Penguin Point, Seymour Island (PEPO)

64˚19’S, 56˚43’W

Magnetic declination: 12.0˚E

Inventory subarea: NE

Inventory acronym: PEPO

Species Diversity: LOW

Site Sensitivity: LOW

Location — History — Features

Located SE of the Argentine Marambio station, this site has remarkably barren clay and mud landscape and a large colony of Adélie penguins sprawled along mud slopes rising from the site’s landing beach.

Landing Characteristics

The muddy, barren landscape is similar to that on the N part of the island. The landing site is regularly impeded by ice.

Antarctic Site Inventory Effort

Visits by Antarctic Site Inventory researchers, 1994-2003:

1.    February 19, 2002    RN        Endeavour

Assessment and monitoring. Preliminary censusing and ground photodocumentation accomplished.

Fauna — Flora — Censuses

Penguins & flying birds. Adélie penguins are confirmed breeders.

Woehler (1993) reports Adélie penguin census data for Seymour Island: 21,954 N2, 1985, which, presumably, pertains to the colony at Penguin Point.

Seals . Weddell seal and Antarctic fur seal hauled-out on cobble beach.

Flora . Need to be surveyed.

Conservation Aspects

Site sensitivities. Adélie penguins are easily approached and disturbed.

Pointers for avoiding disruptions.

  • Walk slowly and carefully around nesting, crèching, or molting penguins, and do not impede their access to the sea.

Visitation Aspects

Numbers of tourist zodiac landings and participating visitors, 1989-2003:    

 

Zodiac  Landings

Participating Visitors

1989-90:

0

0

1990-91:

0

0

1991-92:

1

86

1992-93:

1

85

1993-94:

2

129

1994-95:

1

41

1995-96:

0

0

1996-97:

0

0

1997-98:

0

0

1998-99:

0

0

1999-2000:

0

0

2000-01:

0

0

2001-02:

4

413

2002-03:

1

56

14-Season Total

   9

810

Proximate visitor sites . Marambio Station. Snow Hill Island.