Clearing Rats and Mice from South Georgia
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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. -
South Georgia & Antarctic Odyssey
South Georgia & Antarctic Odyssey 16 January – 02 February 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 16 January 2019 Ushuaia; Beagle Channel Position: 19:38 hours Course: 106° Wind Speed: 12 knots Barometer: 1006.6 hPa & steady Latitude: 54° 51’ S Speed: 12 knots Wind Direction: W Air Temp: 11°C Longitude: 68° 02’ W Sea Temp: 7°C The land was gone, all but a little streak, away off on the edge of the water, and We explored the decks, ventured down to the dining rooms for tea and coffee, then climbed down under us was just ocean, ocean, ocean—millions of miles of it, heaving up and down the various staircases. Howard then called us together to introduce the Aurora team and give a lifeboat and safety briefing. -
A 2010 Supplement to Ducks, Geese, and Swans of the World
University of Nebraska - Lincoln DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln Ducks, Geese, and Swans of the World by Paul A. Johnsgard Papers in the Biological Sciences 2010 The World’s Waterfowl in the 21st Century: A 2010 Supplement to Ducks, Geese, and Swans of the World Paul A. Johnsgard University of Nebraska-Lincoln, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/biosciducksgeeseswans Part of the Ornithology Commons Johnsgard, Paul A., "The World’s Waterfowl in the 21st Century: A 2010 Supplement to Ducks, Geese, and Swans of the World" (2010). Ducks, Geese, and Swans of the World by Paul A. Johnsgard. 20. https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/biosciducksgeeseswans/20 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Papers in the Biological Sciences at DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. It has been accepted for inclusion in Ducks, Geese, and Swans of the World by Paul A. Johnsgard by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. The World’s Waterfowl in the 21st Century: A 200 Supplement to Ducks, Geese, and Swans of the World Paul A. Johnsgard Pages xvii–xxiii: recent taxonomic changes, I have revised sev- Introduction to the Family Anatidae eral of the range maps to conform with more current information. For these updates I have Since the 978 publication of my Ducks, Geese relied largely on Kear (2005). and Swans of the World hundreds if not thou- Other important waterfowl books published sands of publications on the Anatidae have since 978 and covering the entire waterfowl appeared, making a comprehensive literature family include an identification guide to the supplement and text updating impossible. -
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. -
References.Qxd 12/14/2004 10:35 AM Page 771
Ducks_References.qxd 12/14/2004 10:35 AM Page 771 References Aarvak, T. and Øien, I.J. 1994. Dverggås Anser Adams, J.S. 1971. Black Swan at Lake Ellesmere. erythropus—en truet art i Norge. Vår Fuglefauna 17: 70–80. Wildl. Rev. 3: 23–25. Aarvak, T. and Øien, I.J. 2003. Moult and autumn Adams, P.A., Robertson, G.J. and Jones, I.L. 2000. migration of non-breeding Fennoscandian Lesser White- Time-activity budgets of Harlequin Ducks molting in fronted Geese Anser erythropus mapped by satellite the Gannet Islands, Labrador. Condor 102: 703–08. telemetry. Bird Conservation International 13: 213–226. Adrian, W.L., Spraker, T.R. and Davies, R.B. 1978. Aarvak, T., Øien, I.J. and Nagy, S. 1996. The Lesser Epornitics of aspergillosis in Mallards Anas platyrhynchos White-fronted Goose monitoring programme,Ann. Rept. in north central Colorado. J. Wildl. Dis. 14: 212–17. 1996, NOF Rappportserie, No. 7. Norwegian Ornitho- AEWA 2000. Report on the conservation status of logical Society, Klaebu. migratory waterbirds in the agreement area. Technical Series Aarvak, T., Øien, I.J., Syroechkovski Jr., E.E. and No. 1.Wetlands International,Wageningen, Netherlands. Kostadinova, I. 1997. The Lesser White-fronted Goose Afton, A.D. 1983. Male and female strategies for Monitoring Programme.Annual Report 1997. Klæbu, reproduction in Lesser Scaup. Unpubl. Ph.D. thesis. Norwegian Ornithological Society. NOF Raportserie, Univ. North Dakota, Grand Forks, US. Report no. 5-1997. Afton, A.D. 1984. Influence of age and time on Abbott, C.C. 1861. Notes on the birds of the Falkland reproductive performance of female Lesser Scaup. -
