Horacio Matarasso

horacio@avespatagonia.com.ar

I am a biologist and a birder. I was born in 1967. I started birding at college so I decided to study biology at the Buenos Aires University to dedicate myself to ornithology, at which time I  took part in birding associations.
As a biologist I worked at the Buenos Aires University and at Western Washington University (USA). I did research on woodpeckers, birds of Lanín National Park and forest management using birds.
I have lived in  San Martín de los Andes since 1996, a town located north of the Patagonian Andes region. I am a professor of biology at the Comahue National University  where we develop studies on birds and biodiversity.
We do research on bird communities from different parts of the National Park and conduct census in different biogeographic habitats. We are just starting to reveal the ornithological characteristics of northern Patagonia and the province is filled with places and surprises for birders.
Each spring\, since 1996, along with two colleagues, I  lead  birding courses, opened to the community. So many people caught on the passion that we  created the Patagonian Birds Association, uniting ornithologists and birders in a effort for conservation. Nowadays there are courses of different levels and through the Association we have reached the classrooms with the ALAS (WINGS) programme.
I like birding. I like to share this activity with other people. Thanks to my job I have been able to visit, binoculars and guides in hand, other Latin American countries first and North America and Europe afterwards. But I leave these chats and experiences to our walks in Patagonia.

Florencia Mancini

florencia@avespatagonia.com.ar

I was born in Neuquén in 1975. As a child I lived in the United States and in Ecuador. Since childhood I have had close contact with nature, visiting many North American National Parks, the Galapagos Islands and the Ecuadorian Amazon jungle.
I decided to study biology and went to La Plata National University. There I was a teaching assistant of plant morphology and botany. I got my degree in 1999 and since that same year I have lived in San Martín de los Andes where I teach English to children and adults.
I started birding as soon as I arrived in this region where I was impressed by the beauty of its Nature and especially the birds. I am a member of Patagonian Conservation Association, a non governmental organization created to take active part in solving local environmental problems. I have also collaborated as a guide in the ALAS (WINGS) environmental project, where biologists, teachers and children learn to recognize and appreciate local ecosystems through birding.

My first experience was a study about the impact on bird diversity of several types of forestation. Curiously I started bird watching in the Pampas, so I became acquainted with a different set of birds than the ones I grew up with. Luckily, in 2003, I had the chance to revert this situation while working on my graduation thesis. At that time I made an inventory of species of an estancia in southeastern Neuquén, which latter became a wild life refuge.

Currently I’m studying glaciers in the Central Andes taking time, now and again, to keep on learning about this great source of biodiversity that are birds.

I studied Agronomy at the Buenos Aires University and I am a naturalist for vocation, also graduated from the Argentine School of Naturalists (which depends of Aves Argentinas-A.O.P.). I have studied Art and History of India, China and Islamic Countries, at the School of Eastern Studies of the Maimonides University and at the Lomas de Zamora National University. I have made courses about wild birds identification and for recognition of patagonic native flora.

I travelled through different points of the planet, carrying field guides, binoculars, notebooks and the passion for know peoples, customs and environments inside my backpack. South America, Eastern and Western Europe, Middle East, Asia and Africa have been my travel destinations for years.
I visited most of southern and central Africa National Parks several times; learning about animal behaviour in the Kalahari in Botswana. I have travelled round many African countries.
In 1999, my wife, Daniela, and I founded Rutas de Africa (Routes of Africa), our own company. We go with and guide travellers in Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia and South Africa, exploring their National Parks.

My passion for birdwatching began precisely in Africa, enjoying it always, wherever I am.
I live in San Martin de los Andes since 2002 and I have a mountain refuge in Lago Hermoso, just 35 km far from San Martin, and 1100 mt above sea level. From here I have travel round Patagonia, which I continue exploring.
I organize travels to Africa and in Patagonia, and I guide birdwatchers.