18 Dec 2019

Endemic Wildlife on The Snares

The Snares, even the very name evokes a sense of excitement and mystery. Despite a brisk south-west wind blowing in overnight we had made excellent progress and it was pleasing to find that despite its small size The Snares was protecting us from the building swells, so shortly after breakfast it was into the Zodiacs and on our way towards shore.

The first thing that strikes you about The Snares is their geology, great granitic ramparts rise from the depths ... but very quickly our attention is focussed on the wildlife with New Zealand Fur Seals and the endemic Snares Crested Penguins in abundance along the shore. We enjoyed excellent views of the penguins with numerous photographic opportunities of these beautiful birds at close range, there were also sightings of the endemic Snares Tomtit and Fernbird during the morning while offshore, flocks of Cape Petrels fed in large numbers.

Gently idling our way along the shore we found our way into caves and channels that gave an entirely different perspective to the island. By late morning it was time to return to the Spirit of Enderby and head on our way northwards, passing during the evening along the eastern coast of Stewart Island.

Image from file © S.Blanc, Heritage Expeditions