Trailing Penguins in Patagonia

Expedition Briefing

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The Research

The Magellanic penguin (Spheniscus magellanicus) breeds along both coasts of South America. The northernmost limit on the Atlantic coast is at 41°S, and on the Pacific coast extends its breeding distribution to 29°S. On the Atlantic coast, their colonies are also located in insular areas. The estimated world population ranges between 2.2 and 3.2 million mature individuals, of which 900,000 breed along the Argentinean coast, making it the most abundant breeding seabird in Patagonia. In recent decades, population and distributional changes have occurred in the breeding meta-populations of Patagonia, Argentina, with some colonies declining, others increasing at high rates and a few newly established colonies. 

Along the coast of Patagonia, Argentina, an increase in the number of breeding pairs (by as much as 68% per annum) has been recorded in colonies in the north of its distributional range. In contrast, Punta Tombo (the second largest colony in the world) decreased by 22 % in the number of breeding pairs between 1987 and 2008, as did other colonies in central Patagonia. Sources of these variations have been attributed to favorable at-sea environmental conditions in northern Patagonia (added to density-dependent processes), and more erratic and variable conditions in the center of the Magellanic penguin breeding distribution. 

The penguin colony of Cabo dos Bahías (placed in the North of San Jorge Gulf) is located at the center of the distributional range of the species in coastal Patagonia, where colonies are declining. Cabo dos Bahías is declining at a 5.5% annual rate. Penguins at this colony are exposed to variable environmental conditions that affect prey distribution, influencing penguins provisioning their offspring at this colony. Although the precise drivers of potential prey species abundance are poorly understood, we reasoned that even small-scale changes in oceanographic conditions around Cabo dos Bahías could affect the availability of the main food sources, and this would be reflected in the foraging and diving behavior of penguins breeding at this colony. Moreover, factors such as depredation or extreme environmental conditions are not yet well understood and could add additional pressure to this colony.

Researchers and volunteers will use different methodologies to try to understand the sources of the variations occurring in Cabo dos Bahias. Detailed monitoring of the penguins and their offspring during the breeding seasons added to the use of technology (i.e., behavioral recorders that can record the position and diving behavior of these seabirds throughout the breeding season and camera traps to record depredation across all age classes) will help to study how these birds breed, hunt for food at sea, and interact with predators. This will, in turn, provide key data to understand their breeding biology, foraging behavior, and how the penguins cope with environmental variability. 

Trailing Penguins in Patagonia

How You Will Help 

For this project to be successful, we need your support in data collection by carrying out a detailed monitoring of the colony. For this, we need a team working daily on site to first map the colony and mark individuals and nests. After that, daily checks of marked nests and breeding pairs must be carried out to monitor the reproductive status and reproductive success of adults, to monitor hatchling growth and survival, and to determine the duration of the foraging trips of adults. This exhaustive monitoring will allow us to precisely select the individuals that will be deployed, significantly decreasing the probability of losing devices at sea. The activities are very easy to learn and do not require previous knowledge of the topic. Volunteers will be directly involved in the following activities:

• Mapping the colony, high-density areas within the colony, and the individual nests. Volunteers who participate in mapping will see varied terrain, wildlife, and views of the beautiful Patagonian landscape.
• Marking nests that are selected to monitor throughout the breeding season.
• Collaborate in marking adults permanently using PIT tags (i.e., notes of numbers, locations, etc.).
• Perform daily checks on the presence/absence of ID adults in the nest to determine the duration of foraging trips before deployment of individuals.
• Perform daily checks (direct observation) of every marked nest (number of eggs, chicks).
• Collaborate in the process of marking and measuring eggs from specific nests.
• Collaborate in the measuring and weighing of chicks from specific nests
• Collaborate in the deployment of adults and recovery of devices.
• Monitoring the nests of deployed individuals (2 or 3 times a day) to ensure the recovery of devices.
• Collaborate in the maintenance of camera traps (replace batteries, check functioning, etc.)
• Data entry: specifically, data will be updated daily to access up-to-date information on the breeding status of every marked nest and breeding pair.

