Survived the Drake Shake
Rome was not built in a day, but we certainly defeated the Drake Passage in one! With the rougher weather beginning to subside, all those previously taken out by seasickness made a valiant return and we were full steam ahead for a full day of surveys. Unfortunately, our heroic efforts were for the most part in vain. The sea seemed to mock us as it hid the marine mammals from our view.
The ever reliable seabirds remained to save the day. Despite losing our escort of cape petrels from the previous day, we had a number of black-browed albatrosses gliding around the ship through most of the day. In the evening, three snowy sheathbills (or sh*t chicken as they are more colloquially known) could be seen from the bar stumbling about on the windy bow displaying a stark but humorous contrast to the elegance of the albatrosses.
The day was closed out with a meeting to debrief, a couple of drinks in the bar and finally, we headed to bed – ready to wake up for some early surveys on our approach to the Falkland Islands…
written by Lauren
Interestingly Sheathbills spend most of their lives on land, walking and hopping about their islands, rarely flying unless to escape predators or to migrate. This is likely due to their strategy of scavenging fish and seafood from other birds of the region. They are omnivores and have also been spotted consuming carrion and the facies of different species suggesting a robust digestive system. This last and peculiar menu item is what earned them the moniker of "Shit Bird".