Fiordland Pelagic - 23rd-29th Sept 2021

[Steve Wood]

If you are interested in joining a 6 night pelagic out of Doubtful and Dusky sound.Two places have come available.
Stevewood@xtra.co.nz for more details.

[Steve Wood]

Wait list only now.

Thanks.

[Steve Wood]

One place has now become available if interested get it touch.

Thanks

[wghabbott]

Hi Steve,

Do you have 2 places available?

[Steve Wood]

All full at present but will keep you in mind if things change.
Thanks

[Steve Wood]

Hi,
Is there is anyone south of Auckland that would like to join our 6 night Fiordland pelagic starting on the 22nd -29th Sept?

This is WAIT LIST ONLY; due to current Auckland restrictions lingering,some of our party may not make the cut.
You will need to be flexible and be able to get to Invercargill 12:00 midday on the 22nd of Sept. with fairly short notice,probably only a week.
If you think this might be you, get in touch for further detail.

Steve.

[Steve Wood]

After a successful week off the Fiordland coast a few highlights for those interested.

The weather was mixed as expected, so we did have a couple of days sheltering in Dusky sound till it blew over. Anchor Island was an obvious detour, which provided a good opportunity to find some Yellowheads and Saddlebacks and catch up with the local Fiordland Crested Penguins who performed well.

Two areas were targeted - the deep trench which is only 2-3 miles off the coast, and then an area 12 miles out from Doubtful sound, which produced a few different species.

Both areas were very productive but 12 mile zone seemed to be the better pick on the day.

10 species of Albatross (possibly 11 ) - 1 first year GREY HEADED ALBATROSS made a reasonably good appearance at the 12 mile zone and also what has to be a good candidate for a SNOWY, was seen very well.

Good numbers of Juv Albatross particularly White capped, with the odd Salvin’s and a few Black Browed.

Pterodromas -
Westland Petrel were regular seen.
White chinned - appeared at the 12 mile zone.
Soft plumed Petrel - 1 brief flyby at the 3 mile zone.
White-Headed Petrel - 1 brief flyby at the end of the day as we were heading in shore Doubtful sound.
Grey faced Petrel - a few sighting out on 12 mile zone.
Cape petrel - (both ssp.) regular behind the boat.

Giant Petrel (northern) - occasionally seen.

Grey Backed Stormy. - only 1 seen in the slick.

Sooty Shearwaters regularly seen feeding behind the boat.

Broad Billed Prion - very few, flybys only out from Dusky Sound, none out further.

Diving Petrel - only one recorded.