South Georgia and Falkland Islands 31 October to 16 November 2015

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

South Georgia and Falkland Islands 31 October to 16 November 2015 SOUTH GEORG IA A ND FA LKLA ND I SLA NDS C HEESEMANS’ E C OLOGY S AFARIS E XPEDITION L OG 2015 EXPE DITION LOG CHEESEMANS’ ECOLOGY SAFARIS South Georgia and Falkland Islands 31 October to 16 November 2015 Designed by Teresa Floberg Edited by Gina Barton and Teresa Floberg Written by Gina Barton, Pauline Carr, Joe Kaplan, Artie Morris, Rosie Seton, Dave Shoch, Janet Wiener and Jon Wiener Images by Passengers and Sta as credited i Cover Photo King Penguin By Glenn Bartley Back Cover Photo Southern Elephant Seals By Tashi Tenzing Title Page Photo Male Southern Elephant Seal By Ty Smedes This Page Photo Landscape with South Georgia Shags By Pat Lillich Next Page Photo King Penguins By Muriel McClellan COPYRIGHT NOTICE Copyright ©2015 Cheesemans’ Ecology Safaris Photographers hold the copyright to their work. TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction 2 Salisbury Plain and Prion Island 10 November 22-23 Flight to Falklands and Embarkation 31 October 3 At Sea en Route to the Falklands 11 November 24-25 At Sea to South Georgia 1 November 4 At Sea en Route to the Falklands 12 November 26 At Sea to South Georgia 2 November 5 At Sea and Stanley Disembarkation 13 November 27 South Georgia Island 6-7 At Sea O shore of Falklands 14 November 28 Undine Harbour 3 November 8-9 At Sea and Ushuaia Disembarkation 15-16 November 29 King Haakon Bay and Elsehul 4 November 10-11 Expedition Sta 31 Grytviken 5 November 12-13 Species List by Date 32-33 Cooper Bay and Drygalski Fjord 6 November 14-15 The Many Faces of Nature 34-35 Gold Harbour and Godthul 7 November 16-17 Photo Montage 36-37 Fortuna Bay and Stromness 8 November 18-19 Friends of South Georgia Island 38 St. Andrews Bay 9 November 20-21 1 I NTRODUCTION By Ted Cheeseman, Expedition Leader very remoteness and inaccessibility tions are allowing South Georgia Pipit scale of beauty, and I can think of no heightening the treasure we found on populations to explode and vegetation better group to have shared the expe- A FANTASTIC VOYAGE its coasts. to recover. At sea, we believe whale pop- rience with. I want to extend a special Welcome friends! Wander through the ulations are rebounding, even while cli- thanks and dedication of this voyage log Now is a special time for South Geor- pages ahead and let yourself remember mate and ocean chemistry is changing. to all of our fantastic expedition sta gia, on land and at sea rebounding to a the glory and intensity of our South who made such an ambitious itinerary wildness not enjoyed for centuries; we ank you for joining us; these images Georgia voyage. ere is no place like possible. saw how the rat and reindeer eradica- speak volumes but only hint at the full South Georgia on our blue planet, its Zodiac Cruising Lynne Bergbreiter 2 Day 1 Flight to Falklands and Embarkation 31 October 2015 By Gina Barton check-in on board the Ortelius, briey settle into our cabins (our new home!) FLIGHT TO STANLEY in time to have a safety brieng and We awoke early to enjoy our breakfast emergency test run. Aer our briengs before checking into our ight to Mount we were introduced to our Captain and Pleasant, Falkland Islands. All but those Expedition Sta and enjoyed a toast already in Punta Arenas or the Falk- from our Captain. We bid farewell to lands shared the ight together, so there the protected harbor at Stanley as we was talking and excitement despite the entered the choppy seas and began the early hour. During our ight we expe- rocky voyage to South Georgia. Our rienced beautiful views of the glaciers, rst dinner on board was quiet as folks valleys, and lakes of the Andes Moun- unaccustomed to the motion of the ship tains plus an interesting menu of snack retreated to