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Bird Island Research Station
Bird Island Research Station, Bird Island, South Georgia
- Position
- Lat. 54°0'0"S, Long. 38°2'59"W
- Occupied
- 1957 to 1982 (intermittently); continuously 22 Sep 1982 to present
- Staff
- Summer: 10, Winter: 4
- About
- Science
- People
- Projects
- Blogs
- News
- Gallery
- Publications
Bird Island Research Station is an important centre for research into bird and seal biology. Lying off the north-west tip of South Georgia, Bird Island is one of the richest wildlife sites in the world. The research station, active since 1957, was completely redeveloped in 2005 and today provides accommodation for 10 staff.
Location
Bird Island lies off the north-west tip of South Georgia in the Southern Atlantic Ocean. It is separated by a 500-metre channel, Bird Sound, from the South Georgia mainland. It is approximately 1000km south-east of the Falkland Islands and is accessible only ship.
Personnel
The station operates all year and has capacity for up to 10 personnel with two extra bunks for short-stay visitors.
There are usually three zoological research assistants plus one technical support staff member on station during the winter. Research assistants spend 18 months on Bird Island specialising in seals, penguins or albatross. The technician typically spends a year on station. The Station Leader is on station throughout most of the summer months and the island station Facilities Engineer may spend between a week and two months ashore at Bird Island each year.
In the austral summer, between October to April, numbers rise to around 10, with visiting scientists from BAS and international scientific institutions.
Administration and status
As part of South Georgia, Bird Island is administered by the Government of South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands (GSGSSI), which issues permits to BAS researchers and other visitors. Government Officers are stationed at King Edward Point, South Georgia. The King Edward Point Station Leader acts as Magistrate.
Climate
A subantarctic island south of the Polar Front, Bird Island has little protection against Antarctic storms from the south-west. Weather is significantly colder, cloudier and wetter on Bird Island than at the old whaling stations on South Georgia's northern coast.
Temperatures vary from -10°C to 10°C, hovering around 0°C in winter and 4°C in summer. Damp, misty, low cloud conditions prevail during summer, and gale-force winds can occur all year.
There is no permanent snow or ice on the island, though it is typically snow covered from July to October. Icebergs are often visible from the station throughout the year. Brash ice collects in the bays and occasionally freezes in during winter months.
Wildlife
One of the world's richest wildlife sites, Bird Island has large, diverse populations of seabirds and fur seals, and is home to 50,000 breeding pairs of penguins and 65,000 pairs of fur seals, whose numbers are now returning to pre-sealing levels.
Importantly, Bird Island is rat-free, so has large numbers of small burrowing birds such as petrels and prions. However, many seabird species are listed as endangered, threatened or near-threatened, with albatross numbers on the island declining rapidly.
Flora
Only 12 flowering plants have been reported from Bird Island, including prickly burr, Antarctic water-starwort, Antarctic pearlwort, emerald bog, Antarctic hair grass, tussock grass and Antarctic buttercup. In 2006, one specimen of annual meadow-grass (probably carried from the South Georgia mainland by birds) and patches of water blink were reported for the first time. Bird Island has many mosses, fungi, liverworts, including the ceph liverwort and Marchantia.
Environmental protection
BAS policy is to minimise our impact on the environment in which we work. We take this responsibility especially seriously at Bird Island. We control the number of visitors coming ashore through the GSGSSI permitting system and by keeping the station size relatively small.
Part of the reason for its special environmental status is that Bird Island is free from rats, which on mainland South Georgia have devastated populations of burrowing birds and taken eggs from albatross nests.
Because rats would decimate local wildlife, strict precautions are taken to prevent their introduction: baited rat boxes are situated throughout the island and all incoming cargo is inspected on arrival.
It has diverse and concentrated populations of sea birds and fur seals, amounting to one bird or seal for every 1.5m². There are 50,000 breeding pairs of penguins and 65,000 breeding fur seals. Fur seal numbers are now thought to be returning to a similar population size to that before sealing in the early 20th century.
Because the island has no rats, there are large numbers of small burrowing birds such as petrels (700,000 of them) and prions.
However, many sea bird species at Bird Island are listed as endangered, threatened or near-threatened. Numbers of albatross on the island are declining rapidly.
Preventing invasion of other non-native species
At Bird Island, every care is taken ensure we reduce the risk of introducing new species to the island. Fresh produce is inspected and washed on delivery, and any non-native species found are sent to BAS in Cambridge for identification. New biosecurity protocols ensure that on arrival, visitors scrub their footwear and inspect their clothing, particularly velcro in waterproofs to remove any visual signs of seeds and soils.
To conduct our scientific research, we must be able to travel around the island. After 50 years of scientists walking similar routes to albatross and penguin colonies, there are several well-defined paths around the island. We monitor the frequency of use of each route, and stake routes where paths are not obvious to avoid excessive damage spreading to local habitats.
Station life
With no doctors or field guides on Bird Island, BAS provides comprehensive training in advanced first aid, medical response, navigation, and search and rescue, particularly to wintering staff. Remote medical support is available immediately upon request at all times.
Staff take turns to cook evening meals and make bread. Saturdays are kept formal, with three course meals, and birthdays and other celebrations are special events.
Leisure activities include film nights, games and quizzes and the station has a collection of music, instruments and exercise machines.
The station is usually re-supplied twice a year, at the beginning and end of summer, by BAS ships RRS Ernest Shackleton and RRS James Clark Ross. Food, fuel and other supplies are brought ashore by tender and waste removed to the Falkland Islands and the UK for recycling.
Work schedule
For science staff, working hours depend on their study species. Work at the penguin colony – which is 35 minutes walk from the station – is often around dawn and dusk when the birds forage.
Fur seal science is intense from late November to January, when pups are born. The seal study beach is a five-minute walk from the station through thousands of unpredictable seals – not a job for the faint-hearted.
Albatross and petrel science is busy all year, and involves a daily hike around the island over heavy-going terrain, so bird assistants are usually the fittest of the bunch.
While science research assistants help in routine maintenance of water systems and generators, the technician is responsible for keeping station facilities running smoothly, as well as doing more challenging repairs and improvements throughout the winter.
