Trip Report
HAURAKI GULF PELAGIC
3 & 4 February 2005
Did a couple of boat trips on consecutive days last week - one out to
the Poor Knights Islands (3 Feb), then a second out into the Hauraki Gulf
(4 Feb). After a shocking period of strong NE-erlies and big swells we
felt we were fortunate to get out at all! These trips were part of a tour.
3 Feb - Poor Knights
11 of us left Tutukaka 9AM, SE of 10kns, NE swell 1.5m. Overcast with
thick fog at times, fortunately leaving the rain behind on the mainland.
We got an indication of what we would see as soon as we reached the Tutukaka
Heads: 100s of Buller's Shearwaters streaming through with 10s of Fluttering
Shearwaters - an incredible sight against the cliffs shrouded in mist,
sunlight slashing through and breaking waves. On the 45 min run to the
Poor Knights picked up Cook's Petrel, Flesh-footed Shearwater, White-faced
Storm Petrel, the occasional Fluttering Shearwater and many more Buller's.
The huge rafts of Buller's in the lee of the Knights rivalled the numbers
of Sooties off Stewart Island. We tucked in under the cliffs of Aorangi
Island, close to Rekoreko Cave for some time out, snorkelling and kayaking.
Later we explored the lee side of the islands, hard in under the cliffs,
quite eerie in the mist. Spied Bellbird, Red-crowned Parakeet, Welcome
Swallow, Kingfisher, Pied and Little Shag, A Harrier, Starling, Red-billed
Gull.
With a shifting wind (NE) we headed NW of the Knights to chum (a long
way clear of the Marine Reserve!). Birds seen: Cook's Petrel, Flesh-footed
Shearwater, Black Petrel, White-faced Storm Petrel, Buller's Shearwater,
Fluttering Shearwater and A. Gannet. Note, no NZ Storm Petrel and no Pycroft's
seen in an hour and half of chumming, although we're not going to read
too much into single trip. (Pycroft's breed on the Knights; also these
rat-free islands are a strong contender for a breeding location for NZSP.)
We returned to the Knights for lunch before heading on to the Pinnacles
and Sugar Loaf to check out the Gannet colonies and see whether any Grey
Ternlets were there. These great stacks are impressive, particularly with
a big surge rolling between them. Gannets cover most of the upper surfaces;
with the chicks as well advanced as they are on Maori Rocks in the Mokohinaus.
We found approx 20 Grey Ternlets on Sugarloaf (we saw several out over
the water) - the same place they were seen last season. On the run back
to Tutukaka we saw more Cook's, Buller's and White-faced Stormies, then
(at a distance) a pod of dolphins travelling at speed. Just as we neared
them (Common Dolphins) we picked up a Fairy Prion, some Buller's and Flesh-footed
Shearwaters with a very hefty Brown Skua amongst them. The size and shape
of it reminded me of some of the keg-like Browns we see off Stewart Island
(full o'muttonbirds!). Note: we've seen several Brown Skua in the Outer
Hauraki Gulf this summer. Then more Buller's and Fluttering Shearwaters
just outside Tutukaka as earlier when leaving the harbour.
4 Feb - Hauraki Gulf
9 of us headed out from Sandspit 8.45AM, 5-10 NE, 1m SE swell. Patches
of low cloud, fog in places and some long hot fine breaks. Basically a
run out to Little Barrier, via Beehive Island with some time for seabirds.
Big rafts of Fluttering Shearwater inside Kawau, small groups of Blue
Penguins, and a solitary Flesh-footed Shearwater. One Shore Plover (has
anyone seen two lately?), NZ Dotterel, Variable Oystercatcher, White-faced
Heron, Black-backed Gull, Red-billed Gull, Caspian Tern and Pied Shag
on Beehive. Birds seen crossing to LBI: Buller's, Flesh-footed and Fluttering
Shearwater, Black and Cook's Petrel, White-faced Storm Petrel, one NZ
Storm Petrel (seen while steaming), and A. Gannet including some youngsters.
Landed at LBI 10.30AM, and enjoyed a leisurely walk up the Valley Track.
Birds seen: Saddleback, Stitchbird, Long-tailed Cuckoo, Kaka, Red-crowned
Parakeet, NZ Pigeon, Whitehead, Kingfisher, Bellbird, Tui, Tomtit, Fantail.
We heard Kokako very close but a sighting alluded us. Also, Tuatara. Back
on the water, we headed off for a couple of chumming sessions, the first
where we came across a big build up of birds criss-crossing a wide area.
At one point we spied what were probably tuna breaking the surface. Birds
seen when we stopped to chum: Black Petrel (10+), Cook's Petrel (10+),
Flesh-footed Shearwater (125+), Fluttering Shearwater (2), Sooty Shearwater
(1), Short-tailed Shearwater (3), White-faced Storm Petrel (10+), NZ Storm
Petrel (4 seen at one time, possibly as many as 6 seen in the hour spent
chumming), Blue Penguin (1). Back at Sandspit 6.30PM.
After we left the Auckland area, the foul weather returned and a HG pelagic
scheduled for 5th Feb had to be cancelled. So was the back-up day. Further
south Spotless Crake, Fernbird and Marsh Crake (heard very close!) at
Tokaanu (plus a evening hot-bath soak) was immensely satisfying.
Chris Gaskin
Pterodroma Pelagics NZ
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