A Walk Around the Ponds

Mid-March in Buenos Aires signals that summer is coming to an end.  So for the next two days I am excited to see what new brush strokes will be added to this canvas.  More specifically, the changing cycles of its flora and fauna within the Costanera Sur Ecological Reserve. So, tag along with me and let us see what nature conjures up for our enjoyment.

Generally, a walk along the perimeter wall is always busy with both people and birds. It seems, however, mid-day at 80 degrees Fahrenheit has all things taking a siesta! No need for a camera until I venture behind the Nature Center at a scenic overlook of the Laguna de los Patos. First up, scanning for a potential meal front and center is a Roadside Hawk (Rupornis magnirostris).

Further out a pair of Southern Screamers (Chauna torquata) graze. To get closer, I head out to another nearby platform.

Stretching out its leg and massive wing unveils the carpal spurs used in territorial fighting and defense.

This area always seems to have a family of Harris’s Hawks (Parabuteo unicinctus) as one of the youngsters’ flies past.

It crosses the road, I follow, causing a flock of White-faced Whistling Ducks (Dendrocygna viduata) to stand at “Attention!”

In the front of the island a Neotropic Cormorant (Nannopterum brasilianum) nervously makes waves as it takes a bath.  At one point the arcing water flies off of its wings and resembles the wake of a fighter jet!

Stepping out from the vegetation another critter follows suit from the opposite side; it is an Argentine Black-and-White Tegu (Salvator merianae). This lizard lost some of its tail and you can see the regeneration process underway.

The following group of images are the sightings along the road that divides Duck Pond from Laguna de los Coipos.

Great Kiskadee (Pitangus sulphuratus)

Southern or Crested Caracara (Caracara plancus)

Golden-crowned Warbler (Baseleuteris culucivoris)

Rufous Hornero (Furnarius rufus)

Chalk-browed Mockingbird (Mimus saturninus)

Golden-billed Saltator (Saltator aurantiirostris)

Picazuro Pigeon (Patagioenis picazuro)

Green-barred Woodpecker (Colaptes melanchloros)

Rufous-bellied Thrush (Turdus rufiventris)

Monarch Butterflies (Danaus plexippus) seemed to be on the move this hot afternoon day. I will have to research on how they have adapted to these foreign lands, especially regarding migration. Let us see if they will be as prevalent mana'na.

"Buen Dia!"

The morning chorus gets today's activity moving. Heading towards familiar feeding grounds, this Great Egret (Ardea alba) must first traverse the length of Coipos Pond.

A Crested Caracara scans its realm, planning its first move in search of prey.

A Wattled Jacana (Jacana jacana) wanders across its feeding platform - the huge mats of what I believe is Giant Salvinia (Salvinia molesta) mixed with Water Lettuce (Pistia stratiotes)

Now that is one "Salada Grande!"

These shots are taken from the perimeter wall. I continue, heading towards the North Gate, which will open at 8 a.m. This side of the pond along the wall has more vegetation at the water's edge and has nearly always provided a sighting of some species of rail. Today it is an immature Plumbeous Rail (Pardirallus sanguinolentus).

A fruiting tree supplies a Sayaca Tanager (Tangara sayaca) with some nourishment.

There is a constant flow with various sized flocks of Nanday Parakeets (Aratinga nenday).

One last stop to attempt a picture of an enthusiastic family of four Yellow-chinned Spinetails (Certhiaxis cinnamomeus).

Through the gates and onto the forested (Tegu) trail. First photo op is basically an invitation from a Picazuro Pigeon perched high up in a tree.

Other treetop denizens include:

Tropical Kingbird (Tyrannus melancholicus)

Monk Parakeet (Myiopsitta monachus)

Nanday Parakeet (Aratinga nenday)

I saw this bird partially hidden behind some limbs. I knew it was a small flycatcher type and as I brought up my camera, it took flight. There are such moments that I am glad for the image, even if it is not top quality, because it allowed for me to identify it as a Small-billed Elainia (Elainea parvirostris). It is very similar to the White-crested Elainea (E. albiceps) which has only two wingbars. From this image you can just barely see the start of the third wingbar at the shoulder.

Double-collared Seedeater (Sporophila caerulescens)

An assemblage of three part whistles directs my eyes towards the sky, where a flock of White-faced Whistling Ducks (Dendrocygna viduata) hover past.

Back within the canopy a young Checkered Woodpecker (Veniliornis mixtus) ernestly investigates a broken limb for a potential meal.

Such a difference when it comes to feeding parrots, in this case Nanday Parakeets. Generally one cannot avoid hearing their squawking flowing across the airways and the continuous bickering within a flock among the tree tops. Now, just above me in a Chinaberry Tree (Melia azerdarach), they quietly feed moving slow and deliberate from one ripe clump to another.