Field huts and hides have existed at one time or other at the following sites, close to breeding seabird and seal colonies:
- Gazella Peak
- Molly Hill
- Wanderer Ridge
- Johnson Gentoo Colony
- Top Meadows (two locations)
- Colony B
- Special Study Beach
- Colony J
- Fairy Point
The last four are used regularly, with the hut at Fairy Point large enough to provide basic offsite accommodation.
Purpose
The BAS scientific research at Bird Island focuses on seabird and seal population dynamics, feeding ecology and reproductive performance.
Research
Population numbers, breeding success, diet and feeding grounds of seabirds and seals have been collected on Bird Island for decades. These long-term datasets are crucial to understanding the Southern Ocean ecosystem.
Much of this data is used by Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) Ecosystem Monitoring Programme. This aims to establish conservation policy and management to protect the current diversity of the southern oceans.
BAS conservation biology research on Bird Island includes monitoring white-chinned petrel, the most commonly reported bird species recorded as fisheries bycatch in the Southern Ocean.
Long-term monitoring of this species showed a decline in nest burrow occupancy of 28% between the 1970s and 1990s. In 2015, with funding from South Georgia fisheries licence fees, 13 chicks were satellite tagged and tracked in near real-time via the Argos system.
BAS biologists have also come up with innovative electronic tagging systems to monitor macaroni penguins, whose population has declined on South Georgia has declined by 70% since the 1980s.
At one colony on Bird Island Research Station, they developed and installed a 'penguin gateway'. For 10 years, as tagged birds passed between the colony and the sea, the 'gateway' recorded the tag number and the time and direction of travel, providing vital information about their survival.
Annual reports including the Bird and Mammal report, Beach Litter Study, and Seal Disentanglements report have been prepared by Bird Island staff for many years.
Collaborative programs with UK universities and overseas establishments – including the University of Texas – have resulted in several scientists visiting Bird Island most field seasons, with BAS logistic support.
Other conservation visitors have included Dame Ellen MacArthur supporting Birdlife International's Save the Albatross campaign, and scientists conducting bird counting surveys for the Government of South Georgia within the Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels (ACAP).
Before they can go ahead, any studies involving animals must satisfy an Ethics Review Committee.
Isolated winter fieldwork on Bird Island
17 June, 2020 by Alexandra Dodds
Albatross zoological field assistant Alexandra Dodds shares experiences of the isolated winter fieldwork at British Antarctic Survey (BAS) Bird Island Research Station in South Georgia. The team are conducting important …
Guest blog: arriving at Bird Island
17 November, 2017 by Daan Aldenberg
One misty day last week (November 2017), the RRS James Clark Ross arrived at Bird Island in the Southern Atlantic Ocean. On board was Daan Aldenberg, from BAM International, partner …
Guest blog. RRS Sir David Attenborough: The story so far
20 April, 2017 by Paul Fox
Paul Fox, Senior Responsible Officer for RRS Sir David Attenborough, has written a guest blog for a behind-the-scenes look at NERC's commission of a new polar research ship for Britain and the associated Antarctic infrastructure modernisation programme.
Search and Rescue on Bird Island
23 February, 2016 by Jerry Gillham
Bird Island Research Station has a small staff team; no more than 10 in summer and just four over winter. We have no doctor on station though all staff receives …
ANTARCTIC BLOG: Wild Life!
1 May, 2015 by Sian Tarrant
Birds Lucy has been busy at the colonies checking black brow albatross and grey headed albatross nests for failures and fledglings. The black browed albatross chicks have all gone now, …
Bird Island Diary – April 2015
5 April, 2015 by Lucy Quinn
April has been an extraordinarily busy month both work-wise and base-wise. It's also been a month of change as we have gone from 10 people down to just 4, reflecting …
Bird Island Diary – March 2015
1 March, 2015 by Jerry Gillham
March on Bird Island feels very like autumn; the days are getting noticeably shorter, more mornings are greeting us with ice and snow, and the summer residents are preparing to …
Bird Island Diary – February 2015
3 February, 2015 by Cian Luck
February has been a pleasant and productive month for the humans and animals of Bird Island. The beaches have quietened down enough for us to get out and about along …
Bird Island Diary – January 2015
2 January, 2015 by Robbie Scott
After a fantastically festive celebration of Christmas & New Year, Bird Island is carrying on with its busy summer season. The saving grace of this very busy period was the …
Bird Island Diary – November 2014
12 November, 2014 by Cian Luck
November's been a busy month on Bird Island as there's no longer any denying that summer has arrived. On the first of November I started my daily visits to the …
Bird Island Diary – September 2014
9 September, 2014 by Jessica Walkup
September started with a celebration – Jerry's birthday on the 1st! It is hard to keep secrets and plan surprises on a small base where everyone knows what everyone else …
Bird Island Diary – August 2014
9 August, 2014 by Jerry Gillham
Film Festival The first weekend of the month brought us the eagerly anticipated Antarctic 48-hour film festival. This annual event brings together all the bases on the continent and islands …
Bird Island Diary – July 2014
8 July, 2014 by Cian Luck
The winter months have picked up pace now and July flew by on Bird Island. We've been blessed with temperatures that have hovered at or below freezing, transforming the island …
Bird Island Diary – June 2014
1 June, 2014 by BAS Bloggers
June began with the monthly Albatross census on and around the whole of the island. Great to have everyone helping out to have the experience of getting up close to …
Bird Island Diary – May 2014
1 May, 2014 by Jessica Walkup
May began, as most months begin on Bird Island, with a census of all the wandering albatross nests on the island. Everyone helps out with the wanderer census as the …
Bird Island Diary – April 2014
1 April, 2014 by Jerry Gillham
April on Bird Island feels like a real transition from summer to winter. The changes in the weather and the wildlife are gradual, but looking back to the start of …
Bird Island Diary – March 2014
1 March, 2014 by Cian Luck
The RRS Ernest Shackleton arrived on the 6th of March for last call. This marked the end of the summer season and the beginning of winter. While this year's winterers …
