News - August 2015



A few more butterflies
White-angled sulphur
Anteos clorinde
White-angled sulphur
27-08-15 © J. Simón Tagtachian
White-angled sulphur
27-08-15 © J. Simón Tagtachian
White-angled sulphur
27-08-15 © J. Simón Tagtachian
Remus greenstreak
Cyanophrys remus
Remus greenstreak
28-08-15 © Gustavo F. Brahamian
Lyssipoides metalmark
Riodina lyssipoides
Lyssipoides metalmark
29-08-15 © Victoria Mansilla
Common yellow
Eurema deva
Common yellow
29-08-15 © Sergio Cusano
Southamerican lady
Vanessa braziliensis
Southamerican lady
21-08-15 © Sergio Cusano

Scarlet-headed Blackbird
Amblyramphus holosericeus
Scarlet-headed Blackbird
31-08-15 © Claudia y Diego Bastías
Tropical Parula
Setophaga pitiayumi
Tropical Parula
30-08-15 © Favio Gustavo Belotto

As I was greeting Walter, a security guard of the reserve, another guard approached him with a tropical parula he had found fallen on the ground. Walter took it to the Rehabilitation Center. I was very glad to see such good disposition towards the bird.

Spectacled Tyrant
Hymenops perspicillatus
Spectacled Tyrant
30-08-15 © Favio Gustavo Belotto
Solitary Black Cacique
Cacicus solitarius
Solitary Black Cacique
30-08-15 © Favio Gustavo Belotto
03-04-15 © Federico Andrés De Maio

Works on the coast Obras/Works

Obras/Works

carteles/boards

carteles/boards© Sergio Cusano
The coast has been affected by the heavy rains and the sudestada again and works to repair the area are being done. On this occasion the path was not closed and fences were set along the path to divide the transit for machines and people. Let's observe the regulation.

Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl
Glaucidium brasilianum
Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl
30-08-15 © Elsa y Guillermo Marcaida
Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl
30-08-15 © Elsa y Guillermo Marcaida
White-tipped Dove
Leptotila verreauxi
White-tipped Dove
30-08-15 © Elsa y Guillermo Marcaida
Harris's Hawk
Parabuteo unicinctus
Harris's Hawk
29-08-15 © Victoria Mansilla

New clutch to come

Stripe-backed Bittern
Ixobrychus involucris
Stripe-backed Bittern
27-08-15 © Roberto Guller
Nacunda nighthawk
Chordeiles nacunda
Nacunda nighthawk
29-08-15 © Victoria Mansilla

Series of photos by Hugo Aguilar
Photos of August beginning with a Vermilion Flycatcher, first photo of the 2015-2016 season. He adds the Grey-breasted Martins and as a bonus a July straggler.
Vermilion Flycatcher
Pyrocephalus rubinus
Vermilion Flycatcher
30-08-15 © Hugo Aguilar
Gray-breasted Martin
Progne chalybea
Gray-breasted Martin
29-08-15 © Hugo Aguilar
Snail Kite
Rostrhamus sociabilis
Snail Kite
29-08-15 © Hugo Aguilar
Snail Kite
29-08-15 © Hugo Aguilar
Green Kingfisher
Chloroceryle americana
Green Kingfisher
29-08-15 © Hugo Aguilar
Green Kingfisher
29-08-15 © Hugo Aguilar
Fawn-breasted Tanager
Pipraeidea melanonota
Fawn-breasted Tanager
29-08-15 © Hugo Aguilar
White-tipped Plantcutter
Phytotoma rutila
White-tipped Plantcutter
25-08-15 © Hugo Aguilar
Neotropic Cormorant
Phalacrocorax brasilianus
Neotropic Cormorant
11-08-15 © Hugo Aguilar

The toes are joined by webbing. As all four toes are webbed this foot is known as totipalmate. Webbing is an adaptation which aids in swimming.

Black-capped Warbling-Finch
Poospiza melanoleuca
Black-capped Warbling-Finch
25-08-15 © Hugo Aguilar



South American Tern
Sterna hirundinacea
South American Tern
04-08-15 © Germán Pugnali
South American Tern
04-08-15 © Germán Pugnali
South American Tern
04-08-15 © Germán Pugnali
South American Tern
04-08-15 © Germán Pugnali
Germán Pugnali tells us that "..in fact it was the humpback whale which took me to the reserve. I saw it in the docks at aprox 9 am. I took some photographs, though never in open waters. The best was a video I took just as it was leaving the docks in the direction of the piers. From there on I tried to follow it from the Recs but with no luck. I could only see the Prefectura boats, which makes me assume the whale was near. I do not know whether it did swim into open waters.

