Well, my attempt to score two 'ticks', failed on both counts. Seems I got the wrong Island, but if 'defence' is required trying to get a sensible, knowledgeable and accurate answer to a simple avian question around here is impossible. First question was, "am I likely to see Galapagos Penguin on, or in the region of Bartolome", answers ranging from 'guaranteed' to 'no chance'. Second question, exactly the same with just a slight adjustment - 'Swallow-tailed Gull', again dependent on who you asked same answers. So, I now have to take matters into my own hands, and as for the Penguin Isabella or Floreana seem most likely. I have already booked the latter for Thursday and already another 'guide' has told me there are more on the former. North Seymour definitely has the Gull because I've seen it there before, so just to check I popped into a Tour Office and asked their opinion. They concurred, so I'm off to pay for that directly.
Just back and $100 lighter, But they have confirmed that Penguins were seen on Floreana on Saturday and it's the right island for the Gull. So just need Mother Nature to play her part and we should have one photo and one 'life' tick.
Today wasn't a total wash-out but as for Bartolome it was just a pile of lava, but I'm sure the geologists would love it. I walked half way up the hill with guide and the other 10 in the party, but was so worried a stray Penguin may show up I made my apologies and scampered back down to sea level. Outside of Boobies I saw just 4 species in this god forsaken place, Medium Ground Finch, American Oystercatcher plus Lava & Great Blue Herons. However, the 3 hours passage out, at a speed at which you could see the birds, was fruitful and despite no 'lifer' of most interest were hundreds of Audubon’s Shearwater, ditto what I still believe were Elliot's Storm Petrel, literally thousands of Wilson's Phalarope, plenty of Brown Noddy and a single Red-billed Tropicbird. In addition we saw 8 Golden Ray, a pod of Bottle-nosed Dolphin, several sandy coloured Shark, each about 6 feet long, and masses of Flying Fish. So all in all not a bad day.
Just back and $100 lighter, But they have confirmed that Penguins were seen on Floreana on Saturday and it's the right island for the Gull. So just need Mother Nature to play her part and we should have one photo and one 'life' tick.
Today wasn't a total wash-out but as for Bartolome it was just a pile of lava, but I'm sure the geologists would love it. I walked half way up the hill with guide and the other 10 in the party, but was so worried a stray Penguin may show up I made my apologies and scampered back down to sea level. Outside of Boobies I saw just 4 species in this god forsaken place, Medium Ground Finch, American Oystercatcher plus Lava & Great Blue Herons. However, the 3 hours passage out, at a speed at which you could see the birds, was fruitful and despite no 'lifer' of most interest were hundreds of Audubon’s Shearwater, ditto what I still believe were Elliot's Storm Petrel, literally thousands of Wilson's Phalarope, plenty of Brown Noddy and a single Red-billed Tropicbird. In addition we saw 8 Golden Ray, a pod of Bottle-nosed Dolphin, several sandy coloured Shark, each about 6 feet long, and masses of Flying Fish. So all in all not a bad day.
Have just 'lost' (through gross incompetence) the best part of today's photographs, so you'll have to do with, the best, what I have left. Perhaps on these cold, miserable nights one of you might like to get Harrison out and check these for me!
Two small islands we past on the way out.
Major Daphne
Minor Daphne
Unidentified Shearwater
Ditto
Ditto
Ditto
Thought to be Elliott's Petrel
Ditto
Ditto
Thought to be Audubon's Shearwater
Ditto
Ditto
Nazca Booby, new for the trip
The field guide points out that juvenile/immature 'GREAT' Frigatebirds have this 'orange' head colour.
