Albatross Encounter

Welcome Home Huttons Shearwater

2011-09-14T18:36:00.000-07:00

An event to celebrate the return of the Hutton's shearwater is planned for Saturday 24th September 2011.

The event kicks off at 2.00pm at South Bay Recreational Reserve with a karakia and welcome by Te Runanga O Kaikoura followed by kite flying and refreshments.

From 4.30pm there is a Rugby World Cup street festival at West End, Kaikoura and at 6.30pm all are welcome to attend the Mayfair Theatre for a special Wildlife Film, just a gold coin entry donation.

For further information, please click on the following link: http://www.huttonsshearwater.org.nz/

Report from our last full day pelagic trip

2011-07-02T20:40:00.000-07:00

If you are contemplating joining us for our all day pelagic trip on 30th July then you may be interested in what happened on our last trip in April.

Our regular team of Rob Lawrence, Igor Debski, Steve Wood and Peter Langlands were joined by Andrew Crossland, Niall Mugan, Philip Crutchely, Robbie Hewson and Ian Jury for our post equinox deep-sea trip.

We met at Albatross encounter at 0530 and were on the water by 0600, pitch black and a flat sea, no wind but light rain. After an hour of heading straight out at first light someone spotted a Storm petrel so we stopped and put the chum in and waited.

The feeling is always electric at this time and it wasn’t long before people were calling birds as they arrived, royals, white chinned and Westland petrels. The list continued Arctic Skua, Brown Skua and then some-one yelled “LONG-TAILED SKUA” and there it was with a great tail but almost tern sized (it is the smallest of the Skua’s). One flight though and gone but what a buzz. It was a lifer for many of us and a first for Ocean Wings. Pete Langlands got a great shot. Three species of Skua on the one trip is another record for us.

We shifted camp after seeing several grey-backed storm petrels and headed out to the 18nm line where we encountered a Wilsons storm petrel, grey-faced petrel and lots of fairy prions. There was a noticeable absence of cape petrel, giant petrel and wandering albatross on the outside.

We headed back towards South Point being followed by a brown skua, the heaviest of the skuas where the females are larger than the male which is the opposite of gulls, albatross and petrels. Not much happening there so onto Shearwater ally where we found a rather thin looking yellow -eyed penguin and a few little blue penguins.

There was some hope that we might see a great shearwater after Sav and I had seen one a couple of weeks ago but alas that was not to be though we had a great upwelling with 1000’s of gulls and shearwater’s feeding on the red krill with schools of cuta leaping out of the water to end what was one of our best deep water pelagic trips.

There was also a white-faced storm petrel, Salvin’s albatross and an Australasian gannet seen by Andrew that I had missed so three different species of storm petrel on one trip is another first for us.

If you are tempted then please contact our reservations team as spaces are still available but are limited. Should you wish to book this tour you can make a reservation by either calling us on 0800 733 365 or by emailing Encounter Reservations on info@dolphin.co.nz

Gary's Kermadec Trip onboard RV Braveheart

2011-07-02T20:06:00.000-07:00

On the 9th of May Gary was fortunate to go on a scientific expedition to the Kermadec Islands with Te Papa, Auckland Museum, Department of Conservation, Australian Museum and Radio N.Z. The trip was fortunate with the weather so a lot of work was possible and a great result was achieved.

The Kermadec's are our most Northern most islands and there are sub-tropical as well as tropical birds many of which breed there. There were some marvellous views of red tailed tropic birds, wedged tailed and little shearwaters. One afternoon, Gary watched a frigate bird catching small fish alongside the ship by dipping whilst still on the wing and was successful time and time again. They also chase the boobies like a skua would.

During my night time watches I would go around the ship and find the birds that had landed on the decks, scoop them up and have a bird in the hand experience. The white faced storm petrels were very common along with the wedge-tails and I also saw either a Phoenix or a Tahiti Petrel fly through but it was a brief sighting so I was not sure which one it was.

One thing that was a big surprise was when Clinton caught a large kingfish and three little shearwaters were found in its stomach all at the same level of being digested. This fish had specialized the art of birds for breakfast and it makes you wonder how many birds go this way. When you think about it the birds would be highly visible to these large and fast fish and I have attached a photo of these birds.

