Moeraki Pelagic to Otago Canyons 28/12

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Oscar Thomas
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Moeraki Pelagic to Otago Canyons 28/12

Postby Oscar Thomas » Sat Dec 04, 2021 1:09 am

Kia ora,

One full-day pelagic trip with Ezifish Charters is planned out of Moeraki, Otago to the offshore canyons for Tuesday 28th December, with Thursday 30th December as a back-up day in case of bad weather. There should be great opportunities for photos and viewing of albatrosses, shearwaters, petrels, skuas, penguins and shags. Marine mammals including Hector’s Dolphin, Long-finned Pilot Whales and Shepherd's Beaked Whales have also all been observed in the area.

We aim to depart Moeraki at 8am and return by 4pm on the 16.5m long, 5m wide fiberglass vessel "The Sirocco". You’ll need to bring your own food, drink and other supplies for the trip, and a BBQ sausage sizzle lunch will be provided. To confirm you will need to make a deposit of $125 (which is only refundable to people who pull out if I can fill your spot before the trip takes place). The final trip cost will be sorted closer to the time and depend on the number of people on the day. If the trip is cancelled due to weather then the payment will be fully refunded, so if you are coming from afar be sure to have backup plans. The call will be made by the skipper about 48hrs ahead of the trip. Moeraki Holiday Park is a good accommodation option for individuals or small groups, one hour's drive north from Dunedin City. If you are interested in reserving a spot please email oscarkokako@gmail.com. Please get in touch at the email address above if you have any questions. Vaccine passports will be required to attend.

Ngā mihi nui
Shepherd's Beaked Whale. Oscar Thomas.jpg
Shepherd's Beaked Whale. Oscar Thomas.jpg (482.1 KiB) Viewed 2076 times
Campbell Island Albatross. Oscar Thomas.jpg
Campbell Island Albatross. Oscar Thomas.jpg (348.61 KiB) Viewed 2076 times
Black-bellied Storm-Petrel with Cape Petrel. Oscar Thomas.jpg
Black-bellied Storm-Petrel with Cape Petrel. Oscar Thomas.jpg (317.74 KiB) Viewed 2076 times
User avatar
Oscar Thomas
Posts: 932
Joined: Sat Aug 27, 2011 7:15 pm
Location: Dunedin
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Re: Moeraki Pelagic to Otago Canyons 28/12

Postby Oscar Thomas » Fri Dec 17, 2021 3:37 pm

Kia ora, there are still 8 spots left for the Dec 28 Moeraki pelagic. Please email oscarkokako@gmail.com if interested or if you have any questions.
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Oscar Thomas
Posts: 932
Joined: Sat Aug 27, 2011 7:15 pm
Location: Dunedin
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Re: Moeraki Pelagic to Otago Canyons 28/12

Postby Oscar Thomas » Mon Dec 27, 2021 10:20 am

Kia ora, the trip has been postponed due to strong winds, and will go on Thursday 30th December instead. If anyone would like to join last minute there are still several spaces available. Email oscarkokako@gmail.com or text 0212510507 ASAP.
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Oscar Thomas
Posts: 932
Joined: Sat Aug 27, 2011 7:15 pm
Location: Dunedin
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Re: Moeraki Pelagic to Otago Canyons 28/12

Postby Oscar Thomas » Thu Dec 30, 2021 8:13 pm

Had an awesomely productive day off Moeraki today with 12 on board, pretty calm weather to start that escalated to thunderstorms by the afternoon. Summer in Otago seems to be shearwater season with 6 species! Not so bad on the albatross or storm-petrel front either :) Thanks to Ezifish Charters for another stellar pelagic.

Species estimates:
Southern Royal Albatross - 80 (35)
Northern Royal Albatross - 3 (1)
Campbell Island Albatross - 1
White-capped Albatross - 70 (14)
Salvin’s Albatross - 120 (30)
Buller’s Albatross - 1
Northern Giant Petrel - 7 (2)
Cape Petrel - 100 (40)
White-chinned Petrel - 86 (30)
Westland Petrel - 1
Mottled Petrel - 2 (1)
Cook's Petrel - 32 (10)
White-faced Storm-Petrel - 20 (6)
Grey-backed Storm-Petrel - 4 (3)
Black-bellied Storm-Petrel - 2
Fluttering Shearwater - 3
Hutton's Shearwater - 100 (70)
Buller's Shearwater - 56 (20)
Flesh-footed Shearwater - 1
Sooty Shearwater - 120 (30)
Short-tailed Shearwater - 38 (10)
Fairy Prion - 15 (10)
Black-fronted Tern - 1
White-fronted Tern - 30 (20)
Red-billed Gull - 150 (100)
South Black-backed Gull - 370 (300)
Arctic Skua - 2
Otago Shag - 200 (150)
Spotted Shag - 50
Pied Shag - 1

New Zealand Fur Seal - 10
Dusky Dolphin - 3+
Oceanic Bottlenose Dolphin - 20+
Long-finned Pilot Whale - 5+
Shepherd's Beaked Whale - 2+

Outside brackets = day total sightings, inside brackets = high count at one time.

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