22 Nov 2018

Spotting the world’s rarest Shag

Image (c) Meghan Kelly

Once again conditions allowed us to 'go play' around the Bounty Islands on Day 13 of Birding Down Under. Heading out in the Zodiacs to explore these inhospitable granite islets and home to thousands of Salvin's Albatross, Erect-crested Penguins and the endemic Bounty Island Shag - the world's rarest - we were greeted by calm waters and clearing sea mist. The Bounty Island Shag was quickly spotted in the air, prepping their nests, fishing and just hanging out. While the sheer amount of wildlife these islands home is spectacular, with those mentioned above all spotted along with Fulmar Prions, New Zealand Fur Seals and other seabirds all jostling for space on these normally windswept rocks.