As I was trying to spot the whale I met Christian Bisiau. Only a bit later the tern flew over the fishermen's pier. We saw a slim Sterna with long wings and very long rectrices. It was pale grey with a black hood (may be partial) and a long and thin bill. I consulted with Luis Pagano and we believe that the chances to consider it other species but a Sterna hirundinacea are low. I took some photos but they are not conclusive.
Humpback whale
04-08-15 © Germán Pugnali
04-08-15 © Germán Pugnali

Chiloe Wigeon
Anas sibilatrix
Chiloe Wigeon
29-08-15 © Eduardo Carreyra
Chiloe Wigeon
29-08-15 © Eduardo Carreyra

Zully, Ignacio and I were writing the bird list meticulously and minutely in the penultimate viewpoint on Canal Sudeste before reaching the river when we saw three individuals flying over the canal from the settlement to the river. They flew three times in circles near our position, as if they were watching the place but flew to the river and we lost sight of them.

Gray-breasted Martin
29-08-15 © Eduardo Carreyra
It is time to put the winter birds list away and take out the summer birds' one. We already have two swallows and almost the vermilion flycatcher. It has not been watched in Costanera but very near at Ribera Norte.
Spot-winged Pigeon
Patagioenas maculosa
Spot-winged Pigeon
29-08-15 © Sergio Cusano
Spot-winged Pigeon
29-08-15 © Sergio Cusano
Fulvous Whistling-Duck
Dendrocygna bicolor
Fulvous Whistling-Duck
29-08-15 © Sergio Cusano
Nenday Parakeet
Aratinga nenday
Nenday Parakeet
29-08-15 © Sergio Cusano
Cocoi Heron
Ardea cocoi
Cocoi Heron
29-08-15 © Sergio Cusano
Neotropic Cormorant
Phalacrocorax brasilianus
Neotropic Cormorant
29-08-15 © Sergio Cusano

With wings spread drying in the sun


Atypical Ducks 3 Ánade-Pekin vd/Mallard-Pekin Duck dv© Nicolás Giorgio

Ánade-Pekin vd/Mallard-Pekin Duck dv© Nicolás Giorgio

Ánade-Pekin vd/Mallard-Pekin Duck dv© Nicolás Giorgio

Ánade-Pekin vd/Mallard-Pekin Duck dv© Nicolás Giorgio

Ánade-Pekin vd/Mallard-Pekin Duck dv© Nicolás Giorgio
Both in Atypical Ducks and in Atypical Ducks 2 and in Pekin Duck some commentaries are made on their characteristics and history of these domestic ducks.
We know they come from the same species
Anas platyrhynchos and that they are the result of domestication by man. For this reason they are not included in field guides and are not well appreciated in reserves.
This Pekin male had already mated with its pair in January 2015. They were not lucky since all eggs disappeared. Further attempts to breed were not detected till Nicolás registered this event with a change of actors on Tuesday 18th.
He tells us that the mallar duck and the pekin duck were navigating in the pond and the other pekin duck was a bit far away. Within a fraction of a second the mating scene begins. The female shows receptive, the male mounts her, grasps her by the neck with the bill and after mating, the triumphal clousure.
¿What will result of this union if it thrives? We will be attentive.

Diademed Tanager
Stephanophorus diadematus
Diademed Tanager
27-08-15 © Claudia y Diego Bastías
Blue-and-yellow Tanager
Pipraeidea bonariensis
Blue-and-yellow Tanager
27-08-15 © Claudia y Diego Bastías
Lake Duck
Oxyura vittata
Lake Duck
28-08-15 © Claudia y Diego Bastías
Roadside Hawk
Rupornis magnirostris
Roadside Hawk
21-08-15 © Gustavo F. Brahamian
Ringed Teal
Callonetta leucophrys
Ringed Teal
21-08-15 © Gustavo F. Brahamian
Southern Caracara
Caracara plancus
Southern Caracara
21-08-15 © Gustavo F. Brahamian
Campo Flicker
Colaptes campestris
27-08-15 © J. Simón Tagtachian

