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

Site description (2015 baseline)

Weddell Islands are situated south of Saddle Island, northwest of Cape Mabel, Laurie Island and east of Cape Faraday, Powell Island, South Orkney Islands.

The IBA qualifies on the basis of the seabirds present at the site, in particular penguins in the Pygoscelis genus. The IBA comprises the largest island and some smaller islands immediately to the west and the intervening marine area.

The nearest permanent station is Orcadas (ARG) situated ~13 km southeast on Laurie Island. Orcadas operates year-round with around 45 personnel in summer and 14 in winter (COMNAP, Antarctic Facilities, accessed 01/09/2010).

Key biodiversity

Adélie (Pygoscelis adeliae), Chinstrap (P. antarctica), and possibly Gentoo (P. papua) penguins are believed to breed on the islands, although the presence and proportions by species are unknown. Ardley (1936) reported that Chinstrap Penguins comprised the majority on the Weddell Islands in Jan 1933. Lynch & LaRue (2014) estimated from February 2011 satellite imagery that approximately 28 507 breeding pairs (95% CI: 17 350, 47 277) of penguins of the genus Pygoscelis were present at the Weddell Islands. The penguins breed along the lower slopes of the entire coastline.

Cape Petrel (Daption capense) and Snow Petrel (Pagodroma nivea) are confirmed breeders in the area (Hodum 2004; Croxall et al. 1995). Ardley (1936) estimated more than 5000 pairs of Cape Petrels present on Weddell Islands in Jan 1933, occupying north-facing cliffs. Ardley (1936) also reported a large number of Chinstrap Penguins on nearby Saddle Island, although recent data to confirm this are not available.

Non-bird biodiversity: None known.

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Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Weddell Islands (Antarctica). Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/weddell-islands-iba-antarctica on 27/11/2024.