A hive of activity is an apt description for Macca this week. Our science projects have wasted no time in getting under way. Many of the summer crew have previously spent multiple seasons on the sponge, and have quickly settled back in to life on Macca.
Aleks T headed directly into the field, cutting a striking figure with his giant backpack with two huge antennae sticking out of the top. We are all amused as to how he stayed upright in the winds of the past week!
Our remediation team of Robbie, Helena, and Terry are already busy around station taking samples whilst avoiding the exploding weaner population. Robbie hosted ‘Show and Tell’ on Wednesday night with an interesting presentation on the human footprint left by years of occupation of the isthmus.
Kris and Kim have been based down at Hurd Point for the past week, setting up home for a three week stint down at the hut to commence their work on threatened sea bird populations, namely giant petrels and albatross. Their work takes them to some of the steepest slopes and cliffs around the island. They have been accompanied by field training officer, Psycho, to assist in negotiating the trickier sections of terrain.
A small party of Robbie, Helena, Terry, Lou and Jac headed out on Saturday to visit Secluded Bay on North Head, to take advantage of being able to see the light-mantled sooty albatross choosing nest sites. This part of the island is a special management area (SMA) and is only accessible for a very short period of time.
Halloween was celebrated on station on Saturday night, with a ghoulish smorgasbord meal shaped like a torso prepared by Doc Marion. Newcomers to station were inducted on the foosball table, and the dance floor received a workout for the first time in a while!
Melbourne Cup was celebrated on station Tuesday with a delayed screening of the race. The ‘Race that stops a Nation’ did NOT stop a station, on account of by the time that we were able to download the race it was already 1830 hours! We gathered in the mess in the evening, complete with race wear appropriate hats (which had a striking resemblance to Halloween at times) and fascinators, to cheer on our horses drawn in the sweep. Ranger Andrea emerged victorious.
The TASPARKS rangers have been out in the field as well, busy with preparations for the first tourist ship arrivals. Our ranger in charge Andrea, has been busy working closely with our incoming Ranger in Charge Paul. Summer Ranger Rowena has been flat out getting biosecurity measures in place for the influx of visitors, and wildlife ranger, Anna, has been making grand plans for the skua census.
