Baily Head, Deception Island (29403)
Antarctica, Antarctica
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: D1a
Year of last assessment: 2015
National site name: Baily Head, Deception Island
Central coordinates: Latitude: -62.9671, Longitude: -60.5061
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 160
Area of KBA (km2): 0.69797
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Baily Head is a prominent rock headland forming the eastern extremity of Deception Island. A black-sand beach forms the eastern shoreline of Deception Island, running nearly 7 km northward from Baily Head. The IBA qualifies on the basis of the Chinstrap Penguin (Pygoscelis antarctica) colony present and comprises the ice free ground at Baily Head, including the headland and approximately 800 m of beach to either side. A substantial melt-stream cuts through the ice cliffs at Baily Head and drains to form a semi-circular ‘amphitheatre' valley. The valley slopes are often snow-covered until early summer each year, when it is replaced by the terrestrial green alga Prasiola crispa (Naveen & Lynch 2011). More information on Deception Island and nearby stations can be found under IBA Vapour Col, Deception Island.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance that meets the thresholds for at least one criterion described in the Global Standard for the Identification of KBAs.
Additional biodiversity: Approximately 100 000 pairs of Chinstrap Penguin were breeding along the beach at Baily Head and on slopes rising from the beach to a ridgeline of ~150 m in 1989 (S. & J. Poncet pers. comm.; Naveen & Lynch 2011). More recently, 50 408 breeding pairs were reported in December 2011 by the Antarctic Site Inventory (Naveen et al . 2013). Brown Skua ( Catharacta antarctica ), Cape Petrel ( Daption capense ) and Snowy Sheathbill ( Chionis albus ) are also confirmed breeders at Baily Head (ASMA No. 4 Management Plan, Appendix 5, 2005). Non-bird biodiversity: Antarctic Fur Seals (Arctocephalus gazella) frequently haul out along the beach at Baily Head and Weddell Seals (Leptonychotes weddellii), Crabeater Seals (Lobodon carcinophagus), Southern Elephant Seals (Mirounga leonina) and Leopard Seals (Hydrurga leptonyx) have also been observed hauled out at this site (Naveen & Lynch 2011).
Delineation rationale: 1.26 km radius around point, truncated at coastline and permanent ice.
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: More information on conservation issues and management at Deception Island can be found under IBA Vapour Col, Deception Island.
Additional information
References: ASMA No. 4 Deception Island, South Shetland Islands: Management Plan (2005). Naveen, R. & Lynch, H. 2011. Compendium of Antarctic Peninsula visitor sites (3rd edition): A Report to the United States Environmental Protection Agency. Oceanites, Chevy Chase, MD. Naveen, R., Lynch,H.J., Forrest, S., Mueller, T. & Polito, M. 2012. First direct, site-wide penguin survey at Deception Island, Antarctica suggests significant in breeding chinstrap penguins. Polar Biology 35(12): 1879-88.