Abundance and spatial distribution of bird populations at Cierva Point, Antarctic Peninsula?. Marine Ornithology, 28 (1/2): 21-27. ISSN

QUINTANA, RUBEN DARIO; CIRELLI, VERONICA; ORGEIRA, JOSE LUIS

Marine Ornithology

Pacific Seabird Group

Año: 2000 vol. 28 p. 21 - 27

1018-3337

The bird community in the vicinity of Cierva Point, Antarctic Peninsula (including Site of Special Scientific Interest No. 15), was surveyed from the 1990/91 to 1995/96 breeding seasons. Of 15 bird species found in the area, 13 were breeders (Chinstrap Penguin Pygoscelis antarctica, Adélie Penguin P. adeliae, Gentoo Penguin P. papua, Southern Giant Petrel Macronectes giganteus, Pintado or Cape Petrel Daption capense, Snow Petrel, Pagodroma nivea, Wilson?s Storm Petrel, Oceanites oceanicus, Imperial Cormorant or Blueeyed Shag Phalacrocorax atriceps, Greater Sheathbill Chionis alba, Subantarctic Skua Catharacta antarctica, South Polar Skua C. maccormicki, Kelp Gull Larus dominicanus and Antarctic Tern Sterna vittata) whereas two were non-breeding visitors: White-chinned Petrel Procellaria aequinoctialis and Blacknecked Swan Cygnus melanocoryphus. Gentoo Penguins, Wilson?s Storm Petrels, and both skua species were the most abundant on the mainland coast. Chinstrap Penguin and Imperial Cormorant colonies on Pingüino Island were the most numerous. Spatial distribution of nest sites was closely associated with environmental features in all surveyed years. A slight increase in the diversity of nesting and non-breeding resident species was observed after 1990. The low human impact on the area, which affects only the surroundings of Primavera Station, was likely to be significant in the establishment of bird colonies.