Fabrice Schmitt and Will Russell Report from their Ongoing Cruise Between Valparaiso, Chile and Buenos Aires, Argentina 

We are sending this note from the legendary Cape Horn, at the extreme southern tip of South America. We are now heading towards the Falkland Islands after a very successful first part of our cruise in the Southern Pacific Ocean, (below). In just a few days at sea we’ve already reached the amazing number of nine different species of Albatross; Black-browed Albatross being the most numerous (below), and Chatham Albatross being the rarest (only 1 bird seen). We also had fantastic views of Wandering (New Zealand) Albatross (below), both Northern and Southern Royal Albatross, and even a few Grey-headed and Buller’s Albatrosses. In addition, we’ve had great numbers of both Stejneger’s and Juan-Fernandez Petrel, (below); two Pterodroma petrels hard to see anywhere else, and even found the recently described Pincoya Storm-Petrel. 

We also had excellent views of several cetaceans including groups of Dusky (below), and Peale’s Dolphin and a Blue and a few Fin Whales.

We’ve also enjoyed several successful excursions on land. Highlights include superb views of the stunning Diademed Sandpiper-Plover (below), in the mountains above Santiago, a very tame Chucao Tapaculo (below), almost on our feet near Puerto-Montt, and nice views of Magellanic Plover and Spectacled Ducks amidst the wonderful scenery of Patagonia.

We are now entering the Atlantic Ocean with the hope of finding some rare seabirds on our way to the Falklands, where we have a forthcoming visit to a large King Penguin colony.

The ship is so stable we can use scopes for seabirding

Black-browed Albatross is one of the most numerous seabirds on this tour

One of the Wandering (New Zealand) Albatross following the ship

We've had way more Juan-Fernandez Petrel than expected

The Andes above Santiago is undoubtedly the best place to see the stunning Diademed Sandpiper-Plover

Three of a group of more than a hundred Dusky Dolphins

We had a few Chucao Tapaculo during our landing near Puerto-Montt, but this one almost jumped on our feet!