My work at Mawson (part 2 of 4)
Friday 14th January 2000

... continued

The main claim to fame of the APMS is that it can automatically identify and weigh Adelie penguins as they leave the rookery for their feeding grounds, and then weigh them again when they get back and then determine how much food they have eaten on their journey. The penguin rookeries are surrounded by a small fence with an entrance and exit where a weighbridge is placed. The APMS identifies each penguin with a 'TIRIS tag' which is a little microchip implant under the penguins skin (just like with pets). The weighbridge can weigh the penguin while it walks over the bridge because you cannot rely on a penguin standing still to get an accurate reading !

An Adelie penguin crossing the APMS weighbridge

Travelling to and from Bechervaise and Verner can also be an interesting exercise. When the sea ice is frozen, the preferred method is to use quads, but when there are no quads you have to use alternatives - for example the Mawson buggy.

This buggy has been an recreational mode of transport over the sea ice at Mawson for quite a long time. It has seen numerous changes and "improvements" including red and blue flashing lights (for use as a police car) and studs in the tyres (for improved cornering performance). It even used to have Commonwealth number plates! I am told that it is excellent fun to drive (something I haven't done yet) but I can believe that because it is fun to be a passenger in aswell.

Leighton & Knowles pose with the Mawson Buggy at Bechervaise Island - used for one of my "working" trips.

Since Bechervaise Island is only about 4 km from Mawson, there are other more environmentally friendly methods of transport which I prefer. The best one is walking and dragging a sledge behind you. Dragging a sledge is not hard at all. You can load it up - even with 150kg of equipment, and not notice any drag because it slides over the ice very easily. I have walked out to Bechervaise Island twice - and really enjoyed both trips.

Garry Watson and I walking to Bechervaise Island

Email continues in part 3