Chile November 25 - December 16, 2000

This trip lasted about three and a half weeks and covered the whole of Chile. Accompanied by Barry Reed, Mick Ilett and Jon Braggs some amazing landscapes were seen and some harsh environments visited. A lot of travelling was obviously involved and we rarely stayed in the same place for more than a night. In all, no less than fifteen airport take-off and landings were involved and many miles were undertaken in various (and quite expensive) hire cars.

Reasonable communications meant that I could communicate with home via e-mail (although I didn't obtain a mobile signal in the far North nor, rather strangely, in Santiago).

Chile offers some excellent photographic opportunities. There are amazing landscapes to be photographed, from the glaciers at Torres del Paine in the South, to the vastness of the Atacama in the North. Many of the birds are also relatively easy to obtain good shots of. In all, I used twenty-five rolls of thirty-six exposure film. My album of selected trip photographs contains over two hundred pictures...

Diademed Sandpiper-plover, El Yesso, Chile

Itinerary

24/11	Flight from Heathrow to Santiago via Madrid and Sãu Paulo.
25/11	Estero Lampo, wetland 22km North of Santiago; overnight in Santiago.
26/11	Flight to Punta Arenas via Puerto Montt; overnight at Primera Angostura.
27/11	Primera Angostura, ferry to Tierra del Fuego; overnight at Porvenir.
28/11	Tierra del Fuego; ferry to Primera Angostuea; drive to and overnight at Puerto Natales.
29/11	Parque Nacional Torres del Paine; drive to and overnight at Punta Arenas.
30/11	Reserva Forestal Lago Varillar (south of Punta Arenas); Pingüinera; flight from Punta Arenas to Puerto Montt; Puerto Varas/Lake Llanquihue; drive to and overnight at Parque Nacional Puyehue.
1/12	Parque Nacional Puyehue.
2/12	Parque Nacional Puyehue; drive to Parque Nacional Conguillío; overnight at Curacautin.
3/12	Parque Nacional Conguillío; Parque Nacioanl Nahuelbuta; overnight at Los Ángeles.
4/12	Parque Nacional Laguna del Laja; drive to and overnight at Santiago.
5/12	El Yeso; Valparaiso area (Viña del Mar North to Concón where overnighted).
6/12	Pelagic off Valparaíso; Parque Nacional La Campana.
7/12	Parque Nacional La Campana; Lagou Penuelas; Laguna El Peral.
8/12	Laguna El Peral; Portillo; La Laguna (overnight at 'Alta Vista').
9/12	La Laguna; Estero Lampo; flight to Calama via Antofagusta; overnight at San Pedro de Atacama.
10/12	Laguna Miscanti, Laguna Menique, Salt pan at Tuyaito (Reserva Nacional Los Flamencos); flight to Arica via Antofagusta.
11/12	Arica area (mainly Azapa valley and coast).
12/12	Putre.
13/12	Parque Nacional Lauca; overnight at Putre.
14/12	Putre; Arica.
15/12	Arica area (mainly Azapa valley and coast); flight to Santiago via Antofagusta; drive to and overnight near Laguna El Peral.
16/12	Laguna El Peral; Lagou Penuelas; drive to Santiago; wetland at Estero Lampo; flight to Heathrow via Sãu Paulo and Madrid.

Birds (268 species, 241 ticks)

