19. Wildlife of the Falklands

The Falkland Islands lie far south in the Southern Atlantic off the coast of Argentina. They consist of over 750 islands but basically divided into West and East Falkland with their capital Stanley on the East Island.The focus of the Falklands war in 1982, the capital Stanley is visited showing how British life is still very evident. The bird life on the islands and around the coast and out to sea is quite spectacular. Penguins are very prominent with 10 species recorded, but five regularly breed - King, Gentoo, Rockhopper, Macaroni and Magellanic. Other families that are well represented  are the geese with Kelp, Upland and Ruddy-headed commonly seen. Endemic passerines are evident with such species as the Falklands thrush, Long-tailed meadowlark and Dark-faced Ground-tyrant. Out to sea the waters are full of iconic species such as Wandering and Black-browed albatross, Falkland skua, Great shearwater, Kelp and Dolphin gulls, Giant  and white-chinned petrels, smaller petrels and prions, not to mention some of the marine mammals and on the shore Rock shags, Black-crowned night heron, Steamer ducks (both flying and flightless), Magellanic and Blackish oystercatcher. A black-browed albatross colony is visited on Westpoint Island and a trek around Gypsy Cove revealling Magellanic penguins nesting in burrows.

Duration 1 hour

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