MEGA - ANTARCTIC PETREL, Birdlings Flat

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sav
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Re: MEGA - ANTARCTIC PETREL, Birdlings Flat

Postby sav » Mon May 31, 2021 7:14 pm

Hey AC,

Yes, afraid it's a White-fronted - sorry, that must pretty much ruin the day for you.....................

I can't imagine that anyone, anywhere, has ever had a better day of sea-watching. I'm hugely jealous.

cheers
Sav Saville
Wrybill Birding Tours, NZ
Great Birds, Real Birders
andrewcrossland
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Re: MEGA - ANTARCTIC PETREL, Birdlings Flat

Postby andrewcrossland » Mon May 31, 2021 7:51 pm

Niall did a walk along the beach from the Birdlings carpark to the cliffs and found 2 dead Antarctic Fulmars - different most likely to the two live ones we’d seen only an hour or so earlier.
When driving back home past lake ellesmere I counted 3 Soft-plumaged Petrels flying over the Kaituna Lagoon part of the lake.
Just as a advisory note - while the road further on to Little River and Akaroa was closed, the highway back to Tai tapu was fine. Sone paddocks were flooded but none on the road. Ahuriri lagoon was only 1/4 flooded so obviously much lighter rain than further inland and on the coastline itself. Anyone going out tomorrow remember ofcourse to be cautious and don’t head out if you’re coming from or through actual flooded areas. Cheers
andrewcrossland
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Re: MEGA - ANTARCTIC PETREL, Birdlings Flat

Postby andrewcrossland » Mon May 31, 2021 8:07 pm

Sorry team I can’t load the Antarctic Petrel phone video footage on birdingnz and ebird because I don’t have a teenager to show me, but I have put it on my Facebook page. Sorry I don’t want a million new Facebook friends but maybe sone of you out there who are already Facebook friends can copy it and put it up for a wider audience. Cool
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Brent Stephenson
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Re: MEGA - ANTARCTIC PETREL, Birdlings Flat

Postby Brent Stephenson » Mon May 31, 2021 9:16 pm

Whilst plotting and scheming, I decided against flying to Christchurch to spend Tuesday morning birding with all you fine folks. The wind seems to drop off about 2pm tomorrow by looking at the forecast on Windy. So you could still get some action tomorrow morning.

However, all those in the Wellington area that possibly could should take a drive to Cape Palliser. All indications are that in the early morning tomorrow it will be over 20 knots from the south and could easily continue to push these birds northwards. Meanwhile off the coast of Hawkes Bay it might not be as bracing, but seems it could be pretty windy this far north also...

Good luck!
Brent Stephenson
Wrybill Birding Tours, NZ - Great birds, real birders
phil hammond
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Re: MEGA - ANTARCTIC PETREL, Birdlings Flat

Postby phil hammond » Tue Jun 01, 2021 6:34 am

What an absolutely stunning 3 days for you Cantabs, well done to those that got there, and for getting the news out quickly.
andrewcrossland
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Re: MEGA - ANTARCTIC PETREL, Birdlings Flat

Postby andrewcrossland » Tue Jun 01, 2021 8:21 am

Back on beach this morning. Windy but not raining.
Niall reports great views of a ponarine skua late yesterday afternoon.
andrewcrossland
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Re: MEGA - ANTARCTIC PETREL, Birdlings Flat

Postby andrewcrossland » Tue Jun 01, 2021 8:23 am

Trap checkers for keystone ecology on kaitorete spit are on the look out for grounded birds and beach cast birds.
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andrewcrossland
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Re: MEGA - ANTARCTIC PETREL, Birdlings Flat

Postby andrewcrossland » Tue Jun 01, 2021 9:15 am

A few residual soft-plumaged petreis half way to the horizon and patrolling giant petreis just beyond the surf line, but blue sky appearing directly to the south and a sense that our friends are on their way out to beyond the horizon….

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andrewcrossland
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Re: MEGA - ANTARCTIC PETREL, Birdlings Flat

Postby andrewcrossland » Tue Jun 01, 2021 10:33 am

I just sent this pic from Kieren Rowe who found it beach patrolling the first 1-2 km from the birdlings carpark heading west, He left it with the crew on the beach and had to leave. If any of those folks see this post please ensure you get pics of wings outstretched on both sides and all other surfaces. Is it just a white-tummied black-bellied stormy?
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FraserGurney
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Re: MEGA - ANTARCTIC PETREL, Birdlings Flat

Postby FraserGurney » Tue Jun 01, 2021 10:38 am

I had a look at it and there's a hint of a black belly stripe, it's been collected by Steve Attwood who is going to contact the Canterbury Museum.

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