Welcome swallows migrating across Cook Strait

[Colin Miskelly]

Kia ora

There were few seabirds of note between Wellington Harbour and Tory Channel today. The sighting of the day was a flock of nine swallow that arrived from the south, flew over the stern, and continued towards the Wellington south coast. Also a kotuku on the southern shore of Tory Channel was unexpected.

Full checklists in eBird:
Wellington Harbour https://ebird.org/atlasnz/checklist/S134060517
Off Wellington south coast https://ebird.org/atlasnz/checklist/S134060569
Open section of Cook Strait https://ebird.org/atlasnz/checklist/S134060612
Tory Channel https://ebird.org/atlasnz/checklist/S134060714
Queen Charlotte Sound https://ebird.org/atlasnz/checklist/S134060779

Ngā mihi
Colin

[Colin Miskelly]

Mike Jacobson reported the following sightings at last night's monthly meeting of the Wellington Branch of Birds New Zealand.

Monday 29 April 2024

Yacht Sgt Pepper (Farr 1104)

Weather: Stiff northerly breeze of 10 - 15 knots with choppy sea.

Flocks of welcome swallows passed by us (some within a few metres, so readily identified with certainty) over quite a long period, perhaps 1 hour, as we were crossing Cook Strait from Cape Koamaru towards Plimmerton.

The largest flock could have been 30 - 50 birds but maybe half a dozen smaller flocks (as few as 6) as well… perhaps 100 birds in total.

All the flocks were heading across us in the general direction of the Kapiti Coast (from the Arapawa Island/Queen Charlotte area).

[Jan]

They have certainly gone from around Chch at present, except near wetlands perhaps. I know this because it is almost safe to run our dog off-lead [where that is allowed] without him going doolally over chasing swallows and being impossible to recall. He loves fast moving flying objects and used to be exercised by running after tennis balls whacked by a tennis player. He never catches swallows just likes an excuse to rush around.