Population counts of the Adelie penguin at Cape Hallett

The Adelie penguin colony at Seabee Spit, Cape Hallett was first discovered in 1956 and estimates then and later (Reid, 1964) detailed counts of the population was used to compare with a census conducted in the 1968/69 field season. An attempt was made to ascertain the population size of breeding penguins in late November and early December, 1968. Actual counts were made of incubating birds sitting on nests (each occupied nest representing a breeding pair). Photographs were also taken for subsequent counting. Aerial photographs were taken of both southern and western areas of the spit as well as the northern coast. Additional counting of birds in individual colonies and comparison with field counts. Ground counts were made of sub-colonies based on the map produced from Reid, 1964.