Photos in video format

Fawn-breasted Tanager
Pipraeidea melanonota
Fawn-breasted Tanager
25-08-15 © Claudia y Diego Bastías
Fawn-breasted Tanager
26-08-15 © Claudia y Diego Bastías
White-rumped Swallow
Tachycineta leucorrhoa
White-rumped Swallow
26-08-15 © J. Simón Tagtachian
Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl
Glaucidium brasilianum
Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl
18-08-15 © Nicolás Giorgio
White-tipped Plantcutter
Phytotoma rutila
White-tipped Plantcutter
26-08-15 © J. Simón Tagtachian

Coypu
Myocastor coypus
Coypu
26-08-15 © J. Simón Tagtachian
Coypu
25-08-15 © Claudia y Diego Bastías
Coypu
26-08-15 © J. Simón Tagtachian

Black-crowned Monjita
Xolmis coronatus
Black-crowned Monjita
21-08-15 © Claudia y Diego Bastías
Black-crowned Monjita
21-08-15 © Claudia y Diego Bastías
Black-crowned Monjita
21-08-15 © Claudia y Diego Bastías
Buff-winged Cinclodes
Cinclodes fuscus
Buff-winged Cinclodes
21-08-15 © Sergio Cusano
Whistling Heron
Syrigma sibilatrix
Whistling Heron
18-08-15 © Claudia y Diego Bastías
Yellow-billed Pintail
Anas georgica
Yellow-billed Pintail
18-08-15 © Claudia y Diego Bastías
Green-barred Woodpecker
Colaptes melanochloros
Green-barred Woodpecker
21-08-15 © Sergio Cusano

The woodpecker of the wall

Rufous Hornero
Furnarius rufus
Rufous Hornero
18-08-15 © Claudia y Diego Bastías
Southern Caracara
Caracara plancus
Southern Caracara
20-08-15 © Claudia y Diego Bastías

Views of Coypu Pond Vista de Coipos/View of Coypu Pond© Sergio Cusano
21 de agosto - El agua sigue sobre la vereda Vista de Coipos/View of Coypu Pond© Sergio Cusano

Vista de Coipos/View of Coypu Pond© Sergio Cusano

Vista de Coipos/View of Coypu Pond© Sergio Cusano

Vista de Coipos/View of Coypu Pond© Sergio Cusano
Work by Ezequiel Núñez Bustos on the Butterflies of the RECS trabajo ENB

Dichrous skipper
Theagenes dichrous
Dichrous skipper
16-08-15 © Victoria Mansilla
Mexican silverspot
Dione moneta
Mexican silverspot
16-08-15 © Victoria Mansilla
Chilean lady
Vanessa carye
Chilean lady
16-08-15 © Victoria Mansilla
Bella mapwing
Hypanartia bella
Bella mapwing
16-08-15 © Victoria Mansilla
Claudina crescent
Tegosa claudina
Claudina crescent
16-08-15 © Victoria Mansilla
Side-necked turtle
Phrynops hilarii
Side-necked turtle
04-08-15 © Nicolás Giorgio



Green Kingfisher
Chloroceryle americana
17-08-15 © Federico Andrés De Maio
17-08-15 © Federico Andrés De Maio

And on Monday the reserve was open
the lake duck was still there and more....
Lake Duck
Oxyura vittata
Lake Duck
17-08-15 © Elsa y Guillermo Marcaida
Lake Duck
17-08-15 © Sergio Cusano
Lake Duck
17-08-15 © J. Simón Tagtachian
Lake Duck
17-08-15 © Sergio Cusano
Lake Duck
17-08-15 © Elsa y Guillermo Marcaida
Spot-winged Pigeon
Patagioenas maculosa
Spot-winged Pigeon
17-08-15 © Sergio Cusano
Yellow-browed Tyrant
Satrapa icterophrys
Yellow-browed Tyrant
17-08-15 © J. Simón Tagtachian
Yellow-chinned Spinetail
Certhiaxis cinnamomeus
Yellow-chinned Spinetail
17-08-15 © J. Simón Tagtachian
Picui Ground Dove
Columbina picui
Picui Ground Dove
17-08-15 © Sergio Cusano
Picui Ground Dove
17-08-15 © Elsa y Guillermo Marcaida
Rufous-sided Crake
Laterallus melanophaius
Rufous-sided Crake
17-08-15 © Sergio Cusano
Cocoi Heron
Ardea cocoi
Cocoi Heron
17-08-15 © J. Simón Tagtachian
White-tipped Plantcutter
Phytotoma rutila
White-tipped Plantcutter
17-08-15 © J. Simón Tagtachian

