Visually Impaired Paul with Guide Dog Taupo enjoy an Albatross Encounter

Paul Kibblewhite participated on the 9am Albatross Encounter tour with his guide dog Taupo. He has been blind for the last ten years and has a keen interest in birds. Although he could not visually enjoy the tour he commented that the commentary was superb and he would definitely be recommending the tour to the visually impaired. The skipper/guideprovided on board commentary in much greater detail than usual by advising what species were approaching the boat and what their actions and behaviour was. Paul stated that he particularly enjoyed the vocalization of the albatross as they entered the feeding frenzy at the back of the boat.

Taupo slept for the entire tour at the front of the boat!

Unusual Petrels

Hi all

A couple of petrel species spotted this week that we do not very often see in Kaikoura. Alastair spotted a cooks petrel and a mottled petrel on Tuesday the 1st of December.

Awesome White Morph Shots

Hi All

On the 25th Al also got some good shots of a very inquisitive White Morph.

Was seen all day Wednesday

Cheers

Alex

Unusual Mottled White chin

Hi All

On todays Albatross tour (Wednesday the 25th November) Alastair sighted a white chinned petrel with unusual motteling in its plumage. We have never seen a variant with these markings?

Sunday 8th November Great birding day!

Hi All

Gary had a bumper day on Sunday especially on the 9.00am Albatross Encounter tour. He (and four passengers) spotted an antarctic fulmar which is a great spot this time of year, and then on the same tour a yellow nosed albatross (Indian Ocean variety) which is a very unusual visitor to our shores. We only ever seen yellow nosed albatross on rare occasions so a very cool rarity.

Oil on seabirds

Alastair took these photos today of a Cape Petrel, Northern Royal Albatross and Salvins Albatross all with what appears to be oil stains on them. Its not very common to see here in Kaikoura and his guess is its the result of a fishing vessel clearing oil from its bilges whilst the birds were close around it.

Not a good thing to see....

Latest news at Albatross Encounter

Albatross Encounter Update August 2009

1/10/09

Welcome to the Ocean Wings update for the month of August 2009.

This month we had some great weather, particularly when we compare with the same month in 2008. In regards sightings for the month we had our regulars as well as Antarctic fulmar, white morph (southern giant petrel), but unfortunately no sightings of the elusive grey petrel. We are not seeing so many black-browed albatross, but the Westland petrel and Salvin's albatross are becoming more regular and toward the end of August we of course see large numbers of our wonderful Hutton's shearwaters. For a look at what we saw this month go to our sightings page.

Well August is Bristish Bird Fair month and once again we sent Gary Melville (one of our skippers) and Jo Thompson (Marketing and Promotions) to attend this years event. This year the Fair was one of the most successful with a record attendance and Gary and Jo were kept busy throughout the 3 days. We have some photos taken during the Fair.

With the record numbers attending the Fair this year, the auction stand was well supported and raised nearly £10,000 for the Saving Endangered Species programme. Albatross Encounter once again donated an albatross print on canvas taken by General Manager and photographer, Dennis Buurman, to this very worthwhile cause.

Another project Albatross Encounter has been involved with is the project to develop a Spanish-language educational resource about seabirds and bycatch for fishing communities and fishing schools that will be appropriate to use in many South American countries. This project has been undertaken by the Southern Seabird Solutions Trust and Pro Delphinus and we are very pleased to be associated with this project as a sponsor. It is very important that all fishing communities that operate in the Southern Ocean, realise the impirtance of employing mitigation methods to prevent the accidental catching of seabirds.

Well lets hope we have continued good operating conditions for pelagic trips in Kaikoura..........till next time