Memoirs of an Islander: Long awaited

It was only a matter of time before my ship came in ans I went out.
I never posted anything last week and that's because I wasn't around to do so. Instead I was out camping and enjoying a bit of time away from the confines of the base. Feeling so much better for it.

The evening of Monday the 12th March whilst having a chat about the weather, and the high pressure system that would be passing the island and bringing a few days of good weather with it, our biologists decided that they best take advantage of this window of opportunity and head out into the field for a couple nights to get some work done. And so it was decided that they would head out the next morning.
This was on my first day off and I still had another 4 to go, so I jumped at the opportunity to accompany them. Indeed it was short notice, but that means little to us over here. Not like I had much else planned.

So it was decided. Tuesday morning we would be off to continue the monitoring of the Tristan Albatross population.
Just so there is understanding as to why this is so important, the Tristan Albatross is endangered. It initially bred on both Tristan da Cunha as well as Gough, but over the years the Tristanians hunted the Tristan population to extinction as it was a primary food source for them. So for a many years the only place that the species has bred has been here on Gough. With it being such a small Island the population is limited in the numbers it can reach and those numbers are already very low and decreasing rapidly. What is found here represents the world-wide population of the species. Hence the importance of the conservation and monitoring programme.
The common house mouse which was introduced hundreds of years ago by some of the first settlers on the island has only recently been found to prey on the young chicks.
Once the chicks are old enough the parents leave the chick unattended and both go in search of food. The mice then emerge from their burrows and eat the chicks as they are no longer afforded any protection by their parents. The are unable defend themselves or escape predation from the mice as they cannot stand and escape. They are essentially "sitting ducks". Predation by the common house mouse has explained why there is such a large failure rate of nests and why the population is dropping so sharply and on the verge of collapse.

Tuesday the 13th March was a bit of an earlier start for me as I had to complete my chores that I would have been required to do on the Wednesday. But this was not a hassle. As i knew that shortly after I was done we would be off for another grand adventure.

So it was at around 11:00 that we left on Tuesday morning. We were headed for Goneydale. But we wouldn't be taking the usual Goneydale path, instead we would be making our way via Tafelkoppie and South Peak. Much to my excitement as I had still not been able to get up South Peak.
Reason behind this route is that there are also a number of Tristan's on Tafelkop, as well as on the hillside leading down from South Peak to Goneydale.
What we we needed to do this trip was check that all the nests that had been marked at the start of the breeding season were still being occupied and their eggs incubated, as well as identify some of the partners of the breeding pairs that had yet to be observed at the nest. Further the few adult albatrosses that had yet to be marked were also ringed.
The hike was fantastic and the view from South Peak was spectacular. I could not believe I had missed out for so long. Looking out over TK from the one side and then over Goneydale on the other showed each plain in such an incredible light.

Tafelkop from atop South Peak

Goneydale from atop South Peak

The Gough Bunting's seemed to be especially active up top and were dotting all across the rocks and the grass. Always such a pleasure to watch these rare little birds hop about inquisitively in search of food. But there presence was not limited to the top of South Peak, but all over whilst we were working.

Gough Bunting

Gough Bunting feeding on Nertera depressa Fowl Berry

We descended down the other side of South Peak which was alarmingly steep, as was the ascent. Thankfully the decent is a made a little bit easier by the soft spongy grass that you sink into as you walk and more often than not, tumble down.

South Peak from the container in Goneydale.

Once we arrived at the container at Goneydale we set up camp and were back to work. We all split up and had an area of nests to check in the breeding grounds. This took us until around 19:30 by which point the sun had it's final rays of light clinging to the horizon and the the wind started to take hold of what was freed up by the light.
Despite our best efforts to keep the gas cooker burning the wind kept snatching away any hopes of having a warm meal and a cup of Milo before bed. So we had to settle on sardines and Provitas. The effort of chewing was minimised thanks to the chattering of teeth caused by the icy wind that was determined to make us miserable.


