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title: "1741 pairs of Critically Endangered Tristan Albatrosses are incubating on Gough Island this season"
---

# 1741 pairs of Critically Endangered Tristan Albatrosses are incubating on Gough Island this season

Over 25 January – 2 February this year an island-based research team of the [RSPB](https://www.rspb.org.uk/)’s [Gough Island Restoration Programme](https://www.goughisland.com/) undertook the annual whose-island count of incubating [Critically Endangered](http://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/22728364) Tristan Albatrosses *Diomedea dabbenena*(read more on team member [Chris Jones’ blog](https://www.goughisland.com/blog/the-southerly-breeze-brings-success-counting-incubating-tristan-albatross-on-gough-island?fbclid=IwAR0ShtAw2edl_87lHDlwEGE_i8088n4hY4M2H3NWRJ1Jt5Ybo5X9tmQcvOo) on the count).

 This season the count is up from the total of 1453 breeding pairs counted last year - although year-to-year fluctuations are to be expected in a biennially-breeding species.  Tristan Albatrosses on Gough Island are at risk to attacks on their downy chicks by introduced House Mice *Mus musculus*, resulting in a very low breeding success every year, insufficient to maintain the population.  This should change if the planned poison bait drop set for next year succeeds.

 ![](https://acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/T/Tristan/Tristan_Albatross_by__Ross_Wanless_and_Andrea_Angel_2.jpg)

 A Tristan Albatross and its chick on Gough Island, photograph by Andrea Angel/Ross Wanless

 The Gough Island Restoration Programme is being carried out by the RSPB in partnership with Tristan da Cunha, [BirdLife South Africa,](http://www.birdlife.org.za/) the [Department of Environmental Affairs in South Africa](https://www.environment.gov.za/)and [Island Conservation](https://www.islandconservation.org/).  The programme is part-funded by the RSPB, the UK Government, the [National Fish and Wildlife Foundation](http://www.nfwf.org/Pages/default.aspx)and other generous individuals and organisations.

 *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 16 March 2019*

 On 31 January 2007 I arrived at Waterfall Camp below the island’s highest peak for that year’s Tristan Albatross count.  A significant day as it fell on my 60th birthday (I hiked with a celebratory fruit cake) and it was also my last day of academic employment.  Twelve years on and I am still enjoying retirement!  *JCII*