Bense Island is the largest (c. 264 acres / 107 ha) 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 present until 2016. In addition, a fire in 1985-86 scorched about 25% of the island down to bare soil and rock. While a wide variety 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. The island has cliffs about 30m high on the west side, sloping gradually towards gentle sandy and stony shores on the east side. Over a century of grazing, and the fire, have modified the vegetation although one small peninsula still sports a luxurious growth of dense tussock grass. Sea lions sometimes haul out on Bense but there is no breeding colony.

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