their cabins. But for those choices for our meal service. During that remained, we could feel the excite- our quick stop in Punta Arenas to go ment of our journey to South Georgia through Chile customs, we got some and what it would bring. looks at Upland Geese running at the runway edge. Despite the winds whip- The Ortelius Approaching a Rainbow Clemens Vanderwerf ping across the plane making it wobble side to side, the pilot made an impres- sively smooth landing in the Falklands, which welcomed us with windy, cloudy, and drizzly weather. e tiny Mount Pleasant Airport was a little chaotic with lines to get through customs weav- ing alongside the one luggage carousel. BOARDING THE ORTELIUS During our hour-long bus drive to Stan- ley to board the Ortelius, we got brief glimpses of wildlife along the rolling hills dotted with rocks. Upon arrival we learned that a storm was headed in so the Captain wanted to depart earli- er than planned, so we had to quickly Janet Cole Ready to Set Sail Teresa Blase Chief Ocer Sven Haindl on the Bridge Teresa Blase 3 1 November 2015 At Sea to South Georgia Island Day 2 By Dave Shoch by Cape Petrels, Southern Fulmars, a lecture on landscape photography, DAY 2 AT NOON Northern and Southern giant-petrels, Hugh presented an orientation on the Location Scotia Sea SAILING EAST and Black-browed and Gray-headed operation of the Zodiacs and landing Latitude 52˚11’ 9 S e Ortelius shuddered and heaved albatrosses. ose fortunate few out on protocols … In the aernoon we began Longitude 53˚12’ 4 W through the night and into the morning, deck in the morning were also treated the slow, steady, sometimes tedious, generously redistributing loose items in to the appearance of a single Antarctic process of inspecting and cleaning and Total Sailed 180 miles our cabins. On the bridge, the gauges re- Petrel, a bird seldom seen away from re-cleaning our onshore gear in prepa- Wind 45 knots SW corded Force 10, at least 50-knot winds, the Antarctic continent and unexpected ration for our landings on South Geor- Air Temperature 4°C and swells averaging a healthy 6 meters. in these waters, perhaps brought north- gia. e South Georgia government re- Weather Overcast A few stalwarts stepped out in the early ward by the storm. Following the deck quires intensive biosecurity screening morning, amid bouts of snow and hail, closure, many gathered aer breakfast to prevent the introduction of non-na- before the captain made the call to close on the bridge, where we continued to tive organisms that, especially given the ON DECK the outside decks. e force of the sea observe the southern ocean spectacle rapidly changing climatic conditions in Aer the weather lessened some in the was on full display, with occasional 25- through the spray-soaked windows. the region, have the potential to severely aernoon, the outside decks were re- to 30-foot swells belying the 300-foot disrupt the unique natural communities opened and many of us re-emerged to length of the Ortelius. e intensity of LECTURES AND BIOSECURITY on the island. We would do our part to enjoy the seabird show. It is interest- the weather seemed to kindle the ight protect the integrity of the crown jewel Lectures carried us through much of the ing to imagine being plopped down to of the southern ocean birds to exhila- of the Antarctic. day: Dave reviewed the identication of some unknown stretch of ocean, with rating extremes. We were accompanied southern ocean birds at sea, Moe gave no bearings or sense of latitude or lon- gitude, and having to locate your gen- eral position by inference from the bird community around you. e fast-ying Atlantic Petrels arcing over the ocean swells and visible from the deck of the Ortelius in the aernoon indicated that we are somewhere in the south Atlan- tic and north of the Antarctic Conver- gence, as they are birds typical of the warmer waters of the