Otago Canyon Pelagic - Sept 29th.

[Steve Wood]

Here is a brief up date of the highlights from Sunday trip to the Canyons.

After some what touch and go with the weather forecast we were finally granted a small window of opportunity on Sunday and were all treated to a great day out with some good birds - highlights being Broad billed Prion and non breeding [b]Antarctic Tern[/b] plus some good Cetaceans.
Good numbers of Albatross were present most of the day and increased in numbers as the weather picked up towards the end of the last chumming spot.
Salvin's Albatross - the most common, up to a dozen + at one stage and to a lesser extent were White capped Alberts. Juv of both were also present.
Southern Royals (7+) - were impressive as always, one exceptionally large individual.
Black browed type - at least 1 in the wake.
Northern Royal (1+) - soon after departing the headland.
Northern Giant Petrel (3+)
Cape Petrel (40+) ssp australe
Broad Billed Prion 1- fairly good but brief view.
Fairy Prion (-5)
Antarctic Tern - fairly brief view.
White fronts - (-5)
White Chinned Petrel- (-3)
Westland Petrel - (-5)
Sooty Shearwater.- (50+) steady stream of ones and twos heading south for most of the day.
Fluttering/Hutton's Shearwater- (5+) not seen well.
Spotted Shag
Otago Shag.
Red billed Gull.
Black Backed Gull.

Cetaceans

Hump backed Whale - One smallish individual seen close in shore amongst Dusky Dolphin's.

Shepard's Beaked Whale- (5+) - small group seen breaching at a distance and again seen for a short period on surface. A range in size noted.

[Steve Wood]

Two more highlights of the day.

[Davidthomas]

The black on the outer edges of those primaries is seriously diffuse. Which definitely leads towards Antarctic rather than arctic. Thanks again Steve!

[Tim Barnard]

Thanks Steve. Much as I love seabirds, those Shepherd beaked whales were very very special. Still buzzing about that ... great photo. Amazing to see them breach - not sure if that has been observed before? Anyone know more ... ???
Thanks
Tim