Lesser Rhea - Common in south; two of the form garleppi en-route to Laguna Miscanti on the 10th.
Ornate Tinamou - Probable at Putre on 12th; one at Lauca on 13th.
Chilean Tinamou - One near 'Alta Vista' on 8th.
Puna Tinamou - Two en-route to Lauca on 13th.
Humboldt Penguin - Several off Viña del Mar on 5th; one on pelagic on 6th.
Magellanic Penguin - Fairly common in south; many at Pingüinera on 30th;
Pied-billed Grebe - One at Conguillío on 3rd; adult feeding juvenile at La Laguna on 8th (and adult seen again on 9th).
White-tufted Grebe - Fairly common.
Silvery Grebe - Fairly common; only two in south (on Tierra del Fuego on 27th); about 1,500 breeding at Lauca.
Great Grebe - Fairly common (although absent in north).
Royal Albatross - Single adult of the form sanfordi on pelagic.
Black-browed Albatross - Several seen in south; about forty on pelagic.
Buller's Albatross - About ten on pelagic on 6th.
Shy Albatross - About fifteen of the race Salvini on pelagic on 6th.
Southern Giant Petrel - Fairly common in south; about 10 on pelagic.
Southern Fulmar - Three on pelagic.
Cape Petrel - Six on pelagic.
Juan Fernandez Petrel - Five on pelagic.
Defilippe’s Petrel - Two on pelagic.
White-chinned Petrel - About fifty on pelagic, non with white on chin.
Westland Petrel - About twenty on pelagic.
Pink-footed Shearwater - 500+ on pelagic.
Sooty Shearwater - About twenty on pelagic.
Wilson's Storm-petrel - 200+ on pelagic.
Peruvian Diving-petrel - Two on pelagic.
Magellanic Diving-petrel - Two on return ferry crossing from Tierra del Fuego on 28th.
Peruvian Booby - Several off Viña del Mar on 5th; ten on pelagic; one off Arica on 14th.
Peruvian Pelican - Common (except in south where absent); 200+ on pelagic.
Olivaceous Cormorant - Common.
Rock Cormorant - Common as far north as Valparaíso.
Guanay Cormorant - Four off Viña del Mar on 5th.
Red-legged Cormorant - Several off Viña del Mar on 5th; two on pelagic.
Imperial Shag - Common in south; large nesting colony at Punta Arenas.
Cocoi Heron - One at Lagou Penuelas on 7th and two there on 16th.
Great Egret - Four singles: Estero Lampo (25th); near Los Ángeles (3rd); Laguna El Peral (7th); La Laguna (9th).
Snowy Egret - Common (except in south where absent); large roost at Laguna El Peral.
Cattle Egret - Common (except in south where absent); large roosts at Laguna El Peral and La Laguna.
Night Heron - Common (except in south where absent); many birds leaving daytime roosts in evening at El Laguna Peral (7th) and La Laguna (8th).
Puna Ibis - Common at Lauca on 13th.
Black-faced Ibis - Common as far north as Puyehue.
Chilean Flamingo - Twenty-four at lake en-route to Peurto Natales on 28th (seen again following day); many at Laguna Menique and many on Salt pan at Tuyaito on 10th; many at Lauca on 13th.
Andean Flamingo - Several at Laguna Menique and many on Salt pan at Tuyaito on 10th.
Puna Flamingo - Two, very distant birds, on Salt pan at Tuyaito on 10th.
Coscoroba Swan - Fairly common in south.
Black-necked Swan - Fairly common in south.
Andean Goose - Pair at Laguna Menique and pair at Salt pan at Tuyaito on 10th.
Ashy-headed Goose - Three pairs: north-east of Punta Arenas (26th); Conguillío (3rd); Laguna del Laja (4th).
Ruddy-headed Goose - Pair on Tierra del Fuego and several en-route to Peurto Natales on 28th.
Upland Goose - Common in south.
Kelp Goose - Flock north-east of Punta Arenas on 26th.
Crested Duck - Common (especially in south and at Lauca).
Flightless Steamer Duck - Pair at Pingüinera on 30th.
Flying Steamer Duck - Common in south; pair at Conguillío on 3rd.
Spectacled Duck - Pair at Torres del Paine (5km from visitor centre) on 29th; pair at Laguna del Laja on 4th.
Speckled Teal - Common.
Chiloe Wigeon - Common.
White-cheeked Pintail - One at Estero Lampo on 16th.
Yellow-billed Pintail - Common.
Silver Teal - Pair en-route to Peurto Natales on 28th.
Puna Teal - Common at Lauca on 13th.
Cinnamon Teal - Several at Estero Lampo on 16th.
Red Shoveler - Fairly common.
Rosy-billed Pochard - Pair at Estero Lampo on 16th.
Andean Duck - Four at Torres del Paine on 29th; several at Lauca on13th.
Lake Duck - Several at Lagou Penuelas and Laguna El Peral (7th, 8th, 15th and 16th).
Black-headed Duck - Several at Laguna El Peral (7th and 15th).
American Black Vulture - Common from Peurto Montt north to Middle Chile.
Turkey Vulture - Common (except in south where absent).
Andean Condor - Several at Torres del Paine on 29th; three at Portillo on 8th.
White-tailed Kite - Three, all seen on long drives on 30th, 10th and 11th.
Cinereous Harrier - Fairly common in south.
Harris's Hawk - One seen briefly at Nahuelbuta on 3rd.