Falklands current. We ended the day with an impressive count of great albatrosses, the masters of the southern ocean winds: 5-10 Wan- dering Albatross and 10-15 Southern Royal Albatross. Gray-headed Albatross Ted Cheeseman Southern Fulmar Ty Smedes 4 Day 3 At Sea to South Georgia Island 2 November 2015 DAY 3 AT NOON and Southern Ocean wildlife,” Pauline’s PREPARATION FOR SOUTH Biosecurity Requirements. e sound of Location Scotia Sea discussion of “Environmental Issues GEORGIA vacuums and a full compliment of twee- Latitude 52˚58’ 6 S Facing South Georgia”, and nally a vi- Between bird spotting and informative zers, headlamps, and watch-full eyes is sually-pleasing aer dinner lecture by our assurance that our visit to South Longitude 46˚31’ 8 W lectures we also commenced the nit- shipmate Clemens Vanderwerf “South ty-gritty task of denuding our clothing Georgia would leave only footprints and Total Sailed 252 miles Georgia: A perspective from a Wildlife and equipment of foreign biomass un- take only a terabyte or two of memory. Wind 32 knots NW Photographer”. der the well-regulated South Georgia Air Temperature 4°C Weather Overcast By Joe Kaplan BIRDS AT SEA With the sea-state continuing to im- prove so does our enthusiasm as we steam towards South Georgia in open ocean. is morning delivers our rst iceberg bits unexpectedly early into fo- cus along with a full complement of sea- birds and lectures. By mid-morning the Bridge opens the bow quickly followed with rst views of King Penguin, Brown Skua, Slender-billed Prion, Kerguelen Petrel, Light-mantled Albatross, and diving-petrel the “ying football.” Our lecture series complemented this rich assortment of seabirds; Ron pre- sented his popular “Animal Scapes” and “Shooting Video and SLR Cameras”, Pauline and Tim’s “Grytviken ‘Antarctic Outpost’”, followed by Moe’s “Creative Photography Techniques for Land- scapes,” Joe’s primer on “South Georgia Black-browed Albatross, Cape Petrel, Southern Giant-Petrel Ted Cheeseman 5 SOUTH GEORGIA ISLAND King Penguin Colony, St.
Recommended publications
  • South Georgia and Antarctic Odyssey
    South Georgia and Antarctic Odyssey 30 November – 18 December 2019 | Greg Mortimer About Us Aurora Expeditions embodies the spirit of adventure, travelling to some of the most wild opportunity for adventure and discovery. Our highly experienced expedition team of and remote places on our planet. With over 28 years’ experience, our small group voyages naturalists, historians and destination specialists are passionate and knowledgeable – they allow for a truly intimate experience with nature. are the secret to a fulfilling and successful voyage. Our expeditions push the boundaries with flexible and innovative itineraries, exciting Whilst we are dedicated to providing a ‘trip of a lifetime’, we are also deeply committed to wildlife experiences and fascinating lectures. You’ll share your adventure with a group education and preservation of the environment. Our aim is to travel respectfully, creating of like-minded souls in a relaxed, casual atmosphere while making the most of every lifelong ambassadors for the protection of our destinations. DAY 1 | Saturday 30 November 2019 Ushuaia, Beagle Channel Position: 20:00 hours Course: 83° Wind Speed: 20 knots Barometer: 991 hPa & steady Latitude: 54°49’ S Wind Direction: W Air Temp: 6° C Longitude: 68°18’ W Sea Temp: 5° C Explore. Dream. Discover. —Mark Twain in the soft afternoon light. The wildlife bonanza was off to a good start with a plethora of seabirds circling the ship as we departed. Finally we are here on the Beagle Channel aboard our sparkling new ice-strengthened vessel. This afternoon in the wharf in Ushuaia we were treated to a true polar welcome, with On our port side stretched the beech forested slopes of Argentina, while Chile, its mountain an invigorating breeze sweeping the cobwebs of travel away.
