Oceanwide Day 5; Falkland Islands - Stanley

   On the birding front it was a much quieter day today, as we would spend the day at the Falkland capital of Stanley, before setting out to the open ocean after lunch. I was aware that this would represent my last chance to see the Comersons Dolphin, and so was excited when we moved into the natural harbour of Stanley to see a dolphin following the shoreline. However, it turned out to be a Peale’s Dolphin, although it was curious to observe the animal swimming on its back whilst tail slapping! My first time seeing such a behavior.

  Fortunately I did not have to wait long to relieve the Comersons Dolphin issue, as whilst waiting for the zodiacs to take us in to Stanley, I spotted two bow-riding on an approaching launch. The launch subseqnetly docked at our ship and I was able to look down on the two animals swimming below me. Throughout the morning these Commersons Dolphins were around, accompanying us whilst we were on the zodiacs and also swimming in the harbour when we boarded. It was quite the encounter for a species I thought we might miss. 

  The birding in Stanley was much the same as other Falkland sites, with Falkland Steamer Duck and Kelp Goose on the shoreline, and the usual assortment of passerines on the land. The only additions were a Variable Hawk and a the House Sparrows singing from every garden. We returned to the ship at 12:30, had lunch and then headed out to the open sea.

  The sea started well, with hundreds of birds feeding as we departed the Falkland Islands, including a rarity in the form of an Arctic Tern. But once we had passed the assortment of feeding seanirds, the sea quietened down significantly. There were a few highlights, including two Grey-rumped Storm-Petrel and our first Grey-headed Albatross, but otherwise it was limited.

  Cetacean activity was not bad in the grand scheme of things, but it was quite frustrating. A pod of at least three Peales Dolphins made an appearance just out from the Falkland Islands, but they did not linger. Out at sea we had at least four whales, with blows observed not even that distant, but for whatever reason the animals themselves stayed low in the water and even through photos they were difficult to see. They were ultimately left as whale unidentified. 

  There was a thick sea fret that moved in later afternoon, and once the briefing and dinner were complete, it was too dark to do any more watching. So we settled in to relax in preparation for our full day at sea tomorrow.