The Petrel Station Seabird Trip Report (17 Feb 2020) Tutukaka, NZ :Wedge-tailed Shear, White-naped & Black-winged Petrel

[ourspot]

Had an epic pelagic day yesterday with John Kyngdon on his awesome boat out deep at The Petrel Station, offshore from Tutukaka (in northern New Zealand).. Along for the journey was also Les, Janet and Annetta. A good 7-10 knot wind throughout the day, and the 23ºC sea temperature, all aided in providing great viewing of a variety of stunning seabirds.

The highlights of the trip were:
– 1 Wedge-tailed Shearwater (which came in close for great views)
– 1 White-naped Petrel (which visited 3 times and provided amazing views as it circled close the boat)
– 4 Black-winged Petrels (which also came in close for great views)
– 1 Wilson's Storm Petrel

During the trip we saw 24 different seabird species - nearly 4,000 seabirds in total! Thanks John for a great, 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: http://www.thepetrelstation.nz

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

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

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

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Here’s the full trip results:

1 x Wandering Albatross (Gibsons)
1 x Fairy Prion
15 x Cook's Petrel
1 x Pycroft's (at least)
65 x Black Petrel
4 x BLACK-WINGED PETREL
1 x WHITE-NAPED PETREL
2500+ Buller's Shearwater
45 x Fluttering Shearwater
22 x Flesh-footed Shearwater
1 x WEDGE-TAILED SHEARWATER
2 x Short-tailed Shearwater
7 x Little Shearwater
18 x NZ Storm Petrel
11 x White-faced Storm Petrel
1 x WILSON'S STORM PETREL
2 x Common Diving Petrel
1 x Little Blue Penguin
600 x Gannet
37 x Grey Noddy
600 x Red-billed Gull
2 x Black-backed Gull
54 x Pied Shag
1 x White-fronted Tern

Other marine life included:
1 x Sunfish
1 x big Blue Shark that spent a while checking everything out
1 x Fur Seal

[ourspot]

Also had a Wedge-tailed Shearwater - trip report updated. What a trip :)

[wazzagonewild]

Now that is truly epic - I'm suitably jealous! Was wedge-tailed shearwater a new one for you off Tutukaka, Scott?