“White-bellied Seedsnipe at Paso Garibaldi – Climate Impact on Breeding Season”

Each season in Tierra del Fuego brings new field stories. This year, during our outings through Paso Garibaldi, the main character was once again the Patagonian Seedsnipe—but with an unexpected ending.

White-bellied Seedsnipe at Paso Garibaldi observed after heavy snowfall. Field notes and passenger photos reveal how climate shaped the breeding season.

In October and November, we observed the pair behaving as usual: together until copulation, with the male moving alone through his territory while the female prepared the nest. Normally, by late November or early December, chicks appear, and by January—even under less-than-ideal conditions—they can be seen growing alongside their parents. This time, however, things were different: in December the pair remained together, and in March as well, but no chicks ever appeared.

CLIMATE AS A DECISIVE FACTORIMATE AS A DECISIVE FACTOR (for White bellied Seedsnipe)

Weather conditions proved decisive. The Southern Annular Mode (SAM) showed negative values in October and November, bringing heavy snowfalls and colder-than-normal temperatures above the vegetation line. These conditions, combined with the influence of ENSO, created a cold and unstable environment that seems to have prevented reproduction.

“White-bellied Seedsnipe feeding in snow-free patches after heavy snowfall in Paso Garibaldi.”

In December, SAM turned positive and temperatures improved, but it was already too late: the pair stayed together, without offspring.

WHAT WE SAW IN HE FIELD

• October–November: typical reproductive behavior.

  
  

• December: pair together, but no chicks.

  
  

• March–April: same situation, confirming the absence of offspring.

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In other seasons, we have recorded up to five chicks reaching juvenile age and the ability to migrate. This year, however, the story was different: climate set the course.

A SHARED EXPERIENCE

The most valuable aspect of these observations is that they were not ours alone. Passengers who joined us also contributed photos showing both the birds and the snowy conditions in the area. Thanks to them, we now have a unique record of how nature responds to climate change.

“Observing the White-bellied Seedsnipe feeding in snow-free patches after heavy snowfall at Paso Garibaldi.”