The Reserva Ecológica Ribera Norte is a charming and
productive site, but is prone to flooding after rains when the gates remain
firmly closed. A decision is made at 09.00 (opening time). A notice is hung to
let visitors know and a number is displayed for updates. If you arrive and the
reserve is not accessible, don’t despair there are still birds in the vicinity.
My list from outside the reserve ran to 30 in 90 minutes as I waited for 09.00.
Ribera Norte is a small marsh close to the Rio
Plata in the northern suburbs of Buenos Aires. As a wetland, it attracts water,
sadly too much this week as it was closed due to flooding. I had arrived early
and explored the surrounding area for a while before finding the notice on the
gate (Google Earth ref; 34°28'12.38"S
58°29'46.01"W). As I considered my
position, a pair of Golden-crowned
Warblers passed through to cheer me up.
Adjacent to
the south-eastern side of the enclosed marsh, open ground and rank vegetation
was quite productive. A Grayish Saltator
joined a Tropical Kingbird at the
top of a dead tree and a small group of Hooded
Siskins were seen briefly at eye-level in a short fruit tree.
Beyond the
private marina and horse stables to the north-west is a patch of open ground by
two restaurants. Cattle Tyrants and Tropical Kingbirds were seen here along with the
expected Rufous Horneros and Chalk-browed Mockingbirds.
I was lucky
enough to bump into a couple of other birder/photographers who put me onto the Parque Ecologico de Vincente Lopez which
was within a short ride of Ribera Norte.
Birds seen;
Neotropic
Cormorant 1, Cocoi Heron 15, Great Egret 20, Snowy Egret 1, Striated Heron 2,
Chimango Caracara 1, Gray-necked Wood-rail 1, Southern Lapwing 6, Picazuro
Pigeon 40, Eared Pigeon 60, Monk Parakeet 4, Gilded Hummingbird 1, Green-barred
Woodpecker 3, Rufous Hornero 10, Cattle Tyrant 2, Great Kiskadee 15, Streaked
Flycatcher 1, Tropical Kingbird 4, Brown-chested Martin 20, White-rumped
Swallow 12, House Wren 2, Rufous-bellied Thrush 6, Chalk-browed Mockingbird 10,
Golden-crowned Warbler 2, Grayish Saltator 1, Black-and rufous Warbling-finch
1, Saffron Finch 4, Rufous-collared Sparrow 4, Bay-winged Cowbird 10, Hooded
Siskin 4.
To reach
Ribera Norte, I rode the Tigre train from Retiro to Accassuso (Google Earth
ref; 34°28'47.98"S
58°30'13.74"W). Bicycles are allowed in the back carriage of the train
which sped up my arrival and made the run down to Vincente Lopez feasible.
For a
previous post from inside Ribera
Norte, follow the link below;
Visit the
dedicated Central and South America page for more posts from Buenos Aires and
beyond.
Sounds like a wonderful place for birding. Lovely photos of your birds and a great list of the birds seen. I have seen the Saffron Finches and they are gorgeous birds. Happy Birding!
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