Aberrant Plumage in the Yellow-Billed Pintail Anas Georgica
192 Yellow-billed Pintail neck ring Aberrant plumage in the Yellow-billed Pintail Anas georgica ROBERT E. WILSON1, THOMAS H. VALQUI2 & KEVIN G. MCCRACKEN1 1Institute of Arctic Biology, Department of Biology and Wildlife & University of Alaska Museum, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks, AK 99775, USA. Emails: [email protected] & [email protected] 2Louisiana State University Museum of Natural Science, 119 Foster Hall, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 99775, USA. Email: [email protected] Abstract Plumage aberrations are common, particularly in waterfowl. There have been numerous proposed causes including the retention of ancestral plumage characters that contain phylogenetic information. A partial white neck ring was observed in Yellow-billed Pintail Anas georgica spinicauda near Cusco, Peru. Non-typical white neck rings have been reported in other waterfowl species. Although the exact cause is unclear, its reoccurrence in other species and the consistent placement suggest that this unusual plumage could be of evolutional signifi cance. Key words: plumage aberration, Yellow-billed Pintail, Anas georgica, Peru. Plumage aberrations that deviate from & Bartholomew 1951; Nero 1954, Harrison typical plumage colour patterns are common, 1955; Gross 1965; Enders & Post 1971). and their prevalence varies among species Waterfowl (Anseriformes: Anatidae) (Hicks 1934; Michener & Michener 1936; have been well documented to show unusual Nero 1954; Gross 1965; Jehl 1985). Multiple plumage patterns. In some cases, these causes of plumage aberrations have been abnormal plumages resemble characters of proposed. These include injury, disease, other closely related species (Harrison 1953, diet, partial leucism, recurrent mutation, 1955). For example, Northern Shoveler infrequent expression of genes that have Anas clypeata males in eclipse plumage have a low expressivities, pigment concealment, or white facial crescent that resembles the facial atavistic retention of ancestral traits (Hubbs pattern of the Blue-winged Teal A. -
Species List
Antarctica Trip Report November 30 – December 18, 2017 | Compiled by Greg Smith With Greg Smith, guide, and participants Anne, Karen, Anita, Alberto, Dick, Patty & Andy, and Judy & Jerry Bird List — 78 Species Seen Anatidae: Ducks, Geese, and Swans (8) Upland Goose (Chloephaga picta) Only seen on the Falklands, and most had young or were on nests. Kelp Goose (Chloephaga hybrid) On the beach (or close to the beach) at West Point and Carcass Islands. Ruddy-headed Goose (Chloephaga rubidiceps) Mixed in with the grazing Upland Geese on the Falklands. Flightless Steamer Duck (Tachyeres pteneres) Found on both islands that we visited, and on Stanley. Crested Duck (Lophonetta specularioides) Not common at all with only a few seen in a pond on Carcass Island. Yellow-billed (Speckled) Teal (Anas flavirostris) Two small flocks were using freshwater ponds. Yellow-billed Pintail (Anas georgica) Fairly common on South Georgia. South Georgia Pintail (Anas georgica georgica) Only on South Georgia and seen on every beach access. Spheniscidae: Penguins (7) King Penguin (Aptenodytes patagonicus) Only on South Georgia and there were thousands and thousands. Gentoo Penguin (Pygoscelis papua) Not as many as the Kings, but still thousands. Magellanic Penguin (Spheniscus magellanicus) Only on the Falklands and not nearly as common as the Gentoo. Macaroni Penguin (Eudyptes chrysolophus) Saw a colony at Elsihul Bay on South Georgia. Southern Rockhopper Penguin (Eudyptes chrysocome) A nesting colony among the Black-browed Albatross on West Point Island. Adelie Penguin (Pygoscelis adeliae) Landed near a colony of over 100,000 pairs at Paulet Island on the Peninsula. Chinstrap Penguin (Pygoscelis antarcticus) Seen on the Peninsula and we watched a particularly intense Leopard Seal hunt and kill a Chinstrap. -
NB25-SLS-Schulenberg
