Fwd: [seabirdsaus] Whangaroa Pelagics, Far North New Zealand

Am cross-posting this message for Detlef as I believe there would be interest within this list, please contact him on the given email for more info. Tom ———- Forwarded message ———- From: detlefdavies@yahoo.com [seabirdsaus] <seabirdsaus@yahoogroups.com> Date: 29 November 2014 at 10:08 Subject: [seabirdsaus] Whangaroa Pelagics, Far North New Zealand To: seabirdsaus@yahoogroups.com The group may be interested in pelagics in New Zealand – here is a report of our last trip in September: *Wednesday 3rd September * Day trip with John & Maggie Turner, Les Feasey, Nigel Milius, Wendy Hare & Alan Cordery. Left harbour at 8 am & headed NNE to usual chumming area. Cold at first with a little cloud cover, became warmer & sunny; NW breeze. Bottlenose Dolphin – a pod seen in the harbour, came towards us & moved out of the harbour mouth alongside us, great views, probably c.20. Red-billed Gull – few in the harbour, rafts of c.80 and c.150 beyond Stephenson Island. Black-backed Gull – c.30, some in harbour, few further out at sea than usual. Pied Shag – one at harbour mouth. White-fronted Tern – at least one in harbour, flocks of 6 and 10+ well out at sea in early afternoon. Fluttering Shearwater – 7 and c.20 respectively with the Red-billed Gull rafts; about another 25 in course of day. Fairy Prion – many seen throughout day, from just beyond Stephenson Island to early afternoon, up to 10 at once during chumming, probably 100+ during day. Common Diving Petrel – frequent during day, probably c.50. White-faced Storm Petrel – Fairly common during day, c.100 estimated. *Northern Giant Petrel* – adult early on which flew by once, bill had faint reddish spot, plumage mid-brown with paler face. *CAPE PETREL* – one of Snares Island race flew by close. Little Penguin – one well past Stephenson Island, one further out & one before harbour mouth on way back. White-capped Albatross – at least 4 seen, another 3 distant albatrosses were probably this species also. *NORTHERN ROYAL ALBATROSS* – an adult came past twice, quite close but not in view for long. New for these pelagics. Wandering (Gibson’s) Albatross – 2 seen, one of which sat on the water for a long time feeding on our chum. 2nd bird was an imm with white patches in centre of inner wings. *Little Shearwater* – more seen today than on previous trips, probably c.20. Always spooked by boat while still some distance away but managed a few photos. *Grey-faced Petrel* – 3, all brief. *Northern Giant Petrel* – one in afternoon, perhaps the same bird as earlier. *BRYDE’S WHALE* – blow seen at long range after moving from first chum spot, approached nearer & seen at surface a couple of times. Returned to harbour c.4.15 pm. Forthcoming pelagic dates : 11th December – 5 places left; 5th January 2015 – full with a wait list. Email detlefdavies@yahoo.com for details. Detlef Davies, Kerikeri, New Zealand __._,_.___ —————————— Posted by: detlefdavies@yahoo.com —————————— Reply via web post * Reply to sender <detlefdavies@yahoo.com?subject=Re%3A%20Whangaroa%20Pelagics%2C%20Far%20North%20New%20Zealand> * Reply to group <seabirdsaus@yahoogroups.com?subject=Re%3A%20Whangaroa%20Pelagics%2C%20Far%20North%20New%20Zealand> * Start a New Topic * Messages in this topic (1) This group is run by Tom & Marie Tarrant …. More images of land and seabirds can be found on our image database at www.aviceda.org/abid Visit Your Group – New Members 1 [image: Yahoo! Groups] * Privacy * Unsubscribe <seabirdsaus-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com?subject=Unsubscribe> * Terms of Use . __,_._,___ — ******************************** Ian (Tom) Tarrant Hawthorn East 3123 Victoria http://www.aviceda.org ********************************