergio Cusano
Red-gartered Coot
Fulica armillata
Red-gartered Coot
11-02-16 © Sergio Cusano
Wattled Jacana
Jacana jacana
Wattled Jacana
11-02-16 © Sergio Cusano
Adult with juvenile
09-02-16 © Claudia y Tito Di Mauro

The father and his four chicks feeding very actively

Checkered Woodpecker
Veniliornis mixtus
10-02-16 © Claudia y Tito Di Mauro

Nest building


Royal moth (Citheronia brissotii meridionalis)
Citheronia brissotii meridionalis
09-02-16 © Claudia y Tito Di Mauro



Views Vistas/Views11 2 16 © Sergio Cusano

Vistas/Views11 2 16 © Sergio Cusano

Vistas/Views11 2 16 © Sergio Cusano

Vistas/Views11 2 16 © Sergio Cusano

Vistas/Views11 2 16 © Sergio Cusano

Vistas/Views11 2 16 © Sergio Cusano

New and old families and more juveniles
Wattled Jacana
Jacana jacana
Wattled Jacana
09-02-16 © J. Simón Tagtachian
Wattled Jacana
09-02-16 © J. Simón Tagtachian
Red-eyed Vireo
Vireo olivaceus
Red-eyed Vireo
09-02-16 © J. Simón Tagtachian
Red-eyed Vireo
09-02-16 © J. Simón Tagtachian
Gray-necked Wood-Rail
Aramides cajaneus
Gray-necked Wood-Rail
09-02-16 © J. Simón Tagtachian
Rufescent Tiger-Heron
Tigrisoma lineatum
Rufescent Tiger-Heron
09-02-16 © J. Simón Tagtachian
Fork-tailed Flycatcher
Tyrannus savana
Fork-tailed Flycatcher
09-02-16 © J. Simón Tagtachian
Ringed Teal
Callonetta leucophrys
Ringed Teal
09-02-16 © J. Simón Tagtachian
Ringed Teal
Callonetta leucophrys
Ringed Teal
09-02-16 © J. Simón Tagtachian

Lake Duck
Oxyura vittata
Lake Duck
09-02-16 © J. Simón Tagtachian
Lake Duck
09-02-16 © J. Simón Tagtachian
Great Grebe
Podiceps major
Great Grebe
09-02-16 © J. Simón Tagtachian
Streaked Flycatcher
Myiodynastes maculatus
Streaked Flycatcher
09-02-16 © J. Simón Tagtachian
Harris's Hawk
Parabuteo unicinctus
Harris's Hawk
09-02-16 © J. Simón Tagtachian

Double-collared Seedeater
Sporophila caerulescens
04-02-16 © Silvia Ana González



Views vistas SAC 7 2 167 2 16 © Sergio Cusano

vistas SAC 7 2 16_17 2 16 © Sergio Cusano

Snail Kite
Rostrhamus sociabilis
Snail Kite
07-02-16 © Sergio Cusano
Ultramarine Grosbeak
Cyanoloxia brissonii
Ultramarine Grosbeak
07-02-16 © Sergio Cusano
Yellow-browed Tyrant
Satrapa icterophrys
Yellow-browed Tyrant
07-02-16 © Sergio Cusano
Southern Lapwing
Vanellus chilensis
Southern Lapwing
07-02-16 © Sergio Cusano

Pekin duck
Anas platyrynchos
Pato pekin/Pkin Duck7 2 16 © Sergio Cusano

Families and juveniles
Guira Cuckoo
Guira guira
Guira Cuckoo
07-02-16 © Sergio Cusano
Brazilian Teal
Amazonetta brasiliensis
07-02-16 © Cora Rimoldi

We found this Brazilian duck family again two weeks later

Rosy-billed Pochard
Netta peposaca
Rosy-billed Pochard
07-02-16 © Sergio Cusano

These six ducklings appeared without their mother. They tried to join a family a ringed teals, but the adults rejected them.

We stayed a long while to see if they were accepted, but they were adrift. Though ducklings are not fed by their parents, these lead them to the feeding grounds and protect them. Small as they are, they become easy preys.

Ringed Teal
Callonetta leucophrys
Ringed Teal
07-02-16 © Sergio Cusano
Wattled Jacana
Jacana jacana
07-02-16 © Cora Rimoldi

Javier discovered the jacana lying. He was sitting on eggs. When he stood, three eggs got exposed

Striated Heron
Butorides striata
Striated Heron
07-02-16 © Sergio Cusano
Masked Yellowthroat
Geothlypis aequinoctialis
Masked Yellowthroat
07-02-16 © Sergio Cusano
Shiny Cowbird
Molothrus bonariensis
Shiny Cowbird
07-02-16 © Sergio Cusano
Southern Screamer
Chauna torquata
Southern Screamer
07-02-16 © Sergio Cusano
Red-fronted Coot
Fulica rufifrons
Red-fronted Coot
07-02-16 © Sergio Cusano
Common Gallinule
Gallinula galeata
Common Gallinule
07-02-16 © Sergio Cusano
Spot-flanked Gallinule
Gallinula melanops
Spot-flanked Gallinule
07-02-16 © Sergio Cusano
Black-and-rufous Warbling-Finch
Poospiza nigrorufa
Black-and-rufous Warbling-Finch
07-02-16 © Sergio Cusano
Double-collared Seedeater
Sporophila caerulescens
Double-collared Seedeater
07-02-16 © Sergio Cusano
Red-crested Cardinal
Paroaria coronata
Red-crested Cardinal
07-02-16 © Sergio Cusano

