Wildlife notes

I have observed two gull chicks with only one eye. For one chick the eye socket appears almost closed over. The other chick looks much worse off with obvious signs of infection and it is hard to look at. The two chicks seem to move about slower than their nest mates. If they survive, their lack of depth perception will make life more difficult.

With much patience and luck, I was also able to get some pictures of the Keeper’s House black oystercatcher parents eyes.  I had recently learned they can be sexed by the presence of black flecks in eyes of the females.  The Keeper’s House pair did indeed have different eyes!!!

The eyes of the Keeper’s House black oystercatcher parents. The female is likely (93%) the one in the top row with the black fleck on the iris.

Facility work

• cleaned solar panels
• hung the new AED cabinet on the wall in the basement.  The AED kit needs to be set up properly but I have to leave that for Eva to finish.
• finished the compost bin modifications
• started organizing things as Eva is coming tomorrow afternoon

AED cabinet and sign mounted in the basement of the Keeper’s House.  With such a shiny white new box, I would have liked to paint the wall first but it can remounted later if that ever happens. I got to use our new measuring tape and driver bits brought here yesterday.

Compost bins BEFORE.

Compost bins AFTER. I reinforced the burnt posts, removed the front boards, added stringers and cut drop boards for the right hand side. Now the contents of the bin can be removed when fully composted. The gull sitting on top has two chicks on the other side of the bins. I am sure she is happy the job is done.

Vessels

• Ecotourism: 19
• Private:  1

Weather

Scattered clouds. Winds westerly 13 to 27 knots. Daytime temperatures 12 to 13 degrees.