So long

Well, I have been quite quiet these past months! And so much has been happening!

The most important of it all is that my MSc is finished, and I graduated with Distinction! Yay! Since then I have been doing all sorts of bits and pieces, the most recent being a tour guide / office assistant at Ocean Blue Adventures. 

Doing this MSc has been a roller-coaster ride. There have been ups and downs and sudden direction changes but I have learnt so much, and experienced so much! Unfortunately, it seems that my time working in the Kelp Gull colonies of Plettenberg Bay have come to an end. Perhaps that will change, but for now, I'm signing off. 

So long, and thanks for all the fish!

Caspian Terns

After returning from Blue Hill Escape, Mark, Selena and I made a quick trip to Keurbooms Peninsula to hopefully ring an especially exciting bird. On a previous trip with Felix searching for entangled gulls, we came across the Caspian Terns fiercely defending.. something. I was hesitant to disturb them anymore than our presence already had but managed to take some photos from afar. Once home and the photos were downloaded and magnified, what appeared to be two fluffy bundles were the objects of the tern's protection. So, more than a week later found us on the peninsula to ring Caspian Tern chicks.

Mark went to the nest to assess the contents. There was no certainty about the status of the nest, if there were in fact chicks or whether the chicks (or chick) was of ringable age. Selena and I got the wave and we headed over eagerly! There were two chicks! Perfect size for ringing!

Mark and I each ringed a chick, and after a quick photo shoot we vacated the area. I feel so privileged to have been able to ring one of these amazing birds! Hopefully these two cuties will fledge and soon join the breeding population of this threatened species!

Kelp Gulls unhappy with the intrusion of a human!

What a cutie!

They do appear to blend in very well with the nest bowl.

Mark and I, very chuffed with the days ringing!

My, what a large mouth you have!

You're so cute when you're angry!