Research & Restoration Plans
Island descriptions
Bense Island
Bense Island is the largest (c. 264 acres) and most modified of the parcel, having been grazed by sheep, cattle, horses, and rabbits. The last of the livestock were removed in 1985, and the rabbits in 2016. Rats and mice, accidentally introduced in the 19th Century, were also present until 2016, when they were eradicated. In addition, a fire in 1985-86 scorched about 25% of the island down to bare soil and rock. While a wide varitey of plants and animals still remain on parts of the island, the fire has had an indirect impact that continues today. Loose peat ash from the burn zone has been shifted by wind and is now accumulating on top of healthy vegetation on the eastern side of the island
Little Bense Island
Little Bense Island (c. 91 acres), is located about 200m off Bense Island. The two islands are separated by a rocky reef at low tide and this presented no barrier to the movements of livestock and rodents between the islands. Little Bense formerly hosted lifestock until the 1980s, but the grazing pressure here was light and it is in better ecological condition than Bense Island. There was no fire here, although rats, mice and rabbits were on the island until 2016. Little Bense is home to a colony of about 60 South American sea lions and a wide variety of birds.
Cliff Island
Cliff Island (c. 60 acres) is ecologically pristine and has never been inhabited or modified by human activity, probably because there are no easy landing sites. It is situated about 3 km from Bense Island and is completely covered by tussock grass. This island supports a wide variety of both sea and land birds, including the endemic tussacbird (Cinclodes antarcticus) and Cobb’s wren (Troglodytes cobbi).
Bradley Islet
The smallest of the SAFER Islands at less than 1 acre, Bradley’s steep rocky sides make landing difficult. The summit is crowned by a tiny patch of stunted vegetation and it is used as a roost by imperial and rock shags, sheathbills, and sea lions.