Black-chested Buzzard-eagle - Several at Torres del Paine on 29th; singles at Puyehue (1st) and El Yeso (5th).
White-throated Hawk - One probable at Puyehue on 1st; one at Nahuelbuta on 3rd; two unidentified buteo like raptors in Putre on 12th and 13th were probably this species.
Red-backed/Puna ('Variable') Hawk - Several seen in region of overlap from Arica to Lauca (12th to 14th).
Red-backed Hawk - Two at Puyehue on 1st; one at at Nahuelbuta on 3rd; and one seen on drive to Santiago on 16th.
Puna Hawk - A bird between Putre and Lauca and one at Lauca on 13th must surely have been this species.
Mountain Caracara - One at Lauca on 13th.
Crested Caracara - Common (except in north where absent).
Chimango Caracara - Common (except in north where absent).
American Kestrel - Fairly common except in extreme south.
Aplomado Falcon - A pair en-route to Laguna Miscanti on 10th; a pair near Putre on 12th.
Peregrine Falcon - One near Conguillío on 2nd; one in Apaza valley near Arica on 15th.
California Quail - Common in middle Chile.
Plumbeous Rail - One at La Laguna on 9th; two at Laguna El Peral on 15th.
Spot-flanked Gallinule - One at Laguna El Peral on 15th and 16th; several at Lagou Penuelas on 16th.
Slate-coloured Coot - At least two at Lauca on 13th.
Red-gartered Coot - Fairly common (except in north where absent).
White-winged Coot - Several at Estero Lampo on 25th; one north-east of Punta Arenas on 26th and a pair near ferry terminal on Tierra del Fuego on 28th and 29th.
Red-fronted Coot - Several at Lagou Penuelas and Laguna El Peral on 7th; several at Estero Lampo on 9th and 16th.
Giant Coot - Common at Lauca on 13th.
Horned Coot - About twenty and fifty on Laguna Miscanti and Laguna Menique on 10th.
American Oystercatcher - One at Arica on 11th.
Magellanic Oystercatcher - Fairly common in south. My 1000th bird!
Blackish Oystercatcher - Several at Arica on 11th and 14th.
White-backed Stilt - A pair at Laguna El Peral on 7th, 15th and 16th.
Andean Avocet - Four at Lauca on 13th.
Peruvian Thick-knee - Pair in Azapa valley near Arica on 11th.
Southern Lapwing - Common.
Andean Lapwing - One at Lauca on 13th.
Two-banded Plover - Common in south.
Puna Plover - One at Laguna Menique and an adult feeding a juvenile at the Salt pan at Tuyaito on 10th.
Rufous-chested Dotterel - One at Laguna de Los Cisnes (near Porvenir) on 27th.
Diademed Sandpiper-plover - One or two at El Yeso on 5th; an adult and juvenile at Lauca on 13th.
Magellanic Plover - Several at Laguna de Los Cisnes (near Porvenir) on 27th.
White-rumped Sandpiper - Common in south.
Baird's Sandpiper - Common in south.
South American Snipe - One at Estero Lampo on 25th; many north-east of Punta Arenas on 26th; one on Tierra del Fuego on 27th.
Hudsonian Whimbrel - One near Valpariaso on 5th; one at La Laguna on 9th; many at Arica on 14th.
Greater Yellowlegs - Three singles: Tierra del Fuego (28th); Lauca (13th); Estero Lampo (16th).
Lesser Yellowlegs - One at Laguna El Peral on 7th and 15th.
Yellowlegs sp. - One near Punta Arenas on 27th.
Willet - Many at Arica on 11th and 14th.
Turnstone - Many at Arica on 11th and 14th.
Surfbird - A flock of about twenty at Viña del Mar on 5th; many at Arica on 11th and 14th.
Grey Phalarope - A flock of about 200 on pelagic fairly close to harbour.
Wilson's Phalarope - One north-east of Punta Arenas on 26th.
Rufous-bellied Seedsnipe - A flock of sixteen at Lauca on 13th.
Grey-breasted Seedsnipe - A pair and a single (juvenile?) at El Yeso on 5th; several at Lauca on 13th.
Least Seedsnipe - A pair on Tierra del Fuego on 27th.
Snowy Sheathbill - Two at the ferry terminal (mainland side) on 27th and 28th.
Pomarine Skua - Three possibles flying together off Arica on 14th.
Long-tailed Skua - Two on pelagic; two off Arica on 11th.
Brown Skua - Two on pelagic.
Chilean Skua - Common in south; one on pelagic.
Dolphin Gull - Fairly common in south.
Band-tailed Gull - A possible on the pelagic; common at Arica.
Kelp Gull - Common.
Andean Gull - Several at Lauca on 13th.
Franklin's Gull - Common (except in south where absent).
Brown-hooded Gull - Common.
Grey Gull - Common from Middle Chile northwards.
Black Skimmer - Flock of about thirty seen distantly from Concón on 5th; four off Arica on 4th.
South American Tern - Common in south; three birds with Common and Elegant Terns at Arica at 14th seemed to be of this species.
Common Tern - About sixty on pelagic; a flock of seven with Elegant Terns at Arica on 14th.
Elegant Tern - Three on pelagic; abundant at Arica.
Inca Tern - Several in Valparaiso area on 5th; about twenty on pelagic; one off Arica on 14th.
Brown Noddy - Untickable views were had of a bird flying away (it went over the boat) on pelagic.
