Snow Petrel Research and Celebrating the Holidays
On 23 December, just a few days before Christmas, the Princess Elisabeth Antarctica welcomed two ornothologists studying snow petrels, a new doctor, and an additional plumber. Following the necessary field training, the ornothologists from the ANTSIE project got to work with the help of the IPF's team of field guides and experts. Scientists from the PEACE project also headed out into the field. And of course, the entire team celebrated Christmas at PEA with the usual escellent dinner prepared by the station's cook.
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A group picture of the departure of the Venturi team along with IPF team members and the arrival of the new doctor, plumber, and ANTSIE scientific team coming to study snow petrels around the station.
© International Polar Foundation
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Most scientists use ski-doos to get around in the vicinity of the station and when in the field. During the training that IPF gives to all newcomers to the station, everyone learns how to use and maintain their own ski-doo.
© International Polar Foundation
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Eleanor Honan and Stephanie Prince from the ANTSIE project went to the top of Utsteinen Nunatak to install a GPS antenna with the help of Alain Hubert, field guide and Expedition Leader, and Tom Sage-Segard, the station's carpenter.
© International Polar Foundation
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Expedition Leader Alain Hubert guides the ANTSIE team to the top of Utsteinen Nunatak to install a mast that will hold an antenna that will collect GPS data from snow petrels on their way back from the coast, where they feed.
© International Polar Foundation
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Eleanor and Stephanie pose with the GPS antenna their project is using to track snow petrel flight activity.
© International Polar Foundation
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Eleanor and Stephanie from the ANSTIE project on their first day in the field to capture snow petrels on Utsteinen Nunatak. They put GPS trackers and GLS data logger on the tails of the birds they captured. The protective suits the scientists are wearing protect their clothes from the fluids the snow petrels regurgitate.
© International Polar Foundation
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Oops! Eleanor and Stephanie demonstrate why it's so important to wear protective gear when working with snow petrels!
© International Polar Foundation
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IPF's Automatic Weather Station team, Simon Steffen and Derek Houtz, performing maintenance on one of the AWS stations installed on Vesthaugen Nunatak fro the PEACE project. The AWS has been collecting weather data for many years now.
© International Polar Foundation
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Simon and Dereck, from the PEACE project, pose on Vesthaugen Nunatak (30km north of PEA) with the majestic Sør Rondane Mountains in the background.
© International Polar Foundation
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Station cook Christine Mattel prepares desert for Christmas Dinner with extreme care. It was a wonderful meal for this special evening!
© International Polar Foundation
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Station cooks Christine Mattel and Thomas Duconseille prepared a very special Christmas Dinner on December 25th.
© International Polar Foundation
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The "scientists" table at Christmas Dinner at PEA. In the background you can see the station's Christmas tree, made from recycled wood.
© International Polar Foundation
