Passage Islands
# Passage Islands

The Passage Islands (Spanish: Islas del Pasaje) are a group of four islands in the Falkland Islands of the South Atlantic Ocean. They lie off Dunnose Head, West Falkland, at the mouth of King George Bay.

## Description

The largest of the group is Second Passage Island which is 9 km (5.6 mi) long from east to west and up to 2 km (1.2 mi) wide. Much of the coastline is characterised by cliffs up to 30 metres (98 ft) high. The highest point is 75 metres (246 ft) Sixtus Hill. Past overgrazing has caused erosion and reduced the cover of tussac. There are several ponds, one of which provides feeding habitat for waders and waterfowl. Third and Fourth Passage Islands are 800 m apart and low lying, rising to about 30 metres (98 ft). They were only briefly stocked with cattle in the 1960s and have good tussac coverage.

## Important Bird Area

The Passage Islands group has been identified by BirdLife International as an Important Bird Area (IBA). Birds for which the site is of conservation significance include Falkland steamer ducks, gentoo penguins (300 breeding pairs), southern rockhopper penguins (145 pairs), southern giant petrels, striated caracaras, white-bridled finches, blackish cinclodes and Cobb's wrens.

