Albatross Island 2016 Day 8 : 12-12-2016

A perfect dawn for our extraction from the island. The police launch came by 8.45am on calm seas. We had risen early and cleared the cave, doing the reverse of our first day. Gear up to the cave mouth, pass it to the top of the hill. Bring it to the rocks at the edge of the water then one last haul to loading rock.
A last visit to North Colony to see the birds.
The trip back was smooth sailing with calm waters . Heading towards the Nut at Stanley we were surrounded by a pod of bottle-nosed dolphins.

Stopped briefly at Three Hummock Island then straight on round The Nut at Stanley to dock. One last time with all the gear and it was on the road again…. It seemed as if we had just made the long trip up but here we were returning. Five hours later Kris dropped me off and we said our farewells. The shower at my accommodation felt soooo good. Five days in a cave will do that to you. And our own Albatross? I think the winning name goes to Mrs Neisler’s class for Ross the ‘Tross. Well done Year 1! Ross really enjoyed the comfy bed and slept for a long time. 

Looking back over the time there were some definite highlights. Penguins in the night, being whacked in the head by a low flying albatross, the whole “living in a cave” experience, hauling more than I imagined myself capable of, seals and their weird noises, delicate Fairy Prions swooping into the cave, the skeletons we found, reporting from the field in all weather and seeing two dedicated and passionate field workers going about their jobs.

But most of all, the Shy Albatross. This magnificent bird. They are a threatened species due to human activity, so now, our duty is to protect them. With just three breeding sites on the entire planet we have a job to do! The Tasmanian Albatross Fund helps ensure the continuation of existing long-term monitoring and conservation programs. The work being done on this island goes toward helping guarantee their survival and I have been privileged to be a part of that.

See the Tasmanian Albatross Fund website >>

Photo album (full size) >>