Entry #4 - 22/04/24
Welcome to the wild wonders of Patagonia, a place renowned for its stunning landscapes and diverse wildlife. I highly recommend visiting this beautiful region to experience its natural beauty firsthand. In this article, I will introduce you to just a few of the incredible species you can find between San Martin de los Andes, Chile, and Peninsula Valdés. Enjoy!
The Magellanic Penguin
We’re heading to the Valdés Peninsula, a UNESCO heritage site famous for marine conservation, in Argentina's Chubut province. Among its star residents are the Magellanic penguins, arriving from September to March for breeding season. These curious creatures, small in stature but big in personality, roam the beaches and may even approach visitors. But remember, while they're friendly, it's best to admire from a respectful distance to avoid causing any harm.
After the breeding season in Argentina, Magellanic penguins typically migrate northward, returning to their feeding grounds in the waters of southern Brazil, Uruguay, and the Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas). These journeys can span hundreds of kilometers as they seek out rich feeding grounds to replenish their energy reserves after the rigors of reproduction.
Once they have completed their post-breeding migration and molted their feathers, they return to the open ocean, where they spend the majority of their lives hunting for fish and other marine prey. Other animals can be observed from the Peninsula and its surroundings, including sea lions (see below!), whales, orcas, sea elephants, and various species of marine birds.
If you’d like to find out more about the peninsula and its wildlife, check out this guide.
The Southern Right Whale
Catch a glimpse of the Southern Right Whales off Puerto Piramides and Puerto Madryn, still on the Peninsula Valdés.
If you are planning on staying a few days, I recommend joining a boat tour (book early!) for a chance to see these magnificent creatures up close. From June to December, they migrate to these waters for breeding.
From some of the Peninsula’s beaches, you can watch as they nurse their calves in shallow waters or gracefully breach the surface. It's a sight that's both awe-inspiring and humbling.
After the breeding season in July in Argentina, Southern right whales typically migrate southward to their feeding grounds in the nutrient-rich waters of the Southern Ocean surrounding Antarctica. These whales undertake long migrations, often traveling thousands of kilometers to reach their feeding areas where they can find an abundance of krill and other small marine organisms to sustain them throughout the rest of the year. The migration to their feeding grounds is essential for their survival and allows them to replenish their energy reserves after the exertions of breeding and calving.
You can even help supporting whale conservation efforts by symbolically adopting one of these gentle giants. I adopted Nube!
Sea lions and Sea elephants
Spot these marine marvels swimming or lounging on the beaches of the Valdés Peninsula.
From February to April, you can witness adorable seal pups on land from the distance and at sea if you go kayaking or book a snorkelling excursion (book early too!). But remember, there are rules for interacting with these colonies – keep your distance to avoid disrupting their habitat.
Sea lion pups will naturally come to you in the water as they are very curious and friendly. Be prepared for some nibbles on your hands and feet, as they might wonder why you are swimming so weirdly compared to them and decide to investigate this further.
Though recent times have seen challenges like avian influenza, resulting in an extreme decrease of local populations, conservation efforts offer hope for their recovery.
After breeding on the Peninsula Valdes in Argentina, sea lions and elephant seals disperse to various locations in the southern Atlantic Ocean. While some individuals may remain in nearby waters, others undertake extensive migrations to forage for food and replenish their energy reserves. Elephant seals, for example, are known for traveling long distances, with some individuals venturing as far as the Antarctic region in search of food. Sea lions are also capable of undertaking significant migrations, moving along coastal areas in search of prey such as fish, squid, and crustaceans. These migrations are essential for their survival and enable them to adapt to changing environmental conditions and food availability throughout the year.
The Giant Kingfisher
Marvel at the Giant Kingfisher, or Ringed Kingfisher near San Martin de los Andes. Unlike its smaller relatives, this bird boasts impressive size and vocal prowess. Found from the southern US to Tierra del Fuego, these kingfishers are expanding their territory. Keep an eye out for them near Rio and Lago Hermoso, where they're surprisingly easy to spot.
In Ringed Kingfishers, females typically display a distinctive white band across their chest, which is absent in males. This white band can serve as a helpful visual cue for distinguishing between the sexes, particularly during the breeding season when birds are actively displaying and interacting. The one on the picture is therefore a female!
The Patagonian Grey Fox
Keep an eye out for the Patagonian fox as you travel through Argentina and Chile. While they may seem cute and curious, it's important not to feed them or encourage dependency.
Patagonian Grey Foxes inhabit a variety of environments, including grasslands, shrublands, forests, and coastal areas, across the Patagonian region of southern Argentina and Chile. They are highly adaptable and can thrive in both natural and human-altered landscapes.
Patagonian Grey Foxes are known for their resourcefulness and adaptability, which extends to their survival strategies. When faced with harsh weather conditions or scarcity of prey, these clever foxes have been observed caching food by burying it underground, much like squirrels storing nuts. This behavior allows them to maintain a food reserve for lean times, showcasing their ingenuity and resilience in challenging environments.
This one was spotted at a view point along the 7 lake route, as I was driving from San Martin de los Andes to Villa la Angostura. Sadly, foxes hang around viewpoints looking for food that humans left behind, which is why it is important to make sure, as a tourist, to always leave a place clean.
Pelicans in Niebla, Chile
Did you know pelicans eat more than just fish? Watch them in action near Valdivia, where they may surprise you with their dining choices. While most people expect these giant birds to only feast on fish, they might turn to other food options if they are very hungry including various small sea animals and other birds.
You can also explore the charming town of Valdivia and its vibrant fish market, where you can watch enormous sea lions patiently waiting to be given a piece of fish, or simply stealing one when the fishermen have their backs turned.
Also, be prepared for foggy nights fueled by wood-burning stoves. In this part of Chile, electric or gas heating systems are not common, and it can be hard to find accommodation that does not require you to burn your own gas or use the fireplace. I still recommend visiting nonetheless, and you should stay tuned for more on this blog about this fascinating destination!
The (small but mighty) Ruby Hummingbird
If your eyes are fast enough, you might catch a glimpse of the Ruby Hummingbird, in San Martin de los Andes and its surroundings. These tiny creatures are territorial and fiercely protective of their space: they will show the vibrant red plumage on their head when they are agitated or angry, to scare off other hummingbirds or start a fight.
Other species of hummingbirds can be found in other parts of the country, including in the Buenos Aires province and the Northern province of Misiones. There is also more to come on this blog about the famous Iguazu falls in Misiones and the incredible wildlife that can be spotted there. Stay tuned!
Thank you for reading this article! I hope you liked it and it made you want to travel to this gorgeous part of the world. There will be more coming soon about travelling around Patagonia, but in the meantime, if you liked what you read, feel free to send me a message and let me know! You can do so via the form below or via instagram.