6 Nov 2022

THE PETREL STATION TRIP REPORT

Had another great spring day out at The Petrel Station on our latest pelagic seabird trip out of Tutukaka (in northern New Zealand). Conditions on the day were fine, with great wind (15 knots) and a 1.5m swell.

The highlights of the trip were:

• 8 Mottled Petrels

• A Long-tailed Skua

• More spring encounters with huge groups of seabirds feeding.

During the trip we saw 22 different seabird species, and enjoyed watching just short of 70,000 stunning seabirds in total! The full seabird species list is below.

If you’re interested in coming out to The Petrel Station then check out the upcoming trip dates and get in touch – it’s always a great day out.

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Mottled Petrel

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Australasian Gannet

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Long-tailed Skua

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Grey-faced Petrel

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Buller's Shearwater feeding workup

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NZ Wandering Albatross (Gibson's)

Here’s the full trip results from the day:

Seabirds seen:

• 1 x Wandering Albatross (Gibsons)

• 12 x White-capped Albatross

• 35,000 x Fairy Prion

• 8 x Mottled Petrel

• 4 x Pycroft’s Petrel

• 120 x Cook’s Petrel

• 12 x Black Petrel

• 15 x Grey-faced petrel

• 20 x Sooty Shearwater

• 600 x Flesh-footed Shearwater

• 30,000 x Buller’s Shearwater

• 600 x Fluttering Shearwater

• 22 x Little Shearwater

• 12 x New Zealand Storm Petrel

• 45 x White-faced Storm Petrel

• 1 x Wilson’s storm petrel

• 800 x Common Diving Petrel

• 1 x Long-tailed Skua

• 1,250 x Gannet

• 550 x Red-billed Gull

• 5 x Black-backed Gull

• 55 x Pied Shag

Other marine life included:

• NZ Fur Seal

• School of Common Dolphins (approx 40)