What is there to see at the Ribera Norte nature reserve?

THERE ARE PLANTS...
Ribera Norte is a wild place. Here the plants grow as they wish, without a gardener to care for them. There is a great diversity of species including water plants, herbs, lianas, palms, ferns and trees. Some species grow in colonies associated with others to form special habitats, such as reedbeds, willow forests, etc.

AND ANIMALS...
Plants attract and provide shelter to many species of animals that roam freely. There are many insects: butterflies, dragonflies, beetles, etc. There is a fine diversity of birds, ranging from the tiniest hummingbirds to large herons and even raptors. There are reptiles, amphibians, mammals, molluscs... All sorts of creatures.

AND THERE'S A TRAIL
Measuring about 1,200 meters it winds through various habitats encircling the central area of the reserve . On your way you'll be able to see this living collection of flora and fauna. What species you see will depend on the time of day, the season, the weather, and much also depends on you: your skill and patience, your ability to spot animals that are sometimes small or well camouflaged, and in particular the attention you pay to what your ears are sensing.

Most of the living creatures here are native. That is, they belong to this part of the world - it is part of the natural range of these species. But there are also some foreigners: exotic plants and animas that come from other parts of the world, introduced by man since American continent was discovered, and still happening at an ever-increasing rate. (Globalization is alive and well in this respect!). Exotics are printed in red as they are often a serious threat to native species. Not having their "home enemies" to feed upon them, they sometimes thrive and expand totally out of control. And when the displaced species is a plant, this implies that the animals that live off it will also vanish. So as you see, many dependencies occur among wildlife. Allowing an exotic species to "take hold" in another land can lead to extinction.

You can find the national flower and bird of Argentina in Ribera Norte

Ceibo (o Seibo) - National Flower Erythrina crista-galli In guaraní language: Zuinandí Flowers from beginning of November till nearly Mayo	Rufous Hornero - National Bird (in nest) Furnarius rufus  In Spanish: Hornero You can see it here all year round

PLANTS
Though most are native, few if any are known by the average city dweller. Save for some exceptions, local plants seldom show up in our culture. They are hardly ever used in gardens or parks, and until recently had little mention in school textbooks. Florists snub them and most nurseries have never heard of them. At such places European and other "perfected" species steal the show. How then does one start to learn about them? Who is there to remind us that many native plants are just as lovely - if not more - than the exotics? Since they have been disregarded for centuries and some are in serious decline, who is there to care about their conservation? Clearly difficult questions to answer.

Some native tree species of Ribera Norte:
Willow - Salix humboldtiana
Ceibo - Erythrina crista-galli
Aliso de Río - Tessaria integrifolia
Tala - Celtis Tala

There are also many small herbs, locally known simply by the rather derogatory term "yuyo" - which only helps to perpetuate the idea of them being a rather useless undergrowth. But a visit to Ribera Norte in spring or in summer should quickly dispel this! If you are after flowers you will see just how lovely or "yuyos" can be. I like to point out that these are also "plants in their own right - with a scientific name and all". Treasures of the botanical world that only grow in the special riverside habitats that Ribera Norte protects. If you're interested, click HERE to see a collection of photos of their flowers, mostly taken at Ribera Norte, which demonstrates that Ribera Norte is a true "reservoir" of botanical biodiversity. And THIS is the main reason why it must be preserved. The attractiveness of the trail is but secondary!

ANIMALS
OK, you know it but I'll say it again: What does this vast diversity of plants provide: Amongst other things it supports the fauna. Frogs, insects, snakes, cavies, coipus and all sorts of birds. These animals feed off them, take refuge and nest in them. The animals are here simply because their favourite plants are here.

I have seen at Ribera Norte over 160 species of birds, including 3 kinds of hummingbirds, seven different herons that include the gorgeous Rufescent Tiger-Heron. What else? Grebes, ducks, shags, raptors, rails, gulls, parrots, doves (also 4 different species), owls, woodpeckers and a wide assortment of songbirds, some boasting fabulous colors.
That's right: here in Acasusso there are you can see birds with brilliant red plumage. If you've never seen a Vermilion Flycatcher or the Scarlet-headed Blackbird, you'll have a hard time believing their colours are entirely natural. And photos go nowhere near in doing them justice.

Now not every creature is here all year round nor all over the reserve. Some migratory birds are only seen in summer, and other only in winter, in July and August. Butterflies are more numerous at midday towards the end of the summer. You may see bats only in the evening. Tortoises only by water. Most birds are easier to see very early; others hide in thickest rushes, or always stay high up in trees.
If you're interested in seeing more about the animals of Ribera Norte you can explore other pages of this website.