ew
Zealand offers some of the world's best viewing of coastal and pelagic
(off-shore) birds. Among these are penguins, albatrosses, mollymawks,
petrels, prions, shearwaters and skuas, with the added advantage that
many of these can be seen without getting your feet wet!
Three species of penguins are found along our coastline and all
these can be seen on a tour of the South Island. This can either
be done independently, or through some of the ecotour operators
that operate in the various areas.
Operators in Akaroa offer trips along the Akaroa Harbour where
White-flippered Penguins, a variety of the Little Blue Penguin can
often be spotted. Pied Shags are also to be seen on these trips.
The Yellow-eyed Penguin or Hoiho, the world's rarest penguin can
be spotted at a number of places along the Southland and Otago coasts
such as Nugget Point, Oamaru and Taiaroa Heads. Independent viewing
is possible, but the best chances of seeing these birds is through
an operator such as Catlins Wildlife Trackers.
The most beautiful of our penguins, the Fiordland Crested Penguin
which resembles a particularly flamboyant punk-rocker is a bit harder
to find. Wilderness Lodge at Lake Moeraki offers tours. If you wish
to go by yourself the Information Centres in the southern Westland
can give you directions. A word of warning though. Penguins are
most easily spotted when they are ashore for courtships and at this
time they like to be alone. A rough equivalent is a crowd of camera-toting
tourists bursting in on you unannounced when you had a romantic
evening planned.
New
Zealand is home to the only mainland nesting colony of albatrosses.
This is the Royal Albatross colony at Talaroa Heads near Dunedin.
Viewing is possible at the colony but sometimes the birds are out
of sight. Views from the Monarch Wildlife Cruises operating out
of Dunedin are much more likely.
Albatrosses and mollymawks and many smaller pelagics are often
to be seen on the ferry crossing between Bluff and Stewart Is. This
can at times be fairly invigorating so you may not be In a bird-watching
mood. On Stewart Island Talisker Charters and Thorfinn Charters
both offer bird watching tours. Kiwi also occur on Stewart Island.
Further north at Kaikoura, Stormwings can be contacted for pelagic
bird viewing. On this trip the rare Westland Petrel is often seen.
In the North Island, the best viewing of smaller pelagics such
as the Sooty Shearwater, Grey-faced Petrels, Cook's Petrels and
Fairy Prions is on trips on the 'Te Aroha’ around the Hauraki
Gulf. There are also easily accessible Gannet colonies near Napier
and Auckland.
