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Highlights from a New Zealand pelagic

Posted Dec 6, 2024 by Steve Howell
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Steve Howell

Leader

Before the upcoming WINGS Subantarctic Islands cruise in New Zealand, Steve Howell did what anyone about to spend 18 days at sea would do—go on a pelagic trip! But this was out of the North Island, with warmer waters and different birds, run by The Petrel Station (https://www.thepetrelstation.nz/) , a monitoring program built upon pelagic day trips. And what a day it was, with 19 species of tubenoses!

Feeding swarms numbering tens of thousands of Northern Fairy Prions were a good way to start, as we passed by the Poor Knights Islands...
Feeding swarms numbering tens of thousands of Northern Fairy Prions were a good way to start, as we passed by the Poor Knights Islands...
Steve Howell
...where the entire world population of Buller’s Shearwater nests, so there were tens of thousands of those as well!
...where the entire world population of Buller’s Shearwater nests, so there were tens of thousands of those as well!
Steve Howell
Along with hundreds of Australasian Gannets, already with large young.
Along with hundreds of Australasian Gannets, already with large young.
Steve Howell
As we set out the chum block, the first customers were Parkinson’s Petrels,
As we set out the chum block, the first customers were Parkinson’s Petrels,
Steve Howell
Followed shortly by an immature Shy Albatross, presumably an Auckland Shy.
Followed shortly by an immature Shy Albatross, presumably an Auckland Shy.
Steve Howell
Small gadfly petrels showed well for hours, mainly Cook’s Petrels...
Small gadfly petrels showed well for hours, mainly Cook’s Petrels...
Steve Howell
But also fair numbers of Pycroft’s Petrels...
But also fair numbers of Pycroft’s Petrels...
Steve Howell
And Black-winged Petrels—not so distinctive when seen from above!
And Black-winged Petrels—not so distinctive when seen from above!
Steve Howell
Mottled Petrels also flew by from time to time.
Mottled Petrels also flew by from time to time.
Steve Howell
But it was the storm-petrels that stole the show, mainly numerous New Zealand Storm Petrels, a species believed extinct and rediscovered only 20 years ago!
But it was the storm-petrels that stole the show, mainly numerous New Zealand Storm Petrels, a species believed extinct and rediscovered only 20 years ago!
Steve Howell
The black belly streaking on this species is notable variable,
The black belly streaking on this species is notable variable,
Steve Howell
As these images show.
As these images show.
Steve Howell
There were also good numbers of the water-walking White-faced Storm Petrel, whose species-level taxonomy remains vexed.
There were also good numbers of the water-walking White-faced Storm Petrel, whose species-level taxonomy remains vexed.
Steve Howell
But whatever the story, they were great to watch
But whatever the story, they were great to watch
Steve Howell
And at times almost too close to photograph!
And at times almost too close to photograph!
Steve Howell
A surprise South Polar Skua, a local rarity, put on quite a show for over an hour...
A surprise South Polar Skua, a local rarity, put on quite a show for over an hour...
Steve Howell
Before we reluctantly headed back, through more swarms of prions!
Before we reluctantly headed back, through more swarms of prions!
Steve Howell