PAYMENT DETAILS PLEASE COMPLETE IN BLOCK CAPITALS Falklands Conservation at GIFT AID Please use this form for both Penguin Adoption and Membership Many visitors come to see the penguins at Volunteer Point each year. Falklands Conservation is VOLUNTEER POINT purchase, completing the relevant sections. With Gift Aid on every £1 you give helping to ensure that here and at other sites throughout the Islands they all enjoy their visit without The largest king penguin colony in the us we can claim an extra 25p back Name ______causing the wildlife undue disturbance or harm. from HM Revenue & Customs. To Measures initiated by Falklands Conservation at Volunteer Point include a car parking area roped qualify, what you pay in UK Income Address ______and/or Capital Gains Tax must off to limit vehicle use and a ring of white rocks arranged around the king penguin colony to mark at least equal the Gift Aid all your ______the recommended distance from which to observe the birds. charities will reclaim in the tax year. In addition, information boards have been provided describing the life and behaviour of king ■ YES: I would like Falklands ______penguins. Monitoring research work is undertaken every year to gain a better understanding of Conservation to treat all the penguin habits, populations and ecology. donations I have made in the last Postcode ______Tel. ______By making a donation or sponsoring one of the king penguins at Volunteer Point, you will be four years, and all I will make until Email ______I notify you otherwise, as Gift Aid directly helping to protect the colonies and continue this important work. donations. I am a UK taxpayer and ■ Please tick this box if you would like to receive updates by email understand that if I pay less Income Tax and/or Capital Gains Tax than PURCHASE INFORMATION the amount of Gift Aid claimed on * all my donations in that tax year Penguin adoption for a year – £25 / $40 ■ it is my responsibility to pay any * difference. Membership fee payable (see overleaf for categories) ■ Signed:______* Adopt a king penguin and help us protect these birds in the Falkland Islands *Please indicate £ sterling or US$ Donation ■ you will receive:• Personalised certificate • Newsletters from Falklands Conservation • King penguin photo • Leaflet about the colony • King penguin pin badge • Falklands wildlife magazine Date:______Please make cheques payable Total * Available from www.falklandsconservation.com, selected retailers or our office in Stanley to Falklands Conservation. ■

DATA PROTECTION ■ I wish to pay by Visa/Mastercard (please tick) To prevent the spread of invasive species and diseases, you are asked to comply with a few simple measures when travelling around the islands: make sure all of We respect your privacy. Falklands My card number is your clothing, equipment and luggage is free from soil, animal faeces, seeds, insects Conservation will not make your and rodents, and scrub your footwear before each visit to a new wildlife name and address available to other ■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■ organisations, and will treat your site or seabird colony. If you have any questions about biosecurity, or wish to details as confidential. If however, Expiry date ■ ■ ■ ■ report diseased wildlife, please speak to the landowners or call you would be happy to receive / the Department of Agriculture 27355 / Falklands Conservation 22247 for advice. information, about other aspects of Signature ______our work from time to time, please ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS tick the box . Cardholder’s name ______Photos: Ruedi Abbühl, D Gray, Alan R Henry, Kevin Schafer, Christian Simpson, Richard Cardholder’s address (if different from applicant) White/JNCC and Nick Woods. Maps by Jeremy Smith and Robert Still. RETURN COMPLETED FORM TO: Published by Falklands Conservation July 2016. Designed by Eye on The Ball Ltd +44 1256 478309. Falklands Conservation, ______Registered Office: 1 Waterloo Close, Abbotsley, St Neots, Cambridgeshire PE19 6UX, UK The Gatehouse, The Lodge, Falklands Conservation is a company limited by guarantee in England and Wales No 03661322 and registered charity Sandy, Beds, SG19 2DL, UK ______No 1073859. Falklands Conservation is registered as an Overseas Company in the Falkland Islands. Falkland Office: Jubilee Villas, Ross Road, Stanley FIQQ 1ZZ | UK Office: The Gatehouse, The Lodge, Sandy, Beds SG19 2DL ______Postcode ______Falklands Conservation works to conserve the wildlife of the Falkland Islands. To find out more about us and how you can support what we Have you considered a Standing Order? (UK BANK ACCOUNT HOLDERS ONLY) do, visit us at Jubilee Villas, Ross Road, Stanley or go to our website: This helps us keep our administration costs down. Either download the form from our website or set www.falklandsconservation.com up your own using the following details: Falklands Conservation, Barclays Bank, King George More about darwin, and other areas of outstanding wildlife and Street, Yeovil, Somerset BA20 1PX. Sort code: 20-99-40 / Account Number 90442542 scenery, can be found in A Visitor's Guide to the Falkland Islands.