Feral Pigeon - Common in towns etc.
Chilean Pigeon - Common at Puyehue (1st and 2nd); several at Campana (6th and 7th).
Eared Dove - Fairly common.
Pacific Dove - Common in north.
Picui Ground-dove - Common in middle Chile.
Croaking Ground-dove - Common in north.
Bare-faced Ground-dove - Common at Putre and Lauca (12th and 13th).
Golden-spotted Ground-dove - Several near to Laguna Miscanti on 10th.
Black-winged Ground-dove - Several at Portillo on 8th; several near to Laguna Miscanti on 10th; several near Putre on 12th.
Red-masked Parakeet - Four, initially unidentified, Aratinga Parakeets near Arica were of this species (escapes).
Austral Parakeet - At least twenty in woodland near to Peurto Natales on 28th and a similar sized flock at Lago Varillar on 30th.
Slender-billed Parakeet - A flock of around twenty five near Conguillío and over 100 there the following day.
Mountain Parakeet - Two at El Yeso on 5th; several at Putre and Lauca (12th and 13th).
Groove-billed Ani - One en-route to Putre on 12th and two nearby on 15th.
Burrowing Owl - Two (a pair?) in Azapa valley on 11th; one on roadside near Arica on 15th.
Short-eared Owl - One flushed near ferry terminal (mainland side) on 27th.
Andean Swift - Fairly common in north.
Sparkling Violetear - Two at Putre on 12th.
Andean Hillstar - Common at Putre and Lauca (12th and 13th).
White-sided Hillstar - A female near El Yeso on 5th; two males at Portillo on 8th.
Giant Hummingbird - Common from Middle Chile northwards.
Green-backed Firecrown - Common at Puyehue (30th and 1st);several at Nahuelbuta on 3rd.
Oasis Hummingbird - Many at Arica on 11th; two at Putre on 12th.
Peruvian Sheartail - Fairly common in Azapa valley near Arica (11th, 14th and 15th).
Chilean Woodstar - Pair in Azapa valley near Arica on 14th.
Striped Woodpecker - One at Torres del Paine on 29th.
Chilean Flicker - Fairly common in south and Middle Chile.
Andean Flicker - Fairly common at Lauca (13th).
Magellanic Woodpecker - A female at Puyehue on 1st; a male at Laguna del Laja on 4th.
Creamy-rumped Miner - Three at Laguna Miscanti and three at Salt pan at Tuyaito on 10th.
Rufous-banded Miner - Several at El Yeso on 5th; several at Portillo on 8th.
Puna Miner - Common at Laguna Miscanti area (10th) and Lauca (13th).
Common Miner - Common in south.
Short-billed Miner - Common in south.
Scale-thoated Earthcreeper - One north-east of Punta Arenas on 26th and two there the following day; one at Torres del Paine on 29th; one at El Yeso on 5th; a possible at Portillo on 8th.
White-throated Earthcreeper - About ten at Putre on 12th.
Plain-breasted Earthcreeper - One at Putre on 12th; several at Lauca on 13th.
Straight-billed Eatrhcreeper - A pair at Portillo on 8th; one at Laguna Miscanti on 10th; one at Putre on 12th.
Crag Chilia - One at El Yeso on 5th.
Dark-bellied Cinclodes - One near Torres del Paine on 29th; one at Puyehue on 1st.
Grey-flanked Cinclodes - Several at El Yeso on 5th.
Bar-winged Cinclodes - One north-west of Punta Arenas on 27th; one at Puyehue on 1st; one at Putre on 12th; several at Lauca on 13th.
White-winged Cinclodes - Four at Lauca on 13th.
Chilean Seaside Cinclodes - Three at Viña del Mar on 5th.
Des Mur's Wiretail - A family party at Puyehue on 2nd; one at Conguillío on 3rd.
Thorn-tailed Rayadito - Fairly common in Middle Chile.
Wren-like Rushbird - One at Estero Lampo on 25th.
Streaked Tit-spinetail - Several at Putre on 12th.
Plain-mantled Tit-spinetail - Three singles: Laguna del Laja (4th); Campana (7th); La Laguna (9th).
Lesser Canastero - One at Laguna del Laja on 4th.
Canyon Canastero - Five at Putre on 12th; one en-route to Arica on 14th.
Dark-winged Canastero - One en-route to Putre and one at Putre on 12th; one en-route to Arica on 14th.
Dusky-tailed Canastero - Two at Campana on 7th.
Cordilleran Canastero - Several at Lauca on 13th.
Austral Canastero - One north-west of Punta Arenas on 27th.
White-throated Treerunner - Three singles: Puyehue (1st and 2nd); Conguillío (3rd).
Chestnut-throated Huet-huet - One at Laguna del Laja on 4th.
Black-throated Huet-huet - Common at Puyehue (1st and 2nd).
Moustached Turca - Three at El Yeso on 5th.
White-throated Tapaculo - Fairly common at Campana (6th and 7th); one at La Laguna on 9th.
Chucao Tapaculo - Common at Puyehue and Laguna del Laja.
Ochre-flanked Tapaculo - One at Putre on 1st.
Magellanic Tapaculo - One at Laguna del Laja on 3rd.
Dusky Tapaculo - Two at La Campana on 7th; several heard at La Laguna on 9th.
White-crested Elaenia - Common from Middle Chile northwards.
Pied-crested Tit-tyrant - Two in Azapa valley on 14th.
Yellow-billed Tit-tyrant - Several at Putre on 12th.
