Swollen Gull Chick

<em>Wildlife</em>

Today I noticed a strange swelling of the neck on this chick. It’s not unusual to see chicks with various injuries from wandering too close to another adult or running in a panic from intrusions into their own nesting site- swollen or missing eyes in particular. Christine’s post from earlier identifies a few others I’ve seen around here: (link to posts). However, this is a new one- I’m not sure what might be causing it! I just hope it isn’t an illness that may spread to others.

In other news, the sea lions seem determined to battle for the jetty! Twice today I came down to find different sections of downed posts and warped fence wiring, and a handful of cheeky haul-outs where they should not be. By the time I went to fix the cracked post at the end of the jetty, it was starting to get dark. A quick reset will have to do for tonight, tomorrow I’ll have to rethink the current setup.

<em>Facility notes</em>

– Cleaned panels

– Washed windows

– Tidied inside student house

– Tidied inside main house

– Fence maintenance

<em>Weather</em>

Cloudy, winds mostly from the Southwest from 9 to 18 knots, early morning gusts up to 23 knots. Temperatures 12 to 17 degrees.

 

<em>Vessels</em>

Ecotourism: 19

Private: 1