Bird Island Diary — December 2013
1 December, 2013 by BAS Bloggers
December was a busy month for the team with the base's new additions, Adam, Jess, Cian and Rob, getting happily settled into the Bird island way of life. Early December …
Bird Island Diary — November 2013
30 November, 2013 by Adam Bradley
It is now November, and spring is in the air on Bird Island. Seal puppies are appearing at an ever-increasing rate, the penguins and albatrosses are jealously guarding their eggs …
Bird Island Diary — October 2013
31 October, 2013 by BAS Bloggers
I have been challenged to write something different for this month's web diary, and rather than being completely biased and simply writing a long-winded essay on how great seals are …
Bird Island Diary — August 2013
31 August, 2013 by Jerry Gillham
One season ends, a new one begins August on Bird Island makes the transition from one season to the next. With the few exceptions talked about below the place is …
Bird Island Diary — July 2013
31 July, 2013 by BAS Bloggers
With the island looking very sparse in terms of animals the month began in the usual way with all of us out conducting the Wandering Albatross chick census. There were …
Bird Island Diary — May 2013
31 May, 2013 by Stephanie Winnard
May has been an exciting month on Bird Island. One morning we received an emergency call alerting us to a potential tsunami heading for South Georgia due to hit in …
Bird Island Diary — April 2013
30 April, 2013 by Jerry Gillham
April has been a month of very noticeable changes. For the majority of species it has marked the end of the breeding season and their departure from the Bird Island. …
Bird Island Diary — December 2012
31 December, 2012 by Jerry Gillham
The unseasonably warm and dry December has allowed plenty of long, enjoyable days outside for the new field assistants to try and learn all they can from the 2012 wintering …
Bird Island Diary — November 2012
30 November, 2012 by BAS Bloggers
The inhabitants of Bird Island have been having quite an eventful time since Jon wrote our last diary entry. One of the most significant events has been the arrival of …
Bird Island Diary — September 2012
30 September, 2012 by BAS Bloggers
Well spring seems to have officially sprung here on Bird Island. We celebrated the spring equinox on September 22nd by making cider with the remnants of our apples (I use …
Bird Island Diary — August 2012
31 August, 2012 by Ruth Mugford
The first weekend of August was a busy one on Bird Island, as it was the date of this year's Antarctic 48-hour Film Festival. The Film Festival has been running …
Bird Island Diary — July 2012
31 July, 2012 by BAS Bloggers
With the island looking very sparse in terms of animals the month began in the same usual way with the all island wandering albatross chick census, and I am pleased …
Bird Island Diary – June 2012
30 June, 2012 by BAS Bloggers
June is the time when island and its inhabitants get fully settled into the winter; the majority of the summer breeding animals have now left, and our little island is …
Bird Island Diary – April 2012
30 April, 2012 by Ruth Mugford
The beginning of April on Bird Island saw the successful completion of the building projects which were started last month. In particular, the rusty and decrepit old jetty was gradually …
Bird Island Diary – March 2012
31 March, 2012 by BAS Bloggers
With the arrival of the Technical Team on the FPV Pharos early this month, work started in earnest on the all the various building projects: the repair of the gantry …
Bird Island Diary – February 2012
28 February, 2012 by BAS Bloggers
After a busy start last month, the intensity of science activities has increased significantly as the fur seal pups, mollymawk, gentoo and macaroni penguin chicks have matured and there have …
Bird Island Diary — January 2012
31 January, 2012 by BAS Bloggers
After a truly memorable New Year, it was back to work for all of us on Bird Island. Gradually, the landscape around base began to change as the territorial male …
Bird Island Diary — December 2011
31 December, 2011 by BAS Bloggers
As always with Bird Island, nature changes constantly between the various species, and, the weather tends to stay the same! It can go from snow to sun through hail and …
Bird Island Diary — November 2011
30 November, 2011 by BAS Bloggers
Over the last couple of months, it has been a period of transition at Bird Island as we have transitioned from the Overwintering team to the full Summer team. In …
Bird Island Diary — September 2011
30 September, 2011 by BAS Bloggers
The final Wanderer chick survey for the season kick-started September. The vast majority of chicks survived the constant batterings handed out by the squalls and blizzards that regularly accompany life …
Bird Island Diary — August 2011
31 August, 2011 by BAS Bloggers
The weather has had the biggest impact on life at Bird Island this month. Southerly winds kept the temperature well below freezing causing the streams around base freeze into beautiful …
Bird Island Diary — June 2011
30 June, 2011 by BAS Bloggers
June on Bird Island is dominated by the Midwinter Celebrations. Midwinter is celebrated at research stations throughout Antarctica, as it represents the turning point in the long, dark winter months …
Bird Island Diary — May 2011
31 May, 2011 by BAS Bloggers
Life on Bird Island was made a little more interesting with the onset of an unforeseen blizzard which impacted smack-bang in the middle of the monthly Wanderer chick survey. The …
Bird Island Diary — April 2011
30 April, 2011 by BAS Bloggers
The whole base (all 4 of us!) turned out on the 1st of April to conduct the Wandering Albatross chick census. The aim is to provide information on the number …
Bird Island Diary — March 2011
31 March, 2011 by Stacey Adlard
March is a month of change on Bird Island. It is the transition month between summer and winter. This is my last month on Bird Island, after 2.5 years here, …
Bird Island Diary — December 2010
31 December, 2010 by Joe Corner
For 13 months, I have been living and working at Bird Island, and now yet another Christmas is quickly dawning on us. For me this will be my fourth Antarctic …
Bird Island Diary — October 2010
31 October, 2010 by Andy Wood
This month the diary is mainly penned by the "new arrival". I arrived in late September heralding the start of spring (but somebody forgot to tell the weather man). A …
Bird Island Diary — July 2010
31 July, 2010 by Joe Corner
This month I thought I would have a bit of a change from the usual diary entries. So: A day in the life of a Bird Island Techie. 0700 One …
Bird Island Diary — June 2010
30 June, 2010 by BAS Bloggers
