Fuegian Snipe: Chile, March 2025 (1 Viewer)

[Mike Hunter]

I did the hike to Mount Tarn on Jan 6 and dipped just nine days after the last public sighting. The adult and juvenile were present for multiple weeks at a reliable spot. Others had also recorded white-bellied seedsnipe on the ridge a couple of hundred meters above but alas I dipped on that too (and Paso Garabaldi). Lots of habitat to explore nonetheless but perhaps earlier in the season is best

Hi

Did you try playing the call occasionally, or use thermal imaging equipment?

I'm up there 18 to 20 March!

And did you try elsewhere in the peninsular?

Thanks

Mike

 

[lammergeier05]

I tried some playback with no success and surveyed a broad range of suitable habitat beyond the original site for several hours. As for thermal imaging equipment it’s on my purchase list but I didn’t have any.

That said looking at eBird, it seems like there have been a number of other birders who have attempted unsuccessfully since Dec 28 (the last public sighting). Given the timing of the Laguna Parillar site having more records later in season in March and April, post breeding dispersal is possible. I would imagine this would begin once the juveniles are fully independent. Sebastian Saiter appears to be a local expert so I would contact him for more insights into strategies.

 

[Mike Hunter]

I tried some playback with no success and surveyed a broad range of suitable habitat beyond the original site for several hours. As for thermal imaging equipment it’s on my purchase list but I didn’t have any.

That said looking at eBird, it seems like there have been a number of other birders who have attempted unsuccessfully since Dec 28 (the last public sighting). Given the timing of the Laguna Parillar site having more records later in season in March and April, post breeding dispersal is possible. I would imagine this would begin once the juveniles are fully independent. Sebastian Saiter appears to be a local expert so I would contact him for more insights into strategies.

Thanks Daniele

Very helpful. I suspect Sebastian is the world authority on Fuegian Snipe so that's good advice. And agree there is an intriguing pattern of sightings at Laguna Parillar, and I may well head there first on 18 March - especially if there are no more observations from Monte Tarn.

Thanks again.

Mike