Bertha's Beach Important Bird Area facts for kids

Gentoo penguin returning to its colony on Bertha's Beach

Male (left) and female kelp geese at Bertha's Beach

Bertha's Beach Important Bird Area is a special place on the East Falkland island. It covers about 3,300 hectares (that's like 8,150 football fields!) of wetlands right by the sea. You can find it at the entrance to Choiseul Sound in the Falkland Islands.

This area is about 8 kilometers south-east of Mount Pleasant Airport. It's also about 40 kilometers south-west of Stanley, the capital city.

Experts at BirdLife International have named it an "Important Bird Area" (IBA). This means it's super important for many migratory birds, especially waders and other waterbirds. It's also a "Ramsar site," which means it's a wetland recognized worldwide for its importance.

What is Bertha's Beach Like?

This special area includes the coast and the land right next to it, stretching from Fox Point to Bertha's Beach. It has all the typical features of a Falkland Islands coastal wetland.

You'll find a beautiful white sand beach and sand dunes. There are also areas of maritime heathland, which is like a wild, open space near the sea. Plus, there are freshwater ponds and brackish lagoons (which are a mix of fresh and saltwater).

Behind Bertha's Beach, the land is mostly covered by plains of white grass. To the north-east, there's a big area of low coastal land with islands and peninsulas. You can even see kelp beds (like underwater forests) stretching far out into the ocean.

Plants and Animals You Can Find

Scientists have found about 77 different types of flowering plants in the Ramsar site. One of these is a very rare plant called Dusen's moonwort.

You might also spot some amazing animals here! There's a breeding colony of southern sea lions on the nearby Kelp Islands. If you're lucky, you might even see Peale's dolphins playing in the waves right from the beach.

Amazing Birds of Bertha's Beach

Bertha's Beach is a true paradise for birds. Many important bird species live and breed here. These include the unique Falkland steamer ducks and ruddy-headed geese.

You'll also find a large colony of gentoo penguins, with about 500 pairs nesting here! Magellanic penguins and white-bridled finches also call this place home. During migration season, about 15,000 white-rumped sandpipers visit the area.

The ponds behind the beach and dunes are home to many other waterbirds. Look out for graceful black-necked swans, Chiloe wigeons, and Patagonian crested ducks. You might also see flying steamer ducks, yellow-billed pintails, and different types of teal like silver and yellow-billed teals. Finally, two kinds of grebes, silvery and white-tufted grebes, enjoy these waters.

See also

In Spanish: Playa de Bertha para niños