Just 1 km from the center of the town of El Calafate is the Municipal Ecological Reserve «Laguna Nimez». An ideal place for bird watching due to the wide variety of individuals who are in the area, very close to Lake Argentino in Patagonia.

There are about 80 species of birds that give the visitor a beautiful sight thanks to labelleza, color and grace that characterizes them. Some of the best known are the flamingos, geese, black-necked swans, ibis, the lapwings and ducks, among others. In addition, avifauna is accompanied by the vegetation of the steppe region, which according to the season shows all the creative power of their offspring.

The services offered to visitors are:

• Walk around the lake and access to the adjacent coast of Lake Argentino.

• Path demarcated with stops interpreting the local flora and fauna.

• Brochures in Spanish and English.

• Guidelines for observing and identifying birds.

• Rental of binoculars.

• Devices. Drinking water.

You can reach the lake on foot or by car from the city center and make the circuit in particular, since it is self-guided, and has a duration of 1:30 hours. On site there is a Research center where you can access brochures bilingual (Spanish and English) about the particular characteristics of each species and its relationship to the ecosystem, and two bird observatories.

If you wish, you can extend your tour and walk to the natural shoreline of Lake Argentino to get a beautiful view of the lake and the city background.

• Opening hours: Every day from 9-19 pm (fall, 9:30 to 18:30).

• Open all year. Visit time: between one and two hours.

One of the most elegant birds inhabiting the Laguna Nimez

Phoenicopterus chilensis

Chilean Flamingo

DESCRIPTION. Is 75 cm. More slender than the roseate spoonbill. Longer neck, short, curved beak down, pink body, the feathers covering the wings are almost red and the tips of the wings (shirts) black, light gray long legs, and foot joint except red. Youth: almost white except black shirts and brown shoulders.

BEHAVIOR. Often motionless in the water with a shrunken leg, or by passing the water peak. Flocks are three or six individuals but you can see more than 30, in the breeding season are many. Fly with the neck and legs outstretched.

HABITAT. Lagunas large shallow salt, salt flats and salt marshes also in the south of the province. You can see it for short periods in smaller gaps.

POWER. The way he feeds is very particular, because it puts the peak in reverse-top over-water background, and with rapid movements filters the water to catch small aquatic insects, molluscs and crustaceans. Some of the latter are the ones that provide the pigment that gives the color so appealing to their plumage.

NIDO. Forms colonies of hundreds of individuals in the breeding season. Choose muddy places to build their nests of mud, which cone-shaped with a depression in the center. Place 1 or 2 white eggs, the chicks remain in the nest the first day, then congregate in large groups called «care», waiting for their parents to feed them.

SITUATION. Scarce. Is captured as ornamental bird to decorate ponds, where it loses its appeal pink by lack of adequate food.

DISTRIBUTION. From Ecuador to Argentina, occupying the whole of our territory.

La Reserva Ecológica Laguna Nimez en El Calafate