POZUELOS LAKE

In the northern part of the Province of Jujuy, in the Departments of Yavi, Santa Catalina and Rinconada, you will find this important lake with an area of 180,000 square m and at an altitude of 4320 m.a.s.l, making it one of the most important and beautiful water courses of the province (it is considered a Biosphere Reserve).

It is located amongst mountain ranges, at the foot of which there is a huge highlands plain with short grasses and dry soil, watered by rivers and streams, whose beds fill up with the rains and the melt water from the nearby mountains. It is famous for its waterfowl species richness.

It was created in the year 1981 and is considered to be one of the most important nesting and rest places for migratory water birds in the Argentinean high mountain areas.

Its rich and varied water bird life includes up to 44 species, which motivated its nominaation as a Natural Monument. The most outstanding examples are the flamingos, which gather in flocks of up to 25,000 individuals, and whose gracious pink figures stand out neatly against the Puna highland landscape.

They feed trough filtering the water between their beaks, which have special laminas on the lower part to retain small algae and invertebrates. There are up to three different species of flamingos within the reserve, the southern flamingo and the two species locally known as the big and small parinas: parina grande and parina chica. These three types of flamingos have different feeding habits and thus they do not compete with each other for food.

Where the Cincel River runs into the lake, you will find big concentrations of ducks such as the Maicero, the Barcino y the Puna. This last one, unique to the area, builds its nests among the tall grasses and is recognised by its dark hood and light blue beak.

On the other hand the so-called Maicero, the Barcino, the Colorado and the Juar-jual, also inhabit other areas apart from the Puna highlands, but still, some endemic sub species can be found locally.

The coot has three species: the Andean, the Horned and the Giant. Theses are aquatic birds that feed mostly on floating plants but they can also prey on small invertebrates and fish. They build their nests out of reeds and other water plants and are distinguished by the small shield on their breast, of different shapes and colours.

The sandpipers are small and medium sized birds with long beaks and legs that feed on insects, larvae and plants. Some of them nest in the northern hemisphere and travel every year to Argentina; others nest in Patagonia and go to the northern part of the country. You will be able to see great flocks of these sandpipers in the lake during their migrations, when they escape from the cold arctic winter.

But there are several endemic species such as the Serrano sandpiper and the Banded sandpiper: Chorlito serrano, Chorlito de vincha, (the last one much more rare and preferring flooded riverbanks). There is also the locally called Tero serrano, a loud and territorial bird. The Andean avocet, also endemic to the Puna, is characterised by its long beak, and a very fine and curved upwards, adapted to the capture of small vertebrates.

In the region you will also see partridges, rabbits, hares, guinea pigs, alpacas, vicuñas, ostrich like suris, chumucoa or cormorants, herons, teros, storks, condors, crow like birds, coots, so called guayatas, Andean avocets and owls.

FLORA
In the Puna highland region, the lack of water and oxygen, poor soils, strong radiation from the sun, due to the high altitudes, provoke high daylight temperatures and a great concentration of UV light. On the other hand the low night temperatures, coupled to the unequal distribution of rainfall, the lack of atmospheric humidity and the lack of certain nutrients, all are conditions which limit both plant and animal wildlife.

The capacity for adaptation of live organisms allows some of these to resist these adverse conditions, and thus the existence of plants allows for the life of herbivores and, in turn, of carnivores.

Along the shores of the Los Pozuelos Lake one can find shrub thickets of tola (Baccharis tola), also the river tola and small tola. (tola de río and tolilla, the locally called añagua, small grasses and small stands of queñoa. Below the shrubs, there are small plants such as clover, clingstone peach, vetch and nettles. From the cacti family we can mention the so-called quepo.

WEATHER
The climate is extremely dry and cold, with big fluctuations of temperature, which average 20 ºC, with peaks of above 30 ºC in the summers and 20ºC in winter. The few rains that fall in the area, between 100 to 200 mm per year, are distributed over the summer while in winter there are very harsh cold spells and sporadic snow.

USEFUL INFORMATION
This protected area offers no services at all for the traveller. On the lakeshore there are two signs that help identify the birds found in the area and a guide to the geology of the region. To properly appreciate the bird life you will need a pair of binoculars and patience to go hunting for good pictures.

Commercial fishing, hunting and any other misuse of natural resources are forbidden, except those that are derived from tourist activities. It is also forbidden to bring domestic animals, pets and exotic flora or fauna into the area.

Because of its importance as a habitat for numerous bird species, this Lake has been included in the List of Internationally Important Wetlands. (The RAMSAR Convention).

HOW TO GET THERE
From San Salvador de Jujuy you drive 218 km down the Ruta Nacional Nº 9, until you access the village of Abra Pampa, from where you should take the Ruta Provincial Nº 7, and after approximately 50 km down this road you will be reaching this Natural Monument.

From La Quiaca you go down Ruta Provincial Nº 5 until you reach Cieneguilla, where you should continue down Ruta Provincial Nº 69, passing through Rodeo, then entering Ruta Provincial Nº 7 until you get to the Lake. This last journey is about 100 km long.

VISITING SEASONS
The area can be visited all year round. In the southern hemisphere summer rains may be a difficulty. Find out in Abra Pampa or Cieneguilla on the condition of the road to access the Lake.

ACTIVITIES
Fauna and flora observation.

INFORMATION Monumento Natural Laguna de los Pozuelos
Rivadavia corner of J. B. Alberdi, Barrio 31 de Agosto
CP 4640 - Abra Pampa
Jujuy, República Argentina
Tel.: (03887) 491048 / 491315.