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.

An Antarctic Minke Whale glides through glassy seas in the early morning

Another Minke Whale pushing out a bigger bow-wave than the Tryoshnikov…