You can also purchase securely online at www.falklandsconservation.com/our-shop Falklands Conservation is a UK registered charity no. 1073859 and a company limited by guarantee in England and Wales no. 03661322. @FI_Conservation www.falklandsconservation.com ✃ PENGUIN ADOPTION FORM

The Wildlife of Volunteer Point King Penguin Adoption l Adopt a king penguin at the remote colony of VOLUNTEER POINT This is to certify that Volunteer Point in the Falkland Islands for £25/ has adopted The rocks forming the Volunteer Point US$40 for 12 months. at Volunteer Point on , Falkland Islands, South Atlantic Ocean headland are hard quartz-sandstones. Volunteer Point is the most accessible breeding site for king penguins in the world. l Your adoption is protecting this important area and many other penguin colonies in the Falkland Islands. You are helping to fund research work by Falklands Conservation THE FALKLAND ISLANDS The Falkland Islands archipelago lies to improve our understanding of these beautiful birds. Help conservation efforts to protect the penguins of They are among the oldest of the This adoption is for one year from Cape Dolphin 350 km (280 miles) to the east of the South the Falklands. N Falklands’ sedimentary rocks, which l Salvador VOLUNTEER Receive a personalised adoption certificate, king Douglas American continent. It consists of two large D Johnsons N Station Harbour POINT U Port Dunbar O Louis S started their existence as sand beds penguin photo and penguin pin badge. D D Roy Cove N Berkeley www.falklandsconservation.com Photo: Ruedi Abbühl A D Teal islands, East and , and more Mt Adam Port L Long Island Sound Falklands Conservation is the charity taking action for nature in the Falkland Islands. It is a UK registered charity number: 1073859 San Carlos Registered Office: 14 East Hatley, Sandy, Bedfordshire, SG19 3JA, UK. Falklands Office: 41 Ross Road, Stanley, Falkland Islands, FIQQ 1ZZ N Howard K Inlet Crooked Inlet L N A Murrell l 2297 F deposited in shallower water at the A Bold Cove Fern Mt Usborne A Port Receive updates from Falklands Conservation. Cape Ridge L STANLEY William than 750 small islands and islets. Shallow Chartres L Pembroke Farm 2312 Harbour Mt Pleasant K K Bluff Cove Farm Darwin Airport margin of a large sea. Dunnose L L Fitzroy Head A A Beaver Spring A Yes, I would like to Adopt a Penguin! I ■ (payment form overleaf) Island Point F F N Ch oiseul Sound T East O Plants to be found here include sea Double F T Walker Creek Creek S A S Fox Bay South E West L A Cape Harbour You may wish to Adopt a Penguin as a gift or on behalf of Orford W Port Edgar E North D cabbage along the beach, carpets N Arm Port Stephens U O S Hoste Inlet D South American tern N someone else, if so just let us know the details. A Speedwell L K Island L of cushion-bog, the daisy-flowered FA 1500 Cape Meredith I would like the adoption pack to be sent to: 1000 shrubby fachine and tasty teaberries. ■ 500 Kilometres 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 PLEASE WRITE IN BLOCK CAPITALS 0 Height in feet 0 10 20 30 40 Over 40 bird species have been above sea level Miles recorded in this area including South Name ______Volunteer Point is an impressive American tern, rock cormorant, Address ______dolphin and kelp gulls, Magellanic peninsula to the north of East Falkland. ______and blackish oystercatchers and kelp, upland and ruddy-headed geese. ______Frequently seen lying in wait along the Postcode ______Tel. ______Sea cabbage shoreline are southern sea lions, that Email ______will turn a penguin literally inside out Penguin Name ______with a savage shake. In the summer Dolphin gull months, when birds are frequently MEMBERSHIP coming and going from the shallows, several can be seen each day patrolling l Join Falklands Conservation and help to protect the offshore. spectacular wildlife of the Falkland Islands. l Receive a joining pack and membership badge. It is a privately owned nature reserve and l  Receive regular updates from the Islands and

