Day 4

The morning started off with some wet and windy weather but we forged through it and headed off to Nonsuch Island. In addition to the weather, the larger of the boats was broken down necessitating us to have two shuttles via Castle Harbour rather than one shorter less adventurous trip. The first group made is safely to the island and our captain returned to the dock for group #2. Upon arrival, our fantastic guide Kyla took us on a fantastic hike all the while explaining the master plan of the island and the beautiful story of the Cahow. The Cahow (aka. Bermuda Petrel) was thought to be extinct for over 300 hundred years and in the early 1950's the bird was re-discovered. Scientist named Dr. David Wingate began to push the species back into existence from less than 18 pair in the early sixties to over 115 pairs as of 2015. Wingate spurred Dr. Jeremy Madeiros to continue his work from Nonsuch along with a restoration project aimed at bringing the island back to its' state from hundreds of years ago when there were only endemic and native species.

 After a fantastic morning on the island, we learned there were a couple of on shore issues with the boat coming back to get us. The BIOS staff were able to reach out and find some friends to shuttle us back and forth. Trip one began uneventfully but didn't continue in that direction as the dock we were being dropped off at had a locked gate and the captain needed to head back across the harbor directly into the freshening breeze and white caps. Group #1 made it safely but the captain chose to wait out the wind and tide prior to making trip #2. Another vessel was secured but was unable to make it under the causeway and another alternate plan needed to be made. Some time spent in the lee on Nonsuch kept everyone safe and dry albeit a bit hungry as we were over two hours late for lunch. Once again a great save by friends of BIOS led to a larger and quicker boat ride for the remaining 6. The great chefs at BIOS saved lunch for us, which we devoured as soon as we returned. Next, showers a little down time, dinner, and our nightly reflection session. The students were so introspective and happy even though the weather had changed our schedules. Time for another strong sleep and looking forward to a hike along the beaches on Horseshoe Bay!