PORTFOLIO
The noisy black-browed albatross colony on Steeple Jason Island is on flat ground along the shoreline but the species is also known to nest on steep slopes. This colony consists of more than 200,000 breeding pairs and is the largest of any albatross species in the world. Fluffy, single chicks are often left alone for days while their parents forage out at sea. This youngster will fledge at four months and breed at about seven years old.
Taking its pick
In November, imperial cormorants (above) return to shore to breed. This one on Bleaker Island is pulling up clumps of Empetrum rubrum, known as diddle-dee or red crowberry, for its nest. The stunning blue ring around the bird’s eye is most prominent during the breeding season.
Jumping for joy
Diminutive and striking, the Commerson’s dolphin (left) can regularly be seen foraging by the shore. “The cetacean plays just for the fun of it and is attracted to any small boat that creates bow waves for it to ride,” says Mark.
Beach buddies
Volunteer Point beach, East Falkland, is home to the biggest king penguin colony in the archipelago. The birds will cluster in small groups on the sand before and after their feeding trip.
Artist’s impression
Mark captured this abstract image of a black-browed albatross while it rested on its nest. “I defy any makeup artist to match the delicate shades of colour that can be seen around its eyes,” he exclaims. The long-lived, pelagic bird has a strong bond to its colony of birth.
Tucked up
Denne historien er fra January 2022-utgaven av BBC Wildlife.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra January 2022-utgaven av BBC Wildlife.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Jump Around - Bagheera Kiplingi - The acrobatic spider with a predilection for veggie food
Spiders eat flies, right? everyone knows that the 45,000 or so spiders in the world are all obligate carnivores, more or less – eating other animals, mainly invertebrates. Nature, however, loves an exception, and one particular spider missed out on that ecological memo. It goes by the wonderful scientific name of Bagheera kiplingi, and its claim to fame is that its diet is – at least mostly – vegetarian.
Female of the Species - Zebras - A strong sisterhood is key to staying safe
Zebras are masters of confusion. Their collective noun is ‘a dazzle’, which is fitting since their bodies and behaviour have been surprising scientists for centuries.
See It, Save It? - Wildlife tourism can be a powerful ally in protecting nature - but it can also harm it. We weigh up the pros and cons.
The sums of wildlife travel aren’t as simple as more tourists equals happier nature. How much did my visit really contribute to the conservation of Lady Liuwa and her habitat – and was that outweighed by carbon emissions from my flights? Did my presence disturb the animals’ natural behaviour more than it reduced the threat of poaching or benefited local communities?The question of whether wildlife travel is, on balance, good for wildlife is a complex one – and there’s no simple answer.
Can Your Really Offset Emissions? - Planning an overseas wildlife-watching trip entails facing some inconvenient truths
Imagine (or maybe you don't need to) that you hanker after the safari trip of a lifetime in sub-Saharan Africa. A 17-day tour beginning at the iconic Victoria Falls, passing through Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi and Tanzania, taking in some of the continent’s most wildlife-rich national parks, and ending on the lush island of Zanzibar.
Metamorphosis: a life-changing event
WITH EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGIST JV CHAMARY
New series for BBC One: Asia
Settle in this autumn for a new natural-history extravaganza on BBC One and iPlayer: the longawaited Asia, presented by Sir David Attenborough.
Loss of Antarctic sea ice could impact seabird food supply
Albatrosses and petrels may be forced to fly further to feed
Tarsiers in trouble
Urgent action is needed to ensure survival of the Yoda-like primate
SNAP-CHAT
Chien Lee on shrew loos, rogue drones and being rained out of bed
VISIONS OF NATURE
The winners of the Wildlife Artist of the Year competition 2024, from David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation