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  is reached by a three hour journey from    Kalinka Rexer-Huber extended her work with Falkland two magazines a year.   few more months, focusing on introduced animals.   s Conservation for a    s Conservation for a    In January we received word Alistairthatnd our Wilson Alistair Wilson place. entry to the RSPB Club of the Year Kalinka Rexer-Huber extended her work with Falkland   few more months, focusing on introduced animals. 2012 competition was award 2 In January we received word that our entry to the RSPB Club of the Year The 2 Lesley Nundy,6:30am. Youth  Officer of the  day for Stanley’s retailers and tourist 2012 competition was award 2 nd Youth & Education Falklands Department, Conservation openedRSPB businesses on Februaryrecord. A2011 grand was total the busiestof “I amthe delighted shop as usual to announceat 8:00am and that by Lesley Nundy, Youth Officer of the 6561 passengers ar said: mid-morning a steady flow of eager Youth & Education Department, ndRSPB cruise shthe Falklands Group are the runners up place. the Falklands capital, Stanley. visitors were coming through the said: With a rather dull and drizzly day, the in the competition. The judges thor- “I am delighted to announce that door. Farrah Peck and Margaret the Falklands Group are the runners up weather couldips have a been better, but it oughlyCarr managed enjoyed the reading shop for about the du- all the did not seem to deter the masses of tour- n rationdifferent of the activities day, keeping that theit open club organ-in the competition. The judges thor- ists stepping off thechored launches rivedin Port onto William. 6:30am. th throughises –the you normal have accesslunch hoto some incredi-oughly On enjoyed the 16 reading February about allStanley the was Stanley’s jetty. Some arrived as early as Falklands Conservation opened on the three helpingble tourists wildlife to andfind clearlythe right the membersdifferent of once activitiesagain inundated that the withclub organ-visitors. This clothingthe sizes, shop printing as usual King at pen-8:00am and by ises – you haveO access to some incredi-  about current conservationthe group projects appreciate go- the opportunity to time there were slightly fewer visitors as guin adoptionmid-morning packs and a steadychatting flow of eagerble wildlifeonce againandn clearlyinundated the with members visitors. Thisof ing on around the learnislands. about By closing such amazing creatures andthetime two there large werethe 16 slightlycruise fewer vessels visitors only as had a I would like to become a member of visitors were coming through the that afternoon shelves were practically the group5551 appreciate total passenger the opportunity capacity. toThe sun door.diverse Farrah habitats.” Peck Sheand went Margaret on to say: the two large cruise thvessels only had a cleared of polo shirts,“All t-shirts, of the pinentries were of an extremelylearn5551 aboutshone total suchandpassenger theamazing windcapacity. February creatureswas The minimal,Stanley sun and was mak- ■ Animals introduced to islands around Carr managed the shop for the du- badges and artwork. Gross sales for the diverseshoneing habitats.”and it the a gloriouswind She was went minimal,Falklands on tomak- say:summer day. the world impact on a large range of 2 nd rationhigh of standard the day, and keeping choosing it opena winnering it a glorious Falklands summ  February were £889.74, a brilliant ur, “All of Thethe entriesFC shop were was of again an extremely visited by many. species. In UK Overseas Territory is- take for the usually ratherthrough quietwas Falk- verythe difficult.normal Butlunch in thehour, endThe the FC shop was again visited by many. high standardThe total and takings choosing for a thewinner 16 th lands (UKOTs), introduced vertebrateslands Con helpingwinners tourists were to Macclesfield find the right RSPBThe total Wild- takings for the 16 February  information to fill gaps: which islands werewas £777.42. verywere difficult. On £777.42.both But days in Onthe endnewboth the days the new are one of the biggest threats to biodi-Stanley’s front road is taken over bylife Explorers.” have introducedclothing species (non-farmedsizes, printing Kingcardnet pen-winners facility were proved Macclesfield its worth, withRSPB Wild- pedestrians (right),se and cardnet facility proved its worth, with versity. As interest innd island restoration rvation shop. guin adoption packs and chatting The 2 February 2011formed was in the t busiestintroduced vertebrates) and how many man life Explorers.”many visitors exclaiming their pleasant