Coypu
Myocastor coypus
Coypu
17-08-15 © Elsa y Guillermo Marcaida

Lake Duck
Oxyura vittata
Lake Duck
15-08-15 © Silvia Loiacono
Lake Duck
15-08-15 © Silvia Loiacono
Masked Duck
Nomonyx dominicus
Masked Duck
15-08-15 © Silvia Loiacono

Views of the sidewalk
Today, Saturday 15th, is the first sunny day after some 10 rainy days. The reserve was closed. The water level has changed little since August 11th.
Vista Coipos/View Coypu Pond© J. Simón Tagtachian

Vista Coipos/View Coypu Pond© J. Simón Tagtachian

Vista Coipos/View Coypu Pond© J. Simón Tagtachian

Vista Coipos/View Coypu Pond© J. Simón Tagtachian

In today's photo the meter rule is illegible. But from Gustavo's photo with the brand new meter rule we can deduce that water level reaches 1,26m. medidor/meter rule© J. Simón Tagtachian

medidor/meter rule© Gustavo F Brahamian

American Kestrel
Falco sparverius
American Kestrel
15-08-15 © J. Simón Tagtachian

Near La Alameda

Spectacled Tyrant
Hymenops perspicillatus
Spectacled Tyrant
15-08-15 © J. Simón Tagtachian
Coscoroba Swan
Coscoroba coscoroba
Coscoroba Swan
15-08-15 © J. Simón Tagtachian
Wattled Jacana
Jacana jacana
Wattled Jacana
14-08-15 © Gustavo F. Brahamian

Along with a red-fronted coot they walk on the inferior sidewalk which is flooded

White-tufted Grebe
Rollandia rolland
White-tufted Grebe
14-08-15 © Gustavo F. Brahamian
Spot-flanked Gallinule
Gallinula melanops
Spot-flanked Gallinule
14-08-15 © Gustavo F. Brahamian
Common Gallinule
Gallinula galeata
Common Gallinule
14-08-15 © Gustavo F. Brahamian
Yellow-chevroned Parakeet
Brotogeris chiriri
Yellow-chevroned Parakeet
11-08-15 © Sergio Cusano

Mottle-cheeked Tyrannulet
Phylloscartes ventralis
Mottle-cheeked Tyrannulet
11-08-15 © Claudia y Diego Bastías

With the reserve closed Diego was the only one to get something from inside, no more and no less than this mottle-cheeked tyrannulet and he says there were two

Masked Duck
Nomonyx dominicus
Masked Duck
11-08-15 © Sergio Cusano
Plumbeous Rail
Pardirallus sanguinolentus
Plumbeous Rail
11-08-15 © Sergio Cusano
Pied-billed Grebe
Podilymbus podiceps
Pied-billed Grebe
11-08-15 © Sergio Cusano
Wattled Jacana
Jacana jacana
Wattled Jacana
11-08-15 © Sergio Cusano
Coscoroba Swan
Coscoroba coscoroba
Coscoroba Swan
11-08-15 © Sergio Cusano
Limpkin
Aramus guarauna
Limpkin
11-08-15 © Sergio Cusano
Ringed Teal
Callonetta leucophrys
Ringed Teal
11-08-15 © Sergio Cusano



Rain aftermath at the RECS It has been raining for a week now. This phenomenon covered a wide area and flooded several towns, which resulted in over a 10.000 evacuees mainly from the Provincia de Buenos Aires. At the reserve rainfall raised the water level of the pond flooding the sidewalk.

