Yesterday was the inaugural, semi-regular, Tutukaka Pelagic Seabird trip which left Tutukaka and powered out past the Poor Knight Islands to the explore the deep trench area beyond.
Article and photos by Scott Brooks, 24th September 2017
10 of us were on the journey, with our awesome skipper Luke (Fish Tutukaka), and over the course of the day, we sighted 21 different seabird species (see full list below), a few other bird species on the Islands, 2 Brydes Whales and a huge possible blue whale water spout. A fantastic day had by all!
Seabird Photos from the trip
Highlights of the trip were:
- Approx 30 NZ Storm-Petrels seen during the trip – at one spot we had about 15 of them, along with some White-Faced Storm Petrels, hopping and flitting around the boat and in the chum trail often just a couple of metres from us – magical. These sscarce birds were declared extinct until rediscovered in 2003
- 16 huge Albatross / Mollymawks and 7 Giant Petrels – always a majestic sight
- A huge raft of approx 4,000 Bullers Shearwaters intermixed with Fluttering Shearwaters, Red Billed Gulls and Black Backed Gulls
- Lots of Little Shearwaters
I’m planning on organising these pelagic trips throughout the year to catch the different seasons and see what may be around from the tropics or from the colder regions, especially during migration times. If you’re interested in going on any future trips flick me you’re details via PM and I’ll add you to the list. A great chance to see a variety of sea birds, as well as check out the stunning Poor Knight Islands.
So here’s what we saw on the trip:
1 x Wandering Albatross (New Zealand)
5 x Wandering Albatross (Gibson’s)
8 x White-capped Albatross
2 x Black-browed Albatross (Campbell) – Both immature
7 x Northern Giant-Petrel
210 x Fairy Prion
9 x Cook’s Petrel
18 x Gray-faced Petrel
6000 x Buller’s Shearwater
200 x Fluttering Shearwater
1 x Flesh-footed Shearwater
4 x Sooty Shearwater
36 x Little Shearwater (Tasman)
70 x Common Diving-Petrel
30 x New Zealand Storm-Petrel
8 x White-faced Storm-Petrel
120 x Australasian Gannet
275 x Red-billed Gull
20 x Kelp Gull
2 x White-fronted Tern
2 x Little Penguin
8 x Variable Oystercatcher
25 x Pied Cormorant
1 x White-faced Heron
1 x Sacred Kingfisher
3 x Swamp Harrier
8 x New Zealand Bellbird
4 x Welcome Swallow
3 x House Sparrow
2 x Brydes Whales
1 x Huge Whale Spout (possible Blue)