Upcoming Tutukaka Pelagic Seabird Trip : 25th March 2018

[ourspot]

Hi all

The next two Tutukaka Pelagic Seabird Trips are scheduled for:
– Sunday 25th February 2018 (currently 6 spaces available)
– Sunday 25th March 2018 (currently 8 spaces available)

The trip leaves Tutukaka, goes past the Poor Knight Islands, and then heads out to about 40km offshore to a deep trench which should hopefully be a good spot for sighting a variety of seabirds (inc shearwaters, petrels, albatrosses/mollymawks and storm-petrels), as well as possible whales. Naturally there’s no guarantee on what birds will be present (as it depends on the season and breeding cycles) but that’s part of the excitement of it.

We’ll aim to depart approx 7.00am and return to the marina late afternoon (or whenever everyones had enough).

Cost for the trip depends on how many people come. If there’s 10 people (which is the max for the boat) then it will be $140 each which includes boat charter and a bunch of burley and bait to attract the birds. If there’s less people then the trip price will go up to cover the costs. There is a minimum of 7 to 8 people required for the trip to go ahead. You’ll need to provide your own food/drink etc for the trip.

The boat is fairly basic with a small private toilet in the hull. While the boat’s not huge or flashy it does offer fantastic all round viewing (or fishing) potential. There’s pull down plastic on the sides and front if the weather gets a bit wet. Seating is basically a few chilly bins, and a couple of benches so there’s a bit of standing. The boat is 9.3 meters long and 3 metres wide (30.5 feet long x 10 feet wide), has a cruising speed around 18 knots and is fully compliant under Maritime New Zealand’s MOSS survey system.

Me and the skipper will be checking weather/swell conditions and will make a call 2 to 3 days out from the trip whether to go ahead or not.

Should be a great trip. Let me know if you’re keen or if have any questions about the trip.

Cheers Scott
021 322 324
scott@ourspot.nz

[ourspot]

Just an update on the next two scheduled Tutukaka Pelagic Seabird Trips:
– Sunday 25th February 2018 (FULLY BOOKED)
– Sunday 25th March 2018 (only 1 space available)

Cheers Scott

[ourspot]

Both trips are now full.

I'll be scheduling more trips over the next few months (in autumn and winter) and will advice future dates in the next few weeks.

Cheers
Scott

[ourspot]

One (possibly two) spaces have become available for the 25th March Tutukaka Pelagic trip if anyone is interested. Send me a text or an email if you’re keen or if have any questions about the trip.

Cheers Scott
021 322 324
scott@ourspot.nz

[sav]

Hi Scott,

What did you see on Feb 25? I know Oscar has photos of a presumed Pycroft's Petrel.

cheers

[ourspot]

Hi Sav

Will be posting a full list later today from the trip, but the highlights were 58 Gray Noddy swirling around the roosting rock and the boat, a Pycroft's Petrel, and 22 NZ Storm-Petrels, along with some White-Faced Storm Petrels.

Cheers Scott

[ourspot]

Someone has just had to cancel so there is now one place left available for the 25th March Tutukaka Pelagic trip if anyone is interested. Send me a text or an email if you’re keen or if have any questions about the trip.

Cheers Scott
021 322 324
scott@ourspot.nz