Yerba Loca Nature Reserve

In the mountains just out of Santiago on the way to the ski slopes is Yerba Loca Nature Reserve, a beautiful reserve encompassing a long valley ascending through the mountains. It super close to Santiago and easy to get to even if you don't have a car. It took me only 30 minutes to get to the entrance on a bus and then a taxi. My visit only lasted 5 hours, but was able to see 26 species.

We chose the trail that goes to Condor Plateau. My first surprise was a Crag Chilia in a dry creekbed. Soon after a small flock of Gray-headed Sierra finches perched close by and were kind enough to let us take a few photos.

The resounding call of the Mustached Turca fills the valley with powerful descending notes giving the place a great vibe. Mixed flocks of Mourning Sierra-Finch, Band-tailed Sierra-Finch and Rufous-collared Sparrow scrambled about beside the path. Within the first hour of walking I already had seen three endemics: Chilean Mockingbird, Crag Chilia and Chilean Tinamou. Plus the scenery is quite spectacular. So all in all this site is great place to visit on a short trip to Santiago or if you don't have access to a car.

Santiago covered in clouds

Crag Chilia

Gray-headed Sierra-Finch

- Chilean Tinamou

- California Quail

- Black-chested Buzzard-Eagle

- Harris's Hawk

- American Kestrel

- Eared Dove

- Green-backed Firecrown

- Striped Woodpecker

- Chilean Flicker

- Crag Chilia

- Buff-winged Cinclodes

- Gray-flanked Cinclodes

- Moustached Turca

- Tufted Tit-Tyrant

- Fire-eyed Diucon

- House Wren

- Austral Trush

- Chilean Mockingbird

- Gray-hooded Sierra-Finch

- Band-tailed Sierra-Finch

- Common Diuca-Finch

- Rufous-collared Sparrow

- Long-tailed Meadowlark

- Austral Blackbird