Friday April 5

Arrived at Race Rocks to take the baton from Jeremais. I was here just short of a year ago but this is my 4^th or 5^th time arriving in April. The house looks remarkable with new windows and new paint. The pathways are all clean and Jeremias has done work everywhere I look. I am thankful for all his endeavours. I come to the island recovering from a back problem and although I know I can do the necessary work it is the first time I will not be able to chop wood, move the concrete posts around and generally I need to sit around more than usual. Lots of time for observations!

As soon as the boat pulled away I went to look for a tagged gull I have documented in 2023 and 2022. And it was there! Same spot. This gives me a moment of reflection, last year I wrote about it too, how most of these animals are likely the same ones which return each year. It also makes me relieved because this bird has survived with 4 tags on its legs. Although we know how light they are I still require reassurance that they do not harm the bird (The birds are tagged elsewhere, at Race Rocks we do not having a tagging program). Here is another bird returned from last year I am even more surprised to see. With this one legged bird there is less certainty that it is the same individual but a remarkable coincidence if not, same month and same spot. If you search my previous blog entries you will find their pictures.