Wildlife Watching in Cabo Dos Bahias

Information

This protected area in Chubut is an excellent place to observe Patagonian wildlife. Many species can be easily spotted, both coastal and terrestrial, as many of them are not very shy and have become accustomed to the presence of tourists.

There is a penguin colony that can be visited via walkways, inhabited by specimens of the magellanic penguin species (Spheniscus magellanicus). The penguins are present from October to March (they begin arriving in September and leave by April), and depending on the month the reserve is visited you can see the different stages of their chicks' development. It's important to keep a safe distance and not touch the penguins as they can bite, and not bring cameras too close to them because they might break the lens with their beak.

In the penguin colony area, marine birds such as the brown skua (Catharacta antarctica), Chilean skua (Catharacta chilensis), dolphin gull (Larus scoresbii) and blackish oystercatcher (Haematopus ater) are often seen. From the viewpoints (both the one at the end of the walkway and another natural one located atop a hill) you can spot South American sea lions (Otaria flavescens) resting on the coast in the distance.

In this nature reserve guanacos (Lama guanicoe) are everywhere, clearly visible to visitors. In fact, they often frequent the penguin colony where groups of lesser rheas (Rhea pennata, a smaller rhea) also tend to appear. In other areas, it's common to come across a Humboldt's hog-nosed skunk (Conepatus humboldtii), a large hairy armadillo (Chaetophractus villosus) or a Patagonian mara (Dolichotis patagonum). The European hare (Lepus europaeus), an introduced species that has adapted to the region, is also often seen.

Near the parking area some terrestrial birds can usually be observed, such as the grey-hooded sierra-finch (Phrygilus gayi), the mourning sierra-finch (Rhopospina fruticeti) and others.