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Site description (2006 baseline):
Site location and context
Speedwell Island is one of the larger offshore islands,
extending about 11 miles (17.5 km) from north to south and
3 miles (5 km) at its widest central part. It is generally low
lying with boulder beaches and sandy bays, some
permanent ponds and substantial stands of introduced
Marram. It has been used as a sheep farm for more than a
century, and coastal areas of the south and centre camps
have suffered badly from overgrazing, leading to serious
soil erosion.
Annie Island lies 1 mile (1.5 km) to the east of Annie Island
Point on the south camp of Speedwell Island. It is low lying
with boulders on the northern coast and cliffs of less than
10 m on the southern coast above a wide tidal rock
platform. The southern cliff top is bare sand and stones,
with a wide band, several metres across, of black
decomposed peat and scattered Tussac plants merging into
low grasses inland. The severe erosion and destruction of
Tussac suggest that the island was heavily grazed by sheep,
while bones of cattle show that the island has also been
used for fattening bullocks. Several patches of orange ash
below fibrous Tussac roots indicate that the island was also
burnt, perhaps two centuries ago by sealers. Grasses have
recolonised in some places and thick vegetation now covers
most of the island. Native grasses predominate inland with
dwarf shrubs, and the northern coast has some introduced
plants.
George and Barren Islands are situated off the southern tip
of East Falkland between Sea Lion Island and Speedwell
Island and are both generally flat, reaching no more than
18 m in height, with a rugged coastline. There are several
ponds on George Island and there is severe soil erosion in
the central section. Barren Island is sparsely vegetated and,
in the early 20th century, large quantities of Marram were
planted across the island. Coastal areas are badly eroded,
particularly to the south and east, with remnants of an
extensive Tussac fringe. The northern and western coasts
are greener and have gently undulating valleys containing
rushes and Diddle-dee. On the south-eastern coast there is
a spectacular patch of relict Tussac pedestals, still
containing the bones of seals, which was probably burnt
out by sealers many years ago.
George and Barren Islands form the most southerly farm in
the Falklands. They are currently being promoted as a
wildlife tourism destination, with cruise ships visiting
through the summer months.
More than 40 species have been recorded on Speedwell
Island. One of the largest rat-free islands in the Falklands,
it has a thriving population of native songbirds including
the endemic Cobb’s Wren, and the ponds provide excellent
waterfowl habitat. George and Barren Islands hold the
most accessible large breeding colonies of Southern Giant
Petrels in the Falklands, which are attractive to tourists.
There are significant numbers of Rock and Imperial Shags
on Speedwell and Annie Islands, and a colony of Sooty
Shearwaters at the northern point of George Island. More
than 10,000 pairs of seabirds breed on a regular basis,
which means the IBA qualifies under the A4iii criterion.
A total of 27 species have been recorded on or near Annie
Island. Of these, 24 were either breeding or probably
breeding, including eight of the nine native songbirds, only
the Falkland Pipit being absent. Canary-winged/Blackthroated
Finches, Tussacbirds and Magellanic Snipe seemed
particularly numerous. With Cobb’s Wrens breeding and
the large number of small landbirds, it is almost certainly
free of rats. The only colonial birds noted were Rock and
Imperial Shags, which jointly occupied a colony on the
south-eastern cliff.
Endemic sub-species present within the group are the
White-tufted/Rolland’s Grebe, Upland Goose, Blackcrowned
Night-heron, Short-eared Owl, Dark-faced
Ground-tyrant, Falkland Pipit, Falkland Grass Wren,
Falkland Thrush and the Longtailed Meadowlark.
Non-bird biodiversity: The breeding colony of Southern Sea Lions in Speedwell
Pass produces about 90 pups annually and the animals
haul out on most islands, including Annie. Southern
Elephant Seals also visit the islands, but do not breed. The
Tussac-covered Emily and Tiny Islands and the Knob Islets
are all heavily used by Southern Sea Lions as haul-out sites.
Flowering plants on Speedwell Island have been sampled
but not surveyed intensively. On Annie Island, at least 35
species of flowering plants were found in December 2001.
Of these, 25 were native plants, including large areas of
Bluegrass Poa alopecurus, Falkland Cudweed Gamochaeta
malvinensis and the endemic Smooth Falkland Ragwort
Senecio vaginatus. The other 10 were common farmland
weeds, originally from Europe.
Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
The rat-free status of all islands in this group makes them
especially important for small songbirds. Further survey
work is needed to establish the presence and numbers of
species on all islands in the group. All visitors should be
informed about the dangers of accidentally introducing
alien species to the islands. Tourism on George and Barren
is well managed. The islands are usually visited by small
expedition ships that have a high ratio of staff to
passengers. Strict measures are taken to prevent
disturbance to breeding birds – especially Southern Giant
Petrels, which are particularly sensitive and liable to leave
their eggs. It is very important that the Falkland Islands
Countryside Code (see Appendix 1) is followed,
particularly to guard against the risk of fire. Efforts should
be made to prevent further soil erosion and to replant
Tussac where possible.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Speedwell Island Group (Falkland Islands (Malvinas)). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/speedwell-island-group-iba-falkland-islands-(malvinas) on 22/12/2024.