Astrolabe Island (ASTR)
63˚17’S, 58˚40’W Magnetic declination: 12.2˚E Inventory subarea: NW Inventory acronym: ASTR Location — History — Features A 3-mile-long island lying in the Bransfield Strait, 14 miles NW of Cape Ducorps, Trinity Peninsula. It was discovered the French Expedition of 1837-40, under Capt. Jules Dumont d’Urville, and named for his chief expedition ship. A rarely visited site near the N tip of the Antarctic Peninsula, which offers excellent zodiac cruising and — if the tides are right and the hauled-out seals few — a chance for some walking on Astrolabe’s rocky shores. The chinstraps occupy steep, uphill nesting locations. At 140 meters elevation, many Antarctic fulmars breed. There are a number of points from which chinstraps may be observed leaping in or out of the sea. Landing Characteristics Uncharted water near shore. Hazardous rocks along the shoreline may be exposed, depending on the tide. Restricted visitor space on the cobble landing beach, which is strewn with boulders and slippery. Antarctic fur seals may be present. Steep slopes inland and considerable loose scree at higher elevations. Antarctic Site Inventory Effort Visits by Antarctic Site Inventory researchers, 1994-2003: 1. January 15, 1996 RN BH Endurance 2. February 11, 1996 BH RP Livonia 3. December 15, 1999 SF Shuleykin Assessment and monitoring. Preliminary surveying, mapping, censusing, and photodocumentation (aerial and terrestrial). Fauna — Flora — Censuses Penguins & flying birds. Chinstrap penguins, Antarctic fulmars, and Antarctic brown skuas are confirmed breeders. Blue-eyed shags nest on offshore islands. Wilson’s storm-petrels flying about, suggesting nests in the higher scree. Recent chinstrap penguin census reported in Woehler, 1993: 3,400 N3/4, 1987. Seals. Weddell and Antarctic fur seals were hauled-out during Inventory visits. Flora. Caloplaca , spp., Xanthoria candelaria, Buellia , spp. And other crustose lichens, spp., and moss, spp. observed above 73 meters elevation, and Usnea antarctica at 75-90 meters elevation. Conservation Aspects Site sensitivities . Chinstrap penguins nesting on steep, uphill slopes are not easily accessed, but are easily disturbed, especially in November and early December when adults will be incubating eggs; subsequently, adults will be guarding and provisioning chicks at the nest, then in crèche. Antarctic fulmars breed on ledges at highest elevations and are easily disturbed. Skuas nest in scattered locations and are easily approached and disturbed. Avoid and stay clear of Antarctic fur seals, which should be given a wide berth and should not be approached. Pointers for avoiding disruptions .
Visitation Aspects Numbers of tourist zodiac landings and participating visitors, 1989-2003:
Proximity to other nearby visitor sites . Mikklesen Harbor, Trinity Island, lies SW, Gourdin Island to the NE. |
