Prion Island

Prion Island is a tiny speck in the Bay of Isles on South Georgia's northwest coast. Less than a mile long and covered with tussac grass, it is an important breeding site for wandering albatrosses, and until the successful conclusion of the rat eradication programme on the mainland, was also a key stronghold for the South Georgia pipit. Up until the mid-20th century, elephant sealers would sometimes call here to collect albatross eggs and chicks for the pot. 

Since 1999, a monitoring programme has been in place on Prion Island to record both the numbers of breeding albatrosses but also potential negative visitor impacts. A specially constructed boardwalk guides visitors to viewing platforms, to prevent damage to the tussac. As well the albatrosses and pipits, many burrowing petrels also nest on the island, whose nests could easily be damaged by unwary feet.

Although Prion Island itself is small, when set against the snowy peaks of the northern Allardyce Mountains on the mainland it enjoys a truly spectacular setting.

The wandering albatrosses are the stars of the show here, and the reason why so many people want to visit Prion Island. There are around 170 nesting pairs here - a 25% decline in the last 2 years due the horrific pressure on albatross populations by unregulated longline fishing.

Eggs are typically laid in December, with chicks hatching in March and fledging between January and March. In the new year, it's often possibly to see young birds participating in dance behaviour including 'sky-pointing'.

Wandering albatross aren't the only species on Prion Island. The trilling song of the South Georgia pipit is readily heard, and other nesting seabird species include giant petrels and light-mantled albatross. Gentoo penguins also nest amid the tussac grass.

The beach is a popular haul-out for both elephant seals and fur seals.