...and here is the Steeple

The boat ride to Steeple Jason was less than pleasant. I took Dramamine before getting on and just tried to sleep for 5 hours. I was doing fine and tried my best to ignore the other retching sounds and potent smells on board. Then the captain turned on the heat. Now, this isn’t the largest of vessels, so it heats up pretty well. I found out the heat comes from beneath the bed I was on, as well. For a girl who gets dehydrated and faints easily, this did not bode well for me. When we arrived and anchored offshore, I sat up and not long after felt like I was dripping in sweat and was severely dizzy. Mix that with incessant rocking of the boat and I was about to faint. It was not good at all.  Once I was on deck though, the fresh cool air relieved me (the dolphins playing about were probably a good distraction as well). However, after waiting for nearly an hour for the anchoring and first transport of goods and passengers by zodiac, I was no longer feeling well. Right when it was my turn to get on board the zodiac, my peripheral vision started closing in, I began sweating, I thought I was going to throw up at any moment, and still, I had to get on the zodiac. Luckily, I didn't miss a step and I made it into the small boat beneath me and I felt better shortly after that. Not so luckily, there is a thing called “land sickness.” Oh yes!! Turns out, I can suffer from such a thing. It took until the next morning for me to feel “right” again. Fortunately, the landscape of Steeple Jason makes up for all of that.

Day one, I introduced the two volunteers to Johnny Rook banding while Micky helped Rob from Carcass Island, and who also manages Steeple Jason, bring fuel ashore (took them all morning and unfortunately, all they succeeded in doing was getting a trailer and 4 barrels of kerosene bogged shortly after bringing it ashore on the other side of the island). One volunteer, Nathan (the Kiwi) has a wildlife background so he caught on quickly. The other volunteer, Miguel (the Chilean) who is a Spanish teacher and translator in Stanley, did well too. Overall, we managed to band 30 Rooks that day.

Days two and three were solely dedicated to Falklands Conservation’s Black-browed Albatross project. Even though I study birds, it does not mean that I have to like all birds. That being said, Black-browed Albatross are not at the top of my list. Picture 500 ground-nesting birds in an area of about 50 yards by 20 yards. Now picture each bird actively defending their nest by lunging and biting anything that passes by them with their 5-inch beak that is hooked at the end. I am not sure what their bite force is, but I think it is a top contender in the bird world. Imagine having to go through and either band an unbanded bird, check the bands of banded birds, and also place a nest tag in each nest. Micky and Nathan did all the banding but I still have bruises from just being within the colony recording all the bands and nest numbers. I would just be standing still, writing, when all of sudden it feels like pliers are being squeezed on my upper thigh and then twisting. Or, the few times when I would help Micky when he was banding, by holding the head still so he wouldn't get bit, I would get bit. Up and down my arm, on my hand, you name it. Each time, on the arms and hands especially, it would feel like nerves were being hit with each bite and my whole arm and/or hand would tingle as a response, in addition to the pain neurons firing. I would take three of the meanest, most annoyed Rooks any day versus one Black-browed Albatross.

Fun Fact: Nathan (and I have learned that some Falklanders as well) call Black-browed Albatross "Mollymauks". 

Another Fun Fact (I may have told you before): Those 500 or so nests are are only 1/1000^th of the estimated number of Black-broweds there are on Steeple Jason. Yep, half of 1 million. Incredible to think about, isn't it?

Day 5, we went back to the albatross site to mark down band numbers of mates changing over at the nests.  It went semi-quickly. Then we had to go back up the mountain and sit and count Southern Giant Petrels nesting below. There were 11 sections and each section had to be counted 3 times. I got done first, so I went walking down by the shore by the Sea Lions and then by the Gentoo colony. I found an amazing little spot to take photos of the Gentoos jumping ashore. It was too early in the day though so there weren’t many groups, unfortunately.         

Halloween was less than eventful. For one, we woke up to snow falling from the sky. Yes, SNOW! We actually were very spoiled the first few days here. The sun was shining and it wasn’t bitterly cold if you were moving. The snow didn’t last long, not even long enough to stick to the ground, but the cold temps seem to want to stay. Add the strong wind and I have been chilled right to the bone. Due to the weather though we had a late start. After lunch Micky took Miguel to count albatross and petrels on the other side of the mountain. Nathan and I stayed back to band some Rooks, but the weather made it difficult. We couldn't stand too far back from our nooses because the wind would close them and plus, if we did catch a bird we didn't want to have a Johnny Rook kite in our hands. Lots of birds turned up though, which is good and bad.

