10 Dec 2023

Sublime Sandy Bay – Wonderful wildlife on Macquarie Island

Our Birding Down Under adventure continued with an amazing start to the day as we observed an Orca before breakfast!

After a delicious breakfast and safety briefing we departed to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Macquarie Island to explore Sandy Bay. We didn't have to wait long to encounter some of the amazing wildlife, as we were greeted with a beachful of Southern Elephant Seal pups. Affectionately known as Super Weaners, these pups were adorable with huge brown eyes and attention-seeking curiosity. At around one month of age, pups are abandoned by their mothers, who make the return to sea leaving the pups to fend for themselves. A little further up the beach were the older male Elephant Seals lying in piles roughhousing and making a scene.

We knew there would be penguins - but still, we were not prepared for this amazing spectacle! It was breath taking views with King Penguins standing in large groups or parading in small groups - superbly beautiful with their long necks and glistening silver, white and yellow plumage. Meanwhile, the busy smaller Royal Penguins streamed across the beach on the way to or from the sea. Once in the water they put on a spectacle playing and washing, as we observed with smiles and laughter.

The highlights continued in the afternoon at either end of the beach - up the boardwalk to the Royal Penguin colony and along the lagoon to the King Penguin colony. The Royal Penguin colony was all action with bustling adults busy feeding the many hungry chicks. The King Penguin colony provided a symphony of sounds, as we were entertained by the bugling songs of the adults, which contrasted with the musical chiming call of the brown downy chicks.

The Zodiac transfer back to Heritage Adventurer allowed us to visit the Rockhopper Penguins. Once aboard we had to pinch ourselves to ensure the day wasn't a dream.

Images © C. Finch, Heritage Expeditions