Nests at a height of 130-150 meters above sea level: what Ukrainian polar explorers learned about penguins
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Ukrainian polar explorers observe penguins not only on Galindez Island, where the “Akademik Vernadskyi” station is located, but also in the entire area of the Argentine Islands-Kyiv Peninsula.
The spread of the thermophilic subantarctic penguin is one of the indicators of climate change, the National Antarctic Science Center says.
The Kyiv Peninsula is an oval-shaped peninsula mostly covered by glaciers, which is located on the continent opposite the archipelago of the Argentine Islands.
In the first half of October, biologists of the 28th UAE made a number of trips to neighboring islands to record penguins.
HOW UKRAINIAN SCIENTISTS STUDY PENGUINS ON NEIGHBORING ISLANDS The spread of the warm-loving subantarctic penguin is one of the indicators of climate change🔆 in the Antarctic🇦🇶, so Ukrainian scientists are watching 👀 these birds not only on the island of Galindez, where “Vernadsky” is located, but also in the entire area of the Argentine islands-peninsula of Kyiv. In particular, in the first half of October, biologists of the 28th UAE made a number of trips 🚤 to neighboring islands for records 🐧🐧 They discovered the southernmost colony 10 km from “Vernadsky”, and the northernmost – 30 km. These colonies are usually mixed, that is, different species of penguins of the same genus Pygoscelis nest in one place – subantarctic, antarctic and Adélie penguins. And blue-eyed Antarctic cormorants often live next to them. Out of 9 penguin colonies that our scientists examined🧐, cormorants were present in 6. 💬”This is most likely due to the fact that there are not so many suitable nesting sites and many species of birds like them at once. For example, the “most mixed” colony within our archipelago can be considered the one located on But Island. All three species of Pygoscelis and blue-eyed cormorants nest there,” said Vadim Tkachenko, a biologist of the 28th UAE. Subantarctic penguins predominate in all colonies – scientists have counted at least 30,000 of them😮 These are the red-beaked beauties who have also chosen our island, and now there are about 4,000 of them here. Researchers note that they choose the most diverse areas for nesting. The main thing is that there are 3 basic criteria: 🔸️rocks clear of snow 🔹️building material (mainly pebbles) 🔸️a convenient descent into the water. 💬”Therefore, we meet them on flat beaches, on small rocks in the sea, and even on steep mountain slopes. Subantarctic penguins can build nests quite high. We often see them on mountain slopes at an altitude of 130-150 meters above sea level, where they have already taken places for future nests,” the biologist explains. Scientists used drones to survey the area and decided to share the most interesting shots of their work. So enjoy watching😊 Thanks for the interesting information and video to Vadym Tkachenko.
Posted by National Antarctic Science Center Saturday, October 21, 2023
They found the southernmost colony 10 km from “Vernadsky”, and the northernmost – 30 km.
“These colonies are usually mixed, that is, different species of penguins of the same genus Pygoscelis nest in one place – subantarctic, Antarctic and Adélie penguins. And blue-eyed Antarctic cormorants often live next to them. Out of 9 penguin colonies that our scientists examined, cormorants were present in 6 “, – they tell in the center.
Scientists explain the spread of penguins by the fact that there are not so many suitable nesting areas and many species of birds like them at once.
The “most mixed” colony within our archipelago can be considered the one located on the island of But. All three species of Pygoscelis and blue-eyed cormorants nest there.” – said the biologist of the 28th UAE, Vadym Tkachenko.
Subantarctic penguins predominate in all colonies – scientists have counted at least 30,000 of them, they are the ones who liked the island where the Ukrainian polar explorers are staying. There are currently about 4,000 penguins on Galindez.
Researchers note that birds choose a wide variety of sites for nesting. The main thing is that the main criteria are present: rocks clear of snow, building material (mainly pebbles) and a convenient descent into the water.
“That’s why we meet them on flat beaches, and on small rocks in the sea, and even on steep mountain slopes. Subantarctic penguins can build nests quite high. We often see them on mountain slopes at an altitude of 130-150 meters above sea level, where they have already taken places for future nests.” – explains the biologist.
Scientists used drones to survey the area.
Video Vadym Tkachenko.
It will be recalled that earlier polar explorers showed how penguins go to the ocean for breakfast.
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