Good points:

1.     Lots of birds (duh…)

2.     I am sometimes able to sit near the feeding frenzy and reach out and grab the Rook I want by the legs with my hands.

Bad points:

1.     Lots of unbanded birds.

2.     It's hard to pick out which ones you want.

3.     Greater chance of having an “alpha bird” that will dominate the feeding frenzy.

Nathan and I were able to catch 9 birds before the group got too out of hand and before we were too cold. Those nine bring up the Steeple Jason count up to 68 Rooks captured this trip in 3 days. Not too bad.

The highlight from 1 November was witnessing Z9 Black kill a Rock Cormorant. It was awesome! He then removed the head and flew it over and gave it to his mate, Z0 Black. She came back with him near the kill site and he repeatedly came and got bits of the cormorant to go and share with Z0 Black. You could definitely feel the love in the air that night.

The last days on the island were spent banding more Rooks with Nathan, while Micky and Miguel counted penguins. In the end we banded 88 new Rooks and managed to recapture 22 already banded birds.

On 7 November, we traveled back to Carcass Island. This boat ride was much smoother than what we had on the way there, but still a little rough. I managed to take a nice 4-hour nap and miss most of it. On Saturday I traveled to Saunders Island. I am so glad that they had room to take me. I don't think my trip would have felt complete without visiting the Pole-Evans. On Sunday I went with David to the Neck and in the process was able to add a lifer to my list. The Macaroni Penguin! There was a pair last year, but I had never seen them since I always arrived later in the season. Luckily, I was able to see them before the cruise ship that had 103 people come ashore. I won’t lie; I was a little overwhelmed when they were walking towards me. For the last three weeks, the largest quantity of people that I was around was four.

Yesterday, Suzan took me along with her to gather some cows, which meant I got to get on a horse! It has been probably two years since I had last ridden, so I was very excited, even when the horse turned out to be a bit naughty. At one point she decided to have a lie down and a roll with me still on top. Luckily, I managed to get my feet out of the stirrups in time. Other than that, it was a nice and quiet ending to my time in outer camp. Today, I traveled back to Stanley and am very grateful to Liz of Falklands Conservation who has let me stay with her until I fly out on Saturday. I hope that tomorrow I will still be able to go to Volunteer Point, but those plans may have changed so we shall see.

As always, photos will have to wait until I am back in the States.

it's good to be back!

Z8 White was a well-behaved bird.

I can't believe I am already back with the Johnny Rooks. After this trip, I will have spent 1/3 of 2014 in the Falklands! Micky and I arrived to Carcass Island yesterday and we got right down to banding. Unfortunately, there was some issues with the equipment that was originally used to mass the birds so we are left with the large issue of re-catching, re-measuring, and re-massing. Surprisingly, there are not a lot of birds around for us to catch. This could be because of 4 very dominant adult birds (the "quartet" as we call them) that are actively defending their territory, which includes all of the settlement. The quartet consists of N7 Yellow, N2 White, S4 White (all believed to be males), and an unbanded female. Cooperative breeding might be happening? We have seen trios in the past actively fledge young from one nest, and it has been noted in Red-throated Caracaras (McCann) before. I would love to look at this for my project, but unfortunately, not everyone thinks it is important. 

Tomorrow, Micky and I are off on the "Condor" (boat) to Dunbar Island where we will hopefully find K8 Yellow's missing GPS unit. Fingers crossed, because they cost ~$4000! We only have until Friday to trap and band as many Rooks as we can here on Carcass because then we will be off to Steeple Jason Island (a 5-hour boat ride away) for two weeks. As a result, i fear that I will not be able to update this blog as often as I usually do because you see, my only connection to the outside world on Steeple is a satellite phone for emergencies. I will promise to provide an update upon my return to the States! 

Since it is a 7am boat ride to Dunbar, I should probably get some sleep. 

