Where to start? Two pelagic trips out of Kaikoura on the east coast of South Island to look for albatrosses and other sea birds and I was not to be disappointed. Thank goodness there was a guide at the helm who was able to identify the various species that cam e in to squabble and fight over the "chum" that was put out at the stern.. Indeed, I eventually had to resort to a short lens as the birds were so close; so close that, given the opportunity, they would, literally, have been feeding out your hand.
My notebook records that we saw Wandering, Northern Royal, Salvin's, White-capped Albatrosses on the first pelagic (27 February) and the same plus Southern Royal on the following day. A full list of the birds seen on these two pelagic trips is given at the end of this section.
Wandering Albatross Diomedea exulans
Southern Royal Albatross Diomedea epomorphora
Northern Royal Abatross Diomedea sanfordi
Salvin's Albatross Thalassarche salvini
Birds seen on the two pelagic trips:
Wandering Albatross, Northern Royal Albatross, Southern Royal Albertross, Salvin's Albatross, White-capped Albatross.
Northern Giant Petrel, White-chinned Petrel, Westland Petrel, Flesh-footed Petrel, Cape (Pigeon) Petrel.
Pink-footed Shearwater, Hutton's Shearwater, Buller's Shearwater.
Little Blue Penguin
Australasian Gannet
Spotted Shag
Southern Black-backed Gull, Red-billed Gull, Black-billed gull, Caspian Tern, White-fronted Tern, Back-fronted Tern.
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