Data Zone
Country/territory: Falkland Islands (Malvinas)
IBA criteria met: A1, A2, A4ii (2006)
For more information about IBA criteria, please click here
Area: 1,763 hectares (17.63 km2)
Site description (2006 baseline)
Grave Cove Camp, a promontory in the north-western
section of Hope Harbour Farm, has striking scenery. Severe
south-west-facing cliffs peak at 130 m in the south and the
land slopes northwards towards the coast of Hope
Harbour. It is divided from Bramble Point Camp by a wide
valley, only about 20 m above sea level at its highest point,
with large areas of eroded ground to the south of Grave
Cove. Much of Bramble Point Camp is mountainous with
stone runs and is used for sheep farming. A ridge to the
north of Hope Harbour extends westwards more than 2.5
miles (4 km) towards the low-lying Hope Point, with
extensive kelp beds on its northern coast.
Key biodiversity
Hope Harbour has been chosen as an IBA because it is the
only mainland site with colonies of the globally
endangered Black-browed Albatross and it has two large
colonies of Gentoo Penguins. Access to the albatross
colonies on very steep cliffs is extremely difficult. Endemic
sub-species recorded at the site include the Upland Goose
and the Long-tailed Meadowlark. Apart from penguin and
albatross counts, there is little information available.
Knowledge of other species is very limited and requires
further fieldwork.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Hope Harbour, West Falkland (Falkland Islands (Malvinas)). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/hope-harbour-west-falkland-iba-falkland-islands-(malvinas) on 22/12/2024.