Islet south of Bates Island (29471)
Antarctica, Antarctica
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2015
National site name: Islet south of Bates Island
Central coordinates: Latitude: -65.8331, Longitude: -65.6629
System: marine, terrestrial
Area of KBA (km2): 4.57066
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: A small uncharted islet is located ~700 m south of Bates Island, Biscoe Islands, ~20 km off the Graham Coast of the Antarctic Peninsula. The IBA qualifies on the basis of the Imperial Shag (Phalacrocorax [atriceps] bransfieldensis) colony present and is defined as a circular area of 500 ha centered on the approximate position of this islet. The site is 12 km southwest from IBA Island N of Dodman Island. The nearest scientific station is Vernadsky (UKR), 97 km to the northeast.
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Additional biodiversity: Approximately 150 breeding pairs of Imperial Shag were observed at this site in 1986 (unpublished data S. Poncet pers. comm. 2005). No other bird species have been recorded breeding in the area. Non-bird biodiversity: None known.
Delineation rationale: 1.26 km radius around point.
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: None known.