By Peter Ryan, onboard scientist, expert in general ornithology, seabird-fishery interactions, evolutionary ecology, marine debris, solid waste management, biology of oceanic islands.
Leg 2, Day 5.
Today was more of a whaler’s day than a birder’s – with close to 200 cetaceans seen from at least five species, there were almost more whales than birds. Only eight seabird species were seen, and surprisingly no fulmarine petrels; species such as Southern Fulmars, Cape Petrels and Antarctic Petrels usually are dominant in Antarctic waters. There also were no Wilson’s Storm Petrels…
| Short-tailed Shearwater | 320 | White-headed Petrel | 12 |
| Mottled Petrel | 12 | Antarctic Prion | 8 |
| Sooty Shearwater | 5 | Southern Royal Albatross | 1 |
| Light-mantled Albatross | 1 | Black-bellied Storm Petrel | 1 |
Bull Kelps remained fairly abundant, and one litter item was seen.
