Richard, Macca’s Ranger in Charge, recounts some of the past few weeks activities and observations whilst working in the field :
- Marine debris survey/clean up
- Bird counts
- Grey petrel monitoring
- Wandering albatross monitoring
- PWS Hut inventory audit
- 70m double planking overland track
A snow cornice collapsed near the top of Gadgets Gulley due to the pressure of snow weight, some earth slippage resulted but no wildlife was impacted. A small rockfall in Gadgets Gulley was reported at the end of June.
An Earthquake at Macca at 1555 Friday 22nd June registered 6.1 and was located approx 150km from Macca, 50km deep. No damage was recorded although a few items in the Greenstore, Woollies, offices, dongas and field huts were knocked off shelves.
Over 500 starlings were reported on 28th June as part of the monthly bird count, this included 300+ at Bauer Bay and 200+ at Hanspike Point. MIPEP staff reported starlings using caves near Bauer Bay for roosts.
Light-mantled Sooty Albatross : All Juveniles observed on nests/roosts have now fledged.
On the 15th June, MIPEP hunter Stuart discovered a new grey petrel breeding site south of Green Gorge Hut. On searching the site on the same day, the RIC discovered seven nests.