The Bañado La Estrella, which covers over 400 hectares, is some 300 km north of Formosa in northern Argentina. It is considered to be South America’s third most important wetland after the Esteros del Ibera, also in Argentina, and Brazil’s Pantanal. It was formed in the 1940s when the Río Pilcomayo overflowed thereby creating a wetland delta. Native forests of quebrachos, palo santos and algorrobos were destroyed. However, their trunks remain, but are now covered rather curiously in twisting creepers known as champales (meaning ghost in the native Pilaga) which make the trees look almost people-like.

The Bañado has become a veritable sanctuary, particularly for waterfowl. Several hundred species of birds inhabit the area - cormorants, storks, kingfishers, owls, southern screamers, herons, black-bellied plovers and the wattled jacana, among innumerable others. Lilac-flowering waterlilies and hyacinths break up the mirror-like waters which are also a refuge for fish and reptiles like broad-snouted caiman crocodiles, yellow anacondas and tropical rattlesnakes. And over 20 species of mammals inhabit the area such as semi-aquatic capybaras, river otters, jaguars, pumas, giant anteaters and giant armadillos.

It’s best to visit the Bañado La Estrella anytime from May to September when rainfall is at its lowest, it’s cooler and there are fewer insects. For a complete list of bird species, mammals and reptiles within the Bañado, go to www.eljabiru.com.ar.