Hummock Island
| Hummock Island | |
| Location | |
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| Location: | 51°36’51"S, 60°26’30"W |
| Area: | 750 acres |
| Highest point: | 623 feet |
| Data | |
| Population: | Uninhabited |
Hummock Island is the largest of the Hummock Island Group, a string of islands lying in King George Bay on the west of West Falkland in the Falkland Islands. It is 750 acres in size and is about four miles long in a north-west to south-east direction.[1] Hummock Island is off the western coast of West Falkland, in a bay that leads to the estuary of the Chartres River.[2]
The highest point on the island is in the north-east and is 624 feet. There are cliffs which often reach over 200 feet high.[1]
Hummock Island lies between Rabbit Island and Middle Island. Other islands in the Hummock Island group include Green Island and Gid's Island.[1]
In the middle of the Twentieth Century the island was used as an extension of the New Island sheep farm, and heavy grazing caused much of the tussac grass to be eaten out. This has left areas of bare 'black ground'. However, the present owner has indicated that he will not restock the island but will allow the vegetation to recover.[1] Gid's and Middle Island are nature reserves.
Important Bird Area
The Hummock Island group has been identified by BirdLife International as an Important Bird Area. Birds for which the site is of conservation significance include southern rockhopper penguins (1,700 breeding pairs), imperial shags, striated caracaras (8–10 pairs), and Cobb's wrens.[1]
References
| The Hummock Island Group in King George Bay in the Falkland Islands |
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Rabbit Island • Hummock Island • Middle Island • Gid's Island • Green Island |