Birdwatching in Lago Puelo National Park

Lago Puelo National Park is a unique refuge in the Andean region. Its peaceful trails, Andean-Patagonian forest with valuable influences from the Valdivian rainforest, regenerating landscapes, and the lake’s crystal-clear waters are home to fascinating biodiversity. Discovering its birds at a leisurely pace is an invitation to connect with nature from a different perspective.

In the northwestern corner of Chubut Province, just a few minutes from El Bolsón and surrounded by high mountains, Lago Puelo National Park protects one of Argentina’s most distinctive examples of Andean-Patagonian forest. Due to the low elevation of its valley, just 200 meters above sea level, Paso Puelo allows species and vegetation characteristic of the Valdivian rainforest to enter directly from Chile. This mild microclimate and the great diversity of environments make this protected area an exceptional setting for birdwatching.

Muy cerca del casco urbano de Lago Puelo, la naturaleza se manifiesta en una sinfonía de cantos, aleteos y colores. Para recorrerlo no hace falta ser un experto ornitólogo (observador de aves): basta con agudizar los sentidos y dejarse llevar por la curiosidad. La experiencia incluye el uso de binoculares de alta calidad en HD, que permiten apreciar cada detalle, textura y color del plumaje con una nitidez deslumbrante.

Aunque la actividad se conozca mundialmente como "observación", en el territorio la primera pista casi nunca entra por los ojos. Antes que la vista, es el oído el que detecta la vida en movimiento: el suave rascado de la hojarasca seca, el golpe métrico en la madera, el revuelo en las ramas bajas o el sutil chapoteo en la orilla.

Por eso, la observación de aves es una verdadera experiencia de atención plena. Aunque la caminata se desarrolla de forma lenta y pausada, los sentidos se mantienen en continua actividad. La vista y el oído se agudizan para realizar un verdadero escaneo en 360° — casi como un búho — atento a cada dirección: desde el suelo y la baja vegetación, pasando por el estrato medio del sotobosque y las altas copas de los árboles, hasta elevar la mirada hacia los cordones montañosos y el horizonte del lago, donde el cruce de las aves dibuja trayectorias de este a oeste. Estar en la naturaleza con esta mirada atenta convierte cada paso en un descubrimiento continuo.

A Mosaic of Habitats, Environmental History, and Sounds

The journey through Lago Puelo is a voyage across interconnected ecosystems. The route begins in an open environment with broad visibility. This area, once home to a dense native forest, underwent a process of forest fire. Today, nature reveals its remarkable resilience: without the cover of large trees, the horizon opens wide toward the surrounding mountains. The first herbaceous layers are beginning to establish themselves at ground level, along with pioneer shrubs. This open environment not only provides an abundance of seeds for granivorous species, but the increased sunlight also encourages a significant proliferation of insects and arachnids. This is where the ever-present sentinels of the area, Southern lapwings (Vanellus chilensis), stand out, along with other birds that display highly dynamic and energetic hunting behavior, moving rapidly across the groundthrough low vegetation to catch their prey with their beaks. At the same time, the open sky in this area provides a privileged view of air traffic: the silhouettes of Black Vultures, Chimango Caracaras, Southern Caracaras, and the swift American Kestrel can frequently be seen gliding overhead, along with noisy Black-faced Ibises flying in formation and, occasionally, the majestic presence of the Andean Condor.

As you move forward, the landscape invites you to become fully immersed in nature: the light of the open environment gradually gives way to the shade and coolness of the native forest. Among maiten trees, arrayanes, and pitra trees, the dense understory shelters some of Patagonia’s most emblematic species. Here, it is possible to marvel at the tiny flash of the Green-backed Firecrown (Sephanoides sephaniodes), the agility of the White-throated Treerunner (Pygarrhichas albogularis) as it climbs along the wood, the charming Chucao Tapaculo (Scelorchilus rubecula) with its powerful and distinctive call, and the restless Thorn-tailed Rayadito (Aphrastura spinicauda), which moves acrobatically along tree trunks in search of insects.

