Great Shearwater??

Hi All

Gary spotted what appeared to be a great shearwater thisafternoon on the Albatross Encounter tour. He has shown the photographs around some other pelagic experts and the consensus is that it is indeed a great shearwater (usual range is the south Atlantic) if it is confirmed it would make it only the 3rd sighting in New Zealand.

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....