Trip Report
FAR NORTH PELAGIC
20-22 May 2005
Eight of us - Paul Asquith, Derek Bettesworth, Detlef Davies, Ian Southey,
Steve Wood, Karen Baird, Chris Gaskin & Murray Rae (Skipper) - did
a two day/two night trip from Houhora in the Far North.
Route: We left Friday 20 May 6.30PM from Houhora and steamed up to North
Cape that evening, anchored under the light. Very pleasant conditions
- little variable winds, and these conditions persisted right through
the next day. Saturday 21 May, up early and away by 7AM. Headed northwest
from North Cape to the shelf edge, we stooged around this area for a while
including two chumming sessions before heading east to deeper water (over
1000m). We were approx 40kms NNW of North Cape which meant we were further
north than the Three Kings. By early afternoon we started working our
way SE along the shelf edge before heading back in. We reached our anchorage
under the North Cape light just on dark. SST ranged between 19C inshore
to 20.2C along the shelf edge. Light winds made chumming difficult (ie
little breeze means the scent doesn't bring in the birds in the same way
as with windier conditions) but fairly fine overhead and warm temps. made
for beautiful conditions to cruise around looking at seabirds. A favourable
weather forecast for the light conditions to continue until 10-midday
Sunday 22 May encouraged us to stay up at North Cape rather than run back
to Houhora or head for a more enclosed anchorage near Cape Karikari. This
prediction turned to custard at about 2AM when all hell broke loose. Fortunately
the anchor stayed pretty firm and North Cape offered enough good shelter
from the nor'easter and sea.
With daybreak we were rewarded to a spectacular sight of a big sea raging
around the cape, a 35-40kn wind whipping everything to flying spume. Seabirds
were pouring around the Cape at great speed, many (particularly the Grey-faced
Petrels) being hoisted high by the wind, some at least as high as the
headland itself. Breakfast was a leisurely affair, Steve, Detlef and Murray
whiled away some time by hauling a couple of sizeable kahawai and a beautiful
male Sandager's Wrasse which went back. After a few hours the wind shifted
more to the west and seemed to ease a little. By 11.30AM we were on our
way home, an amazing sleighride with a big 3-4m following sea, the wind
NW 25-30kns with stronger gusts, and heaps of seabird action. Quite the
adrenalin rush with most of us camped on the foredeck. Back in at Houhora
Game Fish Club Wharf at 3PM with huge smiles all round. The conditions
meant there was a big difference in where we saw birds each day. The strong
winds brought birds such as Grey-faced Petrels and Fairy Prions very close
to shore on Sunday, whereas we'd been out towards the shelf before picking
them up on Saturday.
Seabirds seen both days included:
KERMADEC PETREL: 2. Both intermediate phase, one seen each day. The second
on the way back home on 22/05, coming straight at us from out of the waves
then lifting right up in front of everyone on the foredeck, up and over
our heads... every feature (upper and lower parts) crystal clear, much
jubilation.
PROVIDENCE (SOLANDER'S) PETREL: 3. Two seen on 21/05, one seen on 22/05.
The one on Sunday in same conditions as the Kermadec and not long after,
whipping up right in front of all of us, great views, more jubilation!
GREY-FACED PETREL: 2000-3000 (hard to estimate). On 21/05 we saw them
right out along the shelf edge, although towards dusk we had them all
the way in to the Cape. After dark they were flying around the boat, they
are breeding at North Cape. We saw most on 22/05 when they were hard inshore,
we even had them coming up over the boat while we were anchored. During
most of the run home there were always GFPs in sight, often a steady stream
and spectacular in flight with the strong wind. They only petered out
when we got close to Mount Camel at the entrance to Houhora Harbour.
COOKILARIA sp.: 1. This was seen on 22/05 on the way back to Houhora.
Prob Cook's.
BULLER'S SHEARWATER: 100s. Not huge numbers but they were always slipping
by throughout the trip. We did see several rafts, one with GFPs amongst
them. Intriguing to see how the latter are a bulkier, bigger bird, something
not so obvious in flight.
FLESH-FOOTED SHEARWATER: 2. One each day.