Taking a detour from the forest out to a boardwalk leads me to open reedbeds in Laguna de los Gaviotes (Gull Pond). Most of the vegetation is spent except for clumps of Pampas Grass (Cortaderia selloana) with some willows. A Monarch, once in the shadows, now flinches with the warming rays of light.

Tossing up a juicy berry is the omnivorous Great Kiskadee (Pitangus sulphuratus).

I notice a large silhouette of a heron heading in my direction. It is a Rufescent Tiger-Heron (Tigrisoma lineatum). It alights on a small patch of vegetation. I turn back and loop around for a better view.

On my way there is a pair of White-tufted Grebes (Rollandia rolland) sitting quietly just off of the boardwalk. There plumage is quiet dull, as it should be for this time of year.

I relocate the heron, manage some nice photos with hopes of digital technology to compensate for the strong, backlit background.

Further along some Crested Caracara (Caracara plancus) are relaxing in a tree just above the walkway. I stealthily snap pictures with each advancing step until I realize I am right underneath them! It seems they can care less with my presence and then I notice why. The closest bird has a large bulge extending from its chest. The birds probably had just finished a meal, crops are full and seemed relatively contented. Though one bird does seem to be a tad annoyed with whatever it consumed, stretching out its neck and appearing to attempt to get that blockage down its throat.

Channeling back along the loop, trees at the water's edge offers up more activity.

Rufous-collared Sparrow (Zonotrichia capensis)

Yellow-chinned Spinetail (Certhiaxis cinnamomeus)

Masked Yellowthroat (Geothlypis aequinoctialis)

Hooded Siskin (Spinus magellanicus)

Breaking out under full sun, a small patch of Wingstem Camphor Weeds (Pluchea sagittalis) with its evoloving inflorescence attracts a dozen or so Little Dancer Metalmarks (Riodina lysippoides), a type of small butterfly.

Grayish Baywings (Agelaioides badius) amble about in the reeds....

as does a lone Red-crested Cardinal (Paroaria coronata). Again, with the end of the breeding season this bird has lost most of its lustre.

The temperature is rising and it has me retreating towards the shaded grove. Though, it does not seem to bother the many Brown-chested Martins (Progne tapera) cruising overhead.

In the shadows a Cream-bellied Thrush (Turdus amaurochalinus) feeds.

The squeking calls of a Sooty-fronted Spinetail (Synallaxis frontalis) leaves me searching through the darkest tangles for movement. The bird only briefly crosses a less obscure opening for me to take a shot.

Higher up in the same trees White-winged Becards (Pachyramphus polychopterus) go about their business.

Female

Male

A young male Checkered Woodpecker (Dryobates mixtus) makes a quick entrance.

Back on the road I have a look down into Laguna Coipos to see several Neotropic Cormorants creating waves in search of a fish meal.

I noticed movement in the bank below and the bird's profile shouts, "Kingfisher!" The smaller size gives it away as a Green Kingfisher (Chloroceryle americana).

Out on the island a Great Egret maintains healthy feathers with a thorough preening. Its attention to detail is rewarded with a pristine coat of white.

There are some late blooming 'trees' and one has me stumped - only because it resembles the much smaller nightshade 'weed' back home commonly found in vacant lots and other disturbed areas. It turns out to be Solanum granulosoleprosum, or the Grandular-leaved Nightshade.

A couple of more sightings of Rufous-bellied Thrush and...

...a longer stop to enjoy the quick maneuvering of a Masked Gnatcatcher (Polioptila dumicola). It stalls for a moment, as if to catch its breath, then off it goes.

Southern Screamers let their presence be known and it has me racing over with hopes of possibly catching the birds in flight. I reach a viewing platform and find a young Tiger-heron

strutting along a narrow ditch. Looking at this youngster explains how these group of birds obtained their common name.

The Screamers sound off to the right as I make it to the end of the boardwalk. They are coming my way so I anticipate their approach, camera ready, when these massive wings emerge from behind the veil of vegetation. It is impressive to see the bulk of these birds taking to the air. In one shot you can see the carpal spurs projecting along the forward part of the wing. I could not ask for a better ending to my walk around the ponds.

Well, do not think your experiences with our natural world ever comes to an end;

it is always around living as it has for millenia.

Case in point: A now defunct fountain still stands near the exit; its frame intact and filled with water and aquatic plants. I circle round this miniature pond to discover it has become a haven for a small species of frog, the Lesser Swimming Frog (Pseudis minuta).

"There will always be something there if you look for it!"

Location: Costanera Sur Biological Reserve, Buenos Aires, Argentina

Date: March of 2025