Georges Point, Rongé Island (RONG)

64˚40’S, 62˚40’W

Magnetic declination: 15.5˚E

Inventory subarea: NW

Inventory acronym: RONG

Species Diversity: LOW

Site Sensitivity: MODERATE

 

Location — History — Features

The N tip of Rongé Island, lying W of Arctowski Peninsula off the W coast of the Antarctic Peninsula. It was discovered and named by Gerlache’s Belgian Antarctic expedition, 1897-9. As with the Orne Islands site, a chance to view chinstrap penguins. The rocky shoreline requires careful zodiacs maneuvering. There are some chinstraps to the W of the N-facing landing site, with gentoos and more chinstraps accessible via a moderate uphill climb toward the glacier that backs this site.

Landing Characteristics

Uncharted water near shore. Hazardous rocks along the shoreline may be exposed, depending on the tide. Landing on slippery, cobble shoreline. Snow cover may be extensive, making uphill hiking difficult. Nesting penguins are found upslope and inland. Snow cornices on the shoreline are unstable and treacherous.

Antarctic Site Inventory Effort

Visits by Antarctic Site Inventory researchers, 1994-2003:

1.    December 2, 1995    BH        W. Discoverer

2.    December 13, 1995    BH        W. Discoverer

3.    January 25, 1996        BH        W. Discoverer

4.    February 11, 1996    BH RP        Livonia

5.    December 4, 1996    RN SF        W. Discoverer

6.    December 4, 1997    SF        Explorer

7.    November 27, 1998    RN SF        Explorer

8.    December 16, 1999    SF        Shuleykin

9.    January 12, 2001        SF        Cal Star

Assessment and monitoring. Surveyed, mapped, and photodocumented (terrestrial). Regular censusing of gentoo and chinstrap penguins. More thorough ground-survey of floral communities needed.

Fauna — Flora — Censuses

Penguins & flying birds . Gentoo penguins, chinstrap penguins, and snowy sheathbills are confirmed breeders.

Antarctic Site Inventory censuses:

Chinstrap penguin

383    N1    1996 Dec

327    N1    1998 Nov

356    N1    2001 Jan

Recent penguin census data reported in Woehler (1993): gentoo penguin, 1,752 N1, 1994, an increase of more than 800 pairs from 1986 nest counts; and chinstrap penguin, 414 N1, 1994, a decrease from the estimated 600 pairs in 1988, and slightly higher than the estimated 300 pairs in 1984.

Seals . A dead Antarctic fur seal observed on Inventory visit.

Flora . Snow algae noted.

Conservation Aspects

Site sensitivities. Nesting gentoo penguins and chinstrap 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. Snowy sheathbills nest in rock caves and crevices, and are easily approached and disturbed.

Pointers for avoiding disruptions.

• Walk slowly and carefully around nesting, crèching, or molting penguins.
• Do not impede penguins’ access to and from the water.
• Walk slowly and carefully around nesting sheathbills.
• Stay clear of — and do not hike upon or wander over — snow cornices.

Visitation Aspects

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

 

 

NOTE: It appears that tour operators have only rarely used the specific geographical name of this site in reporting visits. Georges Point is the landing site normally used on Rongé Island. The foregoing table reflects separate figures in the NSF/OPP database for landings/visits to Georges Point and Rongé Island, respectively.

Proximate visitor sites. Orne Islands, Danco Island, Cuverville Island, and Neko Harbor.