The Falkland Islands were visited by Charles Darwin in the 19th Century and, like the Galapagos, were found by him to contain examples of flora and fauna not found elsewhere.

These discoveries in the context of the isolation of the islands in which they were found prompted thoughts in Darwin, which were ultimately to find shape in his iconoclastic work, Origin of Species.

Some of these discoveries, like the warrah, the once common Falkland Islands fox, have now disappeared, but others remain. These include birds such as the Cobbs wren, plants such as the colourful Felton’s flower, Falklands false plantain and an inhabitant of our unique geological stone runs – the fascinating snake plant.  Common here in the islands, yet approaching extinction throughout the rest of the world, are species such as the striated caracara and the ruddy-headed goose, tame enough to make for some superb photo opportunities.

Gentoo penguins are ashore all year around. They don’t undertake a winter migration and the antics of their chicks at breeding sites keep visitors entertained from November through to January. Magellanic and rockhopper penguins do migrate, but arrive back in the islands in mid October, having travelled as far as Brazil in some cases. Their breeding and chick-rearing cycle follows that of the gentoo penguins.

King penguins also remain in the Falkland Islands all year round but their feeding trips get longer the older their chicks are, often leaving almost adult sized fluffy chicks ashore over the long winter months. Typically either one chick is reared every two years or two chicks every three years, a completely different pattern from the other penguin species. Also to be found here is our fifth, slightly more elusive penguin, the macaroni, breeding in much lower numbers amongst rockhopper colonies, but visible to the more experienced eye. They too can be spotted from October through to February.

Black-browed albatross, however, are undoubtedly the seabird highlight for many visitors to Falkland shores. These fantastic birds breed here from October to April, in numbers unequalled anywhere in the world, rearing their huge downy chicks in some of the wildest spots around the islands.

Almost as large as the albatross and just as superb in flight are the giant petrels or "stinkers" as they are known locally. Very shy and easily disturbed in their scattered breeding sites, these ocean-wandering scavengers are a common sight in Stanley.  Using the up-draught from the harbour wall, they effortlessly keep pace with the vehicular traffic along Ross Road without needing to flap their wings.  At the other end of the scale of flying ability is the Falklands flightless steamer duck, which, as its name implies, simply doesn’t.

Of Falklands mammals, the most obvious, first by their smell and then by their size, are the giant elephant seals. The males come ashore in late August to early September and find territories on the breeding beaches. Females join them and are gathered into harems, most spectacularly seen on Sea Lion Island. Pups are born from late September through to late October and can be seen around the beaches until December. After this, through January and February, the furry southern sea lion pups can be seen, at many sites on both east and west Falkland and the offshore islands.

The check list of breeding seal species is completed by the Falkland Islands fur seal, which is found most spectacularly on the Eddyson Rock, a solitary stack at the northern entrance to the falkland sound, as well as on some of the scattered islands of the West Falklands. An occasional visitor to Falklands beaches is the solitary leopard seal.

For the eagle-eyed and the patient watcher, pods of killer whales can often be seen offshore around breeding seal colonies throughout the summer. These incredible beasts are often seen from Sea Lion, Pebble and Saunders Islands, cruising around waiting for a meal. Also frequently seen offshore are the Commerson’s and Peale's dolphin, following small boats into harbours around the islands all year round.

There is also plenty to be seen through the winter months. Black-throated finches, endemic to the islands, siskins, Falkland thrushes, Cobb's and grass wrens and tussacbirds are around all year around, as are both the striated and crested caracara. Black-necked swans, coscoroba swans can all be seen in larger numbers than throughout the summer months. They gather together in non-breeding groups on many inland pools and lakes. Winter is also the time to see huge numbers of migratory birds, sanderlings, white-rumped sandpiper and Bairds sandpiper to name but a few.

Whatever the time of year, whatever your particular interest, in terms of wildlife and sheer natural wilderness, the Falklands always has something to offer.