Buenos Aries, a huge modern city, is blest with a wonderful nature reserve within walking distance of the downtown hotels, the Costanera Sur Ecological Reserve. The reserve itself is made great use of by the people of the city, and due to the constant human traffic, the wildlife has become accustomed to people and will frequently allow a close approach.
In November, the reserve opens at 8 AM, but if you wanted to get an early start, you can easily fill a few productive hours walking along the canals in front.Various Coots and Rails, Yellow-winged Blackbird, Limpkin,Ibis and Ducks can be found in the reedy portion. Brown-hooded Gull are abundant as well as Gray-hooded and the occasional Olrug's. Wattled Jacana are very tame, almost walking on the feet of passersby. Across the road, you should find Guira Cuckoo, Picazurro Pigion, and Eared and Picui Ground-Dove, along with the squack of Monk Parakeets.Rufous Hornero were very common.
As you go in the main entrance of the park, look for Green Kingfisher along the water's edge. The roadside trees also contain Rufous-bellied and Cream-bellied Thrushes, and White-eyed Parakeet. Sceaming, Shiny and Bay-winged Cowbirds can be found, and Rufous-collared Sparrow are very common.
The Reserve is made up of a number of looped trails around various habitant including a couple of reed fringed lakes.On the east edge it is bounded by the sea.Among th species to be found are Spectacled Tyrant, Fork-tailed Flycatcher, Pied Water-Tyrant, Great Pampa-Finch, Saffron Finch, Red-crested and Yellow-billed Cardinal, and a great variety of Ducks. Included in this number was a close up view of Black-headed Duck.
I could happily spend a week here but the day and a half was very productive.
In Buenos Aries, I stayed at the Hotel Goya, 748 Suipacha, Buenos Aries.which was 20 minutes walk from the reserve.In October, 2004, the cost was $41U.S. per night and a taxi to the international airport was $14US. You can email them at goyahotel@infovia.com.ar . Telephone/fax 4322-9311.I would recommend it.