    [Show full text]
  • Antarctica, South Georgia & the Falkland Islands
    Antarctica, South Georgia & the Falkland Islands January 5 - 26, 2017 ARGENTINA Saunders Island Fortuna Bay Steeple Jason Island Stromness Bay Grytviken Tierra del Fuego FALKLAND SOUTH Gold Harbour ISLANDS GEORGIA CHILE SCOTIA SEA Drygalski Fjord Ushuaia Elephant Island DRAKE Livingston Island Deception PASSAGE Island LEMAIRE CHANNEL Cuverville Island ANTARCTIC PENINSULA Friday & Saturday, January 6 & 7, 2017 Ushuaia, Argentina / Beagle Channel / Embark Ocean Diamond Ushuaia, ‘Fin del Mundo,’ at the southernmost tip of Argentina was where we gathered for the start of our Antarctic adventure, and after a night’s rest, we set out on various excursions to explore the neighborhood of the end of the world. The keen birders were the first away, on their mission to the Tierra del Fuego National Park in search of the Magellanic woodpecker. They were rewarded with sightings of both male and female woodpeckers, Andean condors, flocks of Austral parakeets, and a wonderful view of an Austral pygmy owl, as well as a wide variety of other birds to check off their lists. The majority of our group went off on a catamaran tour of the Beagle Channel, where we saw South American sea lions on offshore islands before sailing on to the national park for a walk along the shore and an enjoyable Argentinian BBQ lunch. Others chose to hike in the deciduous beech forests of Reserva Natural Cerro Alarkén around the Arakur Resort & Spa. After only a few minutes of hiking, we saw an Andean condor soar above us and watched as a stunning red and black Magellanic woodpecker flew towards us and perched on the trunk of a nearby tree.
    [Show full text]
  • Crean Traverse 2016 Report
    SOUTH GEORGIA – CREAN SHACKLETON TRAVERSE 2016 TRAVERSE TEAM PELAGIC CREW Cian d’Arcy (Ireland) Alec Hazell (UK) - Skipper Morgan d’Arcy (Ireland) Giselle Hazell (South Africa) Aileen Crean O’Brien (Ireland) Bill Sheppard (UK) Crag Jones (UK) – Joint Leader Stephen Venables (UK) – Joint Leader The Crean Glacier and Antarctic Bay from Trident Ridge This expedition was the culmination of many years dreaming and planning by Aileen Crean O’Brien, to follow in the steps of her grandfather Tom Crean on the centenary of his famous traverse with Shackleton and Worsley. Aileen was accompanied by her two sons, Cian and Morgan, and her partner Bill Sheppard, with Crag Jones and Stephen Venables as mountain leaders. Although five of the team were successful, an unlucky accident stopped Aileen herself from completing the traverse. !1 SOUTH GEORGIA – CREAN SHACKLETON TRAVERSE 2016 Salvesen and Crean teams at Grytviken The Crean team boarded Pelagic in Stanley on TRAVERSE – DAY 1 – October 8 September 17, reaching South Georgia the We left King Haakon Bay at 05.30, travelling following week. While waiting to rendezvous on skis, towing pulks. Some bare ice with Jones and Venables, they spent several necessitated wearing crampons for the initial days doing short day walks from anchorages climb onto the glacier. Thereafter, snow on the Barff Peninsula, guided by Alec and conditions were good. The weather was calm, Giselle Hazell, enjoying the same excellent but with persistent cloud at around 500 metres. weather which had benefited the Salvesen At 14.30 we stopped to camp just below the Range Expedition. Trident Ridge, just by the second col from the left.
