The end of an error - 31 January to 8th February

Hi everyone

I apologise for the slight delay in publishing this new edition but I was waiting for the arrival of the Edinburgh. It was a bit touch and go, getting off this island by boat always is, but they managed it: and at about 1500 yesterday, Ross departed for Cape Town. I actually have mixed feelings about him leaving, he was difficult at times and quite short tempered but in the last while we had been getting on quite well. Also now he is gone, the continuation of the research and the ultimate success or failure of this year is now entirely my responsibility which is quite daunting.

Ross' chariot

[Note: to all those of you who read this regularly, I am now under instructions to include more of how the work makes me feel, rather than explaining the details of what we actually do, so those of you who were hoping to be informed about the work here are going to be disappointed :-) ...]

The M.V. Edinburgh off Transvaal Bay

With that over, it was time to unpack the presents from the Edinburgh. Thanks to all for everything you sent, it was the most awesome feeling to open all the parcels and boxes, I felt like a kid again! Thank you Mom, Dad, Granny, Grandpa, Martin, Janice and Stefan, I really appreciate everything (if I missed someone out, I'm sorry). Sadly the lemon curd didn't make it, I think it got a little warm or something because it separated out and would not remix.

The elusive Gough Island Bunting

 Anyway, most of last week was spent up at Gonydale. What was supposed to be an overnight trip turned into a five day slog because the weather did not cooperate at all. Anyway, it wasn't all bad, there is something wonderful about being warm and comfy in a tent, listening to the wind and rain beat against the fly, knowing that you don't have to get up and do anything; you can just lie there and read your book or go back to sleep.

Clouds over Gonydale, looking south

On the odd occasion that the cloud lifted enough for us to see more than ten meters, we were out marking out Tristan Albatross nests as part of a long term study to monitor reproductive success. This is the part of the work I enjoy the most, it is such a wonderful privilege to work with these beautiful birds, in one of the most remote places in the world. They are completely unafraid and will allow you to approach within touching distance. We have to pick them up to place rings on their legs and even then, they are quite gentle and relaxed (You do have to hold their beak closed though, because they can give a nasty bite). We are also lucky enough to be in Gonydale at the correct time to see the mating displays (see the video below) although the birds doing the displays are probably too late to mate, lay and incubate. It is incredible to be one of a very small group of people who have ever seen this behaviour in the wild.

Spending a long time with the Tristans alters your perspective, on the way back down to base we passed several Yellow nosed Albatross nests and the adults look really small. Funny, that.

Courting Tristans

So, now I am waiting to receive the new work schedule revised for one person, I really hope that my boss puts some serious thought into this and makes some sensible changes because if he doesn't I feel that I might be in for a bit of a 'mare of a time. Holding thumbs!