Short Stopover in Santiago (1 Viewer)

H

h.spencer

New member

• Aug 20, 2017

• #1

I have a short stopover in Santiago (arriving 1.30 p.m. and leaving again 8.15 p.m.) in early October. Are there any places close to the airport that would be good birding? I have not been to Chile before, so just seeing common species would be fun. Thanks, Hamish

 

njlarsen

Gallery Moderator

Opus Editor

Supporter

• Aug 22, 2017

• #2

I do not have the answer for you, but check out this section for some info; http://www.birdforum.net/forumdisplay.php?f=562

Niels

 

cassowary

Well-known member

• Aug 24, 2017

• #3

Even if your bags are interlined to your next destination you are still going to have to hire a car which isn't a quick process in Santiago airport. and customs+immigration
However if you can organize a guide to pick you up and drop you off you could probably get to Tranque La Cadellada:
http://ebird.org/ebird/hotspot/L502857
and the Lampa spots nearby:
http://ebird.org/ebird/hotspot/L607130

the airport is pretty poor for bird life:
http://ebird.org/ebird/hotspot/L482281

 

Jos Stratford

Eastern Exile

Staff member

• Aug 24, 2017

• #4

cassowary said:

Even if your bags are interlined to your next destination you are still going to have to hire a car which isn't a quick process in Santiago airport. and customs+immigration

http://ebird.org/ebird/hotspot/L502857
and the Lampa spots nearby:
http://ebird.org/ebird/hotspot/L607130

the airport is pretty poor for bird life:
http://ebird.org/ebird/hotspot/L482281

However if you can organize a guide to pick you up and drop you off you could probably get to Tranque La Cadellada

Click to expand...

I agree Lampa/Estación Colina is probably the most logical birding spot close to the airport, but also agree it is not going to be practical without transport on your timescale - I picked up a hire car quickly and easily, but with your limited time, perhaps the local guide option is indeed the wiser move.

Otherwise, a ten minute taxi would get you to Club De Golf Mapocho - absolutely no idea if non-golfer access is allowed, but drove past last year and the general greenery/scrub/adjacent dry riverbed would get you a variety of local birds without needing to get in (look at google maps - there appears to be tracks running adjacent along its whole length).

 

H

h.spencer

New member

• Aug 25, 2017

• #5

Thank you all for these replies. I will look into hiring a guide, which sounds by far the most efficient use of time.

 

D

dvavis

New member

• Aug 25, 2017

• #6

Hi Hamish, if you do manage to hire a guide would you mind giving me the details? I will be visiting Santiago briefly next year, but may have the luxury of a couple of days to spend birding.
Many thanks, David

 

cassowary

Well-known member

• Aug 30, 2017

• #7

Bird guides seem to be thin on the ground in Santiago. I went on a pelagic with Rodrigo Reyes: he's a regular contributor on ebird and an excellent professional guide:

[email protected]

+56 9 97186970

http://www.birdwatchingchile.com/

I'd start with Tranque La Cadellada as you can pull right up to to the main lagoon and most of the waterfowl are right in front of you (there is a fruit/veg market nearby which is handy). Two of the three main Lampa spots are a little tricky to find within a tight time frame, but with a decent guide you should have no problems. Lago batuco

http://ebird.org/ebird/hotspot/L570658

nearby has limited access and I'd probably leave it out with your time constraint.