The expedition was mainly about the underwater side and amazing it is. I have dived a lot of the South Pacific but the Kermadec's stands out as one of the best places and I heard some of the professional divers say that some of these dives were the best in their lives. I always feel privileged every time I go there as it's not easy to get there but "Braveheart" goes quite regularly and some times they have room for one or two people. Check out their website http://www.braveheart.pn and also the Auckland Museum for the Kermadec site with lots of video footage http://kermadec.aucklandmuseum.com/#&slider1=2

Full day pelagic bird tour in July

2011-06-14T17:20:00.000-07:00

We are running an all day pelagic bird tour. The plan is to head about 20 miles offshore from Kaikoura on Saturday 30th July 2011 (with Sunday 31st as a back-up). We will get an early start to the day and head off at first light usually around 7am. We do need a minimum of 7 people and the cost is $175 per person which includes hot drinks and a packed lunch. We hope to see a wider range of species of pelagic birds and lots of albatross.

Spaces are limited, and should you wish to book this tour you can make a reservation by either calling us on 0800 733 365 or by emailing Encounter Reservations on info@dolphin.co.nz

Unknown Shearwater

2011-03-06T19:56:00.000-08:00

On the 1pm tour on the 7th or March (and his birthday incidently!) Gary spotted this very unusual looking shearwater, we are not sure what it is yet but will keep you posted as the theorys arise! please comment if you have any clues.

Weeks Report from Brent Stephenson

2010-10-20T13:47:00.000-07:00

One of New Zealand's premier bird watchers, Brent Stephenson of Wrybill Tours and Eco-Vista photography was down in Kaikoura for the week and has posted his report on the birding New Zealand forum:

Hi all,
Just heading home from a great 9 days in the South Island, with most time spent in Kaikoura. In all I managed to get out on six http://www.albatrossencounter.co.nz/ trips during this time. Good numbers of the usual suspects with the most common albatross being NZ wandering (all probably Gibson’s with no classic Antipodean seen) and Salvin’s. Over the six tours we did have a single Buller’s alb and latterly several black-browed, with white-capped seen in small numbers and one or two Southern Royals on most trips. Lots of Northern giant petrels, but no Southerns, Westland petrels were common, but only one or two white-chinned petrels per trip, and lots of Cape petrels of course. Sooty shearwaters put in an appearance in big numbers last week, obviously being held up after one of the southerlies, and then small numbers on most trips with ones and twos of short-tailed shearwaters on most trips also. Yesterday (Tues 19 Oct) we had the first Buller’s shearwater during my stint down there, and an ANTARCTIC FULMAR which made a brief pass of the boat before disappearing.
Today (Wed 20 Oct) we had 50+ fairy prions after the southerly last night, with no different prions amongst them – I checked a lot of them and took a lot of photos too, but yet to check those. The star of today however, was a GREY-BACKED STORM-PETREL which came in whilst we were pretty close in and fed in the slick for more than ½ and hour, at times being within 5m of the boat. Excellent views of this great little bird.
A big thanks to Dennis and Lynette at http://www.albatrossencounter.co.nz/,
and Jo and Alex for their hospitality. Thanks heaps guys!
I will post some photos here in the next day or so.
Cheers,

Gary helps with albatross rescue

2010-10-11T16:53:00.000-07:00

On Saturday Gary helped with the rescue of an old friend of his. A local charter fisherman, Ian Croucher saw a female Gibsons wanderer with close to 100m of braided fishing line wrapped tightly around her legs. He immediately called Gary who encouraged him to 'have a go'! at retreiving the bird onto his boat. Other than a knock on the head from one of her wings Ian managed to get the bird onto his boat and bring her into the marina. Gary met him there and the pair of them preceded to cut the line off her and were pleased to see the blood return to her leg and no apparent permanent damage.

Once the bird was cut free Gary took her back out to sea on Lissodelphis (one of the Dolphin Encounter vessels) where he released her and after a stretch of her wings she was happy to use both feet to sim off.

