This is a remote part of the ocean that not many people get to visit, and those who do, normally travel on South Africa’s polar research vessel, the SA Agulhas II, so we had it lucky, travelling in comfort on a cruise ship, with constant food and drink on hand, and a roomy cabin with a balcony, to relax in!
The cruise was organised by Birdlife SA with MSC Cruises. The first Flock at Sea was in 2013 to Walvis Bay, Namibia. The second, Flock at Sea Again, in 2017, went along the continental shelf off Cape Town. The first Flock to Marion was in 2022, making Flock to Marion Again! 2025, the fourth Flock at Sea cruise (but my first). This was a once-in-a-lifetime experience for me, as Birdlife SA have said that although there will be more Flocks at Sea, they most probably won't do another cruise to Marion Island for a long time.
Marion Island and Prince Edward Island make up the Prince Edward Islands, at latitude 46, in the sub-Antarctic ocean area known as the Roaring Forties, due to the strong winds and temperatures just above freezing in summer, and much lower in winter. The islands and surrounding waters are teeming with life and are home to many whales, dolphins, and seals, and 29 species of seabirds, including four penguin species, two giant petrel species, seven petrel species, two prion species, and five albatross species. Almost half of the world’s Wandering Albatrosses breed on these islands!!
However, Marion Island and its seabirds are under serious threat,
and the aim of both Flock to Marion cruises was to raise awareness of, and funds for, the Mouse-Free Marion Project. House mice were accidentally introduced to Marion Island by sealers in the early 1800s, and have since preyed on the island’s seabirds. It is believed that 19 of the 29 bird species now face local extinction. The goal of the Mouse-free Marion Project is to eradicate these invasive mice.This picture is courtesy of mousefreemarion.org and shows an injured Grey-headed Albatross. The mice literally eat the chicks (and some adults) alive!
