Wildlife: other birdsThe first birds we saw at Rothera in summer 2012 were occasional blue-eyed shags in early November. Their numbers gradually increased, and by mid-December large flocks were present, commonly flying in formation. The birds most commonly associated with Antarctica (apart from penguins) are skuas and terns, but there are also numerous gulls. By mid-summer, all these birds were present in moderate numbers at Rothera. Another iconic Antarctic species is the snow petrel, two of which flew over us briefly on a mountain top near Fossil Bluff, hundreds of kilometres from their nearest food source in the open sea. Apart from the snow petrel, all these photographs were taken at Rothera Point near the field station. | |||
 Antarctic skua on rocky perch close to the shore. |  Antarctic skua in flight. |  A snow petrel soars over our heads on Pyramid Peak, Fossil Bluff. |  A tern in flight after making a mock attack on the photographer. |
 Blue-eyed shag in its mountainous and icy environment. |  Blue-eyed shags flying in formation around icebergs. |  Large flock of blue-eyed shags flying in formation. |  Flock of blue-eyed shags diving and splashing in water near a large iceberg. |
 Blue-eyed shag touches down on the sea. |  Kelp gull in profile on flying past the photographer. |  Kelp gull in flight against and icy, mountainous backdrop. |  Kelp gull approaching landing on rock. |
 The same gull on its rock, reflected in the water. |  Kelp gull perched on a stranded ice floe. | ||
| All these were taken in November-December 2012 (MH). | |||