Trip Report
5/6/7 January 2005 - New Zealand's Far North Pelagic
Six of us, Derek Bettesworth, Hadoram Shirihai, Jo Thompson, Ian Wilson,
Murray Rae (skipper) and Chris Gaskin (organiser) enjoyed a live-aboard
pelagic out from Houhora 5/6/7 January. It appears as though out at sea
off North Cape is the place to be when most of the North Island is hit
by shocking weather!
We left Houhora Harbour 7PM and steamed north into the evening (5th),
reaching our anchorage under the hook of North Cape after dark, NW wind
10-15kns. This increased, with some mighty gusts roaring off the cliffs
during the night. However, by 8AM the wind was dropping away. We enjoyed
10-15kns NW and fine overhead conditions all day out at sea. Back inshore
the whole of North Cape/Cape Reinga area remained covered in thick low
cloud (6th). We returned to our nest in the lee of North Cape that evening.
The forecast SW which would have allowed an anchorage closer to Cape Reinga
did not eventuate. Next day was overcast, with thick fog at times and
the wind rising to 15kns late in the day (7th). No swell to speak of,
maybe 1m max out over the Shelf edge. Sea temperatures much lower than
usual for this time of the year, which seems to tie in with what we've
been experiencing further south in the Hauraki Gulf. Ranged between 16.6C
at North Cape to 19.3C just outside the 1000m line NE from North Cape.
It is always fascinating to visit places at different times of the year
and see the changes. Our previous two trips in the Far North had been
late-May and mid-July 2004 and both had been albatross-rich experiences.
This time round the trip was dominated by Pterodroma petrels, shearwaters
and a couple of tropical delights, with very few albatrosses - much to
Murray's surprise because of birds he'd been seeing recently while fishing,
backed by a report we had earlier in the week from a commercial fishing
boat 30nms out from the Poor Knights (just down the line) surrounded by
20 or so Wanderers.
Birds seen:
Wandering/Gibson's Albatross
Wandering/Gibson's Albatross (imm) - very rich colouring, especially beautiful
against an overcast sky and a deep inky-blue 'marlin' sea.
Pacific (Northern Buller's) Albatross - a small number breed on the Three
Kings.
Black-winged Petrel - fantastic to see them at close range, from all angles.
Seen at a couple of the northern chumming locations and while steaming
back towards North Cape at the end of the 6th. These birds breed on the
Three Kings and an island close to Cape Maria Van Diemen.
White-naped (or White-necked) Petrel - one was seen late afternoon on
the 6th. There was the possibility of another earlier in the day. Largest
colony in close proximity to the NZ mainland is the Kermadecs.
Pycroft's Petrel - a handful were identified circling the boat at a couple
of the chumming locations.
Cook's Petrel - we saw a few until we headed in towards Houhora late on
the 7th, when we picked up a number (maybe 10-15) coming through quite
close to shore.
Grey-faced Petrel - we picked up 20+ at one chumming location about 15nms
NE of North Cape (with more flying in when we left), but only a few individuals
elsewhere
Black Petrel - ever present at every chumming spot and often seen while
steaming
Buller's Shearwater - ditto, in fact very common throughout the trip.
Little Shearwater - a few seen
Flesh-footed Shearwater - again, always at every chumming spot and often
seen while steaming
Short-tailed Shearwater - a number were seen at chumming locations and
while steaming. We've noted that they have been much more numerous compared
to Sooties this season in the Hauraki Gulf. Indicative of northern waters?
Sooty Shearwater - only one seen
Fluttering Shearwater - huge numbers inshore, especially out from Houhora
and close to North Cape
White-faced Storm Petrel - very very common throughout, whether inshore
or further out
Fairy Prion - a few seen to the north of North Cape
Blue Penguin - a few seen steaming north on the first night
Australasian Gannet - everywhere in good numbers. Sometimes big groups
looking very post-feeding/work-up!
White (or Fairy) Tern - two, possibly three seen. Derek started waving
from his usual post on the bow (we first thought he'd seen another shark),
when we saw one of these beautiful tropical seabirds hovering with a good
sized fish hanging from it's bill. This it duly swallowed, then as we
followed it (so Hadoram could get some photos) another swung in alongside.
Not long after we left these two we saw another, possibly one of the pair
although noone saw either of them fly in the direction this bird was seen.
White Terns breed on Norfolk Island and the Kermadecs. The origin for
these particular birds may well be Norfolk, being much closer and they
breed there in greater numbers. Previous records are "mainly March-July"
(Heather & Roberston).
Red-billed Gull - a small group turned up at our furthest offshore chumming
location, and inshore as you'd expect.
Other marine life:
Common Dolphins
Bottle-nosed Dolphins
Sunfish
Shark (unidentified but decent size)
Flying Fish
Plus one Albacore Tuna off