Costanera Sur Reserve

Buenos Aires > Argentina

Buenos Aires Ecological Reserve, with 350 bird species a fantastic hotspot in downtown. Easy birding. It is possible to find close to 100 species in 1 day.

Added* by Horacio Matarasso
Most recent update 22 February 2023

Description

Covering 350 hectares, the Costanera Sur Ecological Reserve is the biggest and most biodiverse reserve in Buenos Aires. Despite its proximity to the busy downtown area, it's a remarkably oasis of calm, and a haven for wildlife close to Río de la Plata (river)

Along several winding paths leading around three lagoons to the river coast, you can observe many different species of birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians, as well as more than 500 species of native vegetation including meadows of pampas grass, forests and wetlands.

The more than 2,000 species of flora and fauna that live in the reserve include lizards, turtles, coypus, and up to 350 species of birds that have been spotted. It is not uncommon to spot at least 50 different species of birds in just a two-hour visit.

The area was declared a nature reserve in 1986 and in 2005 was declared a Ramsar area and was recognised as an Important Bird Area by BirdLife International owing to its importance as a major international wetland habitat for flora and fauna. It now forms part of the Río de la Plata Eco-route, a circuit of more than 100km that connects several green spaces such as the Paraná River Delta Biosphere, Ceibas and other reserves in the city.

Details

Access

It is extremely easy to get there, by taxi from any location, walking from the center or other means of transport.

The reserve is open every day except Monday. Entrance is free. Open from Tuesday to Sunday, 8 am and 6 pm. However, the external walk along its edge is also an essential part of the visit, from where you can see a large part of its diversity of birds.

Terrain and Habitat

Forest , Wetland , Scattered trees and bushes , Grassland , River

Conditions

Flat

Circular trail

Yes

Is a telescope useful?

Can be useful

Good birding season

All year round

Route

Unpaved road

Difficulty walking trail

Easy

Accessible by

Foot , Bicycle

Birdwatching hide / platform

Yes

Extra info

It is very easy to find professional bird guides to visit the reserve. You can use internet search engines (use "Birding in Buenos Aires") and you will find the main specialized companies, all highly recommended.

Links