Difference between revisions of "Isla Guadalupe"
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ISLA GUADALUPE has been called one of the most interesting islands in the world. Located 180 miles west of the Baja California peninsula, this volcanic island, not | ISLA GUADALUPE has been called one of the most interesting islands in the world. Located 180 miles west of the Baja California peninsula, this volcanic island, not attached to the continental shelf, rises from great ocean depths to 4,257 feet. It is 94 square miles in size ~ almost as large as Santa Cruz Island. Today temporary fishing camps are located on the island: Campo Norte ("North Camp", four buildings); Campo Lima (Campo Corrals); (one building); and Arroyitos (four buildings). An abandoned fishing community, Campo Este ("East Camp"), is located near a cove on the eastern shore. At the southern tip, on Melpómene Cove, there is a weather station staffed by a detachment from the Mexican Ministry of the Navy. The site is called Campamento Sur ("South Encampment"). Near the center of the island is a small dirt airstrip called Campo Pista. | ||
Isla Guadalupe was the refuge of the last surviving elephant seals at the turn of the 19th century. It is home to the endemic Guadalupe Fur Seal (''Arctocephalus townsendi''), in addition to a number of endemic birds: | Isla Guadalupe was the refuge of the last surviving elephant seals at the turn of the 19th century. It is home to the endemic Guadalupe Fur Seal (''Arctocephalus townsendi''), in addition to a number of endemic birds: | ||
Revision as of 23:33, 6 September 2016
ISLA GUADALUPE has been called one of the most interesting islands in the world. Located 180 miles west of the Baja California peninsula, this volcanic island, not attached to the continental shelf, rises from great ocean depths to 4,257 feet. It is 94 square miles in size ~ almost as large as Santa Cruz Island. Today temporary fishing camps are located on the island: Campo Norte ("North Camp", four buildings); Campo Lima (Campo Corrals); (one building); and Arroyitos (four buildings). An abandoned fishing community, Campo Este ("East Camp"), is located near a cove on the eastern shore. At the southern tip, on Melpómene Cove, there is a weather station staffed by a detachment from the Mexican Ministry of the Navy. The site is called Campamento Sur ("South Encampment"). Near the center of the island is a small dirt airstrip called Campo Pista.
Isla Guadalupe was the refuge of the last surviving elephant seals at the turn of the 19th century. It is home to the endemic Guadalupe Fur Seal (Arctocephalus townsendi), in addition to a number of endemic birds:
- Townsend's storm petrel (Oceanodroma socorroensis) – only known breeding site
- Ainley's storm petrel (Oceanodroma cheimomnestes) – only known breeding site
- Guadalupe rock wren (Salpinctes obsoletus guadalupensis) – endemic
- Guadalupe house finch (Carpodacus mexicanus amplus) – endemic
- Guadalupe pipefish (Syngnathus insulae) – endemic
- Guadalupe junco (Junco hyemalis insularis) – endemic
- Guadalupe caracara (Caracara lutosa) – endemic, extinct