by Claudia Mischler, Albatross Field Assistant June here on the little island was a fantastic month. We finally got a nice thick snow layer shortly before mid-winter. The white stuff …
Bird Island Diary — May 2010
30 May, 2010 by BAS Bloggers
May is the month of transition between summer and winter on Bird Island. The last of the summer staff left Mid April, so by May we were starting to get …
Bird Island Diary — April 2010
30 April, 2010 by BAS Bloggers
April began as April begins every year on Bird Island, with the Wandering Albatross egg/chick survey. Wandering Albatross begin laying their eggs during December and the final egg is laid …
Bird Island Diary — March 2010
31 March, 2010 by BAS Bloggers
The month started with two days of gentoo penguin chick counts across the island; this involved most of the folks on the research station heading out to all the breeding …
Bird Island Diary — February 2010
28 February, 2010 by Stacey Adlard
February began with the whole island Wandering albatross census. This year we only have 697 active nests, which is sadly the lowest number on record. Very strong winds during January …
Bird Island Diary — November 2009
30 November, 2009 by BAS Bloggers
It is my first visit to Bird Island and I have heard nothing but glowing comments about this place. I was worried that this would lead me to disappointment but …
Bird Island Diary — October 2009
31 October, 2009 by BAS Bloggers
October is 'peak season' for the flying-bird fieldwork team on Bird Island. Both Derren and Stacey have spent long days in the field monitoring the arrival of the black-browed and …
Bird Island Diary — July 2009
30 July, 2009 by Stacey Adlard
Wildlife: July started in a rather lazy way, as we all recovered from the hectic midwinter celebrations of the week before. On the 1st, we were lucky enough to find …
Bird Island Diary — June 2009
30 June, 2009 by BAS Bloggers
As the island and its inhabitants settle further into winters icy grip (well, more slush than ice I'm afraid!) the last of the summer breeding birds vacates the island, leaving …
Bird Island Diary — May 2009
31 May, 2009 by BAS Bloggers
May is considered to be the month of change at Bird Island, between the mild summer and the Antarctic winter… and it is at Bird Island that those changes on …
Bird Island Diary — April 2009
30 April, 2009 by BAS Bloggers
The month of April had an interesting but late start for me on Bird Island, arriving back from a two-week stay (or as some less sympathetic base members have called …
Bird Island Diary — March 2009
31 March, 2009 by BAS Bloggers
Last month on Bird Island… After a little more than two years on this amazing island, sharing my daily life with great people and thousands of penguins, albatrosses, petrels and …
Bird Island Diary — February 2009
28 February, 2009 by BAS Bloggers
February is high summer on Bird Island. Although the days have started to get shorter, for the last two years February has brought some fine, settled days, perfect for exploring …
Bird Island Diary — December 2008
31 December, 2008 by Stacey Adlard
December was a busy month on Bird Island. With the breeding season in full swing, the field assistants were out at all hours monitoring, counting, checking, tagging and weighing various …
Bird Island Diary — November 2008
30 November, 2008 by BAS Bloggers
Beasts of England For much of early November, Bird Island was covered in fog. Going out across the island to do the day's work, familiar landmarks like Tonk and La …
Bird Island Diary — September 2008
30 September, 2008 by BAS Bloggers
Like the previous months, September started with the all island wandering chick census; the last one of the winter but also the last one for this year; the chicks are …
Bird Island Diary — July 2008
31 July, 2008 by BAS Bloggers
Just over a year ago, I was graduating from university. Following four years studying Marine and Environmental Biology at St Andrews, and with a lifelong interest in marine mammals, I …
Bird Island Diary — June 2008
30 June, 2008 by BAS Bloggers
June has been a busy month on the little rock. After Mays comings and goings we finally settled into winter with just the four of us. Despite the base accommodating …
Bird Island Diary — May 2008
31 May, 2008 by BAS Bloggers
May at Bird Island, first month of the winter… After a busy and long summer, May has been the first month without any ship calls with just the four winterers …
Bird Island Diary — April 2008
30 April, 2008 by BAS Bloggers
April is a month of transition on Bird Island. For many of the animals that call this place home during the summer, April is the month that sees them depart …
Bird Island Diary — March 2008
31 March, 2008 by BAS Bloggers
Well this could be an emotional diary entry, as it covers my last full month on the magical wee rock, which has been my home since November 2005, before I …
Bird Island Diary — February 2008
28 February, 2008 by BAS Bloggers
Being still in the midst of wildlife breeding season February is always a busy month at Bird Island keeping the zoological field assistants at a hectic pace. The young in …
Bird Island Diary — January 2008
31 January, 2008 by BAS Bloggers
All our own celebrations aside for the turn of the year, life pretty much carried on as normal here at BI. The multitude of wildlife never broke stride from their …
Bird Island Diary — November 2007
30 November, 2007 by BAS Bloggers
This month's diary entry will have the distinctive mark of a new arrival on Bird Island: his head filled with the overwhelming sights and sounds of this amazing place – …
Bird Island Diary — October 2007
31 October, 2007 by BAS Bloggers
Well, it falls to me to write the newsletter this month as I'm the newbie on the island. Bringing the boys winter to an abrupt end; Andy, Chris, Jaume and …
Bird Island Diary — September 2007
30 September, 2007 by BAS Bloggers
Well the 1st of September marks the beginning of spring in the Southern Hemisphere and we have definitely seen the change of the season here at Bird Island in more …
Bird Island Diary — August 2007
31 August, 2007 by BAS Bloggers
By Rob Dunn Wintering Technician Welcome to the August diary from Bird Island. We have been enjoying the snow-covered hills that have now been around for a while. I remember …
Bird Island Diary — July 2007
31 July, 2007 by BAS Bloggers
Welcome back to BIRD ISLAND July diary, right in the middle of the winter. July has been the coldest month since the winter started but not only, it's been also …
Bird Island Diary — June 2007
30 June, 2007 by BAS Bloggers
June is a very important month in the BI calendar. With the last ships of summer having left us long ago, all of the seals and most of the albatrosses …
Bird Island Diary — May 2007
31 May, 2007 by BAS Bloggers
Welcome to a summary of what has been happening down here at Bird Island during the merry, merry month of May! While you all back in the Northern Hemisphere may …
