Strange Tails
We're delighted to have a strong population of strange-tailed tyrants at the reserve. So much so that we've adopted these beautiful and endangered birds as the symbol of the Trust
The growing diversity of the animals of Reserva Don Luis is a fresh source of delight every time we return. We don't play favourites, but it's impossible not to engage more with some of our more conspicuous guests. One of these is the strange-tailed tyrant. The male is stoic in his tolerance of one of nature's strangest - and it would seem least practical - adaptations. He's willing to suffer to be beautiful, and somehow manages to fly with tail feathers that were surely designed for a bird three times his size.
We love his perseverance; his resolution to succeed against challenge, and his ability to prove that anything is possible. He's appearing in growing numbers on the Reserva Do Luis, and his success has become an allegory for, and a symbol of, our own.
When we started the process of updating and redesigning our website, we wanted to adopt an image that symbolised our aims and our challenges. This brave little flycatcher, with his indomitable character, was the perfect choice.
The logo is a stylised profile of a male tyrant, silhouetted against the sunrise. We coloured the sun the blue of the Argentinian flag in honour of this country's beauty, its climate and the breathtaking span of magnificent animals that it nurtures.
Bat Research
Our bat team is conducting bat research both in the Ibera Marshes and in other provinces. We are especially concentrating on Misiones at the moment where we find the largest bat in Argentina, Chrotopterus auriitus and Myotis ruber, two species that we are researching.
Scientific Reports
In this section we have various scientific reports or data collections on the species of the Esteros del Ibera. Mostly these have been researched at Reserva Don Luis and we will be adding to these in the future.
Bats in wetlands: composition and structure of assemblage in Reserva Natural Don Luis, Esteros del Iberá, Argentina
This paper has just been published in early December 2021. It is about the biodiversity of the bats of Reserva Don Luis. This was published in the journal 'Mamalia' of De Gruyter.
First record of Glossophaga soricina (Pallas, 1766) (Chiroptera, Phyllostomidae) in the province of Corrientes, Argentina
The bat team managed to capture a Glossophaga soricina in Apipe Grande Island on 15/10/2019. This is the first record of this species or of any nectivorous bat in Corrientes. This new distribution record has been published by Checklist/Pensoft
Gacetilla Informativa
This is a paper written by Antonella Agoitia, who volunteers for our bat projects, and Miranda Collett who manages the projects. It is about the bats in Reserva Don Luis, written in Spanish which will be welcome for our Argentine friends.
Diet of Insectivorous Bats in Corrientes (2019)
A report on the analysis of 18 types of bat guano, sampled between 2017 and 2019. The samples corresponded to Myotis neglectus, Eumops bonarienris, Eumops patagonicus, Noctilio albiventris, Molossus molossus, Myotis teminkii, Myotis sp. and other species.
Status of Bats at Reserva Don Luis, Esteros Del Ibera (2019)
Bat research is one of our key projects, and has been an ongoing activity since 2011. This study reports on the results of sound recording, measurement and examination using humane capture and release, and observation of behaviours.
A Behavioural Study of Black Howler Monkeys (2018)
This study was conducted by Beatriz Luraschi during her time at Don Luis as a volunteer. Over 8 weeks, between mid-April and mid-June, 2018, different groups of black howler monkeys, Alouatta caraya, were observed in four different woodlands (montes) across Reserva Don Luis, in the Iberá Wetlands in the province of Corrientes, northern Argentina. A number of group dynamics and aspects of their behaviour were of interest, including group size and composition, and instances of grunting and howling, in particular as a reaction to human presence.
Crax Fasciolata Plan of Action (2016)
The Bare-faced Curassow, Crax fasciolata, is a Cracid that is considered rare and endangered in Argentina, IUCN, although it is possible to source this species either in Neotropical countries further north or in captivity. Fundacion Cambyreta para la Naturaleza (FUCANA) in collaboration with COA Carau plans to reintroduce this Cracid to an area in which it was once found but is now considered extinct.
Study of Woodland Birds at Reserva Don Luis (2014)
A week long study was carried out at the private reserve of Don Luis in Cambyreta in June 2014 which is the winter in Argentina. The initial object was to confirm which avian species habituate two of the island woods at the reserve by trapping and ringing them.
Behavioural Study of Black Howler Monkeys at Reserva Don Luis (2013)
This study was carried out by Alex Roberts BSc in September 2013. The survey took place in 3 of our wooded areas in each of which reside one or more families of Black Howler Monkeys.
Botanical Survey of Don Luis (2012)
This survey was carried out by botanist Patricia Haynes and Miranda Collett BSc. The survey took place in 'Monte Grande', the largest of the woods at Reserva Don Luis on 25/26 November 2012. The purpose of the survey was to establish whether the fruit produced by the monte would be sufficient for a large frugivore such as Crax fasciolata.
Don Luis Pilot Study (2011)
A Study was conducted by Dr Amy Hall and Kate Sharma during the period of the 16th - 28th of March 2011. This report covers the findings of the mist net study conducted immediately around the field station and immediate woodland.
Small Mammal Survey (2011)
A Study conducted by Dr Amy Louise Hall CBiol MSB MIEEM and Kate Sharma BSc (Hons). Photographs were taken by Gregory Guida. The work was undertaken between the 10th and 26th March 2011.