KRM Branch Excursion 5 Dec 2021

A small group met at the ticket kiosk for our outing at Penguin Island on a fine, warm morning. The first ferry of the day was only about two thirds full which seemed down on previous occasions that we have caught it. Once on the island, we headed for the western coastline along the boardwalk.

We stopped to watch King’s Skinks (Egernia kingii) foraging among the shrubs and the Bridled Terns constantly circling overhead. At the top of the ridge, the pathway off the main walkway had been closed due to its lookout’s proximity to a Pelican nesting colony that had been established in an area previously used by Caspian Terns. Many juvenile Pelicans were seen eagerly awaiting mum or dad to return with food. We found that the Crested Terns were feeding their chicks on the flat rocky area above the beach at the western beach. A steady stream of adult Crested Terns brought in small fish for their chicks. The numbers of Crested Terns appeared to be down on previous years, during which the terns took up a large proportion of the beach itself. Though present, the Silver Gulls were not having much impact on the feeding of the juvenile terns. In previous years the terns would have to run the gauntlet through a mass of Silver Gulls to deliver a fish. This was not the case this year. The Bridled Terns appeared to be in the early stages of their breeding season, with several pairs observed to be performing courtship displays.

As we made our way back over the southern boardwalk, the lookout at the top of the ridge showed the extent of the Pelican nesting colonies. One site used the previous year at the south of the island had been abandoned and was already showing some signs of re-growth. This had been replaced by another site a short distance away. Looking northwards, we could see another colony between the two boardwalks in addition to the one to the north that we had seen on our way out to the western beach. The sight of the three nesting colonies made us wonder whether this was the reason for the apparent decline in the number of Crested Terns as it is likely that Pelicans would prey on the tern chicks. While descending the boardwalk above the southeastern coastline we spotted Pied Oystercatchers and a group of feeding Pelicans.

Back at the picnic area, we sat and had a drink and snack while Buff-banded Rails and King’s Skinks walked around beneath the tables looking for scraps. It was soon time to catch the ferry back over to the mainland. It had been a great morning.

Colin Prickett