Bird Island Diary — April 2007
30 April, 2007 by BAS Bloggers
April Diary Hello from Bird Island. It was great to finally arrive after doing a stint at Halley this summer, and a brief stay at Signy. I thought I would …
Bird Island Diary — March 2007
31 March, 2007 by BAS Bloggers
Bird Island, March Dairy On 7th of March 17h00, I just came back from Big Mac (macaroni penguin colony) when Ali our Base Commander was calling the Base on the …
Bird Island Diary — January 2007
31 January, 2007 by BAS Bloggers
January – gone already – I cant believe it. This month is dedicated to the South Georgia Pipit – the most remarkable bird in the southern ocean in my opinion. …
Bird Island Diary — November 2006
30 November, 2006 by BAS Bloggers
November Newsletter – by Iain Staniland "Ah Remember remember the month of NovemberAlbatross penguins and pups" Anon. Well something like that anyway. This month I get the chance to write …
Bird Island Diary — October 2006
31 October, 2006 by BAS Bloggers
October has been a month of new arrivals, and some farewells on both the animal and human side of things. This month has also seen the winter period, when there …
Bird Island Diary — September 2006
30 September, 2006 by BAS Bloggers
Sunshine and snow on Bird Island September has to be my favourite month of the winter. The days are getting significantly longer and the weather is just the best – …
Bird Island Diary — July 2006
31 July, 2006 by BAS Bloggers
With the Antarctic Darts Championship under our belts, midwinter done and dusted and no imminent birthday celebrations, July was always going to be a quieter month. I thought I would …
Bird Island Diary – May 2006
31 May, 2006 by BAS Bloggers
Finally a month alone, and what a great month it has been! The base is now well and truly complete – the beginning of the month saw Matt (with help …
Bird Island Diary – April 2006
30 April, 2006 by BAS Bloggers
What a month it has been. The first day of April bought the start of this year's Wandering Albatross chick census, with the eight members of base all taking to …
Bird Island Diary – March 2006
31 March, 2006 by BAS Bloggers
And the end of another summer on Bird Island has arrived. The penguins have fledged, the albatross chicks are growing up fast with their adult feathers showing through under the …
Bird Island Diary – February 2006
28 February, 2006 by BAS Bloggers
Aaahhh, and relax. The Bird Island Redevelopment Project drew to a satisfied close on the 3rd February, with the removal of the building and demolition waste from the beach. We …
Bird Island Diary – January 2006
31 January, 2006 by BAS Bloggers
January was heralded by the obligatory hangovers, which were soon forgotten by getting back to work on seals, seabirds, IT, and multiple base tasks. The seal team closed the SSB …
Bird Island Diary – December 2005
31 December, 2005 by BAS Bloggers
What a month! December, usually a month of joyous celebration has lived up to this reputation admirably on Bird Island. The RRS James Clark Ross now long gone, it was …
Bird Island Diary – November 2005
30 November, 2005 by BAS Bloggers
Another month of comings and goings As mentioned at the end of last month, on the 29th, the Morrisons boys turned up, along with our resident base commander Vicky Auld, …
Bird Island Diary – October 2005
31 October, 2005 by BAS Bloggers
Bird frenzy October is always the transition month on Bird Island. Its begins with skiing, short-ish days, clear beaches with leopard seals and elephant seals matching fur-seal numbers, skies only …
Bird Island Diary – August 2005
31 August, 2005 by BAS Bloggers
A fun and frantic month Hello and welcome to Bird Island's August web page! Well, it has been another fun-filled and frantic month. We have had a few extremes of …
Bird Island Diary – June 2005
30 June, 2005 by BAS Bloggers
The builders leave June has been one heck of a big month on Bird Island. The race to the finishing line for the new building, colder weather, midwinter celebrations, final …
Bird Island Diary – May 2005
31 May, 2005 by BAS Bloggers
Tommo arrives Well hello from Bird Island, I have just arrived on this wondrous isle this month, so as the new boy, it is my duty to write this newletter, …
Bird Island Diary – April 2005
30 April, 2005 by BAS Bloggers
Some final thoughts Some final thoughts before returning home… After 906 days living on what might equate to some as little more than a wind swept rock in the middle …
Bird Island Diary – March 2005
31 March, 2005 by BAS Bloggers
A doctor writes The duty of writing this month's newsletter has fallen to me- Jenny, the base doctor. I have been at Bird Island research station for the last two …
Bird Island Diary – January 2005
31 January, 2005 by BAS Bloggers
A quiet month…. sort of The January diary for Bird Island is written by Isaac Forster and is available in pdf format by clicking the link below. Bird Island January …
Bird Island Diary – December 2004
31 December, 2004 by BAS Bloggers
A new Base Commander Happy New Year to all readers, especially those nearest and dearest to the Bird Island team. December passed in a flash. Here we are in the …
Bird Island Diary – November 2004
30 November, 2004 by Paul Cousens
A tech writes The November diary for Bird Island is written by Paul Cousens and is available in pdf format by clicking the link below. Bird Island Diary – November …
Bird Island Diary – October 2004
31 October, 2004 by Iain Staniland
Birds, seals and more birds The October diary for Bird Island is written by Iain Staniland and is available in pdf format by clicking the link below. Bird Island Diary …
Bird Island Diary – September 2004
30 September, 2004 by BAS Bloggers
Spring The Bird Island Castaways unchanged after 5 months of isolation….. September is the beginning of spring on Bird Island; many of the migratory birds are beginning to return, a …
Bird Island Diary – August 2004
31 August, 2004 by BAS Bloggers
One moonlit night The August diary for Bird Island is written by Chris Green and is available in pdf format by clicking the link below. Bird Island Diary – August …
Bird Island Diary – July 2004
31 July, 2004 by BAS Bloggers
A month of respite The July diary for Bird Island is written by Isaac Forster and is available in pdf format by clicking the link below. Bird Island Diary – …
Bird Island Diary – June 2004
30 June, 2004 by BAS Bloggers
Midwinter The June diary for Bird Island is written by Sarah Robinson and is available in pdf format by clicking the link below. Bird Island Diary – June 2004 (pdf …
Bird Island Diary – May 2004
31 May, 2004 by Dave Connor
Alex arrives The May diary for Bird Island is written by Alex Cottle and is available in pdf format by clicking the link below. Bird Island Diary – May 2004 …