As the trail passes through mixed areas where native species coexist with old fruit trees, the availability of food attracts a wide variety of foliage-dwelling birds. Finally, the walk reaches the impressive lakeshore, where the water invites you to look for aquatic species such as grebes, geese, herons, the emblematic kingfisher, and a wide variety of ducks, along with small birds that busily explore the shoreline, feeding on larvae and invertebrates.

Excursion and Guided Tour Options

First Flights: Three Landscapes in a Single Hike (2 hours)

This is the perfect option for families, beginners,anyone looking for a peaceful first experience connecting with nature. The hike follows low-difficulty trails over flat terrain, designed to allow visitors to fully enjoy the surroundings in a safe and contemplative way.

The activity begins at the National Park Administration office with a brief introduction to the use of binoculars and the basics of birdwatching. From there, the hike crosses the open area undergoing natural regeneration before entering the cool shade of the native forest along the magical “Secret Trail.” The route continues through a picturesque mixed-forest area before emerging onto the lakeshore, where a section of coastal hiking leads to the park’s birdwatching observatory. At the end of the tour, visitors can return with the guide to the National Park Administration officestay and enjoy the beach area.

The Pulse of the Forest: A Deep Immersion into the Heart of the Park (4 hours)

Designed for those who wish to explore the route in greater depth and venture into the park’s most lush and enchanting areas, while maintaining a relaxed pace without demanding physical effort.

Starting at the National Park Administration office, this itinerary follows the same initial landscape interpretation section through the open area, the Secret Trail, and the mixed zone, while adding a natural landmark of great biological and scenic value: the entrance to Pitranto Grande, a lush forest of twisted trunks and an enchanting atmosphere. After exploring this area, the excursion emerges at the eastern end of the lakeshore and follows the shoreline to the birdwatching observatory. It is an ideal option for nature photography enthusiasts and lovers of interpretive hiking.

Horseback Birdwatching: From the Azul River to the Valdivian Rainforest (5 hours - Advance Reservation Required)

This exclusive adventure combines the tradition of horseback riding with the interpretation of pristine landscapes in less-traveled areas of the park. The experience begins by fording the waters of the Azul River, an iconic crossing that marks the entrance to riverside environments.

From there, the route continues westward toward the border with Chile, making a gentle ascent to the Motoco Lookout. This strategic viewpoint offers views of Lago Puelo and provides an opportunity to spot birds of prey taking advantage of the thermal currents rising above the hills. Continuing along the route, the trail enters a lush native forest of ancient coihue trees, where the vegetation gradually changes as species characteristic of the Valdivian rainforest become increasingly interwoven, eventually reaching Pampa de Fernández, a historic settler settlement. The return journey follows the lakeshore and crosses the Azul River once again, completing a circuit in which the contrasting landscapes reflect the remarkable diversity of birds found in each environment. (Advance reservation required).

Beyond Birdwatching: A Restorative Pause

Birdwatching is much more than adding species to a listfollowing a trail. Every bird that inhabitspasses through Lago Puelo National Park plays an irreplaceable role in the web of life, and understanding this interconnectedness allows us to once again feel an inseparable part of nature.

But this activity also offers a very special benefit to those who practice it. In a lifestyle that often keeps us constantly rushing, birdwatching invites us to slow down. The relaxed pace of the walk, the silence of the forest, and the focused attention on the sounds and movements of nature allow anxiety to gradually subside, the body to relax, and the mind to become clearer and more refreshed.

Birdwatching in Lago Puelo is not only about tourismlearning about ecology. It is an opportunity to give ourselves a pause for health and overall well-being, returning home with a rested body, a cheerful mind, and a spirit in harmony with the surrounding environment.

About the Guide

Behind Lorena Te Guía is Lorena Moralejo, an environmental educator and authorized naturalist and birdwatching guide at Lago Puelo National Park. Her training as a University Technician in Environmental Management provides her with a comprehensive perspective of the landscape at every step. Passionate, curious, and an enthusiastic explorer of the different environments found throughout Argentina, Lorena incorporates the richness of her travels across the country into her guided tours. Her approach is based on interaction: she enjoys discovering where each traveler comes from and connecting Patagonian birds with those that inhabit their places of origin. Talking about “feathered relatives” and sharing anecdotes, she makes environmental interpretation a friendly, accessible, and engaging conversation for everyone.