grows, the need to balance biodiversity are there? Whenabout andcurrent how conservationmany were projectssurp y go-visitors exclaiming their pleasant The drive tests the skills of the most gers day for Stanley’s retailers and tourist surprise at being able to use their charge gains against costs and risks is becoming ing on around the islands. Bycards. closing rise at being able to use their charge A Magellanic penguin with a stainless businesses informationon record.to their toAwait ships.fillgrand forgaps: launches total introduced?which of to islandsretu Some of this information is cards. steel flipper band was recentlymore sighted important. The Royal Society for he rain (top left)that as afternoon shelves were practically er day. 6561 passengershave introduced arrived on species the already three(non-farmed in the Falkland Islands biodiver- Crofts th on Saunders Island by Suzanthe Pole- Protection of Birds (RSPB) is work- February cruise ships introducedanchored vertebrates)in Port William.sity and database how manycleared but much of of poloit is undocu-shirts, t-shirts, pin ah Evans. TheAnimals penguin’s introduced flipper band toing hadislands to prioritise around island restorations large queues ar mented localbadges knowledge and artwork.or is found Gross in sales for the S been fitted bythe the world Center impact for the onRecov- a large range Withof a ratherare dull there? and When drizzly and day, how the many werend Falklands Conservation (payment form overleaf) across the UKOTs. historical documents.2 February Our work were informs £889.74, a brilliant ery species. In UK Overseas Territoryweather is- couldintroduced? have been Some better, of thisbut informationit is southern of Brazil. Marine The Falkland Islands are blessed with the prioritisationtake passen-of forisland the restorations usually rather in quiet Falk- lands (UKOTs), introduced vertebratesdid not seem toalready deter inthe the masses Falkland of tour- Islands biodiver-rn them Their records confirmed that the pen-a large array of islands, and a great deal the Falklands, landsand adds Conservation to the biodiver- shop. are one of the biggest threats to biodi-ists stepping sityoff database the launches but much onto of it is undocu- guin was admitted to CRAM as an oiled of effort has already gone into island sity database. Maggie, James, Hay & HE Governor bird. It was rehabilitatedversity. for 8 weeks As interest at in island restorationStanley’s jetty.mented Some arrivedlocal knowledge as early as or is foundStanley’s in front road is taken over by Animals (CRAM)restorations in and eradications here. Falk- Haywood present Gemma’s award Crofts the CRAM facility and released at The outcome – an information docu- grows, the needlands to balance Conservation biodiversity is working withhistorical the documents. Our workpedestrians informs (right), and large queuesMaggie, James, Hay & HE Governor ah Ca ment prioritising islands within the gains against costs and risks is becominging. Whi the prioritisation of island restorationsformed in in the rain (top left) as passen-Haywood present Gemma’s award Sar b ssin RSPB to ensure that island prioritisation UKOTs for restoration – will help pri- A large excited group of Watch er o route to the Falklands,the Falklands, and adds to the biodiver-gers wait for launches to return them ders Island2010. andBeach, is believedBrazil on to the be 17more breed- Septem- important.within The the Royal Falklands Societydistance is up-to-dateforb and  Group kids and parentsA large attendedexcited group a prize of Watch le we dosity not database.know its oritise exact limited funding, and provide a the Protectionrelevant. of Birds (RSPB)Saunders is work-Island is an impressive 2200 to their ships. giving to mark the achievement in Feb- It then made its way to Saun- The outcomelong-term – an information programme docu- for the Falklands Group kids and parents attended a prize ing to prioritise In particular,island restorationskm we (1367 have miles). been providing for working with landowners. As a bo-ruary. HE Governorgiving to Nigelmark theHaywood achievement in Feb- This sightingetwee further supportsment the prioritising be- islands within the experienced off-road driver due to the across the UKOTs. If you have information that you think may notnus, be onwe record, will also please end upget with in touch a more at kindly presentedruary. eachHE Governor child with Nigel a Falk- Haywood Falkland skua Teaberry The Falkland Islandslief arethat