Adlie Penguin Population Count, Cape Royds, Ross Island, Antarctica The southern most Adlie Penguin Breeding Colony, Cape Royds, Ross Island, Antarctica. The colony is divided into smaller breeding groups which are numbered. The categories to count and what they look like from the ground. Number of adults Number of occupied nesting areas Number of pairs Number of non active nests A common sight in the breeding colony now. This is a mated pair with a nest and probably eggs. The standing penguin is the mate of the nesting penguin because they are close. The nesting penguin will not allow anything close to the nest except the mate. A common sight in the breeding colony now. This is an active nest with eggs. Its mate has left on a foraging trip and will be back in a few hours to a few days. The eggs can not be left unattended, so they take turns sitting on them. 2 adults 1 pair 1 occupied nest area 1 adult 1 occupied nest area Resting penguin. It looks like they are laying on a nest, but there are no rocks. A pair of penguins that have built a nest so this is considered a nesting area or territory, but there are no eggs. If there were, one of the adults would probably be laying on them. This is considered a non active nest. 1 adult 2 adults 1 pair 1 occupied nest area 1 non active nest Here are some examples of what you will see in the pictures and how to count them. A. This bird is laying on a pile of rocks which indicates a nest. We assume there are eggs so consider this an active nest. Counted as a) 1 adult, b) 1 occupied nest area. B. Notice the bird on the nest. The bird standing close to it must be the mate or the nested bird would never allow it to be that close. Counted as a) 2 adults, b) 1 occupied nest area, c) 1 pair. C. This bird is a long way from the group which usually means they are just resting. Note he is outside of the brown area which means he is not part of the breeding group. Do not count this bird. D. This is a South Polar Skua. Do not count. E. This bird is alone and near the group but not on a nest. Notice there are no rocks under him. Counted as a) 1 adult. F. This is another nesting pair. You can see the pile of rocks under the one adult and since the second adult is so close it must be the mate. Counted as a) 2 adults, b) 1 occupied nest c) 1 pair. Discuss with your groups how you would score these. Key to Practice Test #1 1. Counted as a) 1 adult, b) 1 occupied nest area c) non active nest (this is because even though he is close to the group and may be claiming this as a territory, there is no pile of rocks. 2. Counted as a) 2 adults, b) 1 occupied nest area, c) 1 pair 3. Counted as a) 1 adult, b) 1 occupied nest area 4. Counted as a) 1 adult, b) occupied nest area c) non active nest ( see note in #1 and clearly there are no eggs here.) Now try these. Discuss with your groups how you would score these. Key to Practice Test #2. 1. Counted as a) 1 adult, b) 1 occupied nest area, 2. Counted as a) 2 adults, b) 1 occupied nest area, c) 1 pair 3. Counted as a) 1 adult, b) 1 occupied nest area, c) not active nest (no eggs) 4. Counted as a) 2 adults, b) 1 nest area, c) 1 pair (we counted the one in front of it, but its a judgment which one of two close ones this is mated to) Get a copy of the practice test groups and compare you totals with the researchers. If you are within 1-2 counts that is good. Every time we count we come up with different numbers. That is why we need fresh eyes to help. Check your totals with the researchers. Red = adult = 60 Lt Blue = occupied nest area = 52 Yellow = pair = 3 Pink = nest is not active = 5 Check your totals with the researchers. Red = adult = 69 Lt Blue = occupied nest area = 62 Yellow = pair = 3 Pink = nest is not active = 6 Thank you for helping Contact us and send your results to: For information about penguins go to our website: