Island Update: Summer
The tail end of spring and start of summer is a very busy time for the island. The beaches are full of life and arrival at the island typically means an onslaught for the senses and having to dodge the locals when walking around. Several of our MICF family are lucky enough to be visiting Macca this season and have shared their highlights of this special time of year.
Julie
Director
One of my favourite things about this time of year is the hatching of Royal penguin chicks, our Foundation logo species. Approximately 750,000 pairs breed on Macquarie Island, which represents the entirety of the global population as the species is endemic to Macca. Royal colonies are dotted around the coast and are sometimes located several kilometres inland at altitudes of 150m. It’s a long walk with those tiny legs! I love watching the parents dutifully marching back and forth from the beach to the colony, where they have to run the gauntlet of angry neighbour’s beaks, to look after their little ones.
Dave
MICF Representative onboard with Ponant
I love this time of year on the island because everything has sprung into action. The penguins and albatrosses seem to return out of nowhere, turning a quiet island into a noisy frenzy of activity. I’m forever amazed at their seemingly tireless comings and goings, venturing out into the ocean over and over again to find food to bring back to their insatiable chicks. But I think my favourite thing about this time of the year is being able to watch the elephant seal weaners as they practice their swimming and learn to navigate life after their mothers have gone back to sea.
Cath
MICF Representative onboard with Ponant
This time of year the coast is alive with raucous penguins and elephant seals. But it is also the time for the island's megaherbs to shine! All are in flower, with the endemic Macquarie cushion plant (Azorella macquariensis) and Silver Daisy (Pleurophyllum hookeri) fully emerged from dormancy. The emerald green Azorella is covered in tiny delicate flowers, while the Pleurophyllum holds maroon balls of composite flowers high, which every 2-3 years will result in a mass flowering event across the island.
Image: Cath Dickson
Georgia
Systems Implementation Manager
This time of year on the island is nothing short of extraordinary! The beaches are alive with activity, bustling with wildlife—from elephant seals to skuas, giant petrels, and of course the king and royal penguins—all busily going about their day. For me, though, the real highlight is watching the newest arrivals tackle the mayhem. Baby elephant seal weaners crowd the shores, awkwardly shuffling about as they try to avoid the drama of larger seals locked in territorial disputes. Meanwhile, in the tussock, the gentoo chicks can be spotted gearing up to explore and preparing to brave the gusty winds away from the nest. The excitement, trepidation, and wonder of the newcomers is a magical thing to watch.