Wildlife of Anchor Island, Dusky Sound

[Colin Miskelly]

I was on Anchor Island 20-21 March at the invitation of the Department of Conservation, to undertake an assessment of the island’s suitability for snipe. As I was only on the island for 27 hours, and did not get to all parts, the following list should not be considered complete.
Fiordland crested penguin One patch of moulted feather above Anchor Island harbour
Little shag One white-throated morph at Luncheon Cove
Pied shag 30+ nests on the south shore of the large lake in the middle of the island
New Zealand falcon Not seen 20-21 March, but at least one breeding territory reported by James Fraser
Southern black-backed gull One adult and an immature off Anchor Island harbour
Red-billed gull Juvenile heard calling at night
New Zealand pigeon Common, 20+ seen, including two display-diving
Kakapo Anchor Island holds about a third of the world’s kakapo (translocated in 2005). Several recently-used display bowls were seen. Four birds silhouetted against the full moon in the same 8 metre-tall yellow-silver pine at night.
South Island kaka Six birds in tall rimu and black beech above Luncheon Cove
Yellow-crowned parakeet Very common. 20+ birds identified to species (all yellow-crowned)
Morepork Three birds heard at night
Sacred kingfisher One at Luncheon Cove
South Island saddleback Five adults and seven jackbirds seen. Four jackbirds were together at one site. Descendants of birds released in 2002 & 2004 (one banded bird seen). Not recorded on the south side of the island
Grey warbler About 20 seen
Bellbird Common and vocal, though only about 30 seen
Tui One seen in flight
Yellowhead Common, c.100 encountered in flocks up to 30 (usually 8-12) all over the island, especially on the south side. Descendants of birds released in 2002
South Island fantail Common, about 30 seen (all pied morph)
South Island tomtit Common, mainly heard, about 20 seen
South Island robin Abundant and confiding. Descendants of birds released in 2002 & 2004
Silvereye Small flocks heard at three sites
Blackbird One seen and two others heard
Chaffinch One seen
Redpoll Heard in flight
New Zealand fur seal Six seen at Luncheon Cove

Colin Miskelly