site.btaOrnithologists Monitor Giant Petrel, Penguin Colonies on Livingstone Island

Ornithologists Boyan Michev and Ilia Vatev from the Institute of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Research at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences have monitored giant petrel and penguin colonies in bays on the western side of Livingstone Island as part of the 33rd Bulgarian Antarctic expedition. The fieldwork was conducted using a drone.

The ornithologists examined two large penguin colonies and monitored the nests of giant petrels. Their observations helped confirm the findings of previous studies, including the stage of development of the colonies, the presence of chicks, and whether the birds had eggs. This work is key for tracking annual breeding success, determining the age of the chicks, and assessing nest density. “There are three locations with petrels, with the main colony located above the penguins. There are also smaller sub-colonies,” Boyan Michev told BTA.

The Bulgarian naval research vessel Sv. Sv. Kiril i Metodii (RSV 421) departed from Varna on its third Antarctic expedition on November 7, 2024, and arrived at Livingston Island on December 28. The St Kliment Ohridski Bulgarian Antarctic Base on Livingston Island opened for the new polar season on November 23, 2024.

BTA has a national press club on the vessel and at the Bulgarian Antarctic base. This is the third year in a row that BTA has sent a correspondent to Antarctica. This year's correspondent is Milena Ostrovska, who arrived at the base on January 17. Her reports are available for free in English at the Bulgaria-Antarctica Log on BTA's website and can be used for free by all media with attribution to BTA.