Brown Bluff, Tabarin Peninsula (BROW)
63˚32’S, 56˚55’W Magnetic declination: 11.2˚E Inventory subarea: NE Inventory acronym: BROW Site Sensitivity: MODERATE
Location — History — Features An ice-capped, 745-meter-high, flat-topped mountain with a prominent cliff of reddish-brown volcanic rock on its N face, located 9 miles S of Hope Bay, and W of Jonassen Island, on the E side of the Tabarin Peninsula. On sunlit days, the towering bluff and blue sky are reminiscent of the “badlands” region of W North America, but with hordes of penguins dominating the scene. There is considerable erosion from upper slopes onto the almost 2-mile-long, rock and ash beach. It appears that some discrete groups/colonies of Adélie penguins may have been obliterated by these rock falls and slides. Brown Bluff appears to be the exposure of an englacial volcano. The tuff cliffs are embedded with many lava “bombs,” which appear to be basaltic with olivine minerals present. The towering rust-colored bluff dominates this landscape. Landing Characteristics Uncharted water near shore. Hazardous rocks along the shoreline may be exposed, depending on the tide. Zodiac landings along broad, long, cobble and ash beach, which has a N exposure and is prone to swells in N-NE wind. Very restricted visitor space with high tide or when shoreline caked with ice, crowding penguins into long lines marching to and from the water. More visitor space on a low or falling tide. The narrow, E end of the landing beach is a major access route for penguins, strewn with rocks and rubble, and too congested to accommodate marching penguins, nesting gulls, and visitors; it should not be visited. Higher slopes are eroding severely, with much loose scree and rubble. Rock falls have been frequent and, in places, penguin colonies straddle enormous lava bombs and boulders. Antarctic Site Inventory Effort Visits by Antarctic Site Inventory researchers, 1994-2003: 1. January 22, 1996 RN BH Endurance 2. February 10, 1996 BH RP Livonia 3. January 13, 1999 RN SF Endurance 4. November 25, 1999 LB BP Cal Star 5. December 15, 1999 RN Cal Star 6. December 11, 2000 RN Cal Star 7. December 25, 2000 SF Cal Star 8. January 9, 2001 SF Cal Star 9. February 2, 2001 RN Cal Star 10. December 11, 2001 RN SF CE Endeavour 11. December 22, 2001 JC LGC Endeavour 12. January 2, 2002 RP Endeavour 13. January 13, 2002 RP WT Endeavour 14. January 24, 2002 RD LS Endeavour 15. February 4, 2002 MM Endeavour 16. January 1, 2003 RP Endeavour 17. January 10, 2003 SF Endeavour 18. February 1, 2003 MM Endeavour Assessment and monitoring. Regular, site-wide censusing of gentoo penguins. Preliminary surveying. Aerial and ground photodocumentation achieved. Only preliminary estimates of Adélie penguin population; regular Adélie penguin census colonies not identified. Site-wide ground-survey of floral communities not achieved. Fauna — Flora — Censuses Penguins & flying birds. Adélie and gentoo penguins, kelp gulls, pintado petrels are confirmed breeders. Snow petrels seen flying about the higher slopes and they may nest, but breeding not confirmed. A few skuas, spp. were observed, but breeding not confirmed. No site-specific population data are reported in Woehler (1993). Antarctic site Inventory censuses : Adélie penguin (site-wide) 20,000 C3 1996 Jan Gentoo penguin (site-wide) 617 N1 1999 Nov 567 N1 1999 Dec 668 C1 1999 Jan 756 N1 2000 Dec 511 C1 2001 Jan 450 N1 2001 Dec 409 C1 2002 Jan 764 C1 2003 Jan 483 N1 2003 Jan In January 1996, the Adélie chicks were more than 95% in crèche, and the estimated, 200-250 gentoo chicks spanned a wide range of ages, from just out of brood to past 6 weeks and substantially molted. Seals. Weddell seals observed hauled-out on the main beach below Brown Bluff. Flora. Xanthoria , spp. and Caloplaca , spp. observed on exposed boulders from shoreline to an elevation of 606 feet. Some moss, spp. exposed at higher elevations near glacial drainage. Conservation Aspects Site sensitivities. Adélie penguins nest in large numbers and tightly packed colonies above and uphill of the landing beach, and on terraces and ridges extending to the W end; they are easily approached and disturbed, especially in November and early December when adults will be incubating eggs; subsequently, adults will be guarding and provisioning chicks at the nest, then in crèche. Gentoo penguins nest on flat terraces and lower slopes above and toward the E end; they are easily approached and disturbed, especially in November and early December when adults will be incubating eggs; subsequently, adults will be guarding and provisioning chicks at the nest, then in crèche. Kelp gulls nest in widely scattered locations and are easily approached and disturbed; in November and early December adults will be incubating eggs and, subsequently, guarding and provisioning chicks. Snow petrels and Wilson’s storm-petrels nest in rock crevices and loose scree at higher elevations. Pointers for avoiding disruptions.
Visitation Aspects Numbers of tourist zodiac landings and participating visitors, 1989-2003:
Proximate visitor sites. Hope Bay lies due N, Jonassen Island lies almost due E. |