CLOSED ON FRIDAY 5TH AND SATURDAY 6TH
Due to the Formula E car race which will be held in the surroundings of the reserve, it will be closed on Friday 5th and Saturday 6th.
RECS
Source: Facebook Reserva Ecológica Costanera Sur_Oficial

White-eyed Parakeet
Psittacara leucophtalmus
White-eyed Parakeet
03-02-16 © J. Simón Tagtachian
White-eyed Parakeet
03-02-16 © J. Simón Tagtachian
Picui Ground Dove
Columbina picui
Picui Ground Dove
03-02-16 © J. Simón Tagtachian
Bare-faced Ibis
Phimosus infuscatus
Bare-faced Ibis
03-02-16 © J. Simón Tagtachian
Bare-faced Ibis
03-02-16 © J. Simón Tagtachian
Bare-faced Ibis
03-02-16 © J. Simón Tagtachian
Blue-and-yellow Tanager
Pipraeidea bonariensis
Blue-and-yellow Tanager
03-02-16 © J. Simón Tagtachian

Eating fruit Celtis ehrenbergiana

Sayaca Tanager
Thraupis sayaca
Sayaca Tanager
03-02-16 © J. Simón Tagtachian
Kelp Gull
Larus dominicanus
Kelp Gull
03-02-16 © J. Simón Tagtachian
Gray-breasted Martin
Progne chalybea
Gray-breasted Martin
03-02-16 © J. Simón Tagtachian
Red-gartered Coot
Fulica armillata
Red-gartered Coot
03-02-16 © J. Simón Tagtachian
Red-gartered Coot
03-02-16 © J. Simón Tagtachian
Rufous-bellied Thrush
Turdus rufiventris
Rufous-bellied Thrush
03-02-16 © J. Simón Tagtachian

Tala
Celtis tala
Tala3 2 16 © J. Simón Tagtachian
The tala is a native tree of the bosque chaqueño and the espinal, expanding along the Río Paraná ravines till Punta Indio. The branches present a zig-zagging form with big spines on the corners, which helps in the identification. Leaves are serrated. The fruit is orange, sweet and very appreciated by birds.
In this tala we found a White-eyed Parakeet Psittacara leucophtalmus
Calancate - Tala/White-eyed Parakeet Tala3 2 16 © J. Simón Tagtachian
and a Blue-and-yellow Tanager Pipraeidea bonariensis tasting the fruits.
Naranjero - Tala/Blue-and-yellow Tanager - Tala3 2 16 © J. Simón Tagtachian
WORLD WETLANDS DAY - February 2nd 2016 Wetlands for our Future: Sustainable Livelihoods
This theme is selected to demonstrate the vital role of wetlands for the future of humanity and specifically their relevance towards achieving the new Sustainable Development Goals.
Vista/View© Sergio Cusano
Reserva Costanera Sur - a Wetland of international importance since March 22nd 2005

Urutu pit viper
Bothrops alternatus
Urutu pit viper
30-01-16 © Damián Ferrer

Damián tells us "I wanted to share with you this urutu pit viper taken at the Middle Path 100m away from the Lizard Path on Saturday 30th.
It was 11 a.m. and the scene lasted only a minute, enough time to take photos. The viper then came back to the same side of the road it had appeared from. It was between a meter and a meter and a half long."


Cocoi Heron
Ardea cocoi
Cocoi Heron
30-01-16 © Damián Ferrer
Great Egret
Ardea alba
Great Egret
30-01-16 © Nicolás Giorgio
Wren-like Rushbird
Phleocryptes melanops
Wren-like Rushbird
30-01-16 © Damián Ferrer
White-tufted Grebe
Rollandia rolland
White-tufted Grebe
30-01-16 © Damián Ferrer

Two insects
Metallic blue lady beetle
Curinus coeruleus
Metallic blue lady beetle
23-01-16 © Sergio Cusano
Used as a biological control against psyllids and aphids
Cicada
Dorisiana drewseni
Cicada
19-01-16 © Silvia Ana González

Syma sister
Adelpha syma
Syma sister
16-01-16 © Claudia Vilma Mon
Syma sister
16-01-16 © Claudia Vilma Mon
Common Lazy
Actinote pellenea
Common Lazy
16-01-16 © Claudia Vilma Mon
Common Lazy
16-01-16 © Silvia Ana González
Common Lazy
16-01-16 © Silvia Ana González
Celmis satyr
Ypthimoides celmis
Celmis satyr
09-01-16 © Sergio Cusano
Fiery skipper
Hylephila phyleus
Fiery skipper
05-01-16 © Sergio Cusano
Bella mapwing
Hypanartia bella
Bella mapwing
21-01-16 © Sergio Cusano
Claudina crescent
Tegosa claudina
Claudina crescent
09-01-16 © Sergio Cusano
Mexican silverspot
Dione moneta
Mexican silverspot
23-01-16 © Sergio Cusano