Islet southwest of Cape Davidson, Laurie Island (29413)
Antarctica, Antarctica
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2015
National site name: Islet southwest of Cape Davidson, Laurie Island
Central coordinates: Latitude: -60.7547, Longitude: -44.7791
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 250
Area of KBA (km2): 0.03576
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Cape Davidson is located on the southwest coast of Laurie Island. The IBA qualifies on the basis of the Imperial Shag (Phalacrocorax [atriceps] bransfieldensis) colony present and comprises a small (2.8 ha) rocky islet lying offshore ~1 km southwest from Cape Davidson. The nearest research station is Orcadas (ARG) which is located ~5 km to the east of the IBA. Orcadas operates year-round with around 45 personnel present in summer and 14 in winter (COMNAP, Antarctic Facilities, accessed 01/09/2010).
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance that was identified using previously established criteria and thresholds for the identification of Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBAs) and for which available data indicate that it does not meet global KBA criteria and thresholds set out in the Global Standard.
Additional biodiversity: Approximately 225 pairs of Imperial Shag were breeding on the islet in 1983 (unpublished data S. Poncet pers. comm. 2005). )). Ardley (1936) reported a colony of ~180 breeding pairs of Imperial Shag present on a small islet in western Wilton Bay in Jan 1933, although it is unknown whether the colony still exists. It seems possible that this colony may be the same as that identified by S. and J. Poncet on the islet southwest of Cape Davidson. Non-bird biodiversity: None known.
Delineation rationale: Shortest perimeter around island groups and/or ice-free areas ≤ 5 km2, including marine areas as appropriate.
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Orcadas Station (ARG), with associated operational and support activities, is located in close proximity to the IBA.
Additional information
References: Ardley, R.A.B. 1936. The birds of the South Orkney Islands. Discovery Reports 12: 349-76.