Penguins - Antarctica / Gentoos

[allikat]

I think you may be right Alison....it certainly looks like the little one in being fed.

[Alison]

I think there may be a chick in this photo -- on the ledge, possibly being fed:

[Pam]

Not good news at all for the population.  However, I am a firm believer of "everything happens for a reason".  I know that sounds terrible but it's true.
It is such a terrible loss....perhaps that will just make next years breeding season all that better. 
Trying to think positive...

Good thinking, Allikat......I'm with you!

[allikat]

Not good news at all for the population.  However, I am a firm believer of "everything happens for a reason".  I know that sounds terrible but it's true.
It is such a terrible loss....perhaps that will just make next years breeding season all that better. 
Trying to think positive...

[carly]

Oh that is so sad, poor little guys.  What a terrible loss 

[Alison]

Bad news from O'Higgins

From the blog:

Tuesday, December 01, 2009

Severe hurricane and its consequences

The hurricane has raged mercilessly among the breeding pairs: a lot of nests were abandoned. It is not expected that there will be a successful second hatching this season. All the more dramatic fall from the balance sheet, considering that there have probably never been so many nests as this year.

The data from the German station shows how highly destructive this weather event was: for more than 10 hours, the mean wind speed was over 150 km/h, about 2 hours even in the range of 200 km. Only the Neststandorte in any wind in combination with the abysmal Bruttrieb/survival will of individual breeding birds had stock. I feel that these are the most severe consequences of a hurricane for the penguins since the webcam first went online. In the foreground area probably only 5 of the former approximately 18 nests survived the hurricane more or less intact. Couples who have lost their eggs, will be back in the early days of course, to their nest - but then just sitting on a stone, dead nothingness. In some cases, could lead to a Nachgelege, as the breeding season had begun for some of the new couples only.
 
This event shows once again, the incredible advantage for hatching of the nests on the concrete base of the radio telescope. The probability of successful breeding is particularly high because of the protection from the wind here!

Please forgive the rough translation from the German.

This is such sad news, after such a good start to the breeding season this year. I have watched this site since the first year it came online, and although I have seen nests lost in storms before, I have never seen anything like this.

The pic below, from the blog, shows the nests which have been lost:



Pics I had saved on November 28:



Today, there are so few Gentoos on nests:

[allikat]

When there's a will, there's a way!!!

[eagle63_1999]

Next question, where would yu put the penquin, the peregine and the panda. allikat?

[allikat]

Penguins, panda cubs, peregrines - alli, what would your poor cat do if you actually got all the cute little animals you want to have?

She would still be my queen and most likely have her very own room all to herself.....

[sami]

Penguins, panda cubs, peregrines - alli, what would your poor cat do if you actually got all the cute little animals you want to have?

[allikat]

They are sooooo cute!!  I want one 

[Alison]

It's getting crowded around the ledges, as the snow continues to melt. It's good to see so many Gentoos there this year.

[birdcamfan]

I guess it's spring in Antarctica. Looks just like spring 2009 in Winnipeg!

[Alison]

The Gentoos have been dealing with storms for the last while, but are now settling in:

[carly]

That is so cool Alison!  Look at them, like little butler pairs