a

Desembocadura Río Lluta

North  >  Chile

At the very northern tip of Chile, the river Lluta meets the Pacific. A landscape of lagoons, reedbeds, mudflats and quiet backwaters.

Geplaatst* door The Forever Birder
Meest recente update 4 juni 2026

Beschrijving

The Lluta River mouth (Desembocadura Río Lluta) is a place where the desert suddenly changes into a wetland. Just before the river Lluta meets the Pacific, the landscape opens into a fan of lagoons, reedbeds, mudflats and quiet backwaters. Against the backdrop of the Atacama’s dryness, the wetland feels almost miraculous, a green, breathing interruption in hundreds of kilometres of arid coast. It is one of the very few wetlands along a vast desert coastline, a stepping stone for many migratory birds.

You can find shorebirds, herons, gulls, terns and other birds. Flocks of Baird's Sandpiper run along the mud, Peruvian Pelicans gliding low over the river mouth. In the reedbeds many smaller birds can be found. In the austral summer (December–March), migrants from the Arctic arrive in astonishing numbers to the mudflats. In winter (June–August), birds from the high Andes like Giant Coot (rare) and Puna Teal (common) descend to the coast, seeking gentler temperatures. Throughout the year, resident seabirds like pelicans, boobies, herons and gulls stay in the river mouth or on the open ocean.

Details

Toegang

Desembocadura Río Lluta is located on the northern edge of the town of Arica, where the river meets the Pacific. The open part of the river mouth is where pelicans, gulls, terns and skimmers gather. You stand between river and ocean, with wide views and constant activity. For the inner lagoons and reedbeds you have to walk inland along the tracks along the river. The mudflats are best during migration and prime habitat for Baird's Sandpiper, plovers, and other boreal migrants in austral summer. Press P on the map for directions to a parking close to the river mouth.

Terrein en leefgebied

Wetland , Rivier , Zee , Slikken

Omstandigheden

Open landschap , Hoog water mogelijk , Zanderig

Rondlopende wandeling mogelijk?

Nee

Telescoop meenemen?

Kan handig zijn

Wanneer hier vogels kijken?

Het hele jaar

Toptijd voor dit gebied

Voorjaarstrek , Najaarstrek

Route

Breed pad , Smal pad

Zwaarte wandeling

Gemakkelijk

Toegankelijk via

Te voet

Vogelkijkhut aanwezig?

Nee

Links

Bekijk vogelgebieden in de buurt op Birdingplaces

Kaart

Top 5 vogels

Andere vogels die je hier kunt zien

Toon meer vogels Toon minder vogels
Toon meer foto's Toon minder foto's

Reacties & Tips

Plaats reactie, tip of vogelwaarneming
Beoordeel dit gebied
Aan mijn favorieten toevoegen
Verwijder uit mijn favorieten