The Crèche is On
These chicks are just over 3 weeks old and have formed a crèche. They will huddle together against the cold and the Skuas while both parents are out feeding. Today is particularly cold and windy, so you can see they have packed themselves closely. As I watched, the outside one would shove and push its way into the middle, using its head to move the others aside and its feet to push itself in. Everyone would resettle and then the exercise would start again with the new outsider wanting in. They are not far from their nest sites and when the parents return there will be a vocal display as each parent searches and recognizes its own chick.
Penguins and Polynyas
The South Polar Region
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Postcards from the Field: Antarctica