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Site description (2015 baseline)

Coalseam Cliffs extend along the western flank of Mount Faraway (1180 m), in the southwestern Theron Mountains, Coats Land. The Bailey Ice Stream lies to the northwest.

The IBA qualifies on the basis of the Antarctic Petrel (Thalassoica antarctica) colony present and includes all of the ice free area of Coalseam Cliffs and Mount Faraway.

The nearest permanent station is Belgrano II (ARG) ~200 km to the northwest in Vahsel Bay.

Key biodiversity

Approximately 10 000 pairs of Antarctic Petrel were observed breeding half way up Coalseam Cliffs several km north of Mount Faraway in 1967 (Brook & Beck 1972). The colony is located in a scree-filled hollow between two 60 m high dolerite cliffs. [Note: Brook & Beck (1972) refer to this location as Stewart Buttress, although this feature is located ~3 km to the north by the UK placenaming authority. However, the US placenaming authority places Stewart Buttress 3 km south of Marø Cliffs. As the name Stewart Buttress is ambiguous, we have used Coalseam Cliffs and Mount Faraway to indicate the breeding area].

Other birds observed in the vicinity include ~10-20 breeding pairs of Snow Petrel (Pagodroma nivea) at the northeastern extremity of Coalseam Cliffs among large boulders and ledges of dolerite (Brook & Beck 1972). Six pairs of South Polar Skua (Catharacta maccormicki) were observed amongst moraines at the foot of Coalseam Cliffs, and one chick was observed (Brook & Beck 1972).

Non-bird biodiversity: None known.

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Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Coalseam Cliffs / Mount Faraway (Antarctica). Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/coalseam-cliffs--mount-faraway-iba-antarctica on 22/12/2024.