This female is special to Gary as she is the most sighted banded bird in the Kaikoura region. She is a 15 year old female Gibsons who is known to have had 3 different attempts at courship with no success (she is still single!) - Gary thinks it is because she knows how beautiful she is!

There is no doubt that without the keen eyes of Ian Croucher and both the skippers freeing her she would not have lasted long, so a great story.

See the Marlborough Express article.

Hutton's Shearwater Get Predator-Free Home

2010-08-30T17:52:00.000-07:00

The Minister, visitors, supporters and Trust members are welcomed to the Hutton's shearwater colony on the Kaikoura Peninsula

The Hon Kate Wilkinson cutting the ribbon to officially open the newly established predator proof fence with some of the Trust members, Nicky McArthur, Teri Sonal and Dennis Buurman

Minister of Conservation Kate Wilkinson and Trust Chairman Paul McGahan planting a tree within the new Hutton's shearwater colony on opening day

Great news for the Kaikoura Hutton's Shearwaters.

Wellington, Aug 28 NZPA- Kaikoura has celebrated the building of predator-proof fencing for a new colony of Hutton's shearwater -- a seabird species unique to Kaikoura.

Hutton's shearwater are one of the few seabird species that have survived on the mainland of New Zealand. Today only two colonies are left.

Minister Kate Wilkinson attended the celebration at Takahanga Marae and thanked the community for their help.

With only two remaining breeding sites on the Kaikoura Ranges' mountain slopes, Hutton's shearwater faced a precarious future, Ms Wilkinson said.

The Department of Conservation has been working towards building a third colony and the Hutton's shearwater charitable trust raised $220,000 to build a 563m predator-proof fence around it on the Kaikoura Peninsula.

Between 2005 and 2008 about 270 chicks were moved to the 2ha site.

They were fed and cared for there until they fledged, with the intention they would recognise it as their home and would return there to breed.

A number of chicks were killed by cats which made the fence essential, Ms Wilkinson said.

"It's great to see the Kaikoura community working together to achieve conservation goals."

All day Pelagic Report

2010-08-07T16:11:00.000-07:00

Hi All

Here is Gary's report from the all-day pelagic tour that took place on the 31st of July. It looks like it was a great success and we will look at puttin gon a spring all-day tour around the spring equinox.

Heading out at 0630 into the dark and headed 120 on the compass. The forecast was not good but that didn't deter the the regular deep sea commandos that have come on every deep sea pelagic that we have done so far. As we got out the North swell started to build but no wind and as it got lighter we witnessed a spectacular red sky which is usual with a nor west forecast. We arrived at 0745hrs at the 18 N.Miles mark off shore that we visited in March that went so well, put the bait in the water and waited with coffee and hot chocolate,chatting while the hard core keept a sharp look out.

We stayed for 3hours at the out side range and had Royals, Black-brows, Shy's, Bullers, but no Wandering and very few Cape petrel which seemed a bit strange. Some great views of Grey faced and westland petrels.

Wind still holding off so we worked our way inshore with a few more stops on the way.
Found a fishing boat off the Conway river and spent some time with them and had the big numbers but still very few Wanderings (2).

One more stop on the inside bank off the Conway and last chance to get a Grey petrel or
Antarctic Fulmar and just as we stopped the cry when up “Fulmar” but it was the only one. The reason that we didn't get many of the other birds was probably the off shore breeze but it was an enjoyable trip and the wind held off and no one was sea sick.

All Day Pelagic Tour Saturday 31st July

2010-07-04T14:44:00.000-07:00

Hi All

It has got to that time of year again when we are planning a deep ocean all day pelagic tour to see what unusual species we can spot off the Kaikoura coastline.

The check in time is 6.00am on Saturday the 31st of July (with Sunday 1st August as a backup for weather). The reason for the early start is to be well offshore for first light.

The cost is $175 andwe can provide a packed lunch for $10.

For more info or bookings email: info@dolphin.co.nz or call

on 0064 3 3196777 or freephone 0800 733365

Blue Petrel Beach Wrecked

2010-07-03T13:55:00.000-07:00

Local bird enthusiast Bev Elliot brought a beach wrecked bird in to Gary on Thursday. Gary took some photographs (which I will try and post up this week) and sent them around to some of his expert friends, although the tail feathers were missing the i.d. was unanamous and it is likely to be a blue petrel. This species is very unusual for Kaikoura and something we will be looking out for on our July tours.

