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Think of the Falkland Islands in terms of wildlife, and you will probably think of penguins.

There are five types known to breed here - the King, Gentoo, Magellanic or Jackass, Rockhopper and Macaroni. Others such as the Chinstrap occasionally visit, more by accident than design. But there are many species of other birds here too, by the thousands, and mammals too. Whales, seals, dolphins... This is an amazing place for studying wildlife, as all species are tame. Some ridiculously so, such as the diminutive tussock bird, which needs no long distance lens for a close-up shot. Johnny Rooks (the striated caracara) are embarrassingly nosey, sidling up to people with their head one side and disconcerting would-be photographers... 

Check out the Links for interesting sites such as Falklands Conservation and Falklands Tourism, which will give you lots of good information.

There's not time to build a full section on our 'own' wildlife but favourites by far are

The Redbacked Buzzard

Here at Dunnose Head some redbacked buzzards often nest just outside our farm boundary. They used to visit daily when we were using mutton to feed dogs and ourselves, swooping down for a takeaway and giving us much pleasure in the process. Indeed they still occasionally come to sit patiently waiting on a power pole. The last youngster reared got so tame it landed on my arm one day, to take meat. She called back occasionally to shriek at us for food but has now moved on to pastures new. Her parents had better manners and waited quietly in hope. They are magnificent birds.

Redbacks have a large territory. We could be miles from home, when the pair we used to feed (who knew our vehicle) would land near us if we were  out working somewhere. When these birds were rearing young, or the weather was particularly harsh,  Clive shot Upland geese for them to make their life easier.

We've known this pair to rear two chicks but there's normally only one, and some years none at all.

Ornithologist Fred Clark has made a study of these beautiful birds in South America as well as here in the Islands. He undertook his overseas study as a Churchill Fellow, and would be happy to share his knowledge with anyone who cares to write to him, about these or other local birds of prey, at his East Falkland home. He and his partner Liz Saunders keep detailed records of the redbacks in their area and kindly sent me a copy of a paper they have published on the subject. You can write to Fred at this address:

Fred Clark
Hawkbit
Fitzroy Track
Falkland Islands