02 Dec 2016

Pyramid Rock and Rare Petrels on the Chatham Islands

We left the Chatham Islands yesterday and now are bound for Dunedin on the New Zealand mainland.  

Our time at the Chatham Islands was especially rewarding.  Landfall at the Chatham Islands was at Pyramid Rock, the breeding ground for the Chatham Island Albatross. It is an impressive sight rising up out of the ocean depths with all the albatross circling and wheeling around.  This experience is many a birder’s dream, and it was great to have made it reality for those onboard.

From there we cruised to nearby South East Island, an outstanding Nature Reserve.  Being a sensitive conservation site, landings are not permitted so we enjoyed a zodiac cruise to see the endemic Shore Plover and Oyster Catcher.  In the evening of the same day we ship cruised off the south coast of the main Island in the hope of seeing either or both the Taiko Pterodroma Magenta Petrel and the Chatham Island Petrel Pterodroma axillaris.  To the joy of expeditioners we sighted both, with good views for all of the Taiko.  

Our second day at the Chatham Islands was spent with members of the Chatham Island Taiko Trust, a private Conservation Trust who do some amazing work with not only the Taiko but other species. We visited a private bush reserve to look for the endemic Grey warbler, Pigeon and Tomtit and also a predator free reserve (on mainland) where both Chatham Island Petrel and Taiko are breeding.  The Trust work tirelessly to maintain and enhance the area and it is always great to share this with our expeditioners.  That evening it was back out to sea in the hope of seeing Chatham Island Petrel coming ashore onto South East Island, and we saw a lot of other species yet the Chatham Island Petrel remained elusive.

Yesterday our final day of our time at the Chatham Islands we visited Mangere Island and had views from the ship as sea conditions prevented the use of the zodiacs for a closer look.

We have covered a large distance around a remarkable ocean region with an enviable number of observations of species.  We are due to arrive into the port of Dunedin on Sunday and our arrival will mark the end of this hugely successful ‘Birding Downunder’ expedition.

Photo of Pyramid Rock, Chatham Islands (from file): A.Breniere