Oh, and there might be some positive things happening on my journey of finding a university. I am trying to not get too hopeful, so if you want to send some positive thoughts my way, I wouldn't turn them down! 

Quick Update

Well, summer is officially gone and I fortunately was able to end it in style by visiting Traverse City, MI the past two weekends. The first weekend was spent at a friend's family's cherry farm and the second extended weekend was spent at the Grand Traverse Resort and Spa, visiting some wineries, and ending with camping at Silver Lake.

Another exciting event was that my first published article as first author came out. This was on a part of my research that I completed during my Masters at Arkansas State University on Red-tailed Hawks (Buteo jamaicensis) and American Kestrels (Falco sparverius). If you are interested, you can access the PDF here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B-bFXDIEHRZDdi1OUW9JZGV5NzQ/edit?usp=sharing

Regarding the rest of the team, Micky made it to the States a week after I returned and joined Dr. Keith Bildstein at Hawk Mountain Sanctuary. Both of them have been busy preparing manuscripts and I believe Keith was hoping to get at least three papers published while Micky was there. Anna has moved to Boise, ID and started her graduate studies under the advisement of Dr. Marc Bechard. I am sure she is doing very well. In the mean time, I have been working, editing the manuscripts that Keith and Micky send to me, and attempting to find an advisor.

Since the title says this will be a "quick" update (and because I have to be up for work in 3.5 hours) I will end by uploading the video I promised in my last(?) blog on the Johnny Rooks solving the pipe puzzle in under 20 seconds during my last trip. You can view and share the video via my Youtube channel here.

OH! How could I forget? 16 October I will be going back to the Falklands to join Micky on Carcass Island and Steeple Jason. This trip will be for banding and for me to obtain more morphometric measurements on the Rooks. I definitely need to have a more concrete plan on a university/advisor because it is not possible to borrow internet on Carcass Island and there is zero communication on Steeple Jason. (Note to self: Remember to buy and pack sea sickness pills)

Greetings from Saunders Island!

*Composed on 2 August 2014*

We all arrived safe and sound to Mount Pleasant airport on 26 July. It did seem dodgy for a little bit in Punta Arenas, Chile due to weather. It added yet another 1.5 hours to our already 4 days of traveling. Needless to say, we were very happy to see Micky waiting (an extra 2 hours because he didn't get my Facebook message before he left) to drive us to Stanley. After getting situated at the Lafone House we went and ate at the Malvina House, as we always do. I was famished and even Micky said he had never seen me eat so much. I couldn't help that the $4.39 bag of chips (“crisps”) that I bought in Chile were not completely satisfying. The fish and proper chips were delicious! I also made sure to get my last helping of lettuce and broccoli (I remember a time when I did not prefer veggies, what was I ever thinking?). Sunday morning we woke up to mostly clear skies, but still quite a chill in the air and snow still on the ground. The sunrise was beautiful though!

Anna had her first proper English breakfast and we went to FIGAS to catch the first flight to Saunders Island. For the first time ever, there was a chance to sit up front with the pilot! Luckily, Anna didn’t put up a fight (thank you Anna!).  

Late that morning, we smoothly touched down on the snow-covered airstrip at Saunders Island. Suzan and David were there to greet us, and so were about 12 Johnny Rooks. I have realized that at the end of this trip, I will have spent 1/3 of the past year in the Falkland Islands. Actually, my “anniversary” of first arriving to the Falklands is on 7 August. I cannot believe this is already my third trip (that means I have taken at least 30 planes!). I am beyond fortunate and thankful to be given this opportunity. I am often asked if I get nervous about traveling so far, and to be honest, my biggest worry is how my neck will fair with all the traveling. I blame my travel bug on going away to Grand Valley for my BS degree. Ever since then it seems as though I have been on the move. After that degree, I moved to Arkansas for two years, during which I even spent a summer living in Louisiana. Don't get me wrong, I love my Mitten State and always miss my family and friends when I am away, but I find myself to be most happy when I am adventuring in a new place and meeting new people. It should come as no surprise that when I came back to the Falklands this time (Saunders Island especially) it almost felt like coming home. I’ve already fallen back into saying a few phrases and words with a British accent (the weirdest of which is the word “what” – pronounced as “wot”). 

