Sightings of marine mammals and birds in the comau Fjord, Northern Patagonia, between 2003 and mid 2012

We present a list of the marine mammals and birds sighted during 2003 and mid 2012 in the Comau Fjord, as well as information from the neighbouring Reñihué Fjord. The sighted cetaceans include blue whales, killer whales, Peale's, Chilean and bottlenose dolphins. Other marine mammals observed are the South American sea lion, elephant seal, leopard seal, Chilean sea otter and the introduced North American mink. Birds include the Magellan penguin, Chilean flamingo, flightless steamer duck, brown pelican, Peruvian booby, three species of cormorant, several species of petrel, and the black-browed albatross. Our records of bottlenose dolphins and regular sightings of elephant seals contribute to the very few records for these species in Chilean Patagonia, and our leopard seal sightings represent only the second and third records of this species in the Northern or Central Patagonian Zone. This data might indicate an underestimation of species distribution ranges, and show the need for systematic surveys on the migration patterns and habitat preferences of species that reach into regions where human activities could intensively impact them.