Stewart Island pelagic tours (1 Viewer)

[jimscarff]

I went to NZ in January 2010. I did two pelagic trips with Albatross Encounters out of Kaikoura which I very highly recommend.

I then went south to Stewart Island and did two more pelagic trips with Ruggedy Range Expeditions. These were 3 hour trips. Furhana, the guide, was very knowledgeable and we had great views of lots of albatross (Buller's, White-cappped, Northern Royal), both Blue and Yellow-eyed Penguins, Brown Skuas, Spotted and Stewart Island Shags, Sooty Shearwaters, Cape Petrel, and several (if "challenging") views of the tiny Common Diving Petrels. I highly recommend seeking them out if your travels take you down there (http://www.ruggedyrange.com/pelagic_birding.htm).

On the ferry over to Stewart Island, I was lucky enough to see both a Broad-billed Prion and a Mottled Petrel. I've posted some of my photos at http://www.flickr.com/photos/jimscarff/sets/72157623473187159/.

 

[Andrew Whitehouse]

Sounds like a good trip. I did a similar pelagic with Furhana a few years ago, although I don't think I did quite so well (still enjoyable though). It's a shame nobody does a regular full day pelagic around Stewart Island (at least as far as I know) because I expect it could be really exceptioinal if you get further out - though perhaps a bit rough!

 

[Marmot]

Great photos, you are so lucky to be able to do this.

Is there any chance of puting the photos of the Broad billed Prion and the Mottled Petrel either on this thread or in the gallery as they are 2 birds that we do not have photos of in Opus and they would be very appreciated.