blessedSouth Atlantic with n penguinsCassinoUKOTs fre-Be for restoration – will help pri- lands Conservation medal and an RSPB [email protected] disperse between the Falklandsoritise the straig limiteddetailed, funding, useful and biodiversity provide a database for kindly presented each child with a Falk- a large array of islands, and a great deal Club Awardlands certificate. Conservation Afterwards medal and a an RSPB the islands,and or South that America mice got and to readily your mix. island Thelong-term a few the programme Falkland Islands. for the Falklands of effortcats has were alreadysighting removed. gone of intoKalinka island . Perhapswill be in you the know field whenover therabbits next were month introduced or so, but to will party withClub tea Award and cakes certificate. was enjoyed. Afterwards a for workinght-line with landowners. As a bo- restorations andwell eradicationsis also a boost here.to organi Falk- ach and Wellparty done with kids! tea and cakes was enjoyed. happily collate any information you providenus, on weher willreturn. also end up with a more lands Conservationare involved is inworking rehabilitating with theoiled sea- the FIG Veterinary Department rescue James Well Fenton done also kids! took the opportu-  birds. Over the pastthe few banded years penguin volunteers a detailed, useful biodiversity database for RSPB to ensure that island prioritisation years ago butand yourehabilitate caught them,dozens or of that oiled nitypen- to announceJames Fenton that alsoWatch took Leader the opportu- have helped Falklands Conservation and guins. within the Falklands is up-to-date and the Falkland Islands. one of Maggie Battersby would soon be leaving Penguins are not flipper one banded of  in the nity to announce that Watch Leader  relevant. theMaggie post, due Battersby to new workwould commitments. soon be leaving A Magellanic penguin with a stainlessFalkland Islands. However, the practice In particular, we have been providing does occur in othering. parts While of the weworld. do It notFC theknow will post, prepareits due exact to to new say workfarewell commitments. to (please tick) steel flippersatio bandlive and was recentlyyearshas ago ledsighted but to invaluableyou caught research, them, furthering or that Maggie in the next newsletter.the FIG Veterinary Department rescue Membership category . Perhaps you know when rabbits were introduced to FC will prepare to say farewell to If you have informationon thatSaunders you think Island may notby be Suzan on record, Pole- please routeget in totouch the atFalklands, the straight-line ns that the understanding distanceof penguin betweendisper- CassinoMaggie Beach in the andnext newsletter.and rehabilitate dozens of oiled pen- [email protected]. The penguin’s flippersions band and hadpopulation changes. Newer guins. Saunders Island is an impressive 2200 the islands, or that micebeen got tofitted your by island the Centera few andfor saferthe Recov-techniques are now being de- Penguins are not flipper banded in the veloped. These include insertingkm (1367 small miles). cats were removed. Kalinkaery of will Marine be in theAnimals field ove (CRAM)r the next monthin or so, but will Falkland Islands. However, the practice ra This sighting further supports the be- happily collate any informationsouthern Brazil. you provide ondio her emitting return. does occur in other parts of the world. It softness of the peat. cone rubber flipper bands. lief that South Atlantic penguins fre- Their records confirmed that the pen- has led to invaluable research, furthering quently disperse between the Falklands guin was admitted to CRAM as an oiled the understanding of penguin disper- implants or andfit South America and readily mix. The bird. It was rehabilitated for 8 weeks at sions and population changes. Newer sighting of the banded penguin alive and the CRAM facility and released at and safer techniques are now being de- well is also a boost to organisations that Cassino Beach, Brazil on the 17 Septem- veloped. These include inserting small are involved in rehabilitating oiled sea- ber 2010. It then made its way to Saun- ting sili- radio emitting implants or fitting sili- birds. Over the past few years volunteers ders Island and is believed to be breed- cone rubber flipper bands. have helped Falklands Conservation and ■ Individual (UK, EU or FI) £30/$50 ■ Individual (overseas) £50/$80 ■ Household/family £50/$80 ■ Gold £100/$170 ■ Life (one-off payment) £1,000/$1,700 ■ Student £15/$20

