Gibbon Bay, Coronation Island (29463)
Antarctica, Antarctica
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2015
National site name: Gibbon Bay, Coronation Island
Central coordinates: Latitude: -60.6628, Longitude: -45.1870
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 500
Area of KBA (km2): 5.39092
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Gibbon Bay lies between Rayner Point and The Turret on the northeastern coast of Coronation Island. The IBA qualifies on the basis of the concentration of seabirds present (in particular Chinstrap Penguin (Pygoscelis antarctica)) and comprises ice-free areas along the shoreline of Gibbon Bay, including the intervening marine and ice-covered areas. Information on the environment at Gibbon Bay is not available. In contrast to Signy Island, northern Coronation Island is more susceptible to fog as a result of moisture-heavy prevailing north-westerly winds rising over the permanently ice-covered mountains on Coronation Island. The nearest research station to the site is Signy (GBR), located on the eastern coast of Signy Island. See IBA Signy Island for more information on this station.
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 13 210 pairs of Chinstrap Penguin were recorded breeding along the shoreline of Gibbon Bay in 1983 (Poncet & Poncet 1985), located on ice-free areas at Rayner Point, The Turret and along the shoreline between these two headlands. Snow Petrels (Pagodroma nivea) are reported to breed in at least three locations along the shore of Gibbon Bay (Croxall et al. 1995). Non-bird biodiversity: None known.
Delineation rationale: Shortest perimeter around islands and/or ice-free areas >5km2.
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: None known.
Additional information
References: Croxall, J.P., Steele, W.K, McInnes, S.J. & Prince, P.A. 1995. Breeding distribution of the Snow Petrel Pagodroma nivea. Marine Ornithology 23: 69-99. Poncet, S. & Poncet, J. 1985. A survey of penguin breeding populations at the South Orkney Islands. British Antarctic Survey Bulletin 68: 71-81.