About Pterodroma Pelagics
Chris Gaskin operates Pterodroma Pelagics as a subsidiary of Kiwi Wildlife Tours NZ.
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Chis and partner Karen Baird live and work in the Hauraki Gulf and together have been operating pelagics to the Outer Hauraki Gulf (through Kiwi
Wildlife Tours NZ) since the end of 2002 when we recognised the Gulf's
full potential as a pelagic destination.
Chris has worked as a natural history artist and heritage illustrator
over a period of 25 years. He has illustrated over 20 books with several
award-winning children's nature books and natural history reference books.
The latter include books on albatrosses and penguins. More recently Chris
specialised in designing displays and educational resources for museums
and visitor centres. Chris has developed specialist skills through working
with palaeontologists reconstructing New Zealand's fascinating extinct
fauna and creating artwork which brings fossil birds such as penguins
and other creatures including early whales and dolphins to life.
Karen has recently taken up a position with the Department of Conservation as the programme manager of Raoul Island (Kermadec Islands). and is no longer be involved in the day-to-day running of the business.
As tour leaders and specialist bird guides for their own company Kiwi
Wildlife Tours and several overseas companies, Karen and Chris have gained
considerable experience on numerous pelagics throughout New Zealand. Both
have a lot of 'sea-time' experience, whether for recreation (including
sea kayaking and sailing) or during the course of professional work.
Chris - Mokohinau (Pokohinu) Islands Bird Survey. |
Karen - leader for Zegrams Subantarctic Islands Voyage |
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Our Hauraki Gulf Seabird Observation Project (begun in November
2002) is designed to complement work DOC and contracted scientists
studying seabird breeding colonies on Northern New Zealand offshore
islands. We are:
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- Gathering information about seabird activity (location and activity)
in the Hauraki Gulf during regular pelagic bird-watching trips
in relation to environmental variables. Is it possible to predict
for any given time of year, the numbers, species and location
of feeding activity (for example).
- Monitoring long term changes in seabird numbers and activity
in the Hauraki Gulf.
- Studying the relationship between seabird activity/movement
and the East Auckland Current, from North Cape south to the Hauraki
Gulf area.
- Undertaking seabird surveys on the Mokohinau Islands - see Mokohinau
(Pokohinu) Islands Seabird Survey May 2004. Further visits
are planned in conjunction with DoC.
- Contracted to run the kiwi surveys on Little Barrier and Kawau
Islands with two teams of 16 included DOC staff (an interesting
logistical exercise with monitoring at night in some quite rugged
terrain).
- NZ South Pacific Seabird Observation Programme - read more.
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Kiwi Survey Team on Little Barrier (Hauturu).
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Bookings - please contact us - info@nzseabirds.com
