Bertha's Beach

Bertha's Beach

Country:
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (Overseas territories)
Site number:
1103
Area:
3,000.0 ha
Designation date:
24-09-2001
Coordinates:
51°54'33"S 58°24'23"W
  • Qualifying bird species Gentoo Penguin Pygoscelis papua
  • Qualifying bird species Kelp Goose Chloephaga hybrida malvinarum
  • Qualifying bird species the endemic Falkland Steamer Duck Tachyeres brachydactyla
  • Qualifying bird species Tussac Bird (Blackish Cinclodes) Cinclodes antarcticus antarcticus
  • Qualifying mammal species South American Sea Lion Otaria flavescens (pup shown)
  • Qualifying plant species Coastal Nassauvia Nassauvia gaudichaudii
  • Qualifying plant species Silvery Buttercup Hamadryas argentea
  • Qualifying plant species Smooth Ragwort Senecio vaginatus
  • Wetland Type A - shallow marine waters with Commerson's Dolphin Cephalorhynchus commersonii
  • Wetland Type D - intertidal rocky shore with resting South American tern Sterna hirundinacea
  • Wetland Type E - low sand dunes with feeding White-rumped sandpiper Calidris fuscicollis
  • Wetland Type J - Coastal Brackish Lagoon
  • Wetland Types A & E - shallow marine waters and pebble shores

Materials presented on this website, particularly maps and territorial information, are as-is and as-available based on available data and do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Secretariat of the Ramsar Convention concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area, or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries.


The Site features a dynamic sandy beach, and significant areas of shallow marine water, reefs to the south-east and sheltered marine lagoons to the north. It is a representative example of Falkland coastal wetland types, including beach, small lakes, shallow marine ecosystems and tussac islands. It supports a broad range of Falkland birds and plants, including the endemic Falkland steamer duck (Tachyeres brachypterus) and other endemic sub-species of waterfowl, as well as gentoo penguin (Pygoscelis papua) colonies. Among its plants is the endemic and globally endangered vanilla daisy (Erigeron incertus). Grazing by sheep has led to impoverishment of the native flora, and in some instances to erosion of the thin soils. At Bertha’s Beach pilot studies are being carried out on improving techniques for plant species introduction. The area has enormous potential for conservation education for military and civilian visitors.

Administrative region: East Falkland

National legal designation:
  • none
Last publication date: 10-01-2024