Wildlife of the Falklands

Imperial Shags on outcrop on Sea Lion Island

Image from Wikipedia of Imperial Shags on outcrop on Sea Lion Island, in the Falkland Islands.

For most visitors the main attraction of the Falkland Islands is the wonderful wildife, particurly the stunning number of birds, such as penguins (five species), seals and pelagic birds. The archipeligo is home to spectacular colonies of magellanic, rock hopper, macaroni and gentoo penguins with large numbers of king penguins. Sea Lion Island supports breeding colonies of elephant seals and sea lions , with Saunders Island home to a nesting colony of 10,000 pairs of black-browed albatross. See also Falklands Island wolf

Falklands Conservation charity that looks after the spectacular environment of the Falkland Islands, renowned for its vast seabird colonies and much more. This is an excellent site with stacks of information on the archipeligo’s fauna and flora, including

The Falklands Islands are an exceptional place for wildlife where nature is still in charge both on land and in the surrounding seas. There are spectacular seabird colonies, rare plants and insects, and two endemic birds. There are no native trees, but tussac grass grows up to three metres (10ft) tall and provides nesting sites for 30 species of birds and shelter for sea lions and elephant seals.

Falkland Islands Wildlife The Falkland Islands are best known for their penguins, with five breeding species and over a million penguins in total. That is a lot of penguins, but Falklands penguins numbered over 6 million in 1984. This massive decline of 5 million penguins results from commercial fishing, which has placed Falklands penguins in urgent need of protection

Sealion island (wikipedia)

Sealion Island is known for its wildlife, including southern sea lions, southern elephant seals, penguins, striated caracara and Antarctic skuas, and orcas (killer whales) offshore. Earthwatch, the worldwide organization that places volunteers in environmental studies around the world, has been tracking the habits of elephant seals at Sea Lion Island for years. It is also a site for Magellanic Penguins whose burrows can be up to 5 metres (16 ft) in length and over half a mile (800 m) from the sea

Sealion Island - Nice article

Sea Lion Island is the most southerly populated island in the Falklands and also one of the most popular destinations for visitors. Eight miles off the coast of East Falkland, this small island is home to breeding colonies of southern sea lions and elephant seals. The burrows of megellanic penguins line the track from the lodge to the closest beach. Large colonies of gentoo penguins roost on the long sandy stretch at the top of the beach.

Sealionisland.com - wonderful place to stay

Birds of the Falklands

Some 219 birds have been seen on the Falklands, including huge colonies of seabirds, with a remarkable five breeding species of penguins and over a million birds (penguins) in total.

blog on Falklands birding - good birding blog with great pictures

Birds - lots of info with checklists and details of rare birds

Many fascinating birds, most of them remarkably numerous and tame, can be seen in and around the Falkland Islands. 219 species have been recorded: 21 are resident land birds, 18 waterbirds, 22 breeding seabirds, 18 annual non-breeding migrants and at least 140 occasional visitors.

Fork tailed flycatcher in the Falkland Islands 

Oil may threaten Falklands wildlife – Video  A recent oil discovery in the Falkland Islands has experts urging caution before any drilling begins, for fear of harming the region’s rich biodiversity.

Falklands Wildlife Gallery   In 2008, Rolf Pott visted the Falkland Islands on assignment for National Geographic Traveler. While exploring this British outpost in the South Atlantic, Rolf was amazed ed by range and accessibility of the wildlife — a detail that appeared in his story, which ran in the July/August 2008 issue of Traveler. The page includes a sample of the wildlife he saw in the archipelago.

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