Data Zone
Country/territory: Antarctica
IBA criteria met: A4iii (2015)
For more information about IBA criteria, please click here
Area: 938 ha
Site description (2015 baseline)
Clark Peninsula is a relatively large ice free area situated on the northern side of Newcomb Bay, Budd Coast, Wilkes Land. Clark Peninsula was protected in 1985 because it hosts one of the largest communities of terrestrial flora in Antarctica outside of the Antarctic Peninsula (ASPA No. 136 Management Plan 2014). Clark Peninsula is also an important breeding area for Adélie Penguins (Pygoscelis adeliae) and South Polar Skuas (Catharacta maccormicki).
The IBA qualifies on the basis of the Adélie Penguin colony present and comprises the same area as ASPA No. 136.
The nearest permanent station is Casey (AUS), ~5 km to the west on Bailey Peninsula.
Key biodiversity
Approximately 11 000 and 4000 breeding pairs of Adélie Penguin were counted at Whitney Point and Blakeney Point respectively in 2012/13 (ASPA No.136 Management Plan). This compares to 3803 and 5604 breeding pairs, respectively, counted in 1973 (Woehler et al. 1989), suggesting a substantial increase at Whitney Point (~190%) and a decrease at Blakeney Point (~28%) over a period of almost 40 years.
Wilson's Storm-petrel (Oceanites oceanicus), South Polar Skua and Snow Petrel (Pagodroma nivea) breed on Clark Peninsula (ASPA No.136 Management Plan), with 259 pairs of Snow Petrels confirmed breeding in 2002/03 (Olivier et al. 2004).
Non-bird biodiversity: None known.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Clark Peninsula (Antarctica). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/clark-peninsula-iba-antarctica on 26/11/2024.