Diademed Sandpiper Plover, Northern Chile (1 Viewer)

[James Lowther]

Hi all,
I am due to visit Northern Chile in November and would love to see Diademed Sandpiper Plover having missed it in painful fashion (16km round walk due to a rockslide blocking the road) at El Yeso on my last visit in 2010.

I know from eBird etc. that there are (potential) sites for DSP in both the San Pedro de Atacama or Lauca NP areas, but was wondering if anyone has any recent experience and detailed advice?

In addition any information on guides who can do half or full days from San Pedro or Putre to increase the chances would be great.

I know El Yeso is the classic site in Chile but i won't have an opportunity to visit this time

Cheers,
James

 

[temmie]

You checked the interwebs?

Here is very recent info from Putre, this bog seems to be very reliable (lately), and relatively close to the road:

https://ebird.org/checklist/S190782736

Details: Tally. 5 Mínimo. 1 pareja -18.157596, -69.462815; 1 pareja -18.159725, -69.464719; 1 individuo -18.159251, -69.46524

In San Pedro, there seem to be good places towards Los Flamencos (East), just next to the road:

 

[James Lowther]

Thanks so much Temmie, I had seen the various sites here but did not realise that bofedal in Lauca was so reliable recently, I think my eBird skills are still developing!
All the best,
James

 

[dandsblair]

After missing the birds at El Yeso earlier this year, the Birds Chile guide Carolina gave us a tip to try for the birds at the Geysers near San Pedros del Atacama. We found 3 birds including an adult.

After a trip to Taito Geyser from San Pedros we stopped at what seems a regular breakfast spot about 20 minutes from the Guyser Park. The local guy -Kevin (not really a birding guide but OK) called it White Geyser Marsh, it is a nice wetland area with lots of water and grass (I don’t think that is a widely known name among birders and JP a top local e-birder and guide, who we went out didn’t know this name and hadn’t been here, but he said his wife had done some Sandpiper Plover survey work and had found a bird and three chicks around here.
Possibly the same birds we saw that morning

JP who runs “On Safari” with his wife (who found the birds on her survey work is probably a good source of the latest info) and is a good guide and nice bloke.

 

[James Lowther]

Thanks,
I have already read your trip report! I reckon you are probably talking about this spot here?
(-22.3743534, -68.0300571)
James

 

[dandsblair]

Thanks,
I have already read your trip report! I reckon you are probably talking about this spot here?
(-22.3743534, -68.0300571)
James

Looks like it