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Site description (2006 baseline):
Site location and context
This group of islands lies west of Weddell Island and West
Falkland. Beaver, Split, Staats and Tea Islands all have
spectacular west-facing sheer cliffs and deeply indented
coastlines. There are generally very steep slopes above
eastern coasts with rocky shores, a few sand beaches and
sheltered coves. Inland the islands are mountainous with
many peaks exceeding 150 m and some above 200 m. Most
of the smaller islands are low lying.
At least 40 species have been recorded, of which 34 are
known to breed. Thin-billed Prions breed on Channel Rock
and Hecate Rock but their population has not been
assessed. Striated Caracaras breed on Stick-in-the-mud,
Rookery Island and Hecate Rock, and Ruddy-headed Geese
are present but their populations are too small to qualify.
Local sub-species recorded are the Black-crowned Nightheron,
Upland Goose, Kelp Goose, Dark-faced Groundtyrant,
Falkland Thrush, Falkland Grass Wren and the
Long-tailed Meadowlark. The Cobb’s Wren has not been
found on any of these islands in recent years, due probably
to the widespread occurrence of Norway Rats. Few Upland
Geese, oystercatchers, Magellanic Snipe or songbirds breed
on Beaver Island due to the presence of foxes and rats.
Non-bird biodiversity: About 100 Southern Sea Lion pups are born annually on
Stick-in-the-mud Island, north of Governor Island, and 35
on Beaver Island (Stinker Point), while non-breeders haul
out on Tea, Green, Split and other islands in Beaver Bay.
The western cliffs of Beaver Island are home to a few
hundred breeding South American Fur Seals. The scarce
Adder’s-tongue Fern Ophioglossum crotalophoroides occurs
on Beaver Island. Tea Island has a population of the
unidentified purslane (Calandrinia), possibly a new endemic
plant. Additional endemic plants found in this group of
islands include Clubmoss Cudweed Chevreulia lycopodioides,
Vanilla Daisy Leucheria suaveolens, Lady’s Slipper Calceolaria
fothergillii, Smooth Falkland Ragwort Senecio vaginatus,
Hairy Daisy Erigeron incertus, and Coastal Nassauvia
Nassauvia gaudichaudii.
Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
Beaver Island is currently farmed to a minimal level with
sheep and reindeer, and this activity would not be expected
to have an adverse affect on any of the IBA qualifying
species. The main issue affecting Beaver, Tea and Staats is
the presence of Patagonian Foxes Dusicyon griseus, which
were introduced in the 1930s for trading in furs. Foxes have
a significant negative effect on the resident birds and their
presence probably explains the absence of breeding Upland
Geese. An eradication programme has been under way for
about 10 years.
Rats are numerous on Beaver and Governor Islands, and
also present on Tea, Staats, Stick-in-the-mud, Green, Split
and Channel Islands. They have been eradicated from
Rookery, Rat and Cucumber Islands, and these islands will
be closely monitored for signs of recolonisation by several
bird species. All visitors should be informed about the
dangers of introducing alien species to the islands.
Staats Island contains the Falklands’ only population of
introduced Guanaco and overgrazing has depleted the
Tussac grass. This island could benefit from fencing, control
and replanting. Tussac is currently being replanted in
fenced paddocks on Beaver Island. Governor, Tea, Green,
Rookery and Split Islands were stocked with sheep until
the late 1970s but there is good potential for long-term
regeneration of the vegetation. It is very important that the
Falkland Islands Countryside Code is followed, particularly to guard against the risk of fire.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Beaver Island Group (Falkland Islands (Malvinas)). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/beaver-island-group-iba-falkland-islands-(malvinas) on 22/12/2024.