>> SPLITS, LUMPS AND SHUFFLES Splits, lumps and shuffles Thomas S. Schulenberg This series focuses on recent taxonomic proposals – descriptions of new taxa, splits, lumps or reorganisations – that are likely to be of greatest interest to birders. This latest instalment includes: the possible lumps of Scale-breasted Woodpecker and South Georgia Pipit; a split in Red-billed Woodcreeper; a split in Highland Elaenia, and yet another possible lump in White-crested Elaenia; and a too-early-to-call-for-a-split-but-keep-an-eye-on-it study of Correndera Pipit. Sayonara, Scale-breasted There has been some grumbling over the years that a subspecies of Waved (amacurensis, of Woodpecker? northeastern Venezuela) perhaps belongs instead cale-breasted Woodpecker Celeus with Scale-breasted (Short 1982), and reports that grammicus and Waved Woodpecker C. not only were their vocalisations indistinguishable S undatus are two similar species that replace (Ridgely & Greenfield 2001), but even that each each other geographically, occupying respectively responded to playback of calls of the other (Restall the western and eastern portions of Amazonia. et al. 2006). Nonetheless the species status of the 2 1 3 Just lookalikes or the same species? 1 Scale-breasted Woodpecker Celeus grammicus, Iranduba, Amazonas, Brazil, September 2013 (Anselmo d’Affonseca); 2–3 Waved Woodpecker C. undatus, both Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil: 2 November 2011 (Anselmo d’Affonseca), 3 May 2017 (Tomaz Nascimento de Melo; 8 lattes.cnpq.br/0736734315806511). The absence of diagnostic vocal, plumage, or genetic differences between the two all seems to lead to the conclusion that there is one fewer species of woodpecker in the world. -
South Georgia Andrew Clarke, John P
Important Bird Areas South Georgia Andrew Clarke, John P. Croxall, Sally Poncet, Anthony R. Martin and Robert Burton n o s r a e P e c u r B South Georgia from the sea; a typical first view of the island. Abstract The mountainous island of South Georgia, situated in the cold but productive waters of the Southern Ocean, is a UK Overseas Territory and one of the world’s most important seabird islands. It is estimated that over 100 million seabirds are based there, while there may have been an order of magnitude more before the introduction of rats. South Georgia has 29 species of breeding bird, and is the world’s most important breeding site for six species (Macaroni Penguin Eudyptes chrysolophus , Grey-headed Albatross Thalassarche chrysostoma , Northern Giant Petrel Macronectes halli , Antarctic Prion Pachyptila desolata , White-chinned Petrel Procellaria aequinoctialis and Common Diving Petrel Pelecanoides urinatrix ). Several of the key species are globally threatened or near-threatened, which emphasises the need for action to improve the conservation status of the island’s birds. South Georgia is currently classified by BirdLife International as a single Important Bird Area (IBA) but it may be better considered as comprising several distinct IBAs. Current threats to the South Georgia avifauna include rats (a major campaign to eliminate rats began in 2010/11), regional climate change, and incidental mortality in longline and trawl fisheries. Local fisheries are now well regulated but South Georgia albatrosses and petrels are still killed in large numbers in more distant fisheries. 118 © British Birds 105 • March 2012 • 118 –144 South Georgia This paper is dedicated to the memory of Peter Prince (1948–1998), who worked on South Georgia from 1971. -
COOPER BAY Visitor Management Plan V2015
COOPER BAY Visitor Management Plan v2015 LOCATION Sketch map. Not for navigation. • Latitude: 54° 46.8’ S • Longitude: 35° 48.4’ W Northeastern shore of Cooper Bay. COOPER BAY VISITOR MANAGEMENT PLAN KEY FEATURES • Macaroni penguins • Fur seals DESCRIPTION o Topography The northeastern shore of Cooper Bay consists of low cliffs of tightly folded sedimentary rock and wave-cut platforms with a series of cobbled beaches indenting the bay and providing access via steep scree slopes to the higher ground. Slopes are vegetated to approximately 200m altitude. Above this, scree slopes, lichen-covered boulder fields and bare rock dominate. o Fauna Confirmed breeders: gentoo penguin (Pygoscelis papua), macaroni penguin (Eudyptes chrysolophus), light-mantled sooty albatross (Phoebetria palpebrata), southern giant petrel (Macronectes giganteus), white-chinned petrel (Procellaria aequinoctialis), Wilson’s storm- petrel (Oceanites oceanicus), snowy sheathbill (Chionis alba), kelp gull (Larus