Eden Rocks (EDEN)
63˚29’S, 55˚40’W Magnetic declination: 10.4˚E Inventory subarea: NE Inventory acronym: EDEN Site Sensitivity: LOW Location — History — Features Two rocks located off the E end of Dundee Island, and N of Paulet Island. Ross reported a small island here in 1842, and he named it for a captain in the Royal Navy. Landing Characteristics Visitor landings are unlikely because of ice conditions and uncharted waters. Zodiac tours may be possible. Antarctic Site Inventory Effort Visits by Antarctic Site Inventory researchers, 1994-2003: 1. December 1, 1996 RN SF W. Discoverer Assessment and monitoring. Preliminary surveying and population estimates. Regular Adélie penguin census colonies not identified. Preliminary ground and aerial photodocumentation achieved. Lacking a complete ground survey of penguin colonies and floral communities. Fauna — Flora — Censuses Penguins & flying birds. Adélie penguins are confirmed breeders. Antarctic Site Inventory censuses: Adélie penguin (W colony) 19,649 – 20,785 N3 1996 Dec Adélie penguin (E colony) 24,600 – 28,905 N3 1996 Dec Adélie penguin (site-wide) 44,249 - 49,460 N3 1996 Dec These represent the first-reported penguin population estimates for this site. Seals. None observed. Flora. None noted. Conservation Aspects Site sensitivities. Adélie penguins are easily approached and 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. Pointers for avoiding disruptions.
Visitation Aspects Numbers of tourist zodiac landings and participating visitors, 1989-2003:
Proximate visitor sites. Paulet Island is located five miles to the S. |
