Wildlife is returning to Mawson
With summer almost here, the wildlife is coming back to the local areas around Mawson. There have been emperor penguins and chicks that have been keeping us company over the winter months at Auster. The chicks are getting bigger and are definitely in the toddler era now, waddling around and playing with each other under the supervision of an adult.
Adélie penguins are coming back and taking over the local islands. They have personalities and like to show them. Snow petrels are back around station, flying out from rocks which can give you a fright if you’re not expecting them. Skuas are back too but they have other interests going on, so they leave us alone.
The seals are back as well but they have a surprise for us: they are pupping, which is amazing to see. The seal pups have the cute factor in spades. They are sleeping near their mums, with the occasional movements or curious glances at us. When they decide to move too far from mum, they are called back or mum rolls and moves to find them again. They usually get a nuzzle rub when mum gets close again. The term “ice slugs” is a good reference for how they move on the ice and snow. Watching the pups grow will be a highlight of the coming months.
James Herman, Carpenter
