After many years of waiting, my dream finally came true...I got given the opportunity to go to Marion Island! The three week trip was to take a construction team down to put the finishing touches on the new base.
The voyage up to the island took 6 days and included two that were very stormy, true August weather in the Southern Oceans. During my days at sea I spent my time in the monkey island or bridge counting any seabirds passing the vessel, as part of the AS@S project (Atlas of Seabirds at Sea). I encountered 23 different species, 11 of which were ‘lifers’ for me!
Some of these species included the blue petrel, sooty albatross (dark and light-mantled), grey-headed albatross and many wandering albatrosses. Once we arrived at the island and caught my first helicopter flight, all the exciting work started!
I was able to go to two different parts of the island, falling into mires all along the way, and trudging at quite an angle (due the wind strength) through the snow. During this time I helped one of the birders, ring and measure the northern giant petrels. This had to be done as quickly as possible to avoid disturbing the birds unnecessarily but it was incredible to be able to be so close to the birds I work with on a daily basis.
We also took a trip up to Ship’s Cove to see the King and Gentoo penguins on the only sandy beach of the island. Here we watched three sooty albatrosses soaring along the cliff edges – what an amazing sight!
I also joined the team on a night birding excursion to Nellie’s Hump, to count birds flying, using a spotlight, in 5 minute periods. Nothing could prepare you for such an incredible experience and no words can describe what I have seen, but my favourite part was seeing the wandering albatross chicks on their nest and strengthening (flapping) their huge wings for flight.