Current view: Text account
Site description (2015 baseline):
Site location and context
Muskegbukta is a small bay situated to the west of the Fimbul Ice Shelf, Princess Martha Coast, Dronning Maud Land. An Emperor Penguin (
Aptenodytes forsteri) colony breeds on fast ice that forms in cracks along the western coast of the Fimbul Ice Shelf.
The IBA qualifies on the basis of the Emperor Penguin colony present and is entirely marine.
There are no research stations in the near vicinity. The closest permanent station is Sanae IV (ZAF) situated ~190 km to the southwest.
Analysis of a satellite image acquired 28 Oct 2009 (Fretwell
et al. 2012) indicated that approximately 3193 Emperor Penguins were present at the colony. Fretwell
et al. (2012) referred to this colony as ‘Sanae' in reference to the nearest research station. No other birds are known to breed in the area.
Non-bird biodiversity: None known.
Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
None known.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Muskegbukta (Antarctica). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/muskegbukta-iba-antarctica on 31/12/2024.