    [Show full text]
  • Thatcher IEE, 21 Dec 2010
    1 Initial Environmental Evaluation for the eradication of rodents from Thatcher Peninsula, South Georgia* South Georgia Heritage Trust 21 December 2010 *to be read in conjunction with ‘Environmental Impact Assessment for the eradication of rodents from the island of South Georgia, version 2’. Eradication of rodents from South Georgia 21 December 2010 Thatcher Peninsula IEE, version 3 2 CONTENTS 1 Introduction ......................................................................................................................................... 3 2 Description of proposed activity .......................................................................................................... 3 2.1 Proposed eradication methodology ........................................................................................... 3 2.2 Treatment of areas inaccessible by air ...................................................................................... 4 2.3 Monitoring .................................................................................................................................. 4 3 State of the environment..................................................................................................................... 5 3.1 Location ..................................................................................................................................... 5 3.2 Landforms, glaciology and hydrology ........................................................................................ 5 3.3 Human habitation and visitors
    [Show full text]
  • Antarctic Primer
    Antarctic Primer By Nigel Sitwell, Tom Ritchie & Gary Miller By Nigel Sitwell, Tom Ritchie & Gary Miller Designed by: Olivia Young, Aurora Expeditions October 2018 Cover image © I.Tortosa Morgan Suite 12, Level 2 35 Buckingham Street Surry Hills, Sydney NSW 2010, Australia To anyone who goes to the Antarctic, there is a tremendous appeal, an unparalleled combination of grandeur, beauty, vastness, loneliness, and malevolence —all of which sound terribly melodramatic — but which truly convey the actual feeling of Antarctica. Where else in the world are all of these descriptions really true? —Captain T.L.M. Sunter, ‘The Antarctic Century Newsletter ANTARCTIC PRIMER 2018 | 3 CONTENTS I. CONSERVING ANTARCTICA Guidance for Visitors to the Antarctic Antarctica’s Historic Heritage South Georgia Biosecurity II. THE PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT Antarctica The Southern Ocean The Continent Climate Atmospheric Phenomena The Ozone Hole Climate Change Sea Ice The Antarctic Ice Cap Icebergs A Short Glossary of Ice Terms III. THE BIOLOGICAL ENVIRONMENT Life in Antarctica Adapting to the Cold The Kingdom of Krill IV. THE WILDLIFE Antarctic Squids Antarctic Fishes Antarctic Birds Antarctic Seals Antarctic Whales 4 AURORA EXPEDITIONS | Pioneering expedition travel to the heart of nature. CONTENTS V. EXPLORERS AND SCIENTISTS The Exploration of Antarctica The Antarctic Treaty VI. PLACES YOU MAY VISIT South Shetland Islands Antarctic Peninsula Weddell Sea South Orkney Islands South Georgia The Falkland Islands South Sandwich Islands The Historic Ross Sea Sector Commonwealth Bay VII. FURTHER READING VIII. WILDLIFE CHECKLISTS ANTARCTIC PRIMER 2018 | 5 Adélie penguins in the Antarctic Peninsula I. CONSERVING ANTARCTICA Antarctica is the largest wilderness area on earth, a place that must be preserved in its present, virtually pristine state.
    [Show full text]
  • Anatid[Ae] of South Georgia
    270 Mvl•rnx,Anatid•e ofSouth Georgia. [July[Auk P¾CRAFT,W. P.-- The Courtship of Animals. London, Hutchinson & Co.. 1913. SELOUS,E. ('01.) An observationalDiary of the Habits of the Great Crested Grebe (includes observations on the Peewit). Zoologist, 1901 and 1902. ('05•) The Bird Watcher in the Shetlands. N.Y., Dutton, 1905. ('052) *Bird Life Glimpses. London, Allen, 1905. ('09.) An ObservationalDiary on the Nuptial Habits of the Black- cock, etc. Zoologist, 1909 and 1910. ('13.) A Diary of Ornithologicalobservation in Iceland. Zoologist, 1913. WASHBURN,M. F.-- The Animal Mind. Macmillan, New York, 1909. WEISMANN,A.-- The Evolution Theory. * ZOOLOGIST,THE.--West, Newman & Co., London, monthly. (Many papers on Natural History). ANATIDzE OF SOUTH GEORGIA. BY ROBERT CUSHMAN MURPHY. Plate XIV. THispaper is the twelfth • dealingwith the ornithological results of the SouthGeorgia Expedition of the BrooklynMuseum and the AmericanMuseum of Natural History. Nettion georgicum (Gmel.) Anas georgica,Gmelin, Syst. Nat., I, 2, 1788, 516. Querquedulaeatoni, yon denSteinen, Intern. Polarforsch.,1882-83, Deutsch. Exp. II, 1890, 219 and 273. XA list of the precedingpapers, not includingseveral brlef notes,follows: (1) preliminary Descriptionof a New Petrel, 'The Auk,' 1914, 12, 13; (2) A Flock of Tublnares,'The Ibis,' 1914,317-319; (3) Observationson Birdsof the SouthAtlantic, 'The Auk,' 1914,439-457; (4) A Reviewof the GenusPh•ebelria, 'The Auk,' 1914,526-534; (5) AnatomicalNotes on the Young of Phalacrocorax alriceps georgianus, Sci. Bull. Brooklyn Mus. II, 4, 1914, 95- 102; (6) Birds of Fernando Noronha, 'The Auk,' 1915, 41-50; (7) The Atlantic Range of Leach's Petrel, 'The Auk,' 1915, 170-173; (8) The Bird Life of Trinidad Islet, 'The Auk,' 1915, 332-348; (9) The Penguins of South Georgia, Sci.
