Today was actually a three island day, however most of us were asleep for the first one. Dr. Peter Carey and some associates were dropped off at Bense Island at 5:00 a.m. with a load of building and food supplies. The island is in the process of becoming rat and mouse free, to the benefit of the nesting seabirds. The rodents were introduced and have had a negative impact on the eggs, chicks, and adult birds. We wish them luck.
Carcass Island was our next stop. We walked a couple of miles to the home of Rob and Lorraine McGill, where an incredible spread of baked treats awaited us along with steaming cups of tea.
And this afternoon we landed at West Point Island. This was a real treat in the wildlife sense as we walked to a nesting area for black-browed albatross and rockhopper penguins. They nested elbow to elbow with a mutual indifference to each other. A day full of treats: some for the palette and others to feast our eyes on.
