Penguin Island is a 5 minute ferry ride from Rockingham. Ironically, I didn't see any penguins but that is actually a good thing as they are either tucked up in their burrows or out at sea fishing, which is how it should be. Not disappointing at all, I'll see them some other time and the island had plenty to look at and photograph.
The island has a discovery centre and lots of volunteers and rangers around. The ferry service was well organised and overall it was a very well run tourist / conservation operation. Just shows what can be done. Having said that, if you can't handle irritated and loud gulls then don't come here. Silver gulls nest across the island and they are incredibly protective. I had to go past one that was guarding a chick - bad enough but it didn't see me until I was close. I really feared for my scalp and my ear drums!
As ever, I got to the island as early as possible. I overhead staff talking about a school trip so I knew I was on borrowed time. Children and wildlife photography just do not mix. Good then that I spotted the resident King Skinks while it was quiet. This one appeared to be hoovering up bird guano. No accounting for taste I suppose.
On the top of the ridge that ran along the centre of the island were dozens of pelican. I could see some were nesting but it took me some time to spot the youngsters. I know that pelican are birds (obviously) and so lay eggs (again ...). However, I never really thought of the chicks and that enormous bill. I became curious when I saw half grown chicks with clearly small bills. I caught a glimpse of a much younger chick with .... a much smaller bill. They looked very odd.
Where the hill meets the sea and the visitor's centre is was a patch of vegetation and as soon as I arrived, I could hear Buff-banded Rail calling. I returned when there were no people coming or going to the ferry and I saw at least 4. Bit tricky to photograph as they darted in and out of the undergrowth. I must have looked a bit odd, sitting on the boardwalk staring into a bush but I got a couple of shots so never mind.
The star of the show at Penguin Island was the Bridled Tern. I have seen them only once off the coast of Queensland. They are similar to the Sooty Tern but their white eyebrows extend further back. It gives them a severe but rather elegant look.
The terns were all over the island, courting and nesting. Often balanced precariously on the greenery, they were usually in pairs and as usual, squawked and chattered incessantly, often arguing with the nesting gulls.
It was very windy on my visit and that helped me get flight shots as the birds hovered into the wind as they came into land.
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