Bird Island Diary – April 2004
30 April, 2004 by Dave Connor
Goodbye to Ben and Nic The April diary for Bird Island is written by Chris Green and is available in pdf format by clicking the link below. Bird Island Diary …
Bird Island Diary – March 2004
31 March, 2004 by Dave Connor
Where did all the time go? The March diary for Bird Island is written by Ben Phalan and is available in pdf format by clicking the link below. Bird Island …
Bird Island Diary – February 2004
28 February, 2004 by Dave Connor
Picnics and chicks When you are stuck on an island, size 5km by 1km in the South Atlantic most requirements have a habit of being postponed all too frequently. Necessities …
Bird Island Diary – January 2004
31 January, 2004 by Dave Connor
Sushi & smoothies Considering the fact that you trip over seals the minute you walk out of the door, you would have thought that ten scats a week is not …
Bird Island Diary – December 2003
31 December, 2003 by Jaume Forcada
The Bird Island Flying Times December's Bird Island newsletter could be called the The Bird Island Times, or, to be more precise, the The Bird Island Flying Times, given the …
Bird Island Diary – November 2003
30 November, 2003 by Dave Connor
Bird Island Dorchester November has been a month of endless variety on Bird Island from both science and base life aspects. The most visible change has been the emergence of …
Bird Island Diary – October 2003
31 October, 2003 by Dave Connor
Birds and big noses October has seen the skies above the island come alive with birds, the beaches with elephant and fur seals, and the steep rocky slopes with Macaroni …
Bird Island Diary – August 2003
31 August, 2003 by Dave Connor
Cakes and messages in bottles As I am sitting in my room trying to write this newsletter, an adult male fur seal, having returned from an oceanic trip, is lying …
Bird Island Diary – July 2003
31 July, 2003 by Dave Connor
A varied month This month we lost a friend and kindred spirit when Kirsty Brown was killed by a leopard seal at Rothera. The sudden loss of someone so young …
Bird Island Diary – June 2003
30 June, 2003 by Dave Connor
Midwinter The true South Georgia winter weather has now firmly established itself on this wee island in the Southern Ocean. As I write, ensconced within the shelter of base, the …
Bird Island Diary – May 2003
31 May, 2003 by Dave Connor
Counting birds We spent the first couple of days of May on Bird Island, counting birds believe it or not! The first day was reserved, as is customary on every …
Bird Island Diary – April 2003
30 April, 2003 by Dave Connor
Comings and goings April has been a month of comings and goings. We have seen the arrival of winter snow and ice, and of the first of our most impressive …
Bird Island Diary – March 2003
31 March, 2003 by Dave Connor
A last word from Jane After 2½ years here this has been my last full month on Bird Island. I'll be leaving in April, almost 30 months to the day …
Bird Island Diary – February 2003
28 February, 2003 by Dave Connor
WANTED – seals, penguins and albatrosses WANTED!! Have you seen this pup, penguin, whale, moth or worm? No sorry we haven't but we'll ask our mates! Come on chaps I'm …
Bird Island Diary – December 2002
31 December, 2002 by Dave Connor
Christmas and new arrivals December is traditionally one of the busiest months here at Bird Island and this year was no exception, both at work and at play. The month …
Bird Island Diary – November 2002
30 November, 2002 by Dave Connor
Practice emergencies and a real birthday November usually marks the beginning of summer for Bird Island. However, the winter has stubbornly refused to depart and every time we thought the …
Bird Island Diary – September 2002
30 September, 2002 by Dave Connor
Spring is in the air Welcome once again to another month at Bird Island. September seems to have brought a considerable amount of change. With winter rapidly heading towards its …
Bird Island Diary – August 2002
31 August, 2002 by Dave Connor
More sketches I can hardly believe that August has already come and gone. It still feels like it should be sometime back around July. Time has flown, as Bird Island …
Bird Island Diary — July 2002
31 July, 2002 by BAS Bloggers
Sledging and Sketches Hello and welcome to another month in the life of the Bird Island winterers – Jane, Ben, Nick and Matt. This is my second winter and second …
Bird Island Diary — June 2002
30 June, 2002 by BAS Bloggers
Midwinter Welcome to Bird Island, we are now well into winter, and more and more leopard seals are hauling out on the beaches around base. Yesterday, we had four: two …
Bird Island Diary — May 2002
31 May, 2002 by BAS Bloggers
Snow and winter visitors Last month we brought you pictures of blue skies, green hills, and a rather summery-looking Bird Island. Some of you have been wondering if we are …
Bird Island Diary — April 2002
30 April, 2002 by BAS Bloggers
Last Call as winter begins Welcome to Winter on Bird Island – at last! It has been a very interesting and unusual month here. The last newsletter ended with "under …
Bird Island Diary — March 2002
31 March, 2002 by BAS Bloggers
The end of the season approaches Bonjour à tous et à toutes, The start of March was punctuated by departures and arrivals. As RRS Ernest Shackleton sailed past, we knew …
Bird Island Diary — January 2002
31 January, 2002 by BAS Bloggers
A New Year begins Welcome to another instalment of the life and times of Bird Island and its inhabitants, human and animal. Our newsletter this month actually begins in late …
Bird Island Diary — December 2001
31 December, 2001 by Dave Connor
Fur Seals and Festivities Everyone that I had met before my visit to Bird Island told me that I would love this tiny isolated island and it's wildlife. A visiting …
Bird Island Diary — November 2001
30 November, 2001 by Dave Connor
First Impressions The peaceful isolation of Bird Island was almost shattered with the arrival of the James Clark Ross (JCR) on the 2nd. But as it turned out the shattering …
Bird Island Diary — October 2001
31 October, 2001 by BAS Bloggers
Summer Personnel Arrive The island silence of waves and birdcall was shattered by the cacophony caused by fuel barrels being rolled up a steel walkway, and numerous people marvelling at …
Bird Island Diary — September 2001
30 September, 2001 by BAS Bloggers
Visitors come to Bird Island With only one month of winter left, September is most definitely a time when winterers concentrate lots of their spare energies on enjoying many of …
Bird Island Diary — August 2001
31 August, 2001 by BAS Bloggers
Preparing for Summer, Sledging and a Birthday Hello again from the Bird Island Trio! Here we are in the middle of winter with deep snow and freezing weather. Oh no, …
Bird Island Diary — July 2001
