COMMEMORATIVE ISSUE

Island Series: Part 6 Bleaker Island

Issue Date: 18 September 2006







Introduction to Bleaker Island

In earlier times this Island was called Long Island. It was later re-dubbed Breaker Island, a name which was eventually modified to Bleaker Island. 12 miles long, and shaped like a crooked finger, Bleaker consists of over 2000 hectares of low-lying and undulating grassland and shrub heath. The highest point, Semaphore Hill, rises to just 29 metres above sea level. The island lies to the south of East Falkland from which is separated by a narrow and tidal stretch of water known as Bleaker Jump. It has been run as a sheep farm for well over a century and, from 1908 until the mid -1920's, was the home of Arthur Cobb, a farmer and noted local naturalist. Cobb wrote a delightful and informative book about the island's natural inhabitants which remarkably, given his location, included 46 of his own black and white photographs. Today the northern half of this wildlife-rich island is designated a national nature reserve. Notable amongst the natural inhabitants are the rare yellow orchid, three species of penguin and a rich variety of wildfowl.

50p - Macaroni Penguin Eudyptes chrysolophus

The most numerous of all the world's penguins, macaronis inhabit the warmer Antarctic waters north of the pack ice. They breed in vast numbers on many Antarctic and sub-Antarctic Islands and also on the Antarctic Peninsula. In the Falklands, at the northern fringe of their breeding range, a few isolated pairs breed amongst colonies of the smaller but closely-related rockhopper species. However, fifteen years ago a dramatic decrease in the populations of both Falklands' crested species meant that, for the time being at least, macaronis have virtually disappeared from the Falklands.

50p - Woolly Falkland Ragwort Senecio littoralis

A common, widespread and endemic species with noticeable bright-yellow, daisy-like flowers which appear in spring and early summer. This plant is distinguished from the less-common but otherwise similar species, Senecio vaginatus, by the woolly hairs which cover much of its foliage and give the plant an overall felted and grey-green appearance. Senecio littoralis grows to a height of around 25cm and is generally found amongst well-drained, dwarf shrub heath communities often between rocks from sea level up to an elevation of 300 metres.

60p - Long-tailed Meadowlark Sturnella loyca falklandica

Endemic to the Falklands, and locally known as the "robin", this race of Long-tailed Meadowlark is one of the most noticeable of all the local passerines. During the winter months they can be seen in noisy flocks of up to 70, often around settlements and gardens, hunting for worms, grubs, and insects. They are also partial to potatoes, pecking holes in exposed tubers, to the annoyance of many a gardener! In spring and summer "robins" are very territorial, raising 3 broods of 3 or 4 chicks between October and January. Their nest is usually well-hidden amongst long grass on the ground. Both parents feed and attend to the nestlings.

60p - The Outlook, Bleaker Island

Mike and Phyll Rendell, purchased the island from Falkland Landholdings in 1999. They successfully operate a joint farming and tourism business and employ a farming couple as the island's sole permanent residents. The owners' house, the Outlook, was built in 2000.

Technical details:-
Designer Tony Chater
Printer Cartor Security Printing
Process Stochastic Lithography
Perforation 14 per 2cms
Stamp size 30.6 x 38mm
Sheet Layout 24 (2x12)
Release date 18th September 2006
Production Co-ordination: Creative Direction (Worldwide) Ltd




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