Current view: Text account
Site description (2015 baseline):
Site location and context
Stonington Island is located approximately 2 km north of Neny Island, Neny Fjord, on the Fallièrs Coast of the Antarctic Peninsula. The IBA qualifies on the basis of the Imperial Shag (
Phalacrocorax [
atriceps]
bransfieldensis) colony present and comprises a 500 ha circular area centred on the geographic position of the nesting site as reported in Lynch
et al. (2008) (68°11' S, 67°0' W).
Stonington Island is small with relatively flat areas of boulders interspersed with rocky outcrops (ATS Visitor Site Guidelines: Stonington Island). The site supports at least seven lichen species and two moss species. Two former stations are located on Stonington Island: Base E (GBR) built in 1946, and East Base (USA) established in 1940. Base E was closed in 1975 and is now designated as Historic Site No. 64 under the Antarctic Treaty for its historical value in early exploration of the region. East Base is designated as Historic Site No.55 to protect buildings and artefacts in the area.
The nearest permanent scientific station is San Martín (ARG) located approximately 7 km to the northwest on Barry Island in the Debenham Islands.
Imperial Shags breed on Stonington Island and 135 chicks were recorded in February 2007 (Lynch
et al. 2008). IBA qualification is based on an assumption of ~1 chick per pair, although since clutch sizes may often be larger, more data are desirable. South Polar Skuas (
Catharacta maccormicki), Kelp Gulls (
Larus dominicanus) and Antarctic Terns (
Sterna vittata) are also confirmed breeders at the site, with Adélie Penguins occasional visitors (Naveen & Lynch 2011).
Non-bird biodiversity: None known
Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
ATS Visitor Site Guidelines provide guidance for visitors to Stonington Island. Visitors numbered from a minimum of 389 to a maximum of 1136 (inclusive of tourists, staff and crew) between 2006/07 and 2009/10 (IAATO Tourism Statistics, accessed: 06/08/2010).
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Stonington Island (Antarctica). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/stonington-island-iba-antarctica on 23/12/2024.
