|
|
Falklands Conservation |
Motley Island (330ha or 815 acres) is 12 miles (20km) southwest of Middle Island in the lee of the Seal Cove camp of Walker Creek farm and less than 1km from the East Falkland mainland. It was purchased by Falklands Conservation in 1996, together with Sal, Little Motley Island, Middle, Centre and Pyramid Islands which lie closeby.
The Value of Middle and Motley Islands as Nature Reserves
The extensive eroded slopes of loose sand and peat dust clearly show that both Islands have been heavily grazed, but they still carry substantial amounts of Tussac Grass and good stands of other grasses. Their total area is about 480 hectares (1185 acres) and between them, they hold at least 96 species of flowering plants, including seven of the ten endemics and the general quality of habitat is remarkably good. More than 30 birds species are breeding, including all nine native songbirds. There are no surveys with which to compare present observations but there is evidence that since grazing ceased the vegetation is regenerating. Both Islands are free of cats, rats and mice and while actions are taken to improve habitats for birds and invertebrates and increase their value as reserves, it is more important to guard against the introduction of predators.
Description of Motley Island
Motley has low cliffs above wide rock shelves on the northeastern, southeastern and central western coasts, a large sand beach in the centre of the east-facing coast and smaller sand beaches towards the northwestern point. There are boulder beaches at the extreme northeastern point and in a wide southwest-facing bay. The Island has a low, rounded profile and reaches an altitude of 15m (50ft) at a few places inland. The surface varies between eroded Tussac peat or loose sand dunes with Magellanic Penguin burrows, low springy Diddle-dee, dense grasses up to 1m and Tussac Grass up to 3m tall. The coastline alone extends for more than 11km and a circuit to collect data on the occurrence of plants and birds requires at least two days.
Sheep Grazing
As far as we know, Motley has not had permanent human inhabitants though there was formerly a shanty on the northwestern coast used as a temporary shelter for sheep gatherers. The Island was heavily grazed until about 1992 with 800 sheep put on the Island annually. It is unpleasant to see the effects of over-grazing in the extensive coastal slopes of eroded ground with dead Tussac bogs in various states of decay. However, the vegetation is now recovering and Tussac is growing strongly on the far northern peninsula and around the southern coast, while Mountain Blue Grass and Land Tussac are thriving in several sections.
Motley's Plants
Recent surveys have increased the plant species identified on Motley to 82, including 56 of the 163 species classed as native to the Falklands. The remaining 26 aliens were mostly introduced from Europe (Moore 1968). Of the ten endemic Falkland plants, four were found in 1995 (Falkland Cudweed, Hairy Daisy, Smooth Falkland Ragwort and Coastal Nassauvia) and in 1997, the widespread but very inconspicuous Falkland Lilaeopsis was added. Some introduced plants, notably Groundsel, Pineapple Mayweed, Small Nettle and Shepherd's Purse have become locally dominant in small areas on eroded sand dunes near our camp, but further inland native plants tend to be dominant. Motley has a wide plain of Mountain Blue Grass across the northern section, adjoining a prominent, dark green strip of dense Wild Celery up to 1m tall which covers an area of about 50m by 300m. Diddle-dee is present but only as low plants and on inland ridges.
Motley's Birds
During two visits, 41 bird species were recorded. 28 were confirmed as breeding, four more probably breed and another three possibly breed making a possible total of 35 breeding species. Magellanic penguins are numerous all around the Island. Solitary adult Gentoo and King Penguins have been recorded. A small pool holds a pair of Speckled Teal and a family of nine Speckled Teal and pairs of Crested Ducks, Chiloe Wigeon and Yellow-billed Pintail have been recorded on a larger pond. A Peregrine Falcon eyrie with two fledged juveniles was found in 1997 on low cliffs. Passerines are plentiful, especially Tussacbirds, Cobb's Wrens, Thrushes, Black Throated Finches and Black-chinned Siskins. There are several family parties of Long-tailed Meadowlarks, several singing Grass Wrens in Celery and Mountain Blue Grass and a few Ground-tyrants. Short-eared Owls have also been recorded.
Motley's Mammals
There is a small colony of Southern Sea Lions at the southeastern tip. In 1995 a very old skeleton of a large beaked whale was found on the boulder beach at the extreme northwestern comer.
Motley's Insects
A single Queen of the Falklands Fritillary butterfly has been seen here briefly in bright sunshine. The most obvious insects are 11-spot Ladybirds (Woods 1996). Some aphids were found on a specimen of the slightly succulent Andean Pearlwort but it is not known whether this plant species alone supported aphids for the Ladybirds.
The Mot (Little Motley Island) (10 Ha, 25 acres)
This nature reserve was purchased by Falklands Conservation in 1996.
This fairly high standing Island lies 0.5km off the south point of Motley Island. It has a coast of low rocky cliffs with lower shore of flat rock. Half of the Island's surface is covered in tussac grass. It is a breeding site for King Shags. Parts of the Island's elevated surfaces indicate the presence of ground burrowing petrels. It has a small colony of Sea Lions.
Sal Point Islet (3 Ha, 7 acres)
This nature reserve was purchased by Falklands Conservation in 1996.
It is a small low lying islet with extended reef-like foreshores lying off Sal Point, Lively Island. The centre section is covered with fairly dense tussac grass. It is the site of a Sea Lion colony.
(Information from a Report on a Visit to this Nature Reserve in January 1997 by Robin Woods)
|
Patron: HRH The Duke of York CVO ADC Member of the International Union for Conservation of Nature | BirdLife International Representative |