February 2014

Tuesday 18th February 2014

Pam Kemp

An illustrated talk on 'Antarctica'

A trip to majestic, remote Antarctica is truly the journey of a lifetime. Calving icebergs, breaching whales, deep-diving seals and cavorting penguins are just a few of the marvelous sights visitors can expect to encounter. Historic explorers' huts emphasise the adventure that it is to survive on this, the most extreme continent. Then there are the intangibles: space, silence, remoteness and dramatic vistas.

Adelie Penguin

Scientific name: Pygoscelis adeliae

Size: 5.4 kg (m), 4.7 kg (f)
Nest type: in colonies in the open, use stones to line nest
Favourite food: krill

No penguin, indeed no other bird, breeds further south than Adelie Penguins. Adelie Penguins show a number of specialised adaptations to the cold often encountered by this species that restrict heat loss.

Chinstrap Penguin

Scientific name: Pygoscelis antarctica

Size: 5.0 kg (m), 4.8 kg (f)
Nest type: in colonies in the open
Favourite food: krill

This delicately coloured bird is arguably the most beautiful of penguins. In contrast to other adult penguins, apart from Royal Penguins, this species has a white face. This is separated from the white belly by a thin dark line running under the lower part of the chin - therefore the name.