The December field trip was to Penguin Island. A good turn out of ten members caught the early ferry across to Penguin Island. We were keen to learn if the island’s resident fauna had bounced back after the serious decline that was evident at this time in 2013 due to a rat infestation. As we disembarked from the ferry we noticed a flock of 20 Banded Stilts on the beach near the jetty, the first time we have seen them on the island. A later conversation with one of the DPaW personnel confirmed that this was an unusual sighting, she had only seen them there three times in seven years. Silver Gulls were nesting along the path up to the picnic ground and chicks of various sizes were spotted.

Kings Skinks were spotted in good numbers, a good sign as their numbers were severely impacted by the rat invasion. As we followed the southern path over to the beach on the western side of the island a White Bellied Sea Eagle was seen in the Pelican Nesting area. Crested Terns were feeding their chicks on the Western Beachfront, some of the fish were quite large, Sand Whiting and Cobbler were some that we noticed. The chicks ranged in size from recently hatched to others that could fly. We watched for a while as the parents ran the gauntlet of the silver gulls to deliver the catch to their chicks. It is a spectacle one never tires of.

Bridle Terns were also back in good numbers compared to 2013, though numbers still appeared to be down on the better years prior to the rat invasion. Just below the lookout that overlooks the northern Pelican nesting area a pair of Caspian Terns were seen feeding their chick. One fish was swallowed down then the chick was fed another, a small Sand Whiting. The chick struggled to swallow the fish and in the end one of the parents ate it.

Back at the picnic area we noticed Buff Banded Rails with chicks. At least two breeding pairs were present as two sets of chicks of differing size were spotted. One adult was seen in an unusual pose with wings opened, appearing to be catching some warmth from the sunshine. All too soon it was time to make our way back to the jetty to catch the ferry back to the mainland after yet another enjoyable trip to this wonderful nature reserve.

Colin Prickett.  All the photos are Colin’s