local breeding seabirds
Tutukaka, New Zealand
We’re very privileged to be in one of New Zealand’s, and the world’s, most important seabird breeding areas, and out on The Petrel Station tours we get to encounter an impressive 24 seabird species that breed on a myriad of offshore islands, or the mainland coast, in this seabird hotspot.
the Poor knights islands
Several seabird species breed on this stunning group of islands, and it’s the only place in the world that Buller’s Shearwater breed. It’s also the only North Island breeding site for Fairy Prions. We go past these islands on the tours and in season we can see both of these seabird species in the thousands!
The Poor Knights Islands are a fully protected marine reserve and we’ll often encounter huge feeding workups and rafting seabirds, especially during spring.
These seabird species are known to breed on the Poor Knights Islands:
Buller’s Shearwater (large populations)
Fairy Prion (large populations)
Pycroft’s Petrel
Black-winged Petrel
Little Shearwater
Fluttering Shearwater
White-faced Storm Petrel
Common Diving Petrel
Australasian Gannet
other seabirds breeding nearby
On The Petrel Station seabird tours we also see many other species that breed in the greater Hauraki Gulf pelagic area, or further north, including the famous New Zealand Storm Petrel which only breeds on Little Barrier Island.
This is an important breeding area for the following seabird species (on either offshore islands, or on the mainland):
New Zealand Storm Petrel
Cook’s Petrel
Black Petrel
Grey-faced petrel
Flesh-footed Shearwater
Sooty Shearwater
Little Blue Penguin
White-fronted Tern
Caspian Tern
Red-billed Gull
Black-backed Gull
Pied Shag
Little Pied Shag
Black Shag
Little Black Shag
Does being out amongst stunning seabirds sound like you? Must be time to come out to The Petrel Station.
help support the research
We’re seeking assistance to help support the seabird research project through donations, funding support, relevant expertise and equipment.