ocean wanderers

A collection of seabird images, brought to you by MSC Cruises, to celebrate some of the special species seen on the Flock to Marion voyage.

- MIKE BUCKHAM

This adult Wandering Albatross was one of many of these majestic birds that we saw around Marion and Prince Edward Island on ‘Albatross Thursday:

After three years of waiting and overcoming a considerable number of hurdles, in late January 2022 BirdLife South Africa's Flock to Marion departed Cape Town harbour. We were southbound for the Prince Edward Islands aboard the luxurious MSC Orchestra...

The Prince Edward Islands are situated in the Roaring Forties, approximately 2130 kilometres south-east of Cape Point, and consist of two volcanic islands breaching the surface in the deep, cold-water currents of the Southern Ocean. Marion Island is the larger of the two (approximately 290 square kilometres), with Prince Edward Island (45 square kilometres) lying about 22 kilometres to the north-east. Both islands are surrounded by the Prince Edward Islands Marine Protected Area, which was proclaimed to care for the sensitive fauna and flora on and around the islands. They are home to 29 breeding species of birds: five albatross, 14 petrel, four penguin and six others.

For most on board, seeing the Critically Endangered Tristan Albatross was one of the highlights of the Flock to Marion trip.