After the plane safely took off again, Suzan and David drove us to where we stay on their Settlement where our things that they store for us were already waiting. Keith and I moved into our designated rooms, and Anna got her choice from the remaining two. Micky joined a couple of days later, and he and I set off to teach Anna how to properly trap, band, and measure a Johnny Rook. If you remember from my posts during February and March, I often mentioned how different the birds are between the two seasons. Well, they continue to surprise us. As usual, we do not trap as many, but it seems, as though this time there are less around the Settlement than last August altogether. Granted, we are earlier than when we arrived for the last trip, but it still is strange. The absence of fun-loving Dr. Marc Bechard is also strange.

So far, we have only managed to band 41 birds since 29 July. A far cry from just the 82 birds that Micky and I banded alone on Steeple Jason in 3 days this past March (we banded a total of 166 birds in two months last trip). I am currently writing this from the Neck and we are here until Tuesday so this may (and hopefully will) change.

*As of 5 Aug 2014 we have banded 50 new birds and measured 11 birds previously banded-including re-fitting a GPS unit and re-banding P5 Yellow (now R22 Yellow)*

When we have been banding, Keith has enjoyed, well I assume at least, the new ATV (aka “quad”) with power steering (the other one does not have power steering). He is usually off most of the day on it, so I believe it is a safe assumption. Anna has also started to see what her research will entail and has done one of her foraging observations. Another one will hopefully be completed by the time I am back to the Settlement and able to post this entry.

I was able to run some puzzle experiments and saw something that got me really excited. E5 White is a very smart female who was able to learn the puzzles last summer (i.e., February/March). Well, guess what? SHE REMEMBERED! At least 4 months later, and never seeing the puzzles since then, she was able to walk right up to them and figure them both out. Other birds (Z3 Yellow and M9 Yellow) also exhibited the learning behavior we had observed before, and learned from E5 White. Video will be posted later.

(Not sure what I am talking about when I say “puzzles”? Check out this post, or this video, or this video).

As I had mentioned, we are at the Neck of Saunders Island and we almost didn't make it either. Thank you Carole and Suzan for helping get the Rover out!

bogged

I must say I still enjoy being at the Neck, but it is slightly more beautiful in the summer. Granted, it is only day 1, and we have had mostly fog, wind, and misty-rain all day. Oh, and it is still cold (of course). The penguins do not seem to mind though, and several groups of Gentoos were out foraging. There are also 5 juvenile King Penguins this year, most of who are much larger than their adult parents. None have walked up to investigate me like last year, but I am still holding out hope.

Before I forget… My friend, Dan, brought to my attention that 4-10 August is “Threatened and Endangered Species” week in Michigan. Even though this is only designated for Michigan, I feel like we can still all learn a little more about these species in need. So far, you are off to a great start by reading this blog entry about the near-threatened species, Phalcoboenus australis, better known as the Johnny Rook, or Striated Caracara, to you. To learn more about threatened or endangered species in general you can check out this website if you live in Michigan or just want to learn more about the species in danger there, that will be hosted near you!

PS! check out Saunders Island's new website! www.saundersfalklands.com

< 10!

That is how many days until I start my journey back to the Falklands. I can't believe how quickly almost 4 months has passed since the last trip. This trip will be drastically short in relation to the others though. We leave 24 July, arrive to Stanley, FI Saturday, 26 July, arrive on Saunders Island 27 July (weather permitting), and then turn around on 7 August to begin to travel back, arriving home 11 August. 18 days total, that's it! We were supposed to leave a week earlier but since you can only fly in and out of the islands on Saturday, that plane was booked. I am a little worried about how much work will actually be completed in just 10 days on Saunders Island. However, our newest member of the team, Anna, will at least gain an introduction to Falkland life. She will be working under the advisement of Dr. Marc Bechard for her Master of Science degree. 

I have kept pretty busy during my hiatus from the Islands though. I was able to meet some of my devoted blog followers when I presented to the 5th graders at Sturgis Elementary (they were the students that asked me all sorts of questions during my last trip -- you can read that entry here). 

How many Apple products does it take to create a presentation?

One of the two 5th grade classes I presented to. They were AWESOME!

