|
|
Falklands Conservation |
Outer Island
Totalling nearly 49 acres (20 hectares) this Island has a rocky shore with mussel beds backed by low cliffs, surrounded by kelp. It is believed never to have been stocked with sheep or cattle. The most striking feature of Outer Island is its tussac grass which cover 43 acres. It is particularly dense, pedestals reaching a height of 3 metres (10 feet) in places. The only areas where this has been eroded are in the south-east corner where large numbers of sea lion have worn highways into it. In February 1995 a sea lion census conducted for Falklands Conservation recorded a breeding colony totalling 47 animals here. A brief visit in May 1997 noted the following birds:
rock shag
king shag
dolphin gull
Falkland flightless steamer duck
crested duck
night heron
blackish oystercatcher
pied oystercatcher
turkey vulture
ground tyrant
snowy sheathbill
In addition some thirty Johnny Rooks (Striated Caracaras) were observed, including a number of adult birds.
Double Island
This Island, less than half the size of Outer Island, covers just over 22 acres (9 hectares). It is made up of two small islands (hence "double") joined in the centre by a neck of sand dune and beach. Much of the shore is rocky and surrounded by kelp. Nine acres are tussac grass and there is an abundance of native mountain blue grass. It is home to a breeding population of Sooty Shearwaters, one of ten confirmed breeding sites in the Falklands. Other bird species recorded here include:
Falkland flightless steamer duck
crested duck
blackish oystercatcher
pied oystercatcher
ground tyrant
turkey vulture
upland goose
Striated Caracara (Johnny Rook)
Sea lions are present though there is no record of breeding.
|
Patron: HRH The Duke of York CVO ADC Member of the International Union for Conservation of Nature | BirdLife International Representative |