Paikea/Humpback Whale, Island Bay, Wellington

Discuss natural history subjects not strictly related to birds. Reports of interesting mammal, reptile, and invertebrate sightings are welcome.
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Michael Szabo
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Paikea/Humpback Whale, Island Bay, Wellington

Postby Michael Szabo » Sun May 07, 2023 2:31 pm

I was among 20 people who saw a Paikea/Humpback Whale yesterday morning between the Island Bay coast and Taputeranga Island on the south Wellington Coast at about 10.45am:
https://inaturalist.nz/observations/160 ... 3385f0b763
Last edited by Michael Szabo on Fri May 12, 2023 3:54 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Michael Szabo
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Re: Humpback Whale, Island Bay, Wellington

Postby Michael Szabo » Thu May 11, 2023 11:02 am

Another (larger) Paikea/Humpback Whale swam from Houghton Bay past Island Bay and Owhiro Bay yesterday afternoon just after 2pm:
https://inaturalist.nz/observations/161181910
Last edited by Michael Szabo on Fri May 12, 2023 3:54 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Jim_j
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Re: Humpback Whale, Island Bay, Wellington

Postby Jim_j » Fri May 12, 2023 9:10 am

Hi Michael
Have you seen (or heard of them) passing through there in other years?

Cheers
Jim
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Michael Szabo
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Re: Paikea/Humpback Whale, Island Bay, Wellington

Postby Michael Szabo » Fri May 12, 2023 3:56 pm

Yes, they've been seen off the south Wellington coast and in the harbour at this time of year in previous years. They're on their northward migration from Antarctic waters to their wintering grounds in tropical waters such as the Great Barrier Reef and New Caledonia.
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