The Petrel Station Seabird Trip Report (24 Oct 2020), Tutukaka, NZ

[ourspot]

Had another great day out at The Petrel Station yesterday (24th October) on the latest pelagic seabird trip offshore from Tutukaka (in northern New Zealand). Conditions were calmer than expected with only light winds of 5-10 knots throughout the day, and a small swell.

The highlights of the trip were:
– 1 Brown Skua which put on a great show of flybys and then proceeded to dive bomb the petrels and shearwaters stealing any food they had.
– 2 Wilson's Storm Petrels
– The always entertaining New Zealand Storm Petrel that were constantly flitting around the boat (26 seen)

During the trip we saw 21 different seabird species, and over 10,000 seabirds in total, and had another fun day out. See the full trip list below.

If you’re interested in coming out on a pelagic seabird trip to The Petrel Station then check out the upcoming trip dates on our website and get in touch – it’s always a great day out. Find out more at: www.thepetrelstation.nz

Cheers
Scott Brooks
The Petrel Station pelagic seabird tour
Tutukaka, New Zealand

P : 021 322 324
E : seabirds@thepetrelstation.nz

Facebook : www.facebook.com/thepetrelstation
Instagram : www.instagram.com/thepetrelstation
YouTube: www.youtube.com/@thepetrelstation

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Here’s the full trip results:
1 x Campbell Mollymawk
1 x BROWN SKUA
1 x Cape Petrel
4,000+ x Fairy Prion
30 x Cook's Petrel
4 x Grey-faced Petrel
40 x Black Petrel
4500+ x Buller's Shearwater
25 x Flesh-footed Shearwater
2 x Sooty Shearwater
150 x Fluttering Shearwater
35 x Little Shearwater
26 x New Zealand Storm-Petrel
2 x WILSON'S STORM PETREL
5 x White-faced Storm-Petrel
350 x Diving-Petrel
700 x Australasian Gannet
450 x Red-billed Gull
6 x Black Backed Gull
47 x Pied Shag
1 x Little Pied Shag

Other marine life included:
1 x Blue Shark