Penguin Island (PENG)
62˚06’S, 57˚54’W Magnetic declination: 11.0˚E Inventory subarea: SH Inventory acronym: PENG Site Sensitivity: HIGH Location — History — Features This is a 1.0-mile-long island lying close to the S coast of King George Island, which marks the E side of the entrance to King George Bay. It was first sighted in 1820 by the British expedition under Bransfield’s command, and named by him for the penguins observed on shore. Looming tall is the dormant caldera of Deacon Peak, the 170-meter high summit of the island. Many visitors hike to this summit, and to do so will traverse through areas where Antarctic terns breed. On the high knolls S of the landing beach, there are extensive moss beds, many Usnea patches, and some abandoned giant petrel nests. Landing Characteristics Uncharted water near shore. Hazardous rocks along the shoreline may be exposed, depending on the tide. Broad cobble landing beach on the N coast, which may be packed with ice depending on wind and swell; difficult to negotiate when snow-covered or wet, and especially if Antarctic fur seals are present. Easiest inland access is toward the E and uphill, but immediately places visitors in close proximity of nesting southern giant petrels. Antarctic Site Inventory Effort Visits by Antarctic Site Inventory researchers, 1994-2003: 1. January 12, 1995 RN RD Livonia 2. November 17, 1995 RN LB Explorer 3. November 28, 1995 BH SF W. Discoverer 4. December 11, 1995 BH W. Discoverer 5. January 12, 1996 RN BH Endurance 6. November 30, 1996 RN SF W. Discoverer 7. November 26, 1997 RN SF W. Discoverer 8. December 1, 1997 RN SF LS MB Explorer 9. December 9, 1998 RN SF Explorer 10. January 12, 1999 RN SF Endurance 11. January 19, 1999 RD ST Vavilov 12. December 15, 1999 SF Shuleykin Assessment and monitoring. Surveyed, mapped, and photodocumented (aerial and terrestrial). Regular censusing of Adélie and chinstrap penguin groups on the southern end of the island, and of southern giant petrels, site-wide. Adélie and chinstrap penguins on the southern end appear to have considerable integrity as control groups because of their far proximity from the regular landing beach and, likely, visitor absence. Abandoned southern giant petrel nests on the N end suggest an opportunity for paleontological research. More thorough censusing of nesting kelp gulls and skuas needed. More thorough ground survey of floral communities needed. Because of extensive, easily accessed moss beds, a degradation study seems appropriate and necessary. Fauna — Flora — Censuses Penguins & flying birds . Chinstrap penguins, southern giant petrels, Antarctic terns, skuas, spp., and kelp gulls are confirmed breeders. Snowy sheathbills have been noted, but no nests were discovered. Blue-eyed shags may be found roosting on offshore rocks. Adélie penguins nest on the southern side of the island, away from the visitor traffic. Storm-petrels, spp. observed at higher reaches and presumably breed. Recent historic censuses reported in Woehler (1993): chinstrap penguin, 7,581 N1/3, 1980 and Adélie penguin 3,114 N1/3, 1980. Antarctic Site Inventory censuses: Adélie penguin (site-wide) 1,966 N1 1996 Nov 2,441 N1 1997 Dec Southern giant petrel (site-wide) 507 N1 1997 Dec 578 N1 1998 Dec 439 N1 1999 Jan 634 N1 1999 Dec Seals . Southern elephant, Weddell, and Antarctic fur seals regularly haul-out on the landing beach. Flora . Deschampsia ; Colobanthus ; Xanthoria elegans , Caloplaca , spp., and other crustose lichens; patches of fruticose lichens, Usnea antarctica ; and extensive beds of cushion moss, spp. are present. Conservation Aspects Site sensitivities. Southern giant petrels nesting along the entire N coast and around and near the eroding crater to the E are easily approached and disturbed; many unoccupied nests are evident; in November and early December adults will be incubating eggs. Chinstrap penguins nesting along this eroding crater 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. Scientific control groups of chinstrap and Adélie penguin colonies on the SE end of the island. Skuas nesting on widely scattered territories are easily approached and disturbed, particularly later in the season (from mid-January) when adults are fiercely protecting young. Kelp gulls nesting at widely scattered locations are easily approached and disturbed; in November and early December adults will be incubating eggs and, subsequently, guarding and provisioning chicks. Antarctic terns nesting opportunistically to the W and inland on available, open ground are skittish, defensive, and very easily disturbed, even from a distance. Toward the interior, extensive patches of moss and Usnea lichens are readily accessed and easily may be trampled. Antarctic fur seals may be found on the cobble beach, among the penguins and giant petrels, and inland — and in large numbers. Higher slopes, including the route to Deacon Peak, are eroding, and storm-petrel nests in the high scree may be trampled. Pointers for avoiding disruptions.
Visitation Aspects Numbers of tourist zodiac landings and participating visitors, 1989-2003:
Proximate visitor sites. Turret Point on King George Island to the N, Admiralty Bay and the Ferraz and Arctowski Research stations to the W. |
