Penguin Survey in Antarctica

Scientist Alex Borowicz from Stony Brook University counts Gentoo penguin nests on Livingston Island, Antarctica. An observer must count every single penguin nest, one by one, and repeat the count three times within a 5% margin to ensure accuracy. It’s often easiest to find a high point with a good view, and use landmarks (like rocks and other terrain features) to visually divide up large chunks of birds.
Greenpeace is in the Antarctic to investigate the impacts of the climate crisis as part of the Protect the Oceans Expedition, a year long pole to pole ship tour, campaigning for the establishment of ocean sanctuaries to safeguard this frozen region and its penguins, seals and whales, and to help address the climate emergency.

(This picture was taken in 2020 during the Antarctic leg of the Pole to Pole expedition under the Dutch permit number RWS-2019/40813)