IMPORTANT: While you are welcome to document your experience through images and videos on your personal devices, all documentation of research tasks involving animal handling is strictly prohibited from sharing on social media or other platforms. Please keep in mind that all handling of animals is strictly related to scientific purposes and not recreational. It is important that we do not promote the handling of penguins and other wildlife outside the carefully monitored research settings that Earthwatch and our network of supported and professional scientists oversee.

Trailing Penguins in Patagonia

Essential Eligibility Requirements

All participants must be able to:

• For 2024 teams: Provide passport numbers to Earthwatch before July 30, 2024, to be included in the research permit to enter the natural reserve. 
• For 2025 teams: Provide passport numbers to Earthwatch before July 30, 2025, to be included in the research permit to enter the natural reserve.
• Bend up and down; crouch comfortably for up to five hours daily while performing nest work.
• Without assistance, get up and down near the penguin nests. For most tasks, volunteers are required to sit on the ground next to penguin nests.
• Walk over rough, uneven terrain with areas of dense, thorny vegetation, animal holes that can be hard to spot, and sometimes rocky, hilly slopes for up to five kilometers (3.0 miles) per day and generally up to seven hours per day, an average rate of one kilometer (0.6 miles) in 15 minutes, with minimal fatigue and without a hiking/walking stick.
• Without assistance, climb in and out of high-clearance project vehicles, which may include trucks.
• Enjoy being outdoors all day in all types of weather, exposed to very strong sun, heat and high winds (and high wind chill) for long periods.
• Carry personal daily supplies up to five kilograms (11 pounds), such as water and some small field equipment (e.g., GPS, nest checking pole).
• Sit or ride in project vehicles with seat belts fastened and near other team members while traveling over dirt roads for long periods, up to 45 minutes per drive
• Be comfortable with potentially very dusty car rides, as roads can be dusty due to the dry environment. 
• See clearly (with or without corrective lenses) close-up to read research instruments.
• Keep quiet and stand respectful distances from animals while observing them and working in the colony.
• Enjoy being outdoors in the potential presence of wild animals.
• Follow verbal and/or visual instructions independently or with the assistance of a companion. 
• Take an active role in your safety by recognizing and avoiding hazards if and when they arise (including, but not limited to, those described in Earthwatch materials and safety briefings). Always comply with project staff instructions and recommended safety measures. 
• Be able to effectively communicate to the staff if you are experiencing distress or need assistance. 
• Be able to get along with a variety of people from different backgrounds and ages, often in close proximity, for the duration of your team. 
• Be comfortable surrounded by a language and/or culture different from yours. 

Trailing Penguins in Patagonia

Project Risks and Precautions

TRANSPORTATION

The roads from Trelew to Camarones are paved and generally in very good condition at the time of printing of this briefing. At the study site, roads will be dirt, gravel, or corrugated, sometimes bumpy and/or dusty. Everyone will wear seat belts whenever the vehicle is in motion. Speeds will be kept to the posted limit traveling from Trelew at 50 km/hr. (30 mph) in the study site. Only authorized, insured, experienced staff will drive. Volunteers are not permitted to drive. We will avoid night transportation.

TERRAIN

The terrain in the colony is varied. There are hills, small shrubs, thorny vegetation, and loose rocks. In a few areas, there may be a steep slope. There are also many holes in the ground that volunteers can trip on and injure themselves or a penguin. Field staff will caution participants and instruct them how to traverse the colony. Participants must walk carefully, and we recommend wearing hiking boots with ankle support. Hiking poles are not allowed because they can damage nests and injure penguins. Inform a staff member if you feel unwell or are uncomfortable with certain terrain.

