More from Bird Island

Today I thought I might introduce some of the infrastructure here at the Bird Island Research Station: The current base buildings were constructed in 2005. They include: Prince House (in memory of Pete Prince, BAS biologist and Base Commander at Bird Island 1993-98) which is the main living accommodation and scientific facility, Beck House (named after Rolla Howard Beck, American bird biologist) which contains storage, workshop and additional science space and the generator shed, which contains (surprisingly) the generators and also fire suppression pumps. In addition to the main buildings there are several field huts located around the Island. The Fairy Point Hut, colloquially known as ‘Love Shack’ is the best equipped of these. It provides sleeping accommodation and catering facilities for staff who are required to carry out field work overnight, for example mist-netting of birds. Like the other huts is also offers a welcome refuge from the worst of the weather for scientists who are often required to spend many hours working outdoors in less than ideal conditions. Additionally, should the main base have to be evacuated it provides safe, if cramped, quarters to which the team can relocate until outside assistance can be provided.  

These buildings are the latest incarnation of the Bird Island research station, which was initially established in 1956/57 when Nigel Bonner, BAS biologist and later BAS deputy-director, visited the island with the intention of studying the Antarctic Fur Seal population. The station was initially occupied only during the summer season until 1962 when first overwintering party was established.

In 1982 the Bird Island research station was evacuated following the Argentinean invasion of South Georgia. However BAS personnel returned in September of the same year and it has been continuously occupied ever since.

The current facilities provide permanent accommodation for up to 10 personnel with an additional 2 temporary bunks available. There are generally 4 overwintering staff (3 scientists and a technician), who are joined during the austral summer by an additional 3-4 scientists and also by a Base Commander for the duration of the busy research season.

Access to the station is by ship only. Personnel and supplies are transported by BAS vessels (RSS James Clark Ross and RSS Ernest Shackleton) with additional support from HMS Protector (Royal Navy Ice Patrol Vessel) and also from Fisheries Patrol Vessels. Typically there are around 3 or 4 visiting ships between October and April, but none through the winter season, leaving the base entirely isolated during this time.

The 4 overwinterers for the coming season are Hannah (Seals), Steph (Albatross), Jerry (Penguins and Petrels) and Craig (Base Tech.) I will be leaving the island in Mid-April and base administrative duties will be carried out by one of the winter staff who will be appointed ‘Winter Base Commander.’ Apart from Craig, who has already completed a deployment to Halley Station on the Antarctic mainland, all of these staff are new to BAS. They are all, however, experienced biologists. Jerry and Hannah in particular have experience of working in remote locations for extended periods of time, so a Winter on Bird Island is not an uncomfortable prospect for them.

We will also be joined later in the summer season by a team of 3 technicians, who will be staying with us for approximately 2 months to complete the construction of a bulk fuel facility, which will remove the need to rely on barrels of fuel to power our generators (a very labour intensive method.) With 12 people on station things will definitely be cosy for a while. We are hoping that the extra manpower will help us to get a lot of work done so it is sure to be a busy time.

The current workload continues to be fairly high and the breeding season continues for the many animal populations here. The seal team in particular are working very long hours, while the bird biologists are covering many miles around the island every day. In addition to allowing us to work outside for extended periods, the long daylight hours also allow us to pursue recreational activities. Yesterday was a spectacularly warm day with clear blue skies and, as photography is a popular pastime for all of the base staff, many of us took the opportunity to head up onto Wanderer Ridge after dinner in the hope of capturing one of the island’s spectacular sunsets. Unfortunately the sunset was not forthcoming, but it provided a wonderful opportunity to enjoy the company of the many Wandering Albatrosses that are nesting on the ridge. These birds are remarkably tolerant of humans and it is possible to approach them quite closely without disturbing them. If we are patient we may be treated to one of the spectacular courtship displays in which the birds show off their impressive wingspan and stretch their beaks high into the air with a distinctive’ bubbling’ call to their potential mate. While the remaining few chicks hatched last year wait to fledge the first of this year’s Wanderer eggs have already been laid. A daily survey of the ridge study area allows our scientists to keep track of the laying pattern and soon the all-island survey of the Wandering Albatross population will be carried out. This will require the help of all base staff as we search every inch of the island for birds. Fortunately their size and distinctive white plumage makes them easy to spot from a distance, quite unlike the Skuas whose brown plumage makes them extremely difficult to find amongst the tussock. Today is the last day of the 10-day Skua hunt, and my knees are certainly much the worse for wear as a result!