To either adopt a penguin and/or become a member please complete both sides of this form

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Ruddy-headed goose Falklands Conservation is a UK registered charity no. 1073859 and a company limited by guarantee in England and Wales no. 03661322. cover photo: King penguins ✃ About Volunteer Point

Named after the ship Volunteer which Please follow the guidelines called at the Islands in 1815, Volunteer Point is part of Johnson’s Harbour Farm. DO NOT DISTURB King penguins, especially The farm, one of the largest surviving when they are incubating eggs (Nov–Jan) in private ownership in the Falklands as disturbance may cause their only egg to (21,853 ha, 52,000 acres) with 10,000 be lost. sheep, was established by George MAINTAIN A DISTANCE of >6 m Patterson Smith in 1870 and stayed in the 6 m (20 ft) between you and Smith family until June 2011. It remains in any wildlife at all times. local ownership. WILDLIFE HAVE RIGHT OF Volunteer Beach is a 3·2 km (2 mile) long WAY AT ALL TIMES. Do not white sandy beach, bordered by high block wildlife from returning or no smoking grassy banks leading down to rolling entering the sea. greens. These provide the ideal habitats TAKE CARE on steep slopes for three breeding species of penguin: and slippery rocks. gentoo, Magellanic and king. no fires Other important wildlife areas are the LEAVE GATES as you find them. Lagoon Bar and Volunteer Point itself BE AWARE of biosecurity. where fur seals can be found on the rocks Do not introduce invasive just offshore, but these sites are difficult to species to the area. do not reach. BE CAREFUL not to trample litter Volunteer Point qualifies as an Important the burrows of nesting Bird Area (FK21), a global standard set seabirds, particularly those of by BirdLife International. Magellanic penguins. Avoid walking across areas of high no flash This booklet describes the area around burrow density. Volunteer Beach, home of the king penguin. LAMBING SEASON The lambing season is from October to December. During this time visitors are asked to take extra care not to disturb ewes as they may abandon lambs if startled. The King Penguin Colony Raising a King Penguin Chick The breeding cycle of a king penguin takes longer than The Volunteer Point colony is the largest and pairs began to breed again at one year, meaning breeding group of king penguins within Volunteer Point. By 1971 there were Juveniles depart that a pair can only the Falkland Islands, where they are at about 30 incubating adults and nine They will stay at sea for the rear two chicks the northerly limit of their global range. chicks present. next 3 years, foraging as far in any three year south as the Antarctic Polar Front … King penguins have bred here since Today there are estimated to be about period. man's first recorded visit to the Falkland 1,500 breeding adults at the colony and Incubation period Islands. 600–700 chicks are raised each year. One egg is incubated on the feet. In 1769 Thomas Pennant, who brought King penguins are increasing throughout This is a critical stage, as disturbance the first specimen away from the their entire range. to the adults can lead to the egg being lost (eg. by rolling off the feet). Falklands, called it the ‘Patagonian They have a circumpolar distribution and Pinguin’. also breed at South Georgia, the Crozet Adults depart Early records suggest that numbers Islands and Kerguelen, Heard and Once the moult is completed, were never very high at Volunteer Point, Macquarie Islands. the adults will leave to and by 1870 they had been almost spend the next year at sea, The world population is estimated skipping a breeding season. exterminated from the Islands, killed for at two million. It is thought that the Brood period their oil and beautiful feathers. … and will Falkland king penguin population return to For 34 days the parents take However, the former owner observed expansion may be due to overcrowding Adult moult alternate shifts lasting 4–9 days, Volunteer Point The adults remain kings returning in ones and twos at Cow further south at South Georgia. to breed when with one caring for the chick while on land to moult, the other feeds at sea. Bay from 1947. Numbers expanded they are 4–6 starting as soon as years old. their chicks have fledged. Juvenile moult The moult Chicks begin to takes attain their adult 24–30 days. plumage and by their Returning second summer are adults large enough to fend Adults that did for themselves and will not breed in the depart for the sea. Guard period previous year The chick is never left begin a new unattended during breeding cycle. this phase, which lasts around 35 days at Volunteer Point.

Winter At Volunteer Point the chicks stay on land in crèches whilst the adults Throughout the winter embark on extended foraging trips, as far south as Antarctica, returning the adults feed at the only infrequently to feed the chick. During this time the chick has to fast Antarctic Polar Front and will lose up to half its body weight, relying on the fat reserves it has on dense shoals of built up during the summer for survival. lantern fish Other Penguins

Over 1,000 pairs of gentoo penguins are resident at Volunteer Point. The Falklands are one of the most important sites in the world for this species. The gentoo population in the Falkland Islands is around 132,000 breeding pairs (2010 census). In some years the gentoo population can crash very suddenly, due to environmental factors. However, the species is very resilient, and numbers have quickly recovered Lobster krill – penguin food once again. Breeding commences in October, and They migrate considerable distances to the eggs hatch 39 days after being laid. warmer waters for the winter months. These birds nest in deep burrows, up to Sea trips for feeding (mostly squid, 2 m (6 ft) deep. lobster krill and small fish) take over two days whilst incubating, but less than half The birds lay their eggs from mid-October this time when feeding young birds. This with the average incubation period of 39 reflects the constant need of the young days. for food and the added pressure on the There are concerns that Magellanic adults to provide this. Young birds fledge penguins have declined in numbers in about 83 days after hatching, in early recent years (though accurate figures are February. very difficult to obtain). Magellanic penguins are widespread Studies by Falklands Conservation here along the entire Falklands coastline, suggested that a shortage of food when but are only present in the Islands from adults are feeding chicks has led to a September to April. low survival rate for chicks.

Magellanic penguins (left) and gentoo penguins (right)