Trip Report
20 Feb 2004
Despite high winds and torrential rains around the country (including horrendous flooding in the Manawatu) and a mixed forecast for the day we decided to "give it a go". Five from Sweden, one Aussie, Karen, Chris and Brett (skipper).
8.30AM start from Sandspit. 25-30 knots Westerly (gusting to 45 at Tiri).
Forecast had been for the wind to ease (!) during the day so decided to fill in a bit of time before venturing too far out. With high tide we crossed to Beehive Island between Kawau and Moturekareka.
Beehive Island
2 Shore Plovers
3 Pied Shag
1 Spur-winged Plover
5 Variable Oystercatchers
1 Caspian Tern
A gannets - several flying
1 Arctic Skua (dark phase) flew by close)
Out round the SE end of Kawau and hove to in a little bay for a cuppa
Buller's Shearwaters, Fluttering Shearwaters, and A gannets in the moving in a steady stream further out close to shore. Blue Penguins in the water. Groups of Fluttering Shearwater on the water to the south of Kawau.
Made the decision to continue and were duped by a bit of lull
First Chumming Location
30+ Flesh-footed Shearwaters
10+ Black Petrels
Fluttering Shearwaters came in close
Cook's Petrels came in close
10+ White-faced Storm Petrels
1 NZ Storm Petrel - fairly white-bellied with some streaking.
After about an hour the conditions really deteriorated with big squalls coming across so decided to head for the lee of Cape Rodney. A lot of birds in the air with many Fluttering and Buller's Shearwaters closer to land.
Second Chumming Location - after lunch out from Cape Rodney
Moved out to get amongst the birds that we'd been watching fly past
10+ Fluttering Shearwater (once we were out further the numbers of these dropped away)
100+ Flesh-footed Shearwaters (great sight around the boat)
10s Buller's Shearwaters
10 White-faced Stormies
A gannet - a couple of birds were tempted by a whole pilchard but they were very wary of other birds (quite skittish)
Headed up towards Omaha for another break from the conditions.
Big pod of Common Dolphins joined us for a while before the continued on their way.
Did a bit of a tiki tour of Whangateau Harbour entrance and Omaha Beach, with another cuppa off Tawharanui before heading out again
Third Chumming Location - conditions had not eased. In fact we felt they had deteriorated even further.
3 Blue Penguins
5 Sooty Shearwaters
Fluttering Shearwaters - several coming in to the chum close to the boat, and many more flying by)
Flesh-footed Shearwaters - similar numbers to before
Buller's Shearwaters - ditto
10+ White-faced Strom Petrels
5 Black-backed Gulls
After about 45 mins and running out of chum moved across to an area where a lot of birds could be seen in the air. A lot of activity in the water with the Common Dolphins (same pod as before?).
A gannets
Flesh-footed Shearwaters
Buller's Shearwaters
About 5 Sooties flew through
Occasional Fluttering Shearwater
1 White-faced Strom Petrel seen amongst the over birds.
Bashed our way upwind to the Kawau Island/Takatu Point Channel (North Channel)
Inside Kawau we picked up big schools of feeding kahawai accompanied by many Fluttering Shearwaters and some White-fronted terns - a wonderful moving confusion especially with the wind and flying spray.
Time ashore at Mansion House Bay - Weka, Paradise Shelduck, Sacred Kingfisher, juv Black-backed Gulls and tame Peacock/hen. Also two wallabies.
Back by 6PM - an eventful day despite not venturing too far out into the Gulf.
--Chris Gaskin & Karen Baird
Pterodroma Pelagics - Hauraki Gulf Seabird Tours
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