Lluvia/Rainfall11-8-2015 © Sergio Cusano

Lluvia/Rainfall8-8-2015 © J. Simón Tagtachian

See more photos of the rain aftermath and the sidewalk flooded on a previous occasion

Sharp-billed Canastero
Asthenes pyrrholeuca
Sharp-billed Canastero
15-06-13 © Pablo Serur
© Claudia y Diego Bastías
White-tipped Plantcutter
Phytotoma rutila
White-tipped Plantcutter
07-08-15 © Claudia y Diego Bastías
Chestnut-capped Blackbird
Chrysomus ruficapillus
Chestnut-capped Blackbird
07-08-15 © Claudia y Diego Bastías
White-tipped Dove
Leptotila verreauxi
White-tipped Dove
07-08-15 © Claudia y Diego Bastías
Fulvous Whistling-Duck
Dendrocygna bicolor
Fulvous Whistling-Duck
07-08-15 © Claudia y Diego Bastías
Wattled Jacana
Jacana jacana
Wattled Jacana
07-08-15 © Claudia y Diego Bastías
Grey-throated Warbling-Finch
Poospiza cabanisi
Grey-throated Warbling-Finch
05-08-15 © Claudia y Diego Bastías
Grayish Saltator
Saltator coerulescens
Grayish Saltator
05-08-15 © Claudia y Diego Bastías
Southern Lapwing
Vanellus chilensis
Southern Lapwing
05-08-15 © Claudia y Diego Bastías

Almost a new mammal species
Humpback whale
Megaptera novaeangliae
Humpback whale
04-08-15 © J. Simón Tagtachian

Simón went to the area. The bridge was full of onlookers anxious to see such a spectacle, but the whale did not turn up.

Humpback whale
04-08-15 © J. Simón Tagtachian

At the entrance of the canal Prefectura personnel can be seen on boats.

It certainly passed very near, but we have no record. Unusual, unexpected this whale surprised everybody. It entered the harbour at the north end, where the Buquebus terminal is, through Grierson Bridge into the Dam 4. where the Marine is. Specialists of different organizations and National Organisms along with Prefectura Naval Argentina monitored the state of the animal and tried to guide it into open waters. Freshwater is not the appropiate environment for this whale and a long stay could put it into risk. Fortunately they seemed to have done it.

Lake Duck
Oxyura vittata
Lake Duck
01-08-15 © J. Simón Tagtachian
White-rumped Swallow
Tachycineta leucorrhoa
White-rumped Swallow
01-08-15 © J. Simón Tagtachian
White-rumped Swallow
01-08-15 © J. Simón Tagtachian
Spot-winged Pigeon
Patagioenas maculosa
Spot-winged Pigeon
04-08-15 © Nicolás Giorgio
Great Grebe
Podiceps major
Great Grebe
05-08-15 © Nicolás Giorgio
Great Grebe
01-08-15 © J. Simón Tagtachian
Masked Duck
Nomonyx dominicus
Masked Duck
01-08-15 © J. Simón Tagtachian
Coscoroba Swan
Coscoroba coscoroba
Coscoroba Swan
04-08-15 © Nicolás Giorgio
Coscoroba Swan
04-08-15 © Nicolás Giorgio
Screaming Cowbird
Molothrus rufoaxillaris
Screaming Cowbird
04-08-15 © J. Simón Tagtachian
Campo Flicker
Colaptes campestris
Campo Flicker
01-08-15 © J. Simón Tagtachian

Three blackbirds
Chestnut-capped Blackbird
Chrysomus ruficapillus
Chestnut-capped Blackbird
04-08-15 © J. Simón Tagtachian
Yellow-winged Blackbird
Agelasticus thilius
Yellow-winged Blackbird
01-08-15 © J. Simón Tagtachian
Unicolored Blackbird
Agelasticus cyanopus
Unicolored Blackbird
04-08-15 © J. Simón Tagtachian
Here three of the common blackbirds in the reserve. The three of them are males. As a bonus the female of the Unicoloured Blackbird. It is the easiest of all three to identify. As soon as the other two show we will see the differences
Unicolored Blackbird
Agelasticus cyanopus
Unicolored Blackbird
01-08-15 © J. Simón Tagtachian

Limpkin
Aramus guarauna
Limpkin
04-08-15 © J. Simón Tagtachian
Cattle Tyrant
Machetornis rixosa
Cattle Tyrant
04-08-15 © J. Simón Tagtachian
Tropical Parula
Setophaga pitiayumi
Tropical Parula
01-08-15 © J. Simón Tagtachian
Great Pampa-Finch
Embernagra platensis
Great Pampa-Finch
01-08-15 © J. Simón Tagtachian