New Zealand No. 3
Following on from our last 2 postings, concerning a 6 week trip to New Zealand in 2005.
Today, we decided to visit Ulva Island for the last time.
Our cottage on Stewart Island overlooking Horseshoe Bay
Our view overlooking Horseshoe Bay, Stewart Island
A Kaka joined us for breakfast - Superb
Kaka Nestor meridionalis
Two subspecies, it is locally common on some offshore islands and Southern South Island. Unfortunately, it is now in decline, with a world population around 5,000 birds and it is now considered to be endangered. This decline is due mainly to the introduction of stoats and rats which prey on the chicks, although the good news is that a number of offshore islands have eliminated these predators.
We stopped off at Shag Rock and found several Fur Seals and Foveaux Shags.
Fur Seals at Shag rocks.
Foveaux Shag in flight off Stewart Island.
Both colour phases of the Foveaux Shags.
Foveaux Shag ( formerly Stewart Island Shag) Leucocarbo chalconotus.
This shag was formerly known as Stewart Island Shag has recently been split by some authorities into two species, and have two colour phases, a dark morph and a pale morph, and both colour phases are shown in the picture above. It has a small restricted range and has been classified as vulnerable,
Adult Kelp Gull Larus dominicanus
Beach on Ulva Island
View from Ulva Island.
Spotted Shag Phalacrocorax punctatus
Pair of Spotted Shags seen from the boat crossing to Ulva Island.
Spotted Shag is endemic to New Zealand and has two subspecies. Breeds only at the coast and is mainly found on South Island, although it does inhabit some coastal areas on North Island. High numbers can be found around Stewart Island.
Tomtit Petroica macrocephala
Tomtits on Ulva Island.
Tomtit is endemic to New Zealsand and some of the offshore islands. It has now four subspecies as the fifth from Chatham Island became extinct in the 1970's. Its range extends over both North and South Islands and several of the offshore islands. The above pictures show two distinct subspecies.
South Island Robin Petroica australis rakiura
South Island Robin on Ulva Island
There are Robins on both North and South Island and both robins have been classified as distinct species The South Island Robin has two subspecies and the one photographed is considered to be of the rakiura race which is restricted to the Stewart Island area.
Redpoll Carduelis cabaret
Redpolls on Ulva Island
We found a small party on Ulva Island and have also seen them in other areas of New Zealand. They were introduced from Britain in the 1860's and are now common throughout much of New Zealand. They are widespread on both North and South Islands and some of the offshore Islands. The birds we saw appear to be typical British Lesser Redpolls.
An early drive to Kaikoura for two pelagic trips out off Kaikoura for sea-birds.
Sunrise over Kaikoura with snow capped mountains in the distant.
As we got onto the boat the sea-birds were already queuing up for their share of the chum, which included several species of Albatrosses and a Northern Giant Petrel.
Buller's Albatross Thalassarche bulleri
Buller's Albatross has two subspecies known as Northern and Southern, and they breed on islands off New Zealand. This bird is an adult as immatures have a dark tip to the bill. Both subspecies breed on islands of New Zealand
Buller's Shearwater Ardenna bulleri
Buller's Shearwater on the Kaikoura pelagic
Buller's Shearwaters are a large distinctive Shearwater with a dark cap and a long tapered tail. It is a trans-equatorial migrant over most of the Pacific Ocean and even extends to the west coast of America, outside the breeding season. The main breeding areas are on the islands in the Poor Knight's group of Islands off northern New Zealand.
Pintado (Cape Petrel) Daption capense
Small numbers feeding on the chum.
Pintado Petrels of the Kaikoura pelagic.
Pintado (Cape) Petrels have two subspecies. It breeds locally around Antarctica and most of the sub-Antarctica Islands including the Snares Island which has one of its own sub-species.
Flesh-footed Shearwater Ardenna carneipes
Flesh-footed Shearwater on the Kaikoura pelagic.
