Gourdin Island (GOUR)

64˚32’S, 62˚00’W

Magnetic declination: 11.2˚E

Inventory subarea: NW

Inventory acronym: GOUR

Species Diversity: LOW

Site Sensitivity: MODERATE                Note: Restricted visitor space if high tide, heavy snow or ice

 

Location — History — Features

Largest of group of islands and rocks one mile N of Prime Head, the N tip of the Antarctic peninsula. Discovered by Jules Dumont d’Urville’s French Expedition of 1837-40, and named for an ensign of the exp[edition ship Astrolabe .

Landing Characteristics

Substantial ice may rim the island in spring, impeding access to the rocky landing beach on the NW end. Access is all uphill, and may be difficult because of heavy early spring snowfall or, later in the season, slippery guano and mud.

Antarctic Site Inventory Effort

Visits by Antarctic Site Inventory researchers, 1994-2003:

1.    December 2, 1997    RN SF        Explorer

2.    January 20, 1999        RN        Endurance

3.     December 7, 2002    RN        Endeavour

Assessment and monitoring . Preliminary surveying, censusing, mapping, and photodocumentation (aerial and terrestrial). Floral survey is needed.

Fauna — Flora — Censuses

Penguins & flying birds . Chinstrap, gentoo, and Adélie penguins, and skuas, spp. are confirmed breeders.

Antarctic Site Inventory censuses:

Chinstrap penguin (NW and E end of island, only)

 3,282     N2    1997 Dec

Gentoo penguin (NW end of island, only)

568     N2    1997 Dec

Adélie penguin (NW end of island, only)

14,334     N2    1997 Dec

Recent census data reported in Woehler include: chinstrap penguin, a “large” colony, 1969; Adélie penguin 300 N4, 1969; and gentoo penguin, 50 N3, 1969. Other Peninsula sites where all three pygoscelid penguins nest contiguously are: Stranger Point, King George Island, the Point Thomas Antarctic Specially Protected Area in Admiralty Bay, and Ardley Island, all of which are off-limits to visitors under the Antarctic Treaty; and Booth Island.

Seals . None observed.

Flora . None observed.

Conservation Aspects

Site sensitivities. All three penguin species are very easily approached and readily disturbed.

Pointers for avoiding disruptions.

• Walk slowly and carefully around nesting, crèching, or molting penguins.
• Do not impede penguins’ access to and from the water.

Visitation Aspects

Numbers of tourist zodiac landings and participating visitors, 1989-2003:    

 

 

 

Proximate visitor sites . Astrolabe Island, Bernardo O’Higgins Station.