I have also went back to my job at Panera Bread. I truly have a love/hate relationship with this job. 

Things I hate about it: 

1. Rude customers who make you feel worthless. There have been so many instances where I want to scream, "I (probably) have more degrees than you! Just because I ask you if you want a drink with your order does not mean you have the permission to treat me with so much disrespect!"

2. The feeling of being unappreciated by both customers (see number 1) and by Panera itself. 

3. Since moving (oh yes, that happened too since I got back) it now takes me every bit of a half hour to get to work.

4. I now help with Panera's catering and it boggles my mind when people place a $400+ order, have free delivery, and still don't include a tip. Do they not tip when they order a $10 pizza and have it delivered to their house?

Things I love about it:

1. I have worked for Panera Bread on and off since I was laid off from PetsMart at the tender age of 16. My general manager, Brian, is amazing and understanding, and lets me leave and come back. He also lets me work mornings. Despite me not being a morning person, I would rather get my shift done early in the day (5am starts have become the norm for me). 

2. Another plus of working mornings is that customers tend to be a little nicer than the lunch rush. These morning customers also include "the regulars." I have nicknamed a group of five, "The Breakfast Club" (David, Don, Margaret, Dennis, and Carol). I also have the sweetest, most devoted couple, Mark and Susie, but they usually visit later in the morning. These individuals make your busy morning better no matter how crappy it started. You also become invested in them and they become invested in you too, if you are lucky.  For example, David is from England and also followed my blog during my last trip and he would keep the other four up-to-date on what I was doing for the two months I spent in the Falklands. He had asked me if I was willing to do a presentation of my research for him and his friends. Of course I agreed and that is how I gave my first in a brewery. Kuhnhenn Brewing Co. to be exact.

My fellow biologist friends were jealous of my location. I would have been too.

Since I truly enjoy talking about my research and about the Falklands, I will always jump at a chance to educate others about this special place and its Johnny Rooks. I never expect anything more than the opportunity to broaden the knowledge of conservation to people to come out of my presentations. So, it was quite a surprise that through this presentation I gained two donors (I won't say who in case they want to remain anonymous). I am forever grateful and touched that they think so much of me to be willing to donate their hard-earned money to my research. Without Panera this never would have happened. (Want to join the donation team? Let me know!)

3. By working at this Panera location I am given the opportunity to meet a lot of corporate Moosejaw employees (Moosejaw is an awesome local Michigan backpacking and outdoor store). After getting to know one employee that comes in regularly and who took an interest in my research, I was gifted with some warm clothes for this upcoming trip. Thank you Moosejaw! 

Another thing that happened during this hiatus is that BBC aired the show (in the UK and its territories) that was filmed while I was in the Falklands. Appropriately, the Johnny Rooks were the stars of the segment, but my hat and hand did manage to make the final cut into the episode! Woo!

That hand and hand in the bottom right photo belong to me. I am basically a TV star now, I know. (jk)

On a less uplifting note, I still have not been able to find a professor that has funding for a stipend for basic living and tuition so it looks as though I will have to wait another year to start school. I have been trying to come to terms with this idea for a while, and sadly I am still holding out hope that something will turn up. In the meantime though, I have been applying to other jobs for the Fall that will make me feel more significant (e.g., research jobs, adjunct instructors at colleges, etc.). I also will have my first published article as first author come out in the next Journal of Raptor Research. There are more papers in the works too, so that will hopefully help my mental state. This is not where I thought I would be if you asked me two years ago, but like many people have told me, it is all happening for a reason. Even if I don't currently understand, it is for the best, and it is okay. 

Now Showing...(1/2)

This puzzle was never shown to them before. Okay, that's a partial lie. This video is of the 5th try because we had to keep modifying it before then (see, this post). Thank God, the BBC Deadly crew took it in stride and were patient (Steve Backshall is in the background). Luckily a smart adult Johnny Rook was around to solve it although other juveniles seemed to have understood the concept as well. This puzzle was adapted from puzzles that are tested on a species of parrot from New Zealand called Keas. From what I have read about Keas, Johnny Rooks behave very similarly. Click this link to see the video our puzzle was adapted from. 

