- Punta Tombo
Punta Tombo is a peninsula into the
Atlantic Ocean convert|110|km|mi|0|abbr=on south of Trelew in theChubut Province ofArgentina , where there is an important colony ofMagellanic Penguin s. It is found a short distance north of Camarones.The convert|3|km|mi|1|abbr=on long, convert|600|m|ft|0|abbr=on wide peninsula is covered with sand, clay and gravel.Between September and April, up to half a million
penguin s come to this site toincubate their eggs, and prepare their offspring for migration - the largest such colony inSouth America . Couples stand in front of their nests, protecting the eggs from birds and other predators, and occasionally one adult goes to the sea for food. Other wildlife encountered in the area including sea birds (mainlyseagull s, chimangos andcormorant s), rheas andguanaco s.The convert|2.1|km2|sqmi|1|abbr=on "Punta Tombo Provincial Reserve" has been protected since 1979, according to provincial
decree , and it is one of the main tourist attractions in Chubut.In late September, with the arrival of Spring, Magellanic penguins make the trek from Southern Brazil to Patagonia, congregating by the thousands to nest in Punta Tombo [es icon http://www.clarin.com/diario/2007/09/21/sociedad/s-04001.htm Clarin newspaper - Punta Tombo penguin trek] .
Other important nearby colonies are "Bahía Camarones" and "Cabo Dos Bahías".
ee also
*
Punta Ninfas
*Península Valdés References
External links
* [http://www.patagonia-argentina.com/i/atlantica/puertomadryn/tombo.htm Destinations]
* [http://www.patagonia.com.ar/chubut/puertomadryn/puntatombo.php Patagonia.com.ar] es
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