Carcass Island, Falklands, Friday 28th October

We had another day on Carcass Island. Our plan was to follow the coast around three quarters of Stanley Hill, then return to the farmhouse and make our way along the beach overlooking Port Pattison (a grandiose name for a sheltered bay with just the slipway for the farm). The aim of the second part of the day was to reach Leopard Beach, view Needles Point and then back via Cave Point and Dyke Bay.

It wasn’t far to walk but it took a long time as we kept stopping to photograph the wildlife.

The Meadow Lark that tapped on the window every morning to wake people up.

 A Cobb’s Wren sitting on a fence post

A pair of Blackish Oyster Catchers

A Black Crowned Night Heron (this ia a juvenile and it only develops the darker plumage as it matures which takes up to four years).

A pair of Kelp Geese.

A Striated Caracara. I ended up feeding it several mouthfuls of my sandwiches trying to get a view of the back of the bird for its adult plumage but failed as it always seemed to stand face on to me).

Cobb’s Wren showing its plummage.

Turkey Vultures.

A Meadow Lark in its natural surroundings.

A view of the farm from the hill behind. with a cruise liner, one of many that visit the islands to land passengers to see the wildlife.

Some of the buildings and views that surround the farm

The path to Leopard Beach followed a fence and there was a Gentoo Colony that had spread right up to the fence; we passed as slowly and as far away as possible but we did disturb this Gentoo who got off it’s nest but not far and threatened to peck us as we passed.

 Just out to see was a seal eating a squid...it looked good through the binoculars but the zoom on my camera was not good enough for a clear picture.

We arrived at Leopard Beach but there were no Leopard Seals there as it was the wrong time of year for breeding and there weren't  even any juveniles but there were some penguins.

 Gentoo penguins wondering whether to get into the water. The waves were a big big and although several came ashore, 
but none went out to sea whilst we watched.

                                       .

A Black Throated (Canary Winged) Finch…a long name for a bird no larger than a Blue Tit).

A pair of Upland Geese with three goslings walking along the beach.