Tufted Tit-tyrant - Two at Lago Varillar on 30th; one at Campana on 7th; several at La Laguna (8th and 9th).
Many-coloured Rush-tyrant - Family party at Estero Lampo on 25th; nesting pair (and juviniles?) at El Peral (7th, 15th and 16th).
Vermilion Flycatcher - Common in Azapa valley (11th and 15th).
D'orbigny's Chat-tyrant - One en-route to Putre on 12th.
White-browed Chat-tyrant - Singles at Putre and Lauca (12th and 13th).
Fire-eyed Diucon - Two at Torres del Paine on 29th; one at Conguillío on 3rd; two at Laguna del Laja on 4th.
Chocolate-vented Tyrant - Family party en-route to Punta Arenas on 28th.
Black-billed Shrike-tyrant - Two en-route to Laguna Miscanti on 10th and two at Lauca on 13th.
Great Shrike-tyrant - Two at Laguna del Laja on 4th.
Spot-billed Ground-tyrant - Two at Laguna del Laja on 4th.
Cinnamon-bellied Ground-tyrant - Three singles: Tierra del Fuego (28th); Torres del Paine (14th); near Lago Varillar (15th).
Rufous-naped Ground-tyrant - Three at Laguna Miscanti and one at Laguna Menique on 10th; one at Lauca on 13th.
Puna Ground-tyrant - Several at Lauca on 13th.
White-browed Ground-tyrant - Four at Laguna del Laja; several at El Yeso; several at Portillo on 8th.
Cinereous Ground-tyrant - Several at Portillo on 8th.
White-fronted Ground-tyrant - Common at Lauca on 13th.
Ochre-naped Ground-tyrant - One at Puyehue on 1st.
Black-fronted Ground-tyrant - Several at Portillo on 8th.
Andean Negrito - Pair at Salt pan at Tuyaito on 10th; pair at Lauca on 13th.
Austral Negrito - Common (except in north where absent).
Spectacled Tyrant - Singles at Estero Lampo on 25th and 16th.
Rufous-tailed Plantcutter - Three singles: Torres del Paine (29th); Puyehue (1st); Estero Lampo (16th).
Chilean Swallow - Common.
Blue-and-white Swallow - Common.
Barn Swallow - Fairly common.
Andean Swallow - About thirty at Lauca on 13th.
Correndera Pipit - Fairly common from Middle Chile southwards.
Sedge Wren - One at Estero Lampo on 9th.
House Wren - Fairly common.
Chilean Mockingbird - Fairly common from Middle Chile northwards.
Chiguanco Thrush - Several at Putre on 12th.
Austral Thrush - Common.
House Sparrow - Common in towns etc.
Hooded Siskin - One at Putre on 12th.
Black Siskin - Three en-route to Laguna Miscanti on 10th.
Yellow-rumped Siskin - Several at El Yesso and Portillo on 5th and 8th.
Black-chinned Siskin - Common in south and as far north as Puyehue.
Cinereous Conebill - Fairly common in Azapa valley (11th and 12th).
Tamarugo Conebill - An immature male in Azapa valley near Arica on 15th.
Black-throated Flowerpiercer - Several at Putre on 12th.
Blue-and-yellow Tanager - Several at Putre on 12th.
Golden-billed Saltator - Several at Putre on 12th.
Band-tailed Seedeater - One possible near Arica on 11th; several at Putre on 12th.
Chestnut-throated Seedeater - Fairly common in Azapa valley near Arica (11th, 15th).
Blue-black Grassquit - An immature male in Azapa valley near Arica on 11th.
Bright-rumped Yellowfinch - Many seen at Reserva Nacional Los Flamencos on 10th; several at Lauca on 13th.
Greater Yellowfinch - Common at El Yeso on 5th; several seen at El Peral on 8th.
Greenish Yellowfinch - Several flocks seen at Los Flamencos (10th) and Putre (12th) and en-route to Arica (14th).
Patagonian Yellowfinch - One north-west of Punta Arenas and a pair on Tierra del Fuego on 27th.
Grassland Yellowfinch - Large flocks at Estero Lampo on 25th and singles at Conguillío and Laguna del Laja on 2nd and 4th.
Slender-billed Finch - Several in Azapa Valley near Arica and en-route to Putre (11th and 12th).
White-winged Diuca-finch - Common at Lauca on 13th.
Common Diuca-finch - Fairly common to abundant in Middle Chile.
Patagonian Sierra-finch - Two pairs at Puyehue on 30th; and several at various places on the following three days.
Grey-hooded Sierra-finch - A female north-west of Punta Arenas on 26th and a male there the following day; several en-route to El Yeso on 5th.
Black-hooded Sierra-finch - One en-route to Laguna Miscanti on 10th and several at Putre and Lauca on 12th and 13th.
Mourning Sierra-finch - One at El Yeso on 5th; several en-route to Laguna Miscanti on 10th.
Plumbeous Sierra-finch - Two at El Yeso on 5th.
White-throated Sierra-finch - Five at Lauca on 13th.
Ash-breasted Sierra-finch - Several en-route to Laguna Miscanti on 10th.
Band-tailed Sierra-finch - Male at Lagou Penuelas on 7th.
Rufous-collared Sparrow - Common.
Yellow-winged Blackbird - Common in middle Chile.
Long-tailed Medowlark - Common (except in north where absent).
Peruvian Meadowlark - Two en-route to Putre on 12th.
Shiny Cowbird - Fairly common in Middle Chile.
Austral Blackbird - Common in middle Chile; several also seen at Torres del Paine on 29th.

