Went out to Kelp Point area this morning to kick off the new years birding.

The pair of Coscoroba Swans that failed earlier in the spring on Pleasant Roads pond have got 5 very young cygnets. This is the third pair to breed this year in the Falkland Islands and only the sixth time ever in the Falkland Islands.

Other birds on the pond were Yellow Billed Pintail, Flying Steamer Duck, White Tufted Grebe, Silvery Grebe and Black Necked Swan.

On Kelp Point Pond there were 5 adult Coscoroba Swans but not sign of any cygnets, also lots of Chiloe Wigeon with young and Speckled Teal.

I found another pair of Coscoroba Swans on the beach with all 11 cygnets; they seem to have stolen the cygnets from the other breeding pair and are raising them as their own.

Lots of Falkland Steamer Ducks with young about also a few Patagonian Crested Ducks.

On the green by the pond a Falkland Skua is sitting on an egg.

I saw a total of 44 species of birds today including 10 Hudsonian Godwits (Separate entry)

I also saw today Southern Elephant Seal including several tagged animals, 1 large bull Southern Sea-Lion, Peale’s Dolphin, Commerson’s Dolphin & Queen of Falkland Fritillary.