Our trusty propane/butane gas cooker.

Following morning started off a bit better. The wind let go as the sun reclaimed the day and we were able to keep the gas burner going so we could have a cup of hot Milo.
First order of business was to wish my special someone happy birthday. But how do you do that from the middle of nowhere? Thank goodness for satellite phones! Was able to make a short call and hopefully make the day just that little bit special despite distance. Distance like this really tests one and forces one to get creative and be resourceful in keeping a relationship going.

From there it was off to do some more nest marking and monitoring. Except a bit of a surprise was in store. We would be going to Albatross plain to do this. Such excitement for me, as it was a new part of the island to explore. Sound like an excited child. But I really want to see everything I can on this incredible place. So excitement washes over with every opportunity to see something new, and take in a different view.

Goneydale plain is at the base of 2 main peaks. South Peak and Mount Rowett. Albatross plain lies just over the other side of Mount Rowett which is in picture.

Albatross Plain, with Edinburgh Peak in the distance, shrouded in cloud.

A few hours were spent at Albatross Plain recording the coordinates of some of the nests. This to increase the size of the study group for the monitoring programme to allow for greater accuracy of the data obtained from the study. Simple, a larger study group means a more representative sample, means greater accuracy of results.


Sylvain getting nest coordinates in Albatross Plain.

That's why I do these things. Apart from enjoying the hiking and camping, I enjoy the science side and thoroughly enjoy getting involved with it as often as possible. After all, that's why I am here. Well, that's largely why I am here.

Whilst out at Albatross Plain we were fortunate enough to see one or two chicks that had hatched very recently, and were extremely lucky to see one of the chicks that had just broken free of his shell. What an incredible and rare sight this was!

Courtship.


Egg.


Hatching.


Chick.

After the day spent at albatross plain we returned to camp only to discover that one of the GPS units had fallen out Sylvain's bag somewhere along the way. So Sylvain and myself had to make our way back and search the route we had taken and search the nests we had marked to see if we could find the GPS before it was nightfall. This meant some fast paced walking and thorough searching was required before it got too late and the we were caught out in the dark. Sadly all this was to no avail and we were unable to find it.
At least at the end of a long day we were able to enjoy a warm meal as the wind settled just enough for us to keep the gas burner going.

Final day was a slow start. Sylvain however made a mission some time before Karen and myself as he went in search of the illusive GPS. And still it remains out there along the path toward or in Albatross Plain. I personally think that only next years team will find it. But at least it will be found. Always a bright side.
Karen and myself continued with nest checks further away from camp in the Hummocks. There were not many left, but it took a little longer to find them without the help of the GPS to direct us. So having a map and trying to trace your way around that sort of terrain with a print out of locations meant we where there a while longer than expected. The fact that the radio feel out Karen's bag also added to this. Seems it was a trip to test our recovery skills. We decided we would be search for it on our way back to base when we had Sylvain with us and we could cover a larger area.
We made our way back to camp, packed up and started our trip back along the Goneydale path, which we all know very well having walked many times over. Before settling in for the long walk back we all spread across the Hummocks which we have pass through on route to the base, and searched high and low for the lost radio. This time with more success than than was had in locating the GPS. We found it under a fern leaf right next to one of the nests we had checked. Relief washed over Karen's face after she heard it was found, and we were then able to get stuck in to the trip back to base where a good meal and warm shower awaited.
Another successful trip and thoroughly enjoyed.

Your best friend and trusted companion on any walk: Trekking poles. Much time is spent on the ground when walking without them.

Added news, we also celebrated Leonard's birthday on the 11th March.
Had a pirate themed party which was really memorable.
Everyone looked very convincing in there outfits, but no one could come close to Jacks incredible effort. "Captain Jack" indeed! Was good fun and we were all up playing pool until the late hours.
Being on night shifts when there is a party definitely makes the time go by much faster and makes the wait more enjoyably.