Mammals

Copyu - Tierra del Fuego on 27th.
Rodent spp. Large Rabbit like sp. in Punta Arenas area on 26th and a smaller sp. at El Yeso on 5th.
Humboldt's Hog-nosed Skunk - In Punta Arenas area on 26th.
Mountain Vizcacha - Common at Lauca.
Mouse sp. - Putre on 12th.
South American Grey Fox - Tierra del Fuego on 27th and 28th.
Fox sp. - El Yeso on 5th.
Guanaco - Reasonably easy to see in South; Llamas also common.
Vicuña - Lauca on 13th; Alpacas also seen.
South American Fur Seal? - A seal with a 'Roman nose' (à la Grey) was seen off Tierra del Fuego on 27th.
Commerson's Dolphin - Off Tierra del Fuego on 28th.

Other Wildlife

American Painted Lady - This was the only species of butterfly positively identified (Puyehue on 1st and La Campana on 6th). Many other butterflies were, of course, seen and some descriptions noted.
Spider sp. - Nahuelbuta (3rd) was covered with these spiders...

Spider!

Spider sp. - A very large, non-hairy, 'leather' looking spider with grey legs (but black on first segment) was seen at La Campana on 6th.
Wild flowers - Puyehue was covered in wild flowers very similar to those found at home! Buttercup, daisy, foxgolove as well as Buddleja globosa and Fuchsia magellanica. A Ribwort Plantain type flower was mixed in with 'standard' looking grasses.Tierra del Fuego was also covered in a very 'standard' looking Dandelion.