So Neil Robertson is now on the South Island, Day 11 of the tour. They have been having a great time so far, with some real highlights!
Epic Hauraki Gulf pelagic, with good numbers of NZ storm-petrels (up to six in view at once), a Wilson’s storm-petrel that hung around for an hour, and huge numbers of fairy prions feeding. All the usual suspects, and some good views of little shearwater.
Tiritiri Matangi proved excellent with great close views of Kokako, takahe (inc chicks), and excellent little spotted kiwi at night. Also tuatara and a Duvaucel’s gecko during the night walk!
Miranda and Pureora forest were both great with good numbers of shorebirds and long-tailed cuckoo, kaka and yellow-crowned parakeets seen at the respective places. Hawkes Bay again proved to be a great stop with the shore plover seen well and a great bird to see on a tour like this.
A common tern at Foxton Beach/Manawatu Estuary, again confirming this site as the ‘Capital’ of this species in NZ!
And although a calm Cook Strait Ferry crossing, some good birds with a few albatross and Westland petrels. Today in the Marlborough Sounds was excellent with King shag, orange-fronted parakeet and South Island saddleback all in the bag!
Keep up the great work Neil, sounds like an awesome trip!