Now Showing... (part 2/2)

This puzzle simulates more of their natural behaviors of when they rake their talons in the kelp and sand looking for invertebrates (insects) to eat. Again, Steve Backshall of BBC's Deadly program is in the background.

Back in the Mitten

Well, tomorrow will make one week since I made it home to Michigan (aka the Mitten state). Luckily, the Falklands are filled with breathtaking sights and wildlife that it makes the 6-plane, 4-day journey worth it. On Thursday, 28 March, I said goodbye to Saunders and the Pole-Evans, people who have become like a second family and ventured to Stanley. Of course, since I was the first stop on the FIGAS flight I got to "visit" Pebble Island, Darwin Island, and Goose Green before making it all the way back to Stanley. I joined Andy (from Falklands Conservation) and his family for lunch (aka dinner) and they offered for me to spend the next two nights at their house (which I thank them immensely for taking me in!). I walked around Stanley for most of the day, sorted out data, and then went to Andy's. On Friday, I spent more time walking around Stanley, visiting Bittersweet (delicious vanilla chai!), and then was given the opportunity to help clean an oiled Gentoo Penguin that FC had received the day before.

Me with a lucky, unhappy, adult Gentoo Penguin.

Since Gentoo Penguins are said to forage up to 16 mi (26 km) away from the shore it isn't hard to believe that they may run into some oil patches out at sea (NatGeo). Oil spills can happen when there is an equipment failure (or basic neglect)  such as the the ones most recently in Galveston, TX, Lake Michigan, and in the past, the devastating Gulf of Mexico (anyone notice a pattern with those catastrophes? BP). They also happen on a smaller scale when boats overfill their fuel tanks. 

After a bird is coated in oil, they will attempt to preen and clean their feathers to rid them of oil. If they left the oil on, penguins especially, are not able to regulate their body temperatures and stay warm. They also would not be able to float in the water. Both of these side effects do not allow them to go to sea and forage for food. Since penguins (and all birds) preen with their beaks they inadvertently consume and ingest the oil. The ingested oil can lead to ulcers and kidney failure, and if not treated, the bird will die. 

In the States, we all have seen the Dawn dish soap commercials where they usually use baby animals and show them in a bubble bath. Well, that isn't exactly a far-stretch from the truth. However, the animals are probably not as happy as they appear in those commercials. Being oiled is already a very stressful time for the bird (you're cold, hungry, away from other members of your species), so imagine being restrained and lathered with first vegetable oil (to loosen the oil from the feathers), then lathered with dish soap (in the Falklands its called Fairy Liquid), and finally you are rinsed with water. This process is repeated and repeated until the base of the feathers begin to turn white again. Doesn't sound fun, does it? Penguins also are said to have around 3,000 feather/square inch of their body! 

Even when the oil is mostly removed from the feathers, another problem develops. Dish soap is used because it can remove oil. Unfortunately, it also removes the bird's natural oils, which provide a natural waterproofing to them. This leaves the bird still susceptible to the cold and since penguins would not be able to be released right away, they have to stay in captivity until they are fully waterproof again. 

But enough about penguins and back to the bird this blog is meant for: the Johnny Rooks.

A Recap of the Late Summer 2014 Field Season 

• We visited 3 islands 
• Saunders
• Carcass
• Steeple Jason
• A total of 166 birds were banded
• 44 were banded on Saunders Island
• 40 were banded on Carcass Island
• 82 were banded on Steeple Jason
• Blood for determining the sex were taken on all 166 birds
• Blood was analyzed for lead concentration on 61 birds
• Morphometric measurements were taken on 152 birds
• 4 puzzles that have been tested with Keas and Crows were tested on the Johnny Rooks
• At least one Rook was able to figure out each puzzle
• The Rooks were filmed by BBC's Deadly: Pole-to-Pole with Steve Backshall
• 2 additional GPS transmitters were deployed

To Date

• 746 birds have been banded across 4 islands
• 303 lead analyses tests have been conducted
• Morphometric measurements have been taken on 266 birds
• 5 GPS transmitters are currently up and active
• 2 GPS transmitters are currently MIA

(click photo to make larger)

U3 White (fledgling)
Deployed: 25 Feb 2014 on CCI

M0 White (Juvenile)
Deployed 8 February 2014 on SDI

K8 Yellow (Juvenile)
Deployed 1 September 2013 on CCI

G0 Yellow (Adult)
Deployed 18 August 2013 on SDI

P5 Yellow (Subadult)
Deployed 15 August 2013 on SDI

What We Still Need
Help from You!

