10,000 Birds

MARCH 14, 2022

So, I anxiously followed the “Flock to Marion 2022” Facebook group in anticipation for open cabins to come up for sale. The seal hunters accidentally introduced mice to Marion, as was the case for many islands around the world. The trip had initially been planned for January 2021, but due to COVID-19, it was delayed to January 2022.

South Africa 264

South Africa Mice Albatross Africa 264

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 31, 2011

The highlight of the weekend was seeing a pair foraging on a beach, searching the sand and tide strands for various morsels like a turnstone, and approaching the dozing New Zealand Fur Seal without the slightest sign of fear. Red-crowned Parakeet foraging near a New Zealand Fur Seal. I’ll work on that.

Penguins 165

Penguins Parrots New Zealand Seals 165

10,000 Birds

JULY 7, 2015

It does not include near-shore, coastal species, like Brown Pelican, Elegant Tern, and Harbor Seal. Each chapter begins with a brief introduction to the group and a table of contents of subgroups that includes brief but key descriptions. The number of gulls and terns covered is limited to “small, ocean-going” birds.

Dolphins 162

Dolphins Whales Whaling Porpoises 162

10,000 Birds

APRIL 10, 2013

Our check in time was 7:45 and as we arrived the group before us was being prepped, and they weren’t even the first group. The boat moves quickly past interesting things; Northern Giant Petrels , Buller’s Shearwaters , White-capped Albatrosses , New Zealand Fur Seals (I understand they will pause to see dolphins).

Whales 208

Whales Whaling Albatross New Zealand 208

10,000 Birds

APRIL 2, 2012

Here and there the occasional Cape Gannet can be seen plunge-diving in the distance, while Kelp Gulls in loose groups fly past on their way out to the trawling grounds. Here one is close to the scenically impressive Cape of Good Hope National Park as well as the Boulder’s Coastal Park, home to hundreds of breeding African Penguins.

Albatross 186

Albatross Penguins Dolphins Whales 186