COMMEMORATIVE ISSUE

Pebble Island
Island Series

Issue Date: 12 September 2005







Introduction to Pebble Island

Pebble Island, with a length of 31 kilometres and land area of some 8900 hectares, is the third largest offshore island in the Falklands. Its diverse terrain combines moorlands, ponds, and wetlands together with pristine sand beaches, dramatic coastal cliffs, and rocky peaks rising to 277 metres. Collectively these provide breeding habitats for a wide-ranging population of birds, including some rare and elusive species like the majestic Black-necked swan. Many thousands of Gentoo, Rockhopper and Magellanic penguins breed on Pebble Island each summer, spearheading the list of 42 resident bird species.

The earliest known record of Pebble Island (referred to as "Fayre Island") appears in the log of the Dainty which sailed past under command of the Elizabethan adventurer, Sir Richard Hawkins, in 1594.

By the late 18th and early 19th centuries Ship Harbour, at the east end of the island, had become a popular anchorage amongst the itinerant sealing community which arrived seasonally from Britain and the United States. The sealers introduced livestock as a readily available source of protein, and by the 1830's pigs, rabbits, cattle and goats were roaming freely.

The island is so named due to the presence of a rare and attractive agate which occurs locally as small "pebbles". Many of these are both translucent and colourful, and once polished can be made into attractive jewellery. It is not clear at what point or by whom the island was given its present title, but the name was already in use when Englishman John Henry Dean bought Pebble Island along with several smaller, neighbouring islands in 1846. The estate was further expanded in 1911 with the purchase of nearby Keppel Island. Dean established a sheep farming company known as Dean Brothers, which to the present day retains land assets in the Falklands. For many years Pebble Island was one of the most successful West Falkland wool producers; a thriving enterprise which supported up to seven families and an equal number of single workers. Many of the smaller islands have been sold off over the years, but the Pebble Island group still encompasses Broken Island along with both the Pebble and Government islets. The group is presently leased and farmed by Raymond Evans, whose father Griff was manager for Dean Brothers between 1969 and 1985. Raymond, together with his partner Arina, continues the long-standing tradition of sheep farming with over 10,000 sheep forming the bulk of his livestock.

Pebble Island briefly became the focus of world media attention during the "Falklands War" in 1982. At that time, the occupying Argentine forces had renamed the island "Isla Bourbon", garrisoned it with 350 men, and were utilizing the island's grass airstrip as a vital part of their supply line from the South American mainland. On the night of 14th/15th May the airstrip was attacked and effectively put out of action by members of the British Special Air Service. 11 Argentine aircraft were destroyed in what was the first land-based action by the British during the campaign to regain the Falklands. This highly successful raid was the largest SAS operation since WWII. A small cairn erected near the airstrip commemorates the action. Some scattered remains of Argentine aircraft can still be seen.

On 25th May 1982 Argentine jets bombed and sank the British destroyer H.M.S. Coventry about 10 miles to the north of Pebble Island. Coventry had been acting as a radar picket at the northern approaches to Falkland Sound when she was attacked. A large cross erected on a scenic hillside not far from Pebble settlement, looks out to where the ship sank and commemorates the 19 members of her company who lost their lives.

55p - Pebble Island Lodge

Pebble Island Lodge was originally built as the farm manager's house and has always been the focal point of this remote island community. Converted to a lodge in 1987, it retains the warm and friendly atmosphere of a large, traditional Falkland farm house while being ideally suited to meet the needs of visitors from around the world. The lodge provides an ideal base from which to explore a wildlife-rich environment and experience a large Falkland farm at work. The proprietors, Alan White and Jackie Jennings, are both Falkland Islanders and extend a very warm welcome to their guests. They provide both plenty of excellent food and fully guided off-road tours in 4 wheel-drive vehicles. The lodge can accommodate up to 11 people in comfortable rooms of various configurations, all of which are en-suite.

55p - Gentoo Penguin Pygoscelis p. papua.

Once known as "Johnny Penguins", Gentoos are the least numerous of the Pygoscelid or "brush-tailed" penguins. However, they have a considerable breeding range encompassing the Antarctic Peninsula and many antarctic and subantarctic islands. Only the northern sub-species is found in the Falklands where it is resident throughout the year. A total of around 100,000 pairs breed in over 80 colonies spread around the Islands. Gentoos spend a great deal of their time ashore and favour the use of gently-sloping, open sites with access to a sandy landing beach. Their nesting colonies can be found as far as two miles from the sea and, in many places, they remain largely static from one season to the next. Other colonies re-locate each year although the birds remain largely tied to using the same landing beaches.

45p - Falkland Lavender Perezia recurvata

This attractive shrubby perennial prefers drier, well-drained soils near the coast. In sheltered areas it forms small clumps or bushes up to 30 cm high. The flowers, which appear from December through January, range from pale lilac or blue to white and exude a mild fragrance. It is, however, unrelated to the well-known lavenders (family Lamiaceae) which are shrubs cultivated for their strong aromatic oils. P. recurvata is fairly common throughout the islands and is also found in Fuegia and Andean Patagonia north to around 30°S.

45p - Black-necked Swan Cygnus melanocoryphus

The largest of the neotropical waterfowl, this shy and fairly small swan is the most aquatic of its tribe and particularly awkward on shore. Although fairly common in southern South America, the Falkland population totals less than 500 pairs and it is thought that these are largely resident throughout the year. Although their stronghold in the islands is on East Falkland, black-necked swans also occur elsewhere and are regular breeders on Pebble Island. They commence egg-laying between early August and September. Their large nests are normally comprised of partially floating plants in reed beds or dense fringe vegetation on or near the water. The normal clutch is 4 - 7 eggs. The cygnets are very white and, unusually among waterfowl, both parents habitually carry them protectively on their backs. In the Falklands adult swans have few natural enemies but such conspicuous young are obviously vulnerable to attack by predatory skuas and kelp gulls.

Technical Details:-

Designer Tony Chater
Printer BDT International
Process Lithography
Perforation 14 per 2cms
Stamp size 30.56 x 38mm
Sheet Layout 24 (2 x 12)
Release date 12 September 2005
Production Co-ordination Creative Direction (Worldwide) Ltd
Notes compiled by Tony Chater and Alan White



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