Argentina Day 10 - Drive south to Caliligua National Park

Today was largely a driving day leaving La Quiaca on the border with Bolivia early morning and heading south on route 9 to Jujuy before heading east and then back north to Caliligua NP.  Not many photos taken today but couldn't resist a few scenery shots on the way down.

Argentina Day 9 - Abra de Lizoite

A fantastic day in the high Andes.  Ever since the early days of planning this trip to Argentina today had been set aside as the day to try for the Diademed Sandpiper-Plover, a bird that is on most birders top 10 list of birds to see.  The problem was that this was not one of the traditional sites that most birders go to see this species so there was little information on the exact location in which to find it.  The little information that was available on the internet painted a poor picture in that quite a few of the birders that attempted to get to the area failed due to the poor road condition and those that did make it searched but failed to find the bird. 

After studying google maps an area was identified as looking like it could hold suitable habitat where the bird could be found so it was decided to take the risk and go for it.  After stocking up on food, water and fuel we set off at the crack of dawn on our quest for the Diademed but nearly had to abandon the expedition as the engine management light lit up the dash after only a couple of miles driving on the gravel.  Should we carry on or should we turn back, that was the question.  We were heading for a remote area with little or no passing traffic at an altitude above 4500m where the weather could change for the worse at a moments notice and if we were to brake down we could be in big trouble, no AA assistance out here.

We did carry on and all turned out well as you can see from these photos.  After dropping down  below 3000m the following day the engine management light went out so I assume the engine was struggling a little due to the low oxygen levels, as we were while searching for the plover.

     

Argentina Day 8 - Laguna de Pozuelo and surroundings

After defrosting the car and ourselves from last nights sleep in the car we made the short drive to the Laguna de Pozuelo.  We were not too sure on what to expect as previous trip reports indicated that the lake was drying up from a long term drought, the result of global warming and to get within sight of any water could involve a long walk.  Fortunately this was not the case as we were able to get to the waters edge relatively easily and it was alive with birds.

This proved to be one of the highlights of the trip with many of the target species seen including Horned Coot (has become a very rare bird now due to the drought conditions) seen on a nearby smaller lake.

Andean Lapwing

Andean Avocet

Andean Geese

Andean Lapwing

Crested Duck

Horned Coot (back) & Giant Coot (front)

James's Flamingo

Puna Miner

Mountain Parakeet

Ornate Tinamou

Puna Ibis

Puna Rhea

Andean Lapwing