I found a Grey plover at cow bay(near volunteer point ) the other day . I believe this is a first record for the falklnad islands. the Cocoi heron that was in this area has been seen several times this summer.

Barn owls have nested in a box the previous warden put in the trees for them at vounteer point. they had three chicks when i checked so will have to wait now and see how many fledge.

I am back at volunteer point for the summer as penguin warden. so far the have found this vagrant(white-banded mockingbird) a few barn swallows and a Cocoi heron at cow bay which is possibly the same one that was there last season.

prob the most beautiful of all the albatross. it was a real pleasure to spend sometime with these birds when i was in south georgia a few years ago.

Variable hawks  have two colour phases either light phase or dark phase, the one above is a light phase female, light phase birds are more common than dark phase. variable hawks can be found all around the Falklands. they prey on small birds and mammals but will also feed on carrion as this one was-a hare by the side of the road.

 Feral cat around gentoo penguins at cow bay . Saw two of these today while out checking sheep, fences and wildlife. Cats were proberly brought to the Falklands by the early settlers of the islands at Port Louis in 1764 and Stanley in 1842. Although the two i saw today were not hunting penguins, infact the penguins did not seem bothered by them at all – the one above was less than a meter from the penguins. I have seen them at volunteer point in the summer actively looking in magellanic penguin burrows, and am sure they would take young penguins if the chance arose, Although have not seen it happen. I counted a least 17 cats at volunteer point over the summer,comfirmed 17 different animals and yes sorry all you little furry thing lovers there are 13 less there this winter. why? Well they are introduced and while seals and skuas may prey on penguins, they are penguins natural predators and should be left alone to get on with  things the way nature intended- cats rats and mice are not therefore we can help penguins combat these by undoing what man did by introducing them and get rid of them.They are wide spread on the main islands and do have an impact on small ground nesting birds, As well as taking goslings and ducklings and if they can take them I am positive they could and do take small penguin chicks.

Beauchene islands is the most southerly island in the falkland island and lays some 40 miles to the south of southern east Falklands. It is home to a LOT of seabirds, pictured above is part of the black-browed albatross/ rockhopper penguin colony.

taken this last summer at volunteer point.