New Zealand (Whitianga)

Nov 26, 2017 Whitianga Pelagic Trip

13:00-19:30
Cloudy
Wave height : 1-1.5m (a swell from the east)
Wind condition : 4-5m (from the northeast)
We joined the pelagic trip by Wrybill Birding Tours.

We want to see a certain Pycroft’s Petrel. Because there are uncertainty records of Pycroft’s Petrel? in Japan. So we wants to make sure of Pycroft’s Petrel! In the Mercury Islands, at off Whitianga, there are colonies of Pycroft’s Petrel. The main purpose of this pelagic trip is observing Pycroft’s Petrels around their colonies. In the end, we could observe 3? Pycroft’s Petrels! We understood that ID is very difficult…  But the body balance, face and neck pattern and bill size are certainly different! It is exciting that we could observe 2 Little Shearwaters. In comparison to Bryan’s Shearwater, the under parts (especialy under wing and under tail) of Little Shearwater Puffinus assimilis looks more white! In addition, we could observe many Buller’s Shearwaters and some Cook’s Petrels, Parkinson’s Petrels and White-faced Storm-petrels.
And the seafood in Whitianga is very delicious!! It was good day :)!

Bird List

  • Blue Penguin
  • Cook’s Petrel
  • Pycroft’s Petrel
  • Fairy Prion
  • Parkinson’s Petrel
  • Flesh-footed Shearwater
  • Buller’s Shearwater
  • Hutton’s Shearwater
  • Fluttering Shearwater ?
  • Little Shearwater
  • Common Diving-petrel
  • White-faced Storm-petrel
  • Australasian Gannet
  • Little Pied Cormorant
  • Pied Cormorant
  • Swamp Harrier
  • Variable Oystercatcher
  • Red-billed Gull
  • Black-backed Gull
  • Caspian Tern
  • White-fronted Tern

New Zealand (Kaikoura)

Nov. 23, 2017 Kaikoura pelagic trip

9:00-13:00
Sunny and occasional cloudy
Wave height : <0.5m
Wind condition : gentle breeze (East)

Kaikoura is one of the most famous spot of seabirding.
We joined the pelagic trip by Albatross Encounter.

As soon as we left the port, we saw the Albatrosses, Petrels and Gulls that followed the fishing boat. We started first chuming session near the fishing boat. The main species were Wondering Albatross, Salvin’s Albatross, Northern Giant Petrel, Cape Petrel and Westland Petrel. And there were several White-capped Albatrosses. After that, our boat stands out to sea, Royal Albatross could be seen. Many of them were Southern Royal Albatross, and fortunatrly, we could see a few Northern Royal Albatrosses. On the way of back to the harbor, we played with Dusky Dolphins and we encountered with Spotted shags. Further, the large flock of Hutton’s Shearwaters was a fine sight. We could meet a lot of seabirds, it was a moving trip!
thanks!

Bird List

  • Northern Royal Albatross
  • Southern Royal Albatross
  • Wandering Albatross (Gibson)
  • White-capped Albatross
  • Salvin’s Albatross
  • Northern Giant Petrel
  • Westland Petrel
  • White-chinned Petrel
  • Cape Petrel
  • Hutton’s Shearwater
  • Sooty Shearwater
  • Short-tailed Shearwater
  • Pied Cormorant
  • Spotted Shag
  • White-fronted Tern
  • Black-backed Gull
  • Red-billed Gull
  • Australasian Gannet

Others…

  • Dusky Dolphin
  • New Zealand Fur Seal