20 Apr 2019

2019AUTUMNTRIP REPORT
Written By Scott Brooks

THE PETREL STATION TRIP REPORT

Had a great day out at The Petrel Station on our latest pelagic seabird trip out of Tutukaka (in northern New Zealand). Conditions were overcast with a couple of spells of rain, variable light wind and a 1m swell.

Highlights of the trip were:

  • 3 Wilson's Storm Petrels that put on a great show flying round extremely close to the boat (within a metre at times) and hanging around for very long periods.

  • 21 New Zealand Storm Petrels counted at the same time off the back of the boat at the chum spot.

  • 8 Wandering Albatross of various ages and plumages.

  • A mixed pod of Pilot Whales and Bottlenose Dolphins right by the boat.

During the trip we saw 20 different seabird species.

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.

Here’s the full trip results from the day:

Seabirds seen:

  • 8 x Wandering Albatross

  • 3 x Campbell's Mollymawk

  • 1 x Giant Petrel

  • 7 x Fairy Prion

  • 300 x Buller's Shearwater

  • 20 x Flesh-footed Shearwater

  • 40 x Fluttering Shearwater

  • 2 x Little Shearwater

  • 2 x Cook's Petrel

  • 5 x Grey-faced Petrel

  • 25 x Black Petrel

  • 300+ x Common Diving Petrel

  • 21 x NZ Storm Petrel

  • 3 x Wilson's Storm petrel

  • 1 x White-faced Storm Petrel

  • 27 x Grey Ternlet

  • 40 x Gannet

  • 20 x Red-billed Gull

  • 7 x Black-backed Gull

  • 44 x Pied Shag

Other sea life included:

  • 12 x Pilot Whales

  • 15 x Bottlenose Dolphins

  • 2 x Fur Seals

Scott Brooks
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