South Shetland Islands bird species

SOUTH SHETLAND ISLANDS BIRD SPECIES

The South Shetland Islands are a sting of islands lying at 960 kilometres S to Tierra del Fuego, and about 160 kilometres N of Antarctic Peninsula from which it is separated by the Bransfield Strait. This group of islands consists of 11 major islands and several minor ones, over 3,687 square kilometres of land area.
These islands are mainly covered with ice, with only 2-3% ice-free areas along the coast where the wildlife is found, with in addition human inhabitants in several bases. The climate is cloudy and humid all year round, with strong winds.

The South Shetland Islands includes several islands.
King George Island is the largest and is home of twelve bases of different countries. This low, flat island with broken coastline, shelters several bird species such as Antarctic Tern, Chinstrap Penguin, Adelie Penguin, blue-eyed shags and Southern Giant Petrel.

Elephant Island, which name comes from the shape of the island, is fairly small (60 x 40 km). There, we can find colonies of Chinstrap Penguin. Sea and weather conditions are difficult.

Deception Island is a collapsed volcanic cone (still active) protected by high cliffs and a narrow entrance forming a wide amphitheatre of 12 kilometres wide. The last eruption occurred in 1991-1992. The landscape consists of dark volcanic sand and rocks, but large numbers of penguins nest on this strange island.

Livingstone Island is home to the greatest concentration of historical sites in Antarctica. The wildlife includes large colonies of Chinstrap Penguins and Gentoo Penguins, blue-eyed shags, skuas, Wilson’s Storm Petrels and seals. The highest point of the islands is here, at 2,400 metres of elevation.

Penguin Island is a small volcanic island regularly visited by Chinstrap Penguin, Adelie Penguins, Southern Giant Petrel, Antarctic Terns, skuas, Kelp Gulls and fur seals.

Bridgeman Island is almost circular. This volcanic island rises to 240 metres and is a remnant of a large volcano.

Aitcho Island shelters Gentoo Penguin and Chinstrap Penguin colonies. It is covered by large beds of moss and lichen.

Greenwich Island, formerly Hospital Cove, is a protected positon allowing anchorage.

Half-moon Island is a crescent-shaped island, giving it the name. With only 2 kilometres long, this place has colonies of Chinstrap Penguins and nesting Antarctic Terns and Kelp Gulls.

The South Shetland Islands support vegetation, in spite of harsh conditions. They lie in the cold seas below the Antarctic Convergence. The vegetation is that of tundra and includes mosses, lichens and algae. The surrounding waters provide food to seabirds, penguins and seals.
The South Shetland Islands are one of the most visited areas in Antarctica, as they are home to a great biological diversity.

Text by Nicole Bouglouan

Sources of the text:

Wikipedia, the free encyclopaedia

Cool Antarctica

The Antarctica Specialists

Adventure Life

Lonely Planet Publication

Penguins of the South Shetland Islands