31 July, 2001 by BAS Bloggers
Hot Chillies, Fine Wines and Frozen Toilets! "Go on,I dare you to eat a whole chilli." And so the month started with the utterance of these fateful words. Sure, the …
Bird Island Diary — June 2001
30 June, 2001 by BAS Bloggers
Midwinter games June sees us in deepest winter here at Bird Island now. The nights are at their longest, but luckily since we are in sub-Antarctica and relatively far north …
Bird Island Diary — May 2001
31 May, 2001 by Paul Cousens
Seals amid the winter's snow May saw the onset of true blue winter weather, and the much awaited arrival of the leopard seals (leps), two of these toothy beasts hauled …
Bird Island Diary — April 2001
30 April, 2001 by BAS Bloggers
What the builders did to us Hello everyone from the inhabitants of the smallest BAS base. We have been in winter mode for one month now, and already we have …
Bird Island Diary — March 2001
31 March, 2001 by BAS Bloggers
The beakers versus the builders Hello everybody. This is going to be the builder's version of events for March. Simon Berry is your host for this exciting and funny newsletter. …
Bird Island Diary — January 2001
31 January, 2001 by BAS Bloggers
A time of rapid change So what's been happening this month? Unfortunately for you all, it's my turn to try and provide a witty commentary on the exciting events of …
Bird Island Diary — December 2000
31 December, 2000 by BAS Bloggers
Seals with video cameras and seasonal festivities Bird Island Diary When we were asked who would write the December newsletter, we were told in the same breath that as the …
Bird Island Diary — November 2000
30 November, 2000 by BAS Bloggers
Relief, visitors and the wildlife proliferates Bird Island Diary As the newest member on the station I have the honour (!) of writing the newsletter at the end of my …
Bird Island Diary — October 2000 (vagrants)
31 October, 2000 by BAS Bloggers
Bird Island vagrants Bird Island Diary Keith Reid (BAS, Cambridge) adds the following on the Bird Island October-vagrants. Chiloe Wigeon (Anas sibilatrix): This drake was recorded in Freshwater Bay, Bird …
Bird Island Diary — September 2000
30 September, 2000 by BAS Bloggers
The birds, the unrelenting wind, and a 19th century calm Bird Island Diary With winter and her easy pace almost through, September is a month of great transformation on Bird …
Bird Island Diary — August 2000
31 August, 2000 by BAS Bloggers
An Introduction to Bird Island Bird Island Diary Wildlife on Bird Island: At this time of year the wildlife is nothing compared to the summer. Presently there are seals mostly …
Celebrating Midwinter in Antarctica
21 June, 2021
British Antarctic Survey (BAS) is celebrating Midwinter's Day (Monday 21 June) as staff in three British Antarctic Territory Research Stations mark the shortest and darkest day of the year on the frozen continent. The tradition began in …
Penguins benefit from extended maritime zone
15 January, 2021
Gentoo penguins are benefiting from a newly enlarged no-fishing zone (known as a No-Take Zone NTZ) around the sub-Antarctic island of South Georgia following British Antarctic Survey (BAS) tracking research …
Festive Greetings from BAS!
18 December, 2020
Staff at British Antarctic Survey (BAS) ships and research stations prepare to celebrate the festive season. It's been a year like no other, with extraordinary arrangements made to keep facilities …
Plastic Pollution reaching Antarctica
28 April, 2020
Food wrapping, fishing gear and plastic waste continue to reach the Antarctic. Two new studies into how plastic debris is reaching sub-Antarctic islands are published in the journal Environment International. …
Festive Greetings from Antarctica
20 December, 2019
As you make the last preparations for the festive period, spare a thought for those who will be working away in Antarctica for British Antarctic Survey. Over 300 staff, scientists …
New funding uses seabirds as sentinels of South Atlantic
21 January, 2019
British Antarctic Survey scientist Professor Richard Phillips has been awarded funding to use newly developed radar-detecting tags to track the interactions between wandering albatrosses and fishing vessels in the South …
Scientists join policy makers to discuss conservation
22 October, 2018
BAS marine researchers join nearly 300 international delegates at the annual meeting of the Convention on the Conservation or Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) beginning in Hobart today. For the …
BBC Blockbuster Blue Planet II returns
23 October, 2017
Blue Planet II – the nature documentary that explores the deepest and darkest realms of the world's oceans – is back on the BBC some 16 years after it was …
New study reveals what penguins eat
15 February, 2017
The longest and most comprehensive study to date of what penguins eat is published this month. The study, published in the journal Marine Biology, examines the diets of gentoo penguins …
Conservation plans to protect the albatross
11 January, 2017
The UK Overseas Territory of South Georgia & South Sandwich Islands is this week launching an ambitious conservation effort to help protect the albatross. South Georgia is a globally important …
Construction partner announced
4 January, 2017
Construction expert BAM has been chosen to partner with British Antarctic Survey (BAS) to modernise UK Antarctic and other research facilities, enabling British scientists to continue delivering world class research …
Sounds of Christmas from Bird Island
25 December, 2016
Dr Lucy Quinn is zoological field assistant at the British Antarctic Survey research station on Bird Island, South Georgia – a job which involves daily expeditions come rain or shine …
New field season begins
29 November, 2016
As spring returns to the southern hemisphere British Antarctic Survey (BAS) has started another research season which will take them over land, sea and ice in search of answers to …
Review of threats to seabirds
1 August, 2016
A review of breeding distributions, population trends, threats and key priorities for conservation actions on land and at sea for the 29 species covered by the Agreement on the Conservation …
Albatrosses use different regions when on migration
25 July, 2016
A new study of the movements of sub-Antarctic albatrosses tracked from two remote islands some 5,000 km apart, shows that although the birds from each breeding site take similar routes around the Southern Ocean, they forage in different areas for the majority of the time. The results are published this month in the Nature journal Scientific Reports.
PRESS RELEASE: Cool Antarctic jobs
12 January, 2016
British Antarctic Survey (BAS) is recruiting now. The smooth operation and maintenance of our research stations depends on skilled technical support teams. Check out our latest vacancies!
