This Australian Bird Guide and my binoculars are on my desk at all times, unless I take them outside to try to identify seabirds. The detailed drawings help me to see more detail and I love reading about how the birds behave and where they live.

Before the expedition, I had some time to travel around southern Tasmania together with co-chief Brian and fellow correlator Ken. We saw more than 40 species of birds, and many of those are endemic to Australia or even to Tasmania.

Going outside to get some air and watch birds gives a nice break, but now I can’t wait for the first core on deck!