LITTLE SHEARWATER: <100. On 21/05 we were able to get very close to
a number, birds either feeding or resting on the water. Most birds had
white-looking faces (white extending above the eye), whereas others had
a more dusky-looking face with the dark area extending below the eye.
Saw quite a few LSws on the run home 22/05 as well.
FLUTTERING SHEARWATER: 100s. Seen in big numbers on 21/05 for the first
few nms out from North Cape in the morning, streaming through in loose
groups, then individuals for the rest of the day. Next morning 22/05 saw
plenty close to the Cape from our anchorage, but saw only a handful on
the run home until we got close to Houhora where there were more.
SHORT-TAILED SHEARWATER: 2. Both 22/05
FAIRY PRION: 100s. On 21/05 these were mainly out along the shelf edge
where saw a steady stream of birds, usually in loose small groups. On
22/05 picked up a few individuals then just south of the Parengarenga
Harbour mouth saw a big flock of several hundred birds in a broad band
extending down our route. Lovely sight with birds lifting off the huge
waves and catching the sun. Saw several groups resting on the water.
COMMON DIVING PETREL: 100s. On 21/05 saw many as we moved north of North
Cape (in same area as Fluttering Shearwaters). Then as we came back in
to North Cape in the early evening. On 22/05 we saw them most of the way,
particularly in one stretch off Parengarenga Harbour where there seemed
to be little heads bobbing like corks amongst the waves everywhere, some
dashing away from under the bow as we surfed into troughs. With the strong
wind a number were being arcing high above the wave-crests, a rather extreme
version of dynamic soaring!
WILSON'S STORM PETREL: 1. First saw this flitting around a Gibson's Albatross
resting on the water with 2 Fairy Prions. Stayed with it for a few minutes
and watched at close range.
BLACK-BELLIED STORM PETREL (prob): 1 seen about 35 kms north of North
Cape. Much debated. Definitely Fregetta (i.e. either White or Black-bellied
Storm Petrel) and most definitely not a NZ Storm Petrel with its broad
well-rounded wings, larger size, stockier .... This was a bird we watched
at fairly close range (>15 m) for about 10mins. Complete lack of foot
projection throughout the sighting and mostly white undertail saw us leaning
very much towards WBSP on the day. Also, dark plumage along flanks was
clear to the eye. However, dark plumage along the central belly shows
up in some photos. This feature and the underwing coverts would see the
ID as BBSP. It had some very worn plumage. We'll have some of Steve's
photos on the gallery pages of our website (http://www.nzseabirds.com/gallery.php?aid=93)
asap so you can have a look for yourselves.
WHITE RUMPED BLACK/WHITE STORM PETRELS: 3 sightings besides the two above
- one prob Fregetta sp.(1), one prob NZ Storm Petrel (2) and one possible
Wilson's Storm Petrel (3). (1) was seen 50m away while we were cruising
in excellent conditions for viewing. It was a bird with white on the underwing
and white belly, but appeared larger than NZ Storm Petrel. (2) was seen
while cruising 20-30m from boat heading in opposite direction. We tried
to follow but lost sight of it. Again, white belly but relatively small
size and appearance consistent with the NZSP we'd been seeing all summer.
(3) was glimpsed by a couple of observers in the vicinity of the Wilson's
which we did see very clearly.
GIBSON'S ALBATROSS: 10+. Adults, imm and a couple of fresh juvs. Most
seen 21/05. One seen 22/05.
ANTIPODEAN ALBATROSS: 3 prob. All seen 21/05
CAMPBELL (NZ BLACK-BROWED) ALBATROSS: 15+ Most seen on 21/05. Several
following a long-liner (fishing boat) we came across. Mix of adults and
imm.
BLACK-BROWED ALBATROSS: 5+ Mix of adults and imm.
WHITE-CAPPED ALBATROSS: 2. One each day.
BLUE PENGUIN: 10. A couple seen heading north 20/05. The others were
seen while at anchorage at North Cape 22/05
AUSTRALASIAN GANNET: 100-200. Often seen individually or in small groups.
Other marine life:
Sunfish
Marlin
Tuna
No cetaceans this time
Happy Birding
Chris Gaskin
Pterodroma Pelagics NZ
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