NEWS STORY: Polar Medal awards
8 January, 2016
Two British Antarctic Survey (BAS) personnel, and one former member of staff, have been awarded the Polar Medal. The announcement was made today (Fri. 8th Jan 2016) in the London …
NEWS STORY: Assessing seabird communities
7 October, 2015
Antarctic seabird community structure remains unaffected by changes in food availability A new study of sub-Antarctic seabirds shows that their community structure (how they co-exist and share resources) is unaffected …
NEWS STORY: Bird tracking aids seabird research
18 August, 2015
Bird tracking technology reveals future climate may affect seabird feeding behaviour A two year study of shags on the Isle of May National Nature Reserve in Scotland reveals that when …
PRESS RELEASE: Scent matters to fur seals
10 August, 2015
Antarctic fur seals have unique 'scent profile' to recognise their pups Researchers studying Antarctic fur seals have discovered their scent has a unique 'profile' which enables them to recognise their …
NEWS STORY: New study uncovers how petrels co-exist
14 July, 2015
New study uncovers how petrels in sub-Antarctic co-exist during the winter For the first time, scientists understand more clearly how birds living on the remote sub-Antarctic island of Bird Island …
NEWS STORY: Antarctic fur seals monitored
1 April, 2015
New study tracks feeding behaviour of Antarctic fur seals in winter During the Antarctic Summer female fur seals feed in the waters around their breeding breaches. In winter, when their …
NEWS STORY: Age does not wither
16 February, 2015
Does age matter? Maybe not if you're a wandering albatross A new study of the wandering albatrosses breeding on the sub-antarctic island of Bird Island (off South Georgia) reveals that …
NEWS STORY: Christmas in Antarctica
19 December, 2014
British Antarctic Survey staff prepare to celebrate Christmas far away from home As you make the last preparations for the festive period, spare a thought for those who will be …
PRESS RELEASE: Fur seal genetics and climate change
23 July, 2014
Genetic study shows major impact of climate change on Antarctic fur seals Genetic analysis of Antarctic fur seals, alongside decades of in-depth monitoring,* has provided unique insights into the effect …
NEWS STORY: Midwinter's Day in Antarctica
20 June, 2014
Midwinter's Day celebrations take place at Antarctic Research Stations Staff at the British Antarctic Survey are celebrating Midwinter's Day in Antarctica. In a tradition which began in the days of …
BLOG: Bird Island Station Leader
28 May, 2014
We caught up with Bird Island Research Station Leader Adam Bradley who was living and working on the island when the BBC crew came to film Deadly Pole to Pole. …
NEWS STORY: Bird Island on CBBC
27 May, 2014
Deadly Pole to Pole at Bird Island Tune in to CBBC today at 5:25pm to see adventurer Steve Backshall on Bird Island as part of the BBC's Deadly Pole to …
PRESS RELEASE: Penguins monitored with tags
21 May, 2014
Electronic tags provide 10 years worth of penguin data A team of scientists, led by researchers from the British Antarctic Survey, has used tiny electronic tags to study the decline …
NEWS STORY: Greetings from Antarctica
24 December, 2013
Christmas messages from Antarctic staff Many British Antarctic Survey scientists and support staff will be spending this Christmas thousands of miles from home on the frozen continent. BAS has five …
NEWS STORY: Staff head into deep Antarctica
20 December, 2013
British Antarctic Survey field season is underway On the eve of the centenary year of Ernest Shackleton's Endurance Expedition the ship which bears his name is playing a crucial role …
NEWS STORY: Age no barrier for albatrosses
12 March, 2013
Saving the best for last – wandering albatrosses" last push for successful parenting Romanticised in poetry, the wandering albatross is famed for its enormous wing-span and long life. The bird …
Frozen Planet: Autumn arrives
15 November, 2011
This week on Frozen Planet (BBC1 Wednesday 16 November at 21.00, repeated Sunday at 16.10) the programme explores autumn in the polar regions. As life cools down in the Antarctic, …
Frozen Planet: Summer in Antarctica
7 November, 2011
This week on Frozen Planet (BBC1 Wednesday 9 November at 21.00, repeated Sunday at 16.10) the programme explores Summer in the Polar Regions. As life thrives in the Antarctic, viewers …
This week on Frozen Planet
31 October, 2011
This week on Frozen Planet (BBC1 Wednesday 2 November at 21.00, repeated Sunday at 16.10) the programme explores Spring in the Polar Regions and how life begins the race to …
Midwinter's Day Celebrations
21 June, 2011
Staff at the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) celebrate Midwinter's Day today. Celebrated as the Summer Solstice in the northern hemisphere, Midwinter's day is the shortest and darkest day for the …
PRESS RELEASE: Albatrosses feed with whales
7 October, 2009
Albatross camera reveals fascinating feeding interaction with killer whale Scientists from British Antarctic Survey, National Institute of Polar Research (NIPR), Tokyo, and Hokkaido University, Japan, have recorded the first observations …
Black-browed Albatross Juvenile Tracking
Until the last decade, South Georgia held the third largest population of black-browed albatrosses at any island group (Phillips et al. 2016) [4]. However, assuming trends at surveyed sites are …
Grey-headed Albatross Juvenile Tracking
The grey-headed albatross is listed as Endangered in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species because of a decline since the 1970s of the largest global breeding population, which is …
Higher Predators – Long-Term Science
The British Antarctic Survey carries out Long Term Science that measures changes in Antarctic ecosystems and seeks to understand the underlying drivers and processes. Marine predators are sensitive to changes …
Impact of Plastic in the Polar Regions
An estimated 75% of all the litter in our oceans is plastic, and around 5 million tonnes of plastic waste enter the ocean annually. Scientific observations of a significant concentration …
Long term monitoring of plastics
This long-term study monitors the impact of marine plastics and other debris on breeding seabirds at Bird Island. Researchers have monitored the levels of marine plastics and other material from …
Southern Ocean Clouds
The biases observed in climate models over the Southern Ocean in surface radiation and sea surface temperature are larger than anywhere else in the world. They have a fundamental impact …
Transformation
Realising the benefits of the Antarctic Infrastructure Modernisation programme.
White-chinned Petrel Tracking
The white-chinned petrel is the most common bird species recorded as fisheries bycatch in the Southern Ocean [1]. Although currently listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN, limited population trend data …
Wildlife from Space
Many populations of wildlife are remote, inaccessible or difficult to monitor. The advent of sub-metre, Very-High-Resolution (VHR) satellite imagery may enable us study these animals in a much more efficient …
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Ernest Shackleton's South! Primarily Uses Which Writing Structure?
Source: https://www.bas.ac.uk/polar-operations/sites-and-facilities/facility/bird-island/
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