27 Nov 2019

Birding on Chatham Island

Brilliant sunshine and warm conditions greeted us as we woke at our anchorage off Waitangi, the main settlement on Chatham Island, this morning. After another tasty breakfast aboard Spirit of Enderby went ashore to meet our transport and headed towards a private reserve.

This morning's activities included several walks and the chance to bird around the immediate surrounds of the drop off point. The Chatham Island Pigeon, or Parea, was sighted straight away. Other birds ticked off this morning included the Buff Weka, Chatham Island Tui, Red-crowned Parakeet and Chatham Island Warbler.

We then headed back to Waitangi for a chance to bird along the beachfront and find the Chatham Island Oystercatcher. Once everyone had good views most headed to the pub for a relaxing beer. While we were ashore the winds had picked up so we hopped back into the buses and headed up to the fishing village of Port Hutt at the north of the island to meet our good ship.

Image © D.Stavert, Heritage Expeditions