Whether, you have found this link via Facebook or by word-of-mouth, if you reading it and live in the Falklands or have visited the islands, we are asking you for help. Re-sightings of banded birds are critical data we need collected for this project. Suzan Pole-Evans has gone above-and-beyond the call of duty, and has provided us with over 4,000(!) re-sightings of banded Johnny Rooks that come to Saunders Island. We also have received some sightings from Dunbar Island. However, we are lacking sightings from the other outer islands. Even if they are of the same birds, day after day, this is still important. We want to determine if these birds move amongst islands based on their age, and we would also like to determine the sex-ratio for each island. These birds are highly curious so reading most bands is not difficult. On the ones that are, the color of the band and the leg the band is on are still important bits of information. So please, take a moment to record and report the bands to here, the Facebook page, to raptors@conservation.org.fk, or directly to me at melissa.bobowski@gmail.com. 

In the coming weeks, I will hopefully be posting links to the videos of the puzzles and other photos from the field. 

Thanks for reading and following along during this field season!

-Melissa Bobowski, MSc.

Just sit right back and youll hear a tale, a tale of a fateful trip...

"...and here is the steeple..."

What an amazing 5 days spent on Steeple Jason! Steeple is just one island of 5 that make up the “Jason” Islands. The others are:

1. South Jason (located most south out of the five)
2. Elephant Jason (yes, it does look like an elephants head if you use some imagination)
3. Grand Jason (not sure on why this is named, it is quite large I guess)
4. Flat Jason (aptly named)

Wandering Wanderer?

The day we left (16 March) couldn’t have been better. The sun was out, but most importantly, the wind was low making for calm seas.  We all spent the majority of the 5-hour trip out on deck of the Condor. Right away we were greeted by a pod of Peale’s dolphins, which was exciting because I had yet to see that species. They followed the Condor for a few minutes and then re-disappeared into the kelp to forage. As we reached the Jasons we large flocks of Greater Shearwaters (Puffinus gravis), Sooty Shearwaters (Puffinus griseus), Falkland Diving Petrels (Pelecanoides urinatrix berard), and South American Terns (Sterna hirundinacea). Mike, the captain of the Condor, turned towards the flocks and we saw what all the excitement was about. In the crystal blue waters we could see millions of small fish near the surface and a little farther beneath the surface were larger fish (no idea what they were though). It reminded me of scenes from the movie Life of Pi. Another pod of Peale’s dolphins joined the boat again and this time I was able to record a short video of them jumping in and out of the water next to the bow of the boat. It wasn’t long until I was able to see and add my second species of albatross to my life list – the Southern Royal Albatross (Diomedea melanophris). Then out of nowhere, a huge white albatross flew near the bow of the boat. Of course, none of the 6 people with cameras (me included) were expecting this, so we are left with blurry photos of what could possibly have been a Wandering Albatross (Diomedea exulans). After all of these birds we were greeted by a new species of mammal in the form of hundreds of Fur Seals. They playfully swam and jumped around the boat as well as, looked on from their rocky islands that jutted out above the sea.

WCS house

Mobile Banding Station

We arrived to Steeple Jason and anchored slightly offshore. We loaded the zodiac with all our luggage and gear, and I finally understood why Micky thought I should have brought a smaller bag. Reason? There isn’t exactly a beach. Instead, there is a shoreline of very large rocks positioned “conveniently” on slants. We formed a bucket brigade line and slowly but surely all the gear, luggage, and food (2 dozen eggs included) made it safely to the ground above us. Steeple and Grand Jason Islands were both gifted to Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS). A few years ago they built a very nice house (3 bedrooms, 2 bath, sleeps 7 comfortably) on Steeple Jason. The garage behind the house, along with the back of the rover, became Micky and I’s second home for three days, as they became our new banding stations. 

Distraction is step one of albatross wrangling. 
I think looking like a clown in my waterproofs was my first try at distraction. 
When that didn't work, distraction with my other hand sometimes worked.

