Ribera Norte... What is it?

The reserve is open to the public during the day, when conditions allow. It does close in case of rain or high tides, and also for a day or two after these events, so that the narrow trail can dry off without being damaged by dozens of people trampling on the mud. See Opening Times.
There is no set entrance fee, though the reserve does welcome any contributions, which greatly help to cover running costs. (Look out for the donations box placed on the entrance hut, and I do encourage you to kindly make use of it!)

The reserve provides the basic infrastructure to allow for a safe, pleasant and exciting visit. A restroom is available. Food is not sold at the reserve. Should you be in any need, do not hesitate to contact the wardens, who will go out of their way to help you.

There is trail that goes right around the grounds, some of which is elevated. At times this is open only half way, since storms or high tides force part of it to be closed off. Most times you will have access to the internal lagoon, and probably get down to the beach of the wide River Plate (freshwater) estuary.
(On days when access to the reserve beach is closed, you can also reach the coast from the neighbouring "beach" just south of the reserve. Here you may also see some bird species that don't often venture into the grounds.)

Various activities are organized at the reserve: free weekend guided walks (in Spanish), various courses, full-moon night-time visits, etc. Arrangements can also be made for nature walks with English-speaking guides or for birding (kindly contact me).
This site also has a Virtual Photo Tour so that, using the magic of Internet, you can "get around the grounds" right from your PC.

Two wardens are in charge, taking daily shifts. They have many responsibilities: receiving visitors, organizing infrastructure work, organizing collection of the rubbish that is brought in by storms and high tides, resolving environmental issues, etc. Also at hand is a valuable team of Volunteers, the true muscles of so much hard work that goes into the upkeep and running of the place.

Ribera Norte is an excellent place for birding, boasting a list of over 160 species. A typical morning visit might produce anything between 30 to 70 species. There is a Checklist of my sightings (compiled from over a hundred visits) which you can print out on one letter-sized sheet. Some birds that are common here are rarely seen (if at all) at the better known Costanera Sur nature reserve, making a visit to Ribera Norte well worth your while as a second destination for birding in the urban parts of BA. So you might want to try and fit it into your schedule. Read up the page on Birding, which also includes a "pros-and-cons" comparison of these reserves based on my personal views.

The area is also used by biology researchers who find it is a convenient place due to its proximity to various universities in Buenos Aires.

One of the main priorities of Ribera Norte is the preservation of the local wildlife. Many species of plants and animals are found in the reserve and which are especially adapted to living and breeding in this sort of environment. Since this is low-lying land on the coast of the Río de la Plata, it floods frequently during high tides or windstorms. The water completely covers the reserve during peak tides. This flooding is a crucial ingredient of the life-cycle of many plants, which in turn provide shelter and food to many kinds of animals: insects, reptiles, birds and mammals that are native to this part of the world. Since similar wild places are no longer found in the San Isidro area - due to development - the continued existence of Ribera Norte is crucial to the survival of many species that would otherwise have long disappeared. This website contains many photos of the plants and animals that can be seen here. Check out the sections on FLORA and FAUNA.

The reserve has various habitats: grasslands, reedbeds, a lagoon, ceibo forest (LEGUMINOSAE: Erythrina crista-galli), willow forest, aliso forest (COMPOSITAE: Tessaria integrifolia), etc. Each one of these habitats is marked by predominant plant species, which in turn supports certain types of animals. And since some of these animals are strongly attached to particular plant species, their existence depends on the conservation of the natural vegetation.

Winter view of the lagoon, an hour before sunset

The purpose of this website is to point out the abundance and diversity of wildlife in Ribera Norte, hoping that it will help the inhabitants of this region become aware that we share our life with many other living beings. Some of these life forms have incredible shapes and colours, but are restricted to living in the very few wild places that still remain unaltered. We humans MUST try to find a way to coexist with them, or they will soon become extinct - dragging us the same way too!

After you have been through this website - or better still, if you are able to make a "real" visit to the reserve to experience its wildlife first hand - it is my hope that each of you will return home to rethink how you, in the course of your daily life, can help to preserve the native plants and animals that belong to your corner of the world. Some of us may hold in our hands the destiny of these things, and perhaps are not fully aware of it. Or some may think that little to nothing can be done about conservation. But in fact there ARE many ways in which we can contribute. Perhaps by properly disposing of waste and chemicals from your factory - not dumping it in a waterway. Or by refraining from altering part of your land: perhaps some of it is still native bushland or forest, which MUST be preserved, even if it means a little less revenue from the farm. Try then to avoid it from falling while you rule. Perhaps there is some plan to dry out a swampy patch, not realizing that it is teeming with wildlife. By drying it out we are not only killing many plants and animals directly, but also destroying it as a source of food for birds and other visiting creatures, and - more seriously - extinguishing a habitat for ever, for once destroyed there is NO CHANCE of recovery. Also you can avoid purchasing wild animals that have been stolen out of their wild habitats, which only condemns them to live in a cage from where they cannot contribute with the survival of their species - no matter how well they are "loved" and cared for. If you like "adventure sport", try not to endorse such things as the "conquering" of muddy swamps by driving though them with a huge 4x4, which only leaves behind a trail of havoc and destruction. Or irresponsible quadricycle excursions along wild and deserted beaches, which I have seen plough through shorebird nesting colonies. Always be on the lookout, for these damaging activities are sometimes offered - quite ironically - as forms of "ecological tourism"!

In the course of our lives we will each be confronted many times, in one way or another, with responsibilities and decisions that have a bearing on wildlife conservation. So many opportunities are bound to happen in which we can each make a difference! Think of it! Each of you will surely find many ways to conserve the natural world - and wildlife will remain eternally grateful!

Meantime, I hope you enjoy this website and that you find it useful.
AE