• Summary
• Text account
• Data table and detailed info
• Map
• Reference and further resources

Site description (2015 baseline)

Penguin Point lies on the southeastern coastline of Seymour Island, east of James Ross Island. The IBA qualifies on the basis of the large concentration of seabirds present (in particular Adélie Penguin (Pygoscelis adeliae)) and comprises an area of 326 ha extending 1260 m inland from Penguin Point.

Penguin Point is a sparsely vegetated area of ice-free ground with a gently sloping cobble beach that is frequently obstructed by ice (Naveen & Lynch 2011).

The nearest permanent scientific station is Marambio (ARG), which lies ~8 km to the northeast. Marambio operates year-round with peak capacity for ~150 people and a winter complement of ~55 (COMNAP, Antarctic Facilities, accessed 19/08/2010).

Key biodiversity

Based on a rough count, approximately 26 400 breeding pairs of Adélie Penguin were present at Penguin Point in 2006 (Naveen & Lynch 2011). More recently, Lynch et al. (2013) estimated ~16 015 pairs were present in 2009/10. Other confirmed breeders include South Polar Skua (Catharacta maccormicki), Brown Skua (Catharacta antarctica), Kelp Gulls (Larus dominicanus) and Antarctic Tern (Sterna vittata) (Naveen & Lynch 2011).

Non-bird biodiversity: Weddell (Leptonychotes weddellii) and Antarctic Fur (Arctocephalus gazella) seals regularly haul out at Penguin Point (Naveen 2003).