The Petrel Station Seabird Trip Report (21 July 2018), Tutukaka, NZ : Light-mantled Sooty Albatross & Brown Skua

[ourspot]

Had a great pelagic day out at The Petrel Station yesterday (21st July) with 10 of us venturing out via the Poor Knight Islands to the explore the trench area beyond on the latest pelagic seabird trip offshore from Tutukaka (in Northland, New Zealand). Wind and swell picked up during the day providing great viewing of a variety of seabirds. Interestingly there were none of the prions seen on the last trip 2 weeks ago (except fairy).

Highlights of the trip were:
– 1 Light-mantled Sooty Albatross
– 1 Brown Skua
– Huge amount of Grey-faced Petrel

During the trip we sighted 19 different seabird species. A fantastic 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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So here’s the full trip results:

1 x Light-mantled Sooty Albatross
3 x Buller's Mollymawk
2 x White-capped Mollymawk
1 x Black-browed Mollymawk
1 x Campbell Mollymawk
1 x Diomedea Albatross species
2 x Northern Giant Petrel
117 x Grey-faced Petrel
1 x Cape Petrel
4 x Cook's Petrel
1425 x Fairy Prion (one bird had an entirely white head (presumed leucism).
1 x Buller's Shearwater
65 x Fluttering Shearwater
60 x Little Shearwater
960 x Common Diving-Petrel
1 x Brown/Southern Skua
600 x Australasian Gannet
38 x Red-billed Gull
1 x Pied Shag

Poor Knights Islands sightings (on or flying above)
1 x Swamp Harrier
3 x Starling

Other sea life included:
Approx 50 common dolphins
1 x Blue Shark

[erikforsyth]

Hi Scott

great to read your reports, fantastic lists. You are certainly showing us that winter pelagics off NZ are well worth it!

cheers
Erik Forsyth
Rockjumper Birding Tours
www.rockjumperbirding.com

[Steve Wood]

Antarctic Fairy Prion.

Fairy Prion ( Antarctic SSp) Tutukaka July 2018.jpg (242.09 KiB) Viewed 1604 times

Also of interest, when going through some images of the flocks of Fairy Prions was some Antarctic Fairy Prions as well .Lack of hardly any facial pattern.

Plus a white headed version