Galapagos Wildlife Calendar

January

On Espanola the adult Marine Iguanas become brightly coloured.
Green Sea Turtles arrive to the beaches to lay their eggs.
Land Iguanas begin their reproductive cycles on Isabela.
The water and air temperatures rise and stay warm until June - it is an ideal time for snorkelling.
The rainy season begins and the land birds start nesting.

The rainy season reaches its peak (but it doesn't rain everyday). The rains are sporadic and tropical the sun is intense and the air temperature can reach up to 30 degrees c.
Marine Iguanas nest on Fernandina.
March 21st, the beginning of the summer equinox, signals the arrival of the first Waved Albatross to Espanola.

Arrival en-masse of Waved Albatrosses to Espanola for the start of their courtship.
End of the hatching season of the Giant Tortoises.
The eggs of Green Sea Turtles begin to hatch.
Eggs of Land Iguanas hatch on Isabela.
The rains have ended but the islands are still green.
Good visibility in the water for snorkellers.

North Seymour's Blue-footed Boobies begin their courtship.
Green Sea Turtles are still hatching on Gardner Bay, Punta Cormorant, and Puerto Egas.
Most of the Marine Iguanas eggs hatch from their nests on Santa Cruz.
The Waved Albatross on Espanola begin laying their eggs.
Ban-rumped Storm Petrels begin their first nesting period.

Beginning of the cold season.
Giant Tortoises on Santa Cruz Island migrate from the highlands to the lowlands in search of suitable nesting places.
Beginning of the Giant Tortoises nesting season.
The south-east trade winds return making currents stronger.
Southern migrants have begun their journey towards the north. Galapagos is an important landfall for such birds. Some species of cetaceans also follow this pattern of migration.
Some groups of Humpback Whales that migrate up to equatorial latitudes along the coast of Ecuador reach the Galapagos.

The sea bird colonies are very active (breeding), especially the Blue-footed Boobies on Espanola.
Flightless Cormorants perform beautiful courtship rituals and nesting activities on Fernandina.
American Oystercatchers are nesting on the beaches of Santiago.
Lava Lizards begin their mating rituals which continue until November.
One of the best months to observe whales and dolphins especially off the western coast of Isabela.
A good time to observe the four stages of nesting in Blue-footed Boobies - eggs, chicks, juveniles and sub-adults.

Peak of the cold season.
The air temperature is at its lowest level at 19 degrees C.
Galapagos Penguins are at thier most active on Bartolome.
Galapagos Sealions are very active. Females have come into season and the males are constantly barking and fighting.
Most species of sea birds remain quite active at their nesting sites.

Lava Herons start nest building and continue until March.
The Galapagos Fur Sealions begin mating.
Blue-footed Boobies raise their chicks on Espanola and Isabela.
Giant Tortoises are still laying eggs
Days are not always sunny. Garua can be expected in most locations, except the western islands where most days have a misty start but after few hours of daylight it burns off.

Pupping of Galapagos Sealions continues.
Breeding season for the Brown Noddies begins.
Some species of jellyfish can be seen around the islands. The genus Physalia is commonly seen floating around Gardner and Tortuga Islets. Some can also be seen stranded on the shores of Flour Beach on Floreana.
Band-rumped Storm Petrels begin their second nesting period
The seas are calm and the south-east trade winds have decreased in strength. The water temperatures are slowly rising.
Generally good weather due to a seasonal transition.
Excellent visibility for snorkellers.

Hatching of Giant Tortoise's eggs begins and lasts until April.
Green Sea Turtles begin their mating display.
The rainy season begins and all of the plants in the dry zone produce leaves. The Galapagos archipelago becomes noticably 'green'.
The first young Waved Albatrosses fledge.

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