Field Trip 9th December 2012 to Penguin Island

Six members met on a warm morning to catch the ferry over to Penguin Island. Our visit was timed to coincide with the annual influx of nesting Crested Terns and Bridled Terns. The Bridled Terns are present in large numbers on the island but are rarely seen on the mainland less than a kilometer away. Their presence was evident immediately the ferry docked at the jetty with some perched on the railings of the jetty and others gliding and swooping overhead as we made our way up to the picnic area.

At the picnic area Buff Banded Rails were seen darting between the legs of the picnic tables along with a few King’s Skinks. A raven was perched in a tree eating what appeared to be a chick. Excited voices on the beach alerted us to an Australian Sea Lion swimming close to the shore, but he (only males frequent the islands in this area) decided against hauling himself out onto the beach and swam back out into deeper water instead.

We decided to head firstly towards the northern boardwalk that crosses over to the western side of the island. On the beach we noted a large quantity of sea weed that must have been deposited by the rough sea conditions that had been experienced over the preceding two weeks. Along the beach we found that the Crested Tern chicks had made their way onto the beach where, supervised by a number of adults, they waited for their parents to return with sardines. Adult birds with small fish in their beaks were circling the beach while attempting to locate their chicks. Having done so they then had to quickly fly down and attempt to feed the chick before the Silver Gulls moved in to attempt to steal the fish from the chick. The chicks wasted no time in swallowing the sardines whole when an adult bird was successful in delivering one to its chick. Occasionally a free for all would erupt as the gulls fought with the terns and with other gulls for a dropped sardine. After watching the spectacle for some time we made our way past the terns to the southern boardwalk.

Alongside the boardwalk we noted Bridled Terns and Silver Gulls nesting amongst the low scrub. One gull was intent on letting us know that we were not welcome – for no apparent reason until we noticed two chicks beneath the boardwalk where we were standing. From the boardwalk we could just make out the sand track used before the boardwalk was installed, evidence that rehabilitation was succeeding. At the top of the ridge we looked south to the Australian Pelican nesting area. There was a constant stream of pelicans coming and going. Some were seen feeding just off the shore on the eastern side of the island.

Some schools of mullet were sighted in the shallows, possibly seeking refuge from the pelicans.  Pied Cormorants were also spotted flying out to their fishing area. Looking back to the western beach area we noted that a couple in a kayak had attracted the attention of a pod of Bottlenose Dolphins. It must have really made their day as the dolphins surfaced close to them. We then made our way back towards the jetty. Along the way we noted a King’s Skink feeding on flowers of Scaevola crassifolia.

Back at the picnic ground we gathered for a snack and drink, attracting many King’s Skinks hopeful that we would send a morsel their way. Welcome Swallows were active overhead and a pair of Singing Honeyeaters hunted for insects in the shrubs surrounding the picnic area. Down on the beach we had our first sighting of a Pied Oyster Catcher, we would later see another on the sandbar near the jetty.

As we enjoyed our snacks we reflected on the morning’s visit. The general view was that numbers of both Crested Terns and Bridled Terns appeared to be down on previous years. We then headed for the jetty to catch the ferry back to the mainland. On the sandbar near the jetty we spotted two Caspian Terns and two Fairy Terns amongst the Crested Terns. On our trip over to the island we were told that Arctic Skuas had been sighted over the sandbar but we did not spot any. All too soon it was time to board the ferry and head home. The incoming ferry was crowded with passengers, testament to the popularity of the island as an enjoyable place to spend a day in the sun. We certainly had enjoyed our visit.

Colin Prickett