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Australia’s Macquarie Island marks World Albatross Day 2024 with a banner, Wandering Albatross decoy models and outstretched arms, photograph from Melanie Wells
With what seems to be a tradition that has been steadily growing since 2020, albatross islands in the Southern Ocean have once more displayed banners to celebrate World Albatross Day, held two days ago on 19 June. This year’s crop of photographs follows – well done to all the island teams!
The 19-strong overwintering team on Marion Island, (the 81st since occupation in 1947) has pooled its resources to sponsor a hectare to the Mouse-Free Marion Project to mark World Albatross Day on 19 June and its 2024 theme of “Marine Protected Areas – Safeguarding our Oceans”, photograph from Vanessa Stephen and Monique van Bers
The 69th Overwintering Team on Gough Island in the South Atlantic poses with its recycled WAD2024 banner - and a decoy
Out in the snow. The four-person overwintering team on Bird Island has gone with plasticine Light-mantled and Wandering Albatrosses to hold up its WAD204 banner. Modelling by Liz Holmes and photograph by George Day
The Bird Island Overwintering Team on the research station’s jetty. From left: Liz Holmes, George Day, Izzy Stubbs and Adam Owen
Not to be outdone, the French sub-Antarctic islands have celebrated WAD2024 with six albatross photos rather than with a banner, photograph of Wandering Albatrosses from Terres australes et antarctiques françaises (TAAF)
Not on an oceanic island or a banner but just as good. The Royal Albatross Centre, situated next to the mainland colony at Pukekura/Taiaroa Head, has once again made a life-sized Northern Royal Albatross cake to mark World Albatross Day in 2024!
With thanks to George Day, Liz Holmes, Richard Phillips, Antje Steinfurth, Vanessa Stephen, Monique van Bers and Mellanie Wells.
John Cooper, Emeritus Information Officer, Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels, 21 June 2024