    [Show full text]
  • Countries and Their Capital Cities Cheat Sheet by Spaceduck (Spaceduck) Via Cheatography.Com/4/Cs/56
    Countries and their Capital Cities Cheat Sheet by SpaceDuck (SpaceDuck) via cheatography.com/4/cs/56/ Countries and their Captial Cities Countries and their Captial Cities (cont) Countries and their Captial Cities (cont) Afghani​ stan Kabul Canada Ottawa Federated States of Palikir Albania Tirana Cape Verde Praia Micronesia Algeria Algiers Cayman Islands George Fiji Suva American Samoa Pago Pago Town Finland Helsinki Andorra Andorra la Vella Central African Republic Bangui France Paris Angola Luanda Chad N'Djamena French Polynesia Papeete Anguilla The Valley Chile Santiago Gabon Libreville Antigua and Barbuda St. John's Christmas Island Flying Fish Gambia Banjul Cove Argentina Buenos Aires Georgia Tbilisi Cocos (Keeling) Islands West Island Armenia Yerevan Germany Berlin Colombia Bogotá Aruba Oranjestad Ghana Accra Comoros Moroni Australia Canberra Gibraltar Gibraltar Cook Islands Avarua Austria Vienna Greece Athens Costa Rica San José Azerbaijan Baku Greenland Nuuk Côte d'Ivoire Yamous‐​ Bahamas Nassau Grenada St. George's soukro Bahrain Manama Guam Hagåtña Croatia Zagreb Bangladesh Dhaka Guatemala Guatemala Cuba Havana City Barbados Bridgetown Cyprus Nicosia Guernsey St. Peter Port Belarus Minsk Czech Republic Prague Guinea Conakry Belgium Brussels Democratic Republic of the Kinshasa Guinea-​ Bissau Bissau Belize Belmopan Congo Guyana Georgetown Benin Porto-Novo Denmark Copenhagen Haiti Port-au​ -P‐​ Bermuda Hamilton Djibouti Djibouti rince Bhutan Thimphu Dominica Roseau Honduras Tegucig​ alpa Bolivia Sucre Dominican Republic Santo
    [Show full text]
  • Developing UAV Monitoring of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands’ Iconic Land-Based Marine Predators
    fmars-08-654215 May 26, 2021 Time: 18:32 # 1 ORIGINAL RESEARCH published: 01 June 2021 doi: 10.3389/fmars.2021.654215 Developing UAV Monitoring of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands’ Iconic Land-Based Marine Predators John Dickens1*, Philip R. Hollyman1, Tom Hart2, Gemma V. Clucas3, Eugene J. Murphy1, Sally Poncet4, Philip N. Trathan1 and Martin A. Collins1 1 British Antarctic Survey, Natural Environment Research Council, Cambridge, United Kingdom, 2 Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom, 3 Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, United States, 4 South Georgia Survey, Stanley, Falkland Islands Many remote islands present barriers to effective wildlife monitoring in terms of Edited by: challenging terrain and frequency of visits. The sub-Antarctic islands of South Georgia Wen-Cheng Wang, National Taiwan Normal University, and the South Sandwich Islands are home to globally significant populations of seabirds Taiwan and marine mammals. South Georgia hosts the largest breeding populations of Antarctic Reviewed by: fur seals, southern elephant seals and king penguins as well as significant populations of Gisele Dantas, wandering, black-browed and grey-headed albatross. The island also holds important Pontifícia Universidade Católica de Minas Gerais, Brazil populations of macaroni and gentoo penguins. The South Sandwich Islands host the Sofie Pollin, world’s largest colony of chinstrap penguins in addition to major populations of Adélie KU Leuven Research & Development, Belgium and macaroni penguins. A marine protected area was created around these islands in *Correspondence: 2012 but monitoring populations of marine predators remains a challenge, particularly John Dickens as these species breed over large areas in remote and often inaccessible locations.
