Day 7 (Monday, 28th)
 |
 |
 |
Osomo Volcano across Lake Llanqhehue from Puerto Varas |
Puerto Varas lake front |
Baird's Sandpiper |
 |
 |
 |
Black-crowned Night Heron |
Brown-hooded Gull |
Yellow-billed Pintail |
 |
 |
 |
Chilean Swallow |
Dark-bellied Cinclodes |
Snowy Egret |
 |
 |
 |
Southern Lapwing |
Tufted Tit Tyrant |
Turkey Vulture |
We stayed atPuerto Varas for three nights, with the main target being Chiloe and the
Penguin colony at Puñihuil Cove. The small town is located on the shore of Lake
Llanquihue, which, when in good weather with blue sky, can be seen to be backed
by 2 impressive volcanos and the Andes. There don’t seem to be huge birding
opportunities within the town, apart from a small park to the North (almost
next to the Cabanas del Lago hotel), which holds one or two interesting species
such as Tufted Tit-tyrant and Green-backed Firecrown. Black-faced Ibis is hard
to miss, and Dark-bellied Cinclodes regular along the lake shore front.
Chiloe Island and Penguin Colony
|

|
From PuertoVaras, it takes only an hour in the car to reach the ferry terminal to Chiloe.
These seem to be very frequent, and take buses and lorries as well as cars.
Entry on to the ferry was simplicity itself, and despite being only a half an
hour journey, standing on the top platform is very rewarding. We had fairly
calm water and decent weather when we crossed, making the sea-watch very
pleasurable. A diving Imperial Shag next to the terminal heralded our
departure, and it took only minutes to realise that there is a continuous
passage of Sooty Shearwaters passing (however, 3 Pink-footed Shearwaters were
picked out on the return). They were examined as best as could be done for
other species, but no joy. Biggest scoop was half way over, when a Black-browed
Albatross sailed close by. As we neared the Chiloe terminal, Franklin’s Gulls
and South American Terns became obvious, and a single Red-legged Cormorant flew
by. The shore of the terminal seemed to hold only Black-necked Swans initially,
but a pair of Fuegian Steamer Ducks were on shore, along with good numbers of
Hudsonian Godwits and a few Whimbrel.
The ultimate
destination was Puñihuil Cove, where the boats for the Penguin Colony were
located. We stopped briefly at a couple
of open marshes on the way. One small one either side of the road held good
numbers of Greater & Lesser Yellowlegs, as well as a few Yellow-billed Teal.
Larger marshes seemed to have the same mix in smaller numbers. The cove itself
is rather attractive, with a beach facing a number of small close in offshore
islands. The locals have cottoned on to the lucrative nature of Penguin
watchers, and have a good visitor system going on. The boats hold around 30
people and the total tour lasts 30-40 minutes. Getting on to the boat, which is
moored just about 20 metres off shore, is by a small platform on wheels –
wonderfully archaic but it works! The boat skirts around a couple of the small
islands and gets quite close to some open aspects where the Penguins can be
seen fairly close to (no landing here – all is done from the boat). The vast
majority are Magellanic, many with fairly well grown young but the seaward face
of one of the islands also has a few Humboldt Penguins. The few pairs of Kelp
Gulls present are pretty obvious, but a bit of searching also found Blackish
Oystercatcher and small numbers of the rather smart Red-legged Cormorants
(slightly larger numbers of Neotropic were nearby). On our return to the shore,
a Peruvian Pelican flew in and landed close to on the sea, and Dark-bellied
Cinclodes were obvious along the beach and rocks.
 |
 |
Punahuil Cove |
Boat visiting penguin colony |
 |
 |
 |
Black-browed Albatross |
Blackish Oystercatcher |
Franklin's Gull |
 |
 |
 |
Male Fuegian Steamer Duck |
Female Fuegian Steamer Duck |
Humboldt Penguin |
 |
 |
 |
Kelp Goose |
Imperial Shag |
Kelp Gull |
 |
 |
 |
Magellanic Penguin |
Peruvian Pelican |
Yellow-billed Duck |
 |
 |
 |
Red-legged Cormorant |
Sooty Shearwater |
Pink-footed Shearwater |
|