Arrived at Ushuaia late evening and settled into our B&B. We walked down the very steep hill (especially going back up) for a walk along the sea front where we got our first look at some south american birds. Southern Giant Petrels patrolled along the shore and Dolphin Gulls and Imperial Shag flew by. Upland Geese were on the shore, Night herons were beginning to come out fishing and we heard the first of many Rufous-collared sparrows. We had arrived at the end of the world!

 

The next day we were up and out early for another walk in warm spring sunshine. We found Blackish Oystercatcher, Imperial and Rock Shags and Dark-bellied Cinclodes.

Dolphin Gull

Dark-bellied Cinclodes

Blackish Oystercatcher

Along the bay there is a memorial boat covered in these little figures of ducks and geese.

We had booked a guide, Marcello Cruz for the day. We were picked up at around 8.00 and headed up to the Martial Glacier National Park were we had a very strenuous morning looking for some special birds.

Bar-winged Cinclodes

Dark-faced Ground-tyrant

Yellow Bridled Finch

Then we headed to the Tierra del Fuego National Park were we saw, among lots of other birds, Austral parakeets, Austral Pygmy Owl, Ashy-headed Goose,the amazingly named Thorn-tailed Rayaditto and White-throated Treerunner and eventually, Magellanic Woodpecker.

Ashy-headed Goose

Austral Pygmy Owl

Chimango Caracara

Austral Negrito

Flying Steamer Duck

Magellenic Horned Owl

We were dropped off along the coast where we added Long-tailed Meadow-lark, Magellanic and Blackish Oystercatcher and White-rumped and Baird's Sandpipers.

Long-tailed Meadow-lark

                 A stunning introduction to the birds of Tierra del Fuego.