HIGH WINDS AND VARIABLE TEMPERATURES

You must bring clothing layers appropriate for mostly low and sometimes high temperatures. Wind-resistant layers are very helpful to stop the wind chill, and sun hats with a tie (so they do not blow off your head). Staff will monitor weather and wind conditions and plan field tasks accordingly. Use glasses and long sleeves if dust and or sand can be lifted by wind. Secure all gear while working at the field site and be aware of loose debris nearby. Seek shelter in extreme wind conditions.

SUN EXPOSURE, HEAT, AND DEHYDRATION

You must drink plenty of water throughout the day and bring at least one liter into the field daily. You must wear high-factor sunscreen (40 SPF or higher) and appropriate clothing, including sunglasses, a wide-brimmed hat and/or scarf. A headband may be useful to cover your ears. You shouldn’t overwork when jet lagged or tired—inform a staff member when feeling tired or ill. Extra sunscreen will be available in the first aid kits. Take regular breaks as needed.

INSECTS AND SNAKES

There are snakes and spiders in some areas of the field site. You must avoid contact with spiders and snakes and not attempt to handle or disturb them if found. Bring personal medications in the event of a reaction to a bite or sting (at least two Epi-Pens if you have an Epi-Pen prescription for an allergy, antihistamines, etc.) as appropriate. Inform staff if you are allergic to anything and where your medication is kept.

ANIMAL HANDLING

Animal handling will be carried out only by researchers. There are potential risks, such as bites or scratches from adult penguins. 

LARGE AND/OR DANGEROUS ANIMALS

There are many wild animals in the study site, including guanacos (a large, llama-like animal), rheas, sea birds, and several small mammals. The guanacos often pass by closely and in large herds; do not disturb them. 

MALARIA, DENGUE, AND INSECT-BORNE DISEASES

Malaria, Dengue, and Zika are reported to be low risk around the research site; however, it is found in the northern provinces of Argentina. If you plan additional travel in Argentina, speak with your doctor. The risk of these illnesses can be greatly reduced by taking precautions against mosquito bites (using insect repellent and wearing long-sleeved shirts and trousers in the evening). For Malaria, prophylactics are available.

RABIES

A rabies vaccination is not compulsory for this expedition; you will not handle any rabies-carrying wildlife. However, you may wish to consult with your healthcare providers about the vaccine, given that it is present in Argentina and Patagonia. Always avoid stray dogs. The rabies pre-exposure vaccination consists of three doses over a 28-day period. Please consult your physician or travel health clinic well before your expedition to ensure you have time for the full vaccination series. If you have previously been vaccinated, a booster shot may be required. The pre-exposure vaccination does not eliminate the need for post-exposure medical attention and treatment, but it does provide additional protection against the disease in the event of a delay in treatment. In addition, bites or scratches should be immediately and thoroughly washed with soap, clean water, and a topical povidone-iodine solution or ethanol.

RISK OF COVID-19 OR OTHER RESPIRATORY ILLNESS

Earthwatch strongly encourages you to take precautions to help protect yourself and others from common viral respiratory illnesses, including COVID-19, flu, and RSV: stay up to date with your vaccinations; wash your hands frequently; take steps to improve air quality, for example, by increasing ventilation indoors or gathering outdoors; and use preventative measures to limit the spread if you are sick. 

Persons with a higher risk of severe respiratory illness should consult their healthcare provider before participating.

