Dorian Bay (Damoy Point), Wiencke Island (DORI)
64˚49’S, 63˚30’W Magnetic declination: 16.2˚E Inventory subarea: NW Inventory acronym: DORI Site Sensitivity: LOW Location — History — Features Dorian Bay is a cove on the NW side of Wiencke Island, located 0.5 mile E-NE of Damoy Point, in the Palmer Archipelago. British and Argentine huts may be found on-site. Damoy Point (64˚49’S 63˚32’W) is the N entrance point to Port Lockroy harbor, on the W side of Wiencke Island in the Palmer Archipelago. The point was discovered and named by Charcot’s French Antarctic expedition (1903-05). From inner Dorian Bay, the land rises gently from a bare, rocky landing to two huts, one a well-maintained and stocked British refuge hut, the second a small Argentinian hut. The landing area below the huts is a minor sand beach, interspersed with many glaciated, polished rocks. Behind them the land rises gently on one side to a rounded, bare hilltop 30-40 meters above sea level. On the other side a steep snowy slope leads up onto the end of a glacier. The site’s outcrops are mainly low, smooth and polished. At an elevation of 6-7 meters above sea level, there are outcrops nearly covered with many small (1-4 centimeter), and well-rounded fragments of granitic, gneiss/schist, and other materials. British and Argentine huts located on site. Landing Characteristics Also known as Damoy Hut area, where an Argentine refuge and a very well preserved British hut are located. British researchers continue to use the hut, which offers access either by sea - a very nicely protected anchorage - or air - a long ice runway that twin otters may utilize. In comparison to nearby Port Lockroy, the site is more exposed to wind from the Neumayer Channel, which in high gusts makes the site less accessible to visits. Visitors may disembark relatively easily on the site’s cobble beach. The gentoo penguin colonies are spaced more widely than at Port Lockroy. There is a “road sign” marker approximately 0.5km from the huts, accompanied by a stone marked on which site coordinates are painted. The landscape changes dramatically, from a site that may be substantially snow-covered in spring, to one having little snow surrounding the penguin colonies in high summer. Antarctic Site Inventory Effort Visits by Antarctic Site Inventory researchers, 1994-2003: 1. December 15, 1994 RN BH ST Explorer 2. January 26, 1995 RN Explorer 3. December 13, 1995 BH W. Discoverer 4. December 17, 1995 LB Explorer 5. January 14, 1996 RN BH Endurance 6. January 24, 1996 RD RP Livonia 7. December 12, 2002 RN Endeavour Assessment and monitoring. Preliminary surveying, mapping, censusing, and photodocumentation (terrestrial). Fauna — Flora — Censuses Penguins & flying birds. Gentoo penguins and south polar skuas are confirmed breeders. Recent gentoo penguin census data in Woehler (1993): 1,658 N1, 1990, at Damoy Point (64˚49’S 63˚31’W); Croxall and Kirkwood (1979), map 24.4, indicates that the Damoy Point colony refers to the gentoos nesting between Damoy Point and inner Dorian Bay. Antarctic Site Inventory censuses: 1,928 N2 2002 Dec Seals. Weddell seals have hauled-out along the inner bay. Flora. Prasiola crispa observed in flat melt areas. Snow algae present in early season snow cover. Small patches of moss, spp. noted, as well as a few crustose lichens on exposed rocks. Conservation Aspects Site sensitivities. Penguins are easily approached and disturbed. Pointers for avoiding disruptions.
Visitation Aspects Numbers of tourist zodiac landings and participating visitors, 1989-2003:
NOTE: In this instance, tour operators apparently have been reporting visits to a single site, but reporting under the names of two on-site, geographical features. The foregoing table reflects separate figures in the NSF/OPP database for landings/visits to Dorian Bay and Damoy Point, respectively; and, in parentheses, the combined, total number of landings and visitors, and the overall ranking of the site in terms of numbers of visitors (32nd in 1994-95, 22nd in 1995-96, and 36th for 1989-96).
Proximate visitor sites. Port Lockroy is located nearby on the S side of Damoy Point. |
