Chatham’s Is. pelagic Dec 2024

[Steve Wood]

Dates for the next 4 Day pelagic are 3rd - 10th Dec 2024.
Main Targets as before Magenta Petrel, Chatham Petrel and Pyramid Prion.
Visiting off shore the Pyramid Rock, Forty Fours and South east Island, plus time to see all land birds on main Chatham Is.
Some places are now available PM me if you’re keen for full Itinerary and details.
Thanks.

[Steve Wood]

Just a quick update from our recent trip to the 44’s.Jodi, one of the group, found this image of a Yellow nosed Albert flying around the 44’s whilst going through her images.
Also I have moved the Nov dates forward to Dec 3rd -10th for our next 4day pelagic - still a few places left to make this trip go head.

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[Dave Boyle]

Wow, that's an Atlantic Yellow-nosed!

[Michael Szabo]

Jodi also took this shot of the same bird at the Forty Fours which also shows the 'mascara' around the eyes.

[Steve Wood]

Just to say there is one place left for the Dec trip (3rd-10th.) if you were thinking about it

[Steve Wood]

Two people have now changed their minds, so 3 places are now available.

[Steve Wood]

Recently back from another great week on the Chathams. 3rd -10th Dec 2024.
The weather was a little unsettled for the time we were there, a month earlier than last trip,and were restricted to only 3 days at sea. The days at sea were challenging weather wise, but turned up some good birds. Our off shore chumming sites were off the 44’s again, south of main Chathams (15 miles off) and the Star Keys this time.
No Chathams Petrels, Black winged or Goulds but better encounters with Pyramid Prions thanks to the results of dedicated,quality photographers.
There bill shapes and sizes between all Prions photographed were again varied when assessing the pictures taken. However good examples of each were separable with quality pics.
Apart from some extreme birds with excessively large bills, the Pyramid Prions, also appeared to be much bluer across the mantle and wings generally. Note, distinct dark head patten (moult ?) which was more apparent overall in the Jan 2024 trip,a month later .The dark flecking (quills?) on the head, mantle and rump, was more conspicuous over many individuals photographed in the birds photographed in Jan 2024.
We also had a bonus trip to Sweetwaters camp, thanks to the team there, and saw Chathams Petrels, and Taiko up close in the hand. A real bonus for most.

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Highlights:

Soft Plumed Pet.
Mottled Pet.
Cooks Pet.
Westland Pet
Whit-chinned Pet
Grey faced Pet.
Sub Ant Little Shearwater
Short tailed Shearwater
Buller’s Shearwater
Flesh Footed Shearwater
Wilson’s Stormy
Grey backed Stormy
White Faced Stormy
Pyramid Prion
Fairy Prion
Broad Billed Prion
Sub ant Skua.
Cape Pet ssp. australe and capense (2)
Alberts - Chatham, Salvin’s Buller’s (Northern and Southern) white capped, NZ Wanderer.
Royal,Northern and Southern.
Giant Pet - Northern and Southern.

Plus the usual land birds.
Another 7 day trip is in the early planning stage for possibly next March, if anyone maybe is keen to join get it touch.

[Steve Wood]

Also of note regarding Pyramid P. according to the Aussie field guide “Fulmar Prions lack distinct half collar” However Pyramid Prions photographed recently at least some showed a bold half collar.Below left and Fairy below right.This may also help separating from other Fulmars /Fairy’s P. As well as bill shape.

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