dominicanus), brown skua (Stercorarius antarcticus). South Georgia pintail (Anas georgica georgica), South Georgia pipit (Anthus antarcticus), Antarctic tern (Sterna vittate georgiae), elephant seal (Mirounga leonina)and fur seal (Arctocephalus gazella). The habitat restoration project to remove the brown rat (Rattus norvegicus) is scheduled for early 2015. o Flora Predominantly tussac interspersed with sparse lowland fellfield. Rock outcrops and upper scree slopes support extensive lichen communities. Dense tussac is interspersed with deep mud pools at the edge of macaroni colony. o Other Extensive kelp beds, hazardous rocks and reefs lie immediately off shore. 2 COOPER BAY VISITOR MANAGEMENT PLAN VISITOR IMPACTS o Known Impacts Track starting to form on scree slope behind primary landing beach. o Potential Impacts Disturbance of wildlife and track formation. -
1\ Catherinj of &Aterfowl
1\ Catherinj of &aterfowl from a forthcoming book "A Gathering of Waterfowl". bV Frank S. Todd • Corporate Curator ofBirds. Sea World - San Diego, California, Ohio and Florida Chapter One INTRODUCTION TO THE TRUE WATERFOWL The kaleidoscopic colors and patterns wild fowl. Likewise, egrets, herons, flamin From an economic standpoint. water associated with the avian world make it gos and storks thought of as waders, fowl are among the most valuable of all difficult, if not impossible, to select a while cormorants, gulls, penquins, peli birds. They have probably been admired single group of birds as the most spectac cans, and puffins are loosely called "sea more and exploited to a greater degree ular. However, if one were faced with birds". than most other bird groups. One need such a choice, it could easily be the The closest surviving relatives of wild only consider how dependent many waterfowl. As a long-time waterfowl fowl are the bizarre screamers of South people are on wildfowl and their eggs as enthusiast, I believe this selection to be a America; so close in fact, that they a food source. In the western world the logical one for a number of reasons. occupy a position in the same order, the rearing of these birds for food is not of Ducks, geese and swans not only often Anseriformes. This relationshjp is quite major importance. but in less affluent have brightly colored plumages and occur puzzling to non-biologists because regions, particularly in Asia, domestic in a great variety of diverse shapes, sizes screamers don't even remotely resemble a ducks are frequently as common as and forms, their lifestyles are such that duck or a goose. -
Antarctic Reader | Ice Axe Expeditions
QuarkExpeditions.com QUARK EXPEDITIONS® ANTARCTIC READER A B QUARK EXPEDITIONS® ANTARCTIC READER TABLE OF CONTENTS SECTION 1 SECTION 3 32 Geology 2 Conserving the Antarctic 19 Explorers and Scientists 34 Climate 2 Guidance for Visitors 19 Terra Australis Exploration 35 The Antarctic Circle 4 Antarctica’s Historic Heritage 20 The Age of Sealers 35 Icebergs, Glaciers and Sea Ice 22 The Heroic Age and 37 The Ozone Hole SECTION 2 Continental Penetration 37 Climatic Change 5 Places You Might Visit 24 Mechanical Age and Whaling 5 Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) Period SECTION 6 6 South Georgia 26 Permanent Stations 40 The Biological Environment 8 South Sandwich Islands 27 Pax Antarctica: The Treaty 40 Life in Antarctica 9 South Orkney Islands Period 41 Adapting to the Cold 9 Weddell Sea 43 The Dominance of Krill 10 South Shetland Islands SECTION 4 44 The Krill Predators 11 Antarctic Peninsula 28 The Antarctic Treaty (or Other Wildlife) 13 The Historic Ross Sea Sector 28 Origin and Members 44 Antarctic Squids, Fishes, 16 New Zealand’s Subantarctic 29 Scientific Stations Birds, Seals and Whales Islands 17 Macquarie Island SECTION 5 SECTION 7 30 The Physical Environment 60 Wildlife Checklist 30 The Antarctic 31 The Southern Ocean 32 The islands of the Southern Ocean QUARK EXPEDITIONS® ANTARCTIC READER 1 Antarctica is the largest wilderness area on Earth. SECTION CONSERVING THE ANTARCTIC Many governments, most non-governmental organizations and all the leading companies arranging expeditions to Antarctic regions are working together to ensure that Antarctica’s spectacular scenery, unique wildlife and extraordinary wilderness will be protected for future generations to enjoy.