Trailing Penguins in Patagonia

Resources

ARTICLES

• BirdLife International. 2020. Spheniscus magellanicus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2020: e.T22697822A157428850. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-3.RLTS.T22697822A157428850.en. 
• Blanco, G., Gallo, L., Pisoni, J., Dell’Omo, G., Gerez, N., Molina, G., et al. (2022). At-sea distribution, movements, and diving behavior of Magellanic penguins reflect small-scale changes in oceanographic conditions around the colony. Marine Biology 169(2), 1-13.
• García-Borboroglu, P., Pozzi, L.M., Parma, A.M., Dell'Arciprete, P., and Yorio, P. (2022). Population distribution shifts of Magellanic Penguins in northern Patagonia, Argentina: Implications for conservation and management strategies. Ocean & Coastal Management 226, 106259. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ocecoaman.2022.106259.
• Capurro, A., E. Frere, M. Gandini, P. Gandini, T. Holik, V. Lichtschein, and P. D. Boersma. 1988. Nest Density and Population Size of Magellanic Penguins (Spheniscus magellanicus) at Cabo Dos Bahias, Argentina. The Auk 105:585-588.
• Del Caño, M., Quintana, F., Yoda, K., Dell’Omo, G., Blanco, G.S., and Gómez-Laich, A. (2021). Fine-scale body and head movements allow to determine prey capture events in the Magellanic Penguin (Spheniscus magellanicus). Marine Biology 168(6), 1-15.
• Gómez-Laich, A., Wilson, R. P, Sala, J. E., Luzenti, A. and Quintana, F. 2015. Moving northward: comparison of the foraging effort of Magellanic penguins from three colonies of Northern Patagonia. Marine Biology. DOI. 10.1007/ s00227-015-2681-1.
• Pozzi, L.M., Borboroglu, P.G., Boersma, P.D., Pascual, M.A., 2015. Population Regulation in Magellanic Penguins: What Determines Changes in Colony Size? PLoS ONE 10, e0119002.
• Sala, J. E., R. P. Wilson, E. Frere, and F. Quintana. 2012. Foraging effort in Magellanic penguins in coastal Patagonia, Argentina. Marine Ecology Progress Series 464:273-287.
• Sala, J.E, Wilson, R.P, Frere, E. and Quintana, F. 2014. Flexible foraging for finding fish: variable diving patterns in Magellanic penguins from different colonies. Journal of Ornithology 155:801-817.
• Wilson, R.P., Scolaro, J.A., Grémillet, D., Kierspel, M. A.M., Laurenti, S., Upton, J., Gallelli, H., Quintana, F., Frere, E., Muller, G., Straten, M.T., Zimmer, I., 2005. How do Magellanic penguins cope with variability in their access to prey? Ecological Monographs 75, 379–401.
• Wilson, R.P., Liebsch, N., Davies, I.M., Quintana, F., Weimerskirch, H., Storch, S., Lucke, K., Siebert, U., Zankl, S., Müller, G., Zimmer, I., Scolaro, A., Campagna, C., Plötz, J., Bornemann, H., Teilmann, J., McMahon, C.R., 2007. All at sea with animal tracks; methodological and analytical solutions for the resolution of movement. Deep Sea Research Part II: Topical Studies in Oceanography 54, 193-210.
• Yamamoto, T., Yoda, K., Blanco, G.S., and Quintana, F. (2019). Female-biased stranding in Magellanic penguins. Current Biology 29(1), R12-R13.

BOOKS

• Falabella, V., Campagna, C., Croxall, J., 2009. Atlas del Mar Patagónico. Especies y espacios., Buenos Aires, Wildlife Conservation Society y BirdLife International.
• Williams, T. D. The Penguins Spheniscidae. Bird Families of the World. Oxford University Press; First Edition (May 18, 1995).

FIELD GUIDES

• Guía para la Identificación de las AVES de Argentina & Uruguay 2011 (1.ª 1987). Tito Narosky & Dario Yzurieta. Vazquez Mazini Editores. ISBN 978-987-9132-27-2
• Aves de Patagonia y Antártida.2004. Tito Narosky & Dario Yzurieta. Vazquez Mazini Editores. ISBN 987-9132-09-2
• Mamíferos Marinos de Patagonia y Antártida. Ricardo Bastida y Diego Rodríguez. 2003. Vázquez Manzini Editores, Buenos Aires, Argentina, 208 pp.

PROJECT SOCIAL MEDIA

• Trailing Penguins in Patagonia—Instagram
• For volunteer’s experiences in the project, see Trailing Penguins in Patagonia

Trailing Penguins in Patagonia