Southern Powell Island and adjacent islets Specially Protected Area


The Southern Powell Island and adjacent islets Specially Protected Area is a 2688 ha site encompassing part of southern Powell Island in the South Orkney Islands of Antarctica. It includes neighbouring Christoffersen, Fredriksen, Michelsen and Grey Islands, along with some other offshore islets. It was designated an Antarctic Specially Protected Area because of its biological values as it supports many plants and animals that exemplify the natural ecology of the South Orkney Islands. It is also a breeding site for Antarctic fur seals.

Important Bird Area

The site has been identified as an Important Bird Area by BirdLife International because it supports several significant seabird breeding colonies. Birds nesting there include gentoo penguins, Adélie penguins, chinstrap penguins and small numbers of macaroni penguins, as well as southern giant petrels, snow petrels, Cape petrels, imperial shags, kelp gulls, brown skuas and snowy sheathbills.