Banded Gull

2010-06-27T19:14:00.001-07:00

Kaikoura regular and ardent birder Peter Langlands snapped this black-billed gull on the beach and managed to ID the tag number, as it turns out it was banded as a chick in 2004 at Bayswater on the Aparima River , Southland.

Its great to see the distance the gulls travel to come to Kaikoura, must be something to do with the very productive food web we have here as caused by the constant upwellings and very deep water close to land.

Photo: Peter Langlands

Photos from All-Day Pelagic

2010-03-22T14:10:00.000-07:00

Peter Langlands has sent some photos from the all-day pelagic tour, I will post them up as he sends them to us.

Offshore Pelagic tour 20th March

2010-03-21T12:36:00.000-07:00

Hi All

Peter Langlands was on the tour and posted this species list and report on the birding forum:

On Saturday seven birders went out on the Albatross Encounter extended offshore pelagic. Going as far as 20 nm miles SE off Kaikoura Peninsula the trip was an outstanding success- The highlight was the sighting of Cook's, soft-plumaged and mottled petrel with the additional sighting of a FOURTH Cookilaria which may very well be a Gould's Petrel ( I have photos and will post them tomorrow when I get home). This was our finest hour- they came through in a short space of time in morning.
The trip list for the day ( from 8am- 3pm) is as follows
5 Northern royal albatross
2 Southern royal albatross
1 Gibsons albatross
1 Antipodean albatross ( immature)
1 black browed albatross- Campbell Island 10 NZ white -capped albatross
3 Salvin's albatross
3 Southern Buller's albatross
5 northern giant petrel
5 westland black petrel
15 white chinned petrel
10 cape pigeon (nominate)
3 Diving petrel
2 Fariry Prions
50 Huttons shearwater
10 bullers shearwater
1 Sooty Shearwater
5 Short tailed shearwater
6 Wilsons storm petrel
5 Brown skua- chased wandering albatross - ambition !!!
1 Pomarine skua
3 arctic skua
3 black billed gull - 10 miles offshore
5 black fronted tern up to 20 miles offshore

Thanks to Gary for being the skipper- a great day. Took 16 GB of photos !!!
Regards
Peter

Great Shearwater??

2010-02-13T19:09:00.000-08:00

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

2010-01-20T20:15:00.000-08:00

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

2009-12-02T14:38:00.000-08:00

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

2009-11-25T12:10:00.000-08:00

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

2009-11-24T19:18:00.000-08:00

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!

2009-11-09T15:13:00.000-08:00

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

2009-10-21T20:53:00.000-07:00

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....

2009-10-03T14:46:00.000-07:00

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

Birds at the moment

2009-09-20T14:23:00.000-07:00

Morning

I thought i would write breifly on what birds of note we have spotted lately on our Albatross Encounter tours (www.albatrossencounter.co.nz). We have seen our usual plethera of albatross species (the record is still 10 in one day) but 2 days ago we saw an Antarctic Fulmar http://nzbirds.com/birds/fulmararctic.html which was only the third we have seen this year, this is something of a concern as the numbers of the Antarctic fulmars are well down on previous years.

On a more positive note we have seen quite a few white morphs of the southern giant petrel http://nzbirds.com/birds/giantpetrel.html which is always a welcome visitor.

Albatross Encounter on Twitter!

2009-09-20T14:20:00.000-07:00

Hi All

You can now follow daily (or every few days depending on whats occuring!) tweets from our twitter feed. https://twitter.com/AlbatrossEnc

If this seems like a foriegn language to you twitter is a great way to get regular updates or to chat about what you have seen lately or if you are planning any trips to Kaikoura let us know.

Many thanks

Alex

All Day Pelagic tour Cancelled 25th July 2009

2009-07-21T20:36:00.000-07:00

The all day pelagic tour scheduled for Saturday 25th July 2009 has been cancelled. If you need further information contact Albatross Encounter on 0800 733 365.