Flesh-footed Shearwater is relatively common and breeds from S. Australia to N. New Zealand and also on St. Paul Island in the Indian Ocean. Migrates north mainly into the Indian Ocean. For identification purposes the black tip to the bill is important.
Since we went to New Zealand in 2005, much has changed with the Albatross classification and most but not all of these large albatrosses were lumped as subspecies of the Wandering Albatross. In recent years majority have now been split into separate species.
Antipodes Wandering Albatross Diomedea antipodensis
Adult male Antipodes Wandering Albatross on the pelagic.
Immature or female type Antipodes Wandering Albatross
Antipodes Wandering Albatross on the pelagic.
Antipode Wandering Albatross: Considered to be endangered. Breeds on offshore islands chiefly the Antipodes Island and the Auckland \islands, with an estimated world population of 25,300 birds. Breeding success is only 25%., with pigs and feral cats are predating on Auckland Island, and long line fishing is also having an impact.
Gibson's Wandering Albatross Diomedea gibsoni
Gibson's Wandering Albatrosses with up to 30 seen on the pelagic.
This Albatross breeds chiefly on Auckland Island and is often lumped with the Antipodes Albatross. It has an estimated population of around 10,000 pairs. Long line fishing is still a major problem and this Albatross has now been classified as vulnerable. The first flight picture shows the piano-key tail which is typical of Gibson's.
Salvin's Albatross Thalassarche salvini
Salvin's Albatross on the pelagic.
Breeds mainly on the Bounties, with small numbers on the Sub-Antarctic Snares Island, and the Crozets. At sea they range from South Africa, across to Australia and as far east as South America. The world population has been estimated at around 61,000 birds with the majority breeding on the Bounty Islands,
Wandering Albatross Diomedea exulans
Wandering Albatross on the Kaikoura pelagic, with the snow-capped
mountains behind.
It Chiefly breeds on South Georgia, Crozet, Kerguelen, and Prince Edward Islands, and the biggest threat is long line fishing. In flight they are magnificent.
Northern Royal, Wandering and Southern Royal Albatrosses
1sr cy. Northern Royal Albatross Diomedea sanfordi
Southern Royal Albatross Diomedea epomophora
Northern Royal and Southern Royal Albatrosses.
Northern and Siuthern Royal Albatrosses. The above pictures illustrate the difference between the two Royal Albatrosse. The Northern has far less white on the upper-wings, breeds chiefly on Chatham Island with a population of 200 pairs. The Southern has more extensive white on the upper-wings, breeds chiefly on Campbell Island with a population of around 7,800 pairs. Hybridization can take place between the two species.
Northern and Southern Giant Petrels
Norther Giant Petrel Macronectes halli
Southern Giant Petrel Micronectes giganteus
Northern and Southern Giant Petrels: The adult plumage on both species can be quite variable, although the Southern can have a very white morph whereas the Northern lacks the white morph although it can have a very pale grey morph. The Southern can also have a dark brown morph. The bill on Northern has a darkish tip whereas on Southern the bill is more unicolour, without the dark tip. Both are scavengers feeding on beaches or at sea.
Short-tailed Shearwater Ardenna tenuirostris
Short-toed Shearwater on the pelagic. on the last picture it clearly
shows the extending legs beyond the tail, a good identification
feature from Sooty Shearwater.
Short-tailed Shearwater has a widespread range and generally quite common. Breeds in Nov-April in SE Australia, to East Antarctica. Out of the breeding season, they can range sometimes in large flocks to Western U.S.A. At times they can be difficult to seperate from Sooty Shearwater.
Westland Black Petrel Procellaria westlandica
Westland Black Petrel on the Kaikoura pelagic where we saw
at least 100 birds.
The Westland Black Petrel is considered endangered and breeds on South Island, New Zealand, and migrates mainly Oct-April to S.E. Pacific in the Humboldt Current, where the immature birds remain all year.
White-chinned Petrel Procellaria aequinoctialis
White-chinned Petrel on the Kaikoura pelagic.