On the first day we were on the island, Micky and I helped Andy (also from Falklands Conservation) and his volunteer, Joost, help band Black-browed Albatross nestlings. Don’t begin to picture small young birds though. These were already almost as big as their parents! These birds are also literally born on a pedestal, where they will spend the first 4 months of their lives being doted on by their parents. Seeing them is one thing, but banding them is another type of experience. I have obviously banded raptors, but I also have banded songbirds and a species of shorebird called Black Skimmers. I have even assisted in the banding of Brown Pelican nestlings. So I have had my fair share of being bitten, footed, pooped on, and even the pelican nestlings tried throwing up on you when you go to restrain them as a last ditch defense. 

However, none of those species prepared me for these albatross nestlings. First, they will begin to clap their beaks together as a sign of defense toward you. When that doesn't deter you, they will try to bite you as you pass by. If you are still within their personal bubble projectile vomit happens. Vomit that is orange in color and possesses an extremely potent aroma of warm seafood mixed with gastric acid. Sometimes you will even be gifted with whole Loligo squid or copious amounts of fairly large lobster krill. Although the waterproofs that were provided to me were about 5 sizes too big, I was very grateful to have them on. I took Micky’s advice and swapped into the 4 sizes too big of Wellies after lunch, but I don’t think the smell will be coming off my hiking boots anytime soon. My ever-faithful banding gloves were unfortunately forced into an early retirement and did not make it on the boat ride home. After banding 25 nestlings I did develop the “Bobowski technique for calming albatross.” Thinking about how parents will  devotedly preen their young and one another, I started to rub that same area (right behind the mandible/jaw) while holding the nestling and it was like magic! They would calm right down and would even stay almost asleep in my arms when Micky was done putting the band on. Once I stopped though, they quickly realized I was not their parent and they would start attempting to bite me again.

Playing tug-of-war.

After a half-day of banding albatross, Micky and I devoted the rest of our time to putting on all the bands we brought with us (much to the irritation of my neck). We even discovered that we didn’t even need meat to trap some of the Johnny Rooks because they had a weird fascination with string. We banded near the house and at either side of the main island in the elements, which included rain, hail, and strong winds, all on the last day. But we did it! We banded and bled a total of 82 new Johnny Rooks. On 44/82 rooks we also took 11 different morphometric measurements. Once we learn what the sexes are of all the birds we banded, I hope to statistically analyze the measurements we have taken and determine an average measurement that one could take to determine the sex of the bird without the need of taking blood. 

The only thing we didn't accomplish was finding the transmitter that fell off of M1 White in December 2013. The last location we have of it is in the middle of tussac. It literally felt like trying to find a needle in a field of haystacks. Haystacks that are usually 5+ feet tall! Micky stayed back on the island with another BBC film crew though, so hopefully he will have better luck in the next few days. We did spot M1 White on our last day, so it is still nice to know he is still alive and has molted into a beautiful adult.

I spy with my little eye a $4000 transmitter...

On the day before we left, Micky and I ventured to the world’s largest Black-browed Albatross colony and it was simply incredible. So many birds in one place, I don’t think I was even able to capture it with a photograph. 

On the last day, we packed and cleaned up and boarded the Condor yesterday in slightly less-pleasant weather conditions. I spent the majority of the journey attempting to fall asleep until we reached Carcass Island. This morning I was able to do a crop walk (a survey to see what Johnny Rooks are around) and they seemed to have decreased in number since we were last there a couple of weeks ago with Marc and Keith.

Where do they go!?

It was then a short 10-minute slightly bumpy flight back to Saunders Island where I am currently. Seems strange to be here alone again though, almost makes me miss Micky and I sarcastically bantering with one another. ;-) It only dawned on me today, when I looked at the date on my watch, that at this time next week I would be in the air and/or in an airport. Not to mention I will be turning 26! Ironically, this is the first birthday I could have at home in a number of years and I am still not home. Oh well, I can’t wait to celebrate my dad’s birthday too when I get home! In the meantime, more crop walks here at the settlement of Saunders and hopefully enough Rooks are around to try out some puzzles on them. As girly as it sounds, I can’t wait to wear normal clothes and shoes again. Michigan, you better have spring weather for my return!