During the 11th and 12th of May, the Islas de Santa Fe National Park, located in Puerto Gaboto, in the San Jerónimo department, was the setting for a special birdwatching event within the framework of the Global Big Day.
This international event, promoted by Cornell University (USA), is celebrated annually on the second Saturdays of May and aims to bring together observers from around the world to record as many species in their natural habitats.
A camping and exploration day
The 15 observers from across the province camped at Camping Los Dos Ríos, where they:
- Received welcoming words from the Park authorities.
- Shared a camaraderie lunch.
- Enjoyed a nighttime bonfire.
On Sunday, from dawn, they explored the trails and public use areas, recording 50 bird species through photos and videos.
The Islas de Santa Fe National Park: a natural refuge
The Park was created in 2010 under national law No. 26,648 and is part of the Ramsar site Delta of the Paraná, granting it an international conservation status.
- Extension: 4,096 hectares, Argentina’s only insular national park.
- Location: 30 km from Puerto Gaboto, accessible by river navigation.
- Ecosystems: Reedbeds, curupíes, ceibos, irupés, channels, and lagoons.
Its fauna is equally diverse, with 414 registered species, including capybaras, caimans, foxes, river wolves, and turtles.
The value of birdwatching for conservation
The Park ranger and Park Superintendent, Guillermo Lier, highlighted that since 2022 these events have been held with the aim of:
- Recording new species within the protected area.
- Promoting sustainable tourism, respecting environmental balance.
- Designing strategic trails for visitors to explore different ecosystems.
Currently, 150 bird species have been detected, but exploration continues to grow.
A paradise for birdwatching
According to Patricio Carugatti, the Park’s press coordinator, this less-visited site offers an ideal atmosphere for the activity:
“It is a pristine paradise for observers, where silence allows full enjoyment of the birds’ sounds.”
To access the birdwatching areas, participants must navigate the river, enhancing the experience of immersion in nature.
Species recorded during the event
Observers were able to identify various species, including:
- Five varieties of herons.
- Spoonbills and storks.
- Chajás and cinnamon-billed burlisto.
- Woodpeckers (six different species).
- Black-capped warblers and flycatchers.
- Swallow-tailed kites and migratory swallows.
- Ruddy ducks, a threatened species.
Future plans for ecotourism in the Park
Lier announced that the Islas de Santa Fe National Park plans to:
- Construct specific observatories to enhance the birdwatching experience.
- Strengthen the Park’s profile as a nature tourism destination.
- Expand ecological trails, allowing tours through different habitats.
With these advances, the Park is emerging as a reference in sustainable tourism and conservation in Argentina.
Cover photo: Islas de Santa Fe Park Press