    [Show full text]
  • Daily Program Friday, 24.02.2017 – Embarkation Ushuaia
    DAILY PROGRAM FRIDAY, 24.02.2017 – EMBARKATION USHUAIA RESTAURANT TIMINGS TEA,COFFEE & COOKIES 15:00 – 17:30 PANORAMA LOUNGE, DECK 7 BUFFET DINNER 18:00 – 21:00 RESTAURANT, DECK 4 15:00 Check-In 21:30 Captain’s Cocktails. Our Expedition Jackets and Check in is on deck 3 and 4. Captain Raymond Martinsen Rubber Boots will be available Suites can check in on deck 7. would like to welcome you on for collection over the coming board and present his officers days. 15:00-17:30 Medical Forms and the Expedition Team. At Please deliver your medical the same time we'll give some We may have the opportunity forms to the Doctor in the information regarding our to stamp your passport at an lobby on deck 4. voyage, in the Panorama Antarctic base during our Lounge, deck 7. voyage. If you would NOT like 15:00-17:30 If you would like a stamp, please see to learn more about our FRAM goes paperless! On Reception, Deck 4. voyage then why not come your first day you will receive and meet some of the the Daily program in printed Most of the time we will use Expedition Team members in version. From tomorrow on our PolarCirkle boats for the Panorama Lounge on deck you will find the daily landings. For organizational 7. information on your cabin’s TV purposes we are going to screen as well as in all public separate you into groups of Approx. 17:30 Mandatory spaces. By doing so we avoid approximately 30 passengers.
    [Show full text]
  • Holocene Glacier Fluctuations and Environmental Changes in Sub-Antarctic South
    Manuscript 1 Holocene glacier fluctuations and environmental changes in sub-Antarctic South 2 Georgia inferred from a sediment record from a coastal inlet 3 4 Sonja Berg, Institute of Geology and Mineralogy, University of Cologne, 50674 Cologne, 5 Germany Duanne A. White, Institute for Applied Ecology, University of Canberra, ACT, Australia, 2601. 6 Sandra Jivcov, Institute of Geology and Mineralogy, University of Cologne, 50674 Cologne, 7 Germany Martin Melles, Institute of Geology and Mineralogy, University of Cologne, 50674 Cologne, Germany 8 Melanie J. Leng, NERC Isotopes Geosciences Facilities, British Geological Survey, 9 Keyworth, Nottingham NG12 5GG, UK & School of Biosciences, Centre for Environmental 10 Geochemistry, The University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Leicestershire 11 LE12 5RD, UK 12 Janet Rethemeyer, Institute of Geology and Mineralogy, University of Cologne, 50674 13 Cologne, Germany 14 Claire Allen (BAS) British Antarctic Survey, High Cross, Madinley Road, Cambrige UK 15 Bianca Perren (BAS) British Antarctic Survey, High Cross, Madinley Road, Cambrige UK 16 Ole Bennike, Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland, Copenhagen, Denmark. 17 Finn Viehberg, Institute of Geology and Mineralogy, University of Cologne, 50674 Cologne, 18 Germany Corresponding Author: 19 Sonja Berg, 20 Institute of Geology and Mineralogy, University of Cologne 21 Zuelpicher Strasse 49a, 50674 Cologne, Germany Email: [email protected]; Phone ++49 221 470 2540 1 22 Abstract 23 The sub-Antarctic island of South Georgia provides terrestrial and coastal marine records of 24 climate variability, which are crucial for the understanding of the drivers of Holocene climate 25 changes in the sub-Antarctic region. Here we investigate a sediment core (Co1305) from a 26 coastal inlet on South Georgia using elemental, lipid biomarker, diatom and stable isotope 27 data to infer changes in environmental conditions and to constrain the timing of Late glacial 28 and Holocene glacier fluctuations.
