Biological survey of the Balleny Islands

US coastguard helicopters were used to survey bird, seal and plant populations of the three main islands and islets of the Balleny Islands, located off the coast of Antarctica, for birds and seal breeding sites. Time and weather constrainst prevented an aerial reconnaisance of Sturge Island. The islands and islets were scanned with binoculars from a helicopter flying parallel to the coastline. GPS co-ordinates were recorded for all breeding sites identified. Six bird species were recorded breeding on the island including Adelie penguins (Pygoscelis adeliae), Chinstrap penguins (Pygoscelis antarctica), snow petrels (Pagodroma nivea), Cape pigeons (Daption capense), Antarctic fulmar (Fulmarus glacialoides), Antarctic petrels (Thalassoica antarctica). Two other species, Wilsons storm petrel (Oceanites oceanicus oceanicus) and Antarctic skua (Catharacta maccormicki) were seen in the area, although breeding for these species was not confirmed.