Flock to Marion Again!

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Flutterby
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Re: Flock to Marion Again!

Post by Flutterby »

The biggest debate on board was regarding the Tristan Albatross. They look almost the same as the Wandering Albatross but are slightly smaller, older birds do not have an all-white body, and they are much less common than the Wanderer. On the third day of the cruise, Peter Harrison said that he had seen a Tristan, and identified a few more over the next few days, bearing in mind that he is one of the world's leading experts on albatrosses. However, other experts on board challenged him, saying that it was almost impossible to ID a Tristan at sea with any certainty. :O^ During one of his talks, Harrison again declared that he was 100% certain he had seen Tristans during the cruise, and said, "If you think you've seen a Tristan, you probably have, and if anyone asks how you can be sure, tell them, 'because Peter Harrison said so'! " lol

According to my bird guide, adult males have a mostly dark upperwing with a pale elbow patch, but less black in the tail tip than Wanderers. Peter Harrison also talked about the pale elbow patch. Using these descriptions, I think this may be a Tristan -O- , and also because Peter Harrison said so!! O** lol

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Lisbeth
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Re: Flock to Marion Again!

Post by Lisbeth »

lol

It does fit the description perfectly \O


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Richprins
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Re: Flock to Marion Again!

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=O:

Birders! 0- lol


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Flutterby
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Re: Flock to Marion Again!

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Lisbeth wrote: Tue Feb 25, 2025 1:15 pm lol

It does fit the description perfectly \O
:yes: \O
Richprins wrote: Wed Feb 26, 2025 5:56 pm =O:

Birders! 0- lol
lol


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Flutterby
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Re: Flock to Marion Again!

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There are four penguin species found around the islands: King, Macaroni, Gentoo, and Rockhoppers, with King and Macaroni being the most common. All four species were seen swimming next to the ship, but I never saw any of them!! 0*\ I always seemed to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. :O^

These are birds I saw only once, and managed to get pics for ID purposes.


Black-browed Albatross (on the right) with a Grey-headed Albatross

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White-bellied Storm-petrel

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White-headed Petrel

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Flutterby
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Re: Flock to Marion Again!

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This is what the birding was like around the islands!! O:V Always something to see!! :-0

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Lisbeth
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Re: Flock to Marion Again!

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Great mixture of species ^Q^ ^Q^


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Re: Flock to Marion Again!

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What a scene, Flutts! :shock:

Do they come to the ship specifically, or is it all over the area? -O-


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Re: Flock to Marion Again!

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Lisbeth wrote: Thu Feb 27, 2025 1:13 pm Great mixture of species ^Q^ ^Q^
:yes:

Richprins wrote: Thu Feb 27, 2025 6:25 pm What a scene, Flutts! :shock:

Do they come to the ship specifically, or is it all over the area? -O-
They did seem to congregate more around the ship. :yes:


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Re: Flock to Marion Again!

Post by Flutterby »

A view of the islands.

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