Falklands blog for Thursday May 2 2013
Down to Gypsy Cove as the sun was setting. Perhaps there was a straggler still there, enjoying the Indian Summer that is blessing the Falklands. All the burrows we looked in were empty but just then, halfway down the beach stood a Jackass penguin – he looked at the pair of Upland geese next to us and was not bothered, but he did not like the look of us. His passage down the beach was precipitate. He scooted in his belly with his flipper wings digging into the white sand like sabres. Hitting the water at speed, he then accelerated out into,the crystal clear light green waters of the bay and was gone.
The beach was empty.
Moulting finished, the rest of the Magellanic penguins have headed off to South America and will only return next year to breed on these islands. The Rockhoppers have also left, leaving the Kings and Gentoos behind.
Some birds have stayed behind. I have a new favourite – the Military Starling. What is not to like?
