Most of you will either know or have guessed, that I am in a privileged position that allows me to bird around the world and pass it off as work. Well, the icing on the cake (actually, the candles too) is that I get to nominate a travel companion that can take advantage of discounted travel and come along for the ride.

EZE 24Jan16 Double-collared Seedeater 01

This week my birdy buddy, Martin, joined me for a trip to Argentina and one of our first birds from the Costanera Sur Reserve was a male Double-collared Seedeater. That particular one was singing from deep in some bushes, but we were lucky enough to find another one that was more keen to show how he came by his name.

EZE 24Jan16 Double-collared Seedeater 02

The Sporophila family contains exclusively Neotropic species (within the flexible Thraupidae) and S. caerulescens  can be seen within the middle third of  South America, predominantly to the east of the Andes.

EZE 24Jan16 Double-collared Seedeater 03

I felt a bit guilty about getting these pictures as I had advised Martin against carrying his camera this morning, so he missed the opportunity to click at this acrobatic poser. For some reason, carrying my camera did not present an issue.

EZE 24Jan16 Double-collared Seedeater 06

We are both still trying to work back along the line of reason that brought us to our decision. But he had the chance to watch it without having to check settings and exposures, so perhaps he had the better of it in the end?

EZE 24Jan16 Double-collared Seedeater 07

The Reserva Ecologica Costanera Sur is 835 acres of reclaimed land, lake and reedbed on the shoreline of the Rio Plata at Buenos Aires. The gates open at 08.00, but the 2 km promenade overlooking La Laguna de los Coipos is open 24/7. eBird claims 331 species for the site.

The parrillas or pop-up bars along the promenade attract revellers at night. Saturday nights can be busy and often spill over into Sunday morning. I have experienced undue interest in my camera by Saturday night survivors clinging to bottles on Sunday mornings. I have never been threatened or intimidated there, but it is as well to be discrete and vigilant wherever you are.

Written by Redgannet
Redgannet worked for more than 35 years as a flight attendant for an international airline. He came to birding late in his career but, considering the distractions, doesn't regret the missed opportunities. He was paid to visit six continents and took full advantage of the chance to bird the world. He adopted the nom de blog, Redgannet, to avoid remonstrations from his overbearing employer, but secretly hoped that the air of mystery would make him more attractive to women. Now grounded, he is looking forward to seeing the seasons turn from a fixed point.