The seal scene has changed dramatically over the last few weeks. The beaches are nearly empty now, you can walk along the tide line without being challenged, and the tussock is busier with females and pups. The pups have earned their proficiency in swimming badge and are confidently playing in the shallows, sometimes using bursts of speed to porpoise out of the water. As there wasn't a pup born at SSB for 7 days in a row, we have now stopped our daily visits. Our work-load has reduced considerably, and now I take a daily walk up into the valleys to look for known-seals and collect scats for analysis. This extra time also allows me to get more involved with the other study species on the island, and I've recently made my way to little mac with Tim and Al to work with the macaroni penguins. I've also tagged along with giant petrel work, and take a map of wandering albatross nests out to read the ring numbers of partner birds that haven't yet been identified. To accomplish this, you take a clipboard to shield your hand (and face) from their beak, and reach underneath them to twist the leg ring so it can be read.
I've also been using this spare time to finally start taking photos that aren't a rushed snap from outside base. I'm keen to get more involved with the bird work, and Sunday will see everyone leaving base to do the first all-island wandering albatross (wanal) census of the year. During this we are assigned an area of the island, which we cover and check nests for hatched or failed eggs, and place a marker stake next to any newly inhabited nests whilst noting down the ring number and sex of the incubating adult.
Also this month, we have had a few ship visits. We've had two yachts come into the bay in front of base to have a look around and have a chat over VHF, and also the Pharos dropped several RIBs full of people and supplies ashore. Not only did we get a few boxes of fresh food (avocados and bananas were very appreciated!), some post (a christmas card from my aunts which was an unexpected and very nice surprise), but we also showed approximately 10 Falkland Island and South Georgia government officials, and Princess Anne around base and took them up to see the wanderers.
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| Macaroni penguins with chicks at little mac |
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| Grey-headed albatross and chick |
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| One of the few remaining big male furries having a rest |
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| Attempting to land |
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| There is a lot of rain on BI, and it has to go somewhere! |
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Blonde puppy! (Notice the blonde fluff in her 'toenails')
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| King penguins at Main Bay |
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| Fur seals looking across the bay towards base. |
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| A chinstrap penguin visits SSB. It's nice to see one of the rarer species. |
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| A blonde female tells a young male to back away. |
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