Richard Polatty
Feb 16, 1998
 

I have just returned from another week in the islands (Feb 7 - Feb 14) . It has been a bit wetter since my last report. I was poured on Feb 8 at Prince Phillip Steps on Tower. The rain did not let up for the entire trip to Isabela showing a northern island wide pattern. There were high winds associated with the rain. Some boats broke free of their moorings in San Cristobal that night. There were no male frigates displaying on the beach side of Darwin Bay but several groups were displaying in the afternoon at Prince Phillip Steps. The Masked Boobies are successfully fledging some older chicks (about 3 months old).

The weather was foul in the west in the Bolivar Channel on Feb 9. Wave heights exceeded 8 feet with pouring rain. It let up in late morning an penguins and cormorants were observed at Punta Vicente Roca. The afternoon produced some of the most amazing weather that I have ever seen in Galapagos. At appx. 3pm, a torrential rain started at Punta Espinosa on Fernandina. It quickly turned into a hail storm. The particles were about 2mm in diameter and were blowing almost horizontally. I have talked with several long time residents of Galapagos (more than 50 years for some of them) and they had never even heard of hail in the islands. Tui de Roy told me that it would be possible in the highlands but I don't think that she had ever witnessed it though. El Niño is producing some truly incredible effects.

The fur seals seem to have left from Puerto Egas on Santiago although quite a few were seen at Tower. Many migrant birds are in the islands such as Whimbrels, Semi-palmated Plovers, Ruddy Turnstones, and Sanderlings. On Feb 11 there were several groups of displaying male Magnificent Frigates seen on North Seymour although no boobies were seen. The number of Land Iguanas at South Plaza is incredible. It must be because they are spreading over the entire island to feed now (all the way to the sea lion batchelor colony). I have never seen any where near as many on the trail in any previous year.

The number of Greater Flamingos at Punta Cormorant is also impressive. 105 individuals were counted (140 last week!) There was even a group of courting flamingos. There was only one sea turtle seen at the "sting ray beach" on Floreana but no sting rays. Sea lions are starting to look emaciated in some areas. The pups are the main ones that seem to be affected.

El Niño is here in full force but it is a fascinating experience to watch the anomalies and see how the animals cope. The water temperatures are still in the mid 80s (F) with a high of 86.5F measured at Gardner Bay, Española. The snorkeling is fabulous with all of the "tropical fish" doing fine and good visibility in many spots.