Current view: Text account
Site description (2006 baseline):
Site location and context
Located towards the southern end of Falkland Sound, there
is little information available regarding the status of any of
these islands. All of them have very good Tussac cover, but
exact population counts are unavailable and their pest
status is unknown, though Cecil Bertrand saw no rats in
the 1930s (see under ‘Further reading’, below). Islands in
this group were reported as having been stocked
intermittently with cattle, probably between the 1930s and
1948; Stinker Island was grazed until 1985.
The ketch Penelope passed through the group on 12
December 2001 while on the Felton’s Flower Project
voyage. Observations of the topography, vegetation and
birds of some of the islands were possible. Golden Knob
has almost complete Tussac cover and a narrow, near-level
sand beach. Stinker Island is covered by Tussac and has a
boulder beach, while Sandy Cay also has very good Tussac
and a boulder beach with a broad sand slope on the eastern
half. Elephant Cays (West) has a massive reef extending
westward and a long eroded sandy area between cliffs with
Tussac above. Elephant Cays (Southwest) also has cliffs.
This group of islands is the most important breeding site
for Southern Giant-petrels in the world. Counts were made
in early 2005. There is no complete list of birds, but it is
probable that at least 20 species breed, possibly including
burrowing petrels and Storm-petrels. Two small colonies of
Imperial Shags were seen on the north-western and southwestern
cays in December 2001. Tussacbird adults were
seen on Stinker Island in December 2001 and Cobb’s Wrens
are likely to be present. As their status is unknown they do
not qualify the site.
Non-bird biodiversity: Little is known, but from counts at sea, between 80 and 100
Southern Sea Lion pups are born each year within the group.
Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
The main priority for the future would be to establish some
baseline data for this group of islands. The present owner
has established a strict policy of no access and this has
ensured that the islands have been protected from any
disturbance and a favourable conservation status
maintained. However, as a result, information on the
occurrence and density of smaller birds and plants is
limited. Remote sensing and aerial photography have
provided information on larger species, such as the
Southern Giant-petrel, and such initiatives through
collaboration with the landowner should be encouraged.
The presence of Tussacbirds on Stinker Island suggests that
it is free of rats. Any visitors should be informed about the
dangers of accidentally introducing alien species to the islands.
It would be very important to follow the Falkland
Islands Countryside Code, particularly to
guard against the risk of fire.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Elephant Cays Group (Falkland Islands (Malvinas)). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/elephant-cays-group-iba-falkland-islands-(malvinas) on 23/12/2024.
