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. |
![Wildlife: other birds Wildlife: other birds](icons/1_wildlife_skua.jpg) Antarctic skua on rocky perch close to the shore. | ![Wildlife: other birds Wildlife: other birds](icons/2_wildlife_skua_flight.jpg) Antarctic skua in flight. | ![Wildlife: other birds Wildlife: other birds](icons/3_wildlife_snow_petrel_pyramid.jpg) A snow petrel soars over our heads on Pyramid Peak, Fossil Bluff. | ![Wildlife: other birds Wildlife: other birds](icons/4_wildlife_tern_in_flight.jpg) A tern in flight after making a mock attack on the photographer. |
![Wildlife: other birds Wildlife: other birds](icons/5_wildlife_blue_eyed_shag.jpg) Blue-eyed shag in its mountainous and icy environment. | ![Wildlife: other birds Wildlife: other birds](icons/6_wildlife_shags_formation_flying_1.jpg) Blue-eyed shags flying in formation around icebergs. | ![Wildlife: other birds Wildlife: other birds](icons/7_wildlife_shags_formation_flying_3.jpg) Large flock of blue-eyed shags flying in formation. | ![Wildlife: other birds Wildlife: other birds](icons/8_wildlife_shags_splashing.jpg) Flock of blue-eyed shags diving and splashing in water near a large iceberg. |
![Wildlife: other birds Wildlife: other birds](icons/9_Wildlife_shag_touchdown.jpg) Blue-eyed shag touches down on the sea. | ![Wildlife: other birds Wildlife: other birds](icons/10_wildlife_gull_flight.jpg) Kelp gull in profile on flying past the photographer. | ![Wildlife: other birds Wildlife: other birds](icons/11_wildlife_gull_in_flight.jpg) Kelp gull in flight against and icy, mountainous backdrop. | ![Wildlife: other birds Wildlife: other birds](icons/12_wildlife_gull_in_flight.jpg) Kelp gull approaching landing on rock. |
![Wildlife: other birds Wildlife: other birds](icons/13_wildlife_gull_reflection.jpg) The same gull on its rock, reflected in the water. | ![Wildlife: other birds Wildlife: other birds](icons/14_wildlife_gull_on_floe.jpg) Kelp gull perched on a stranded ice floe. | | |
All these were taken in November-December 2012 (MH). |