    [Show full text]
  • In Shackleton's Footsteps
    In Shackleton’s Footsteps 20 March – 06 April 2019 | Polar Pioneer About Us Aurora Expeditions embodies the spirit of adventure, travelling to some of the most wild and adventure and discovery. Our highly experienced expedition team of naturalists, historians and remote places on our planet. With over 27 years’ experience, our small group voyages allow for destination specialists are passionate and knowledgeable – they are the secret to a fulfilling a truly intimate experience with nature. and successful voyage. Our expeditions push the boundaries with flexible and innovative itineraries, exciting wildlife Whilst we are dedicated to providing a ‘trip of a lifetime’, we are also deeply committed to experiences and fascinating lectures. You’ll share your adventure with a group of like-minded education and preservation of the environment. Our aim is to travel respectfully, creating souls in a relaxed, casual atmosphere while making the most of every opportunity for lifelong ambassadors for the protection of our destinations. DAY 1 | Wednesday 20 March 2019 Ushuaia, Beagle Channel Position: 21:50 hours Course: 84° Wind Speed: 5 knots Barometer: 1007.9 hPa & falling Latitude: 54°55’ S Speed: 9.4 knots Wind Direction: E Air Temp: 11°C Longitude: 67°26’ W Sea Temp: 9°C Finally, we were here, in Ushuaia aboard a sturdy ice-strengthened vessel. At the wharf Gary Our Argentinian pilot climbed aboard and at 1900 we cast off lines and eased away from the and Robyn ticked off names, nabbed our passports and sent us off to Kathrine and Scott for a wharf. What a feeling! The thriving city of Ushuaia receded as we motored eastward down the quick photo before boarding Polar Pioneer.
    [Show full text]
  • Antarctica, South Georgia & the Falkland Islands Field Report
    Antarctica, South Georgia & the Falkland Islands January 24 - February 14, 2019 ARGENTINA West Point Island Elsehul Bay Salisbury Plain Stromness Bay Grytviken Tierra Stanley del Fuego FALKLAND SOUTH Gold Harbour ISLANDS GEORGIA Drygalski Fjord SCOTIA SEA Ushuaia Elephant Island DRAKE Spightly Island PASSAGE Port Lockroy/ Cuverville Island LEMAIRE CHANNEL Wilhelmina Bay ANTARCTIC PENINSULA Saturday, January 26, 2019 Ushuaia, Argentina / Embark Island Sky Having arrived at the Arakur Hotel & Resort in Ushuaia the day before, and caught up on at least some sleep overnight, we set out this morning to explore Tierra del Fuego National Park. Guided by our ornithologist, Jim Wilson, our birders were first out, keen to find their target species, the Magellanic woodpecker. In this they were more than successful, spotting five, both males and females. Meanwhile, the rest of us boarded a catamaran and sailed the Beagle Channel towards the national park. En route we visited several small rocky islands, home to South American sea lions, imperial and rock cormorants (or shags), and South American terns. Disembarking in the national park at Lapataia Bay, we enjoyed lunch and walking trails through the southern beech forest with views of the Beagle Channel and Lago Roca before heading back to Ushuaia by bus. Awaiting us there was our home for the next few weeks, the Island Sky. Once settled in our cabins, we went out on deck to watch the lines being cast off and we sailed out into the Beagle Channel. Our Antarctic adventure had begun! Sunday, January 27 At Sea Our day at sea began with Jim introducing us to the birds of the Falkland Islands, and preparing us for our upcoming wildlife encounters.
    [Show full text]