Otago (Stewart Is) Shags at Ashburton RM & Timaru

[andrewcrossland]

For the 5th month in a row I've picked up Otago Shags amongst the large Spotted Shag roost at the Ashburton Rivermouth - 3 birds today (1 pied phase, 2 bronze phase).

I had a hunch there might be some at Timaru given that its half way between the big roost at Oamaru Harbour and this northern outlier at Ashburton RM. Bingo! 2 bronze phase birds today roosting amongst Spotted Shags on the wooden platform at the end of the north rock mole. I'd be keen to hear from anyone else who comes across this species along the Canterbury coast....

pics of the Ashburton RM birds attached...........

Otago Shag2.jpg (319.72 KiB) Viewed 1755 times

Otago Shag.jpg (343.59 KiB) Viewed 1755 times

[andrewcrossland]

A single Otago Shag at the Ashburton Rivermouth currently amongst the impressive roost of c.7360 Spotted Shags. The roost makes an impressive sight in the late afternoon sun. The entire length of single spit visible in the first pic below is covered in a mass of shags.

s shag1.JPG (38.82 KiB) Viewed 1428 times

s shag2.JPG (97.02 KiB) Viewed 1428 times

s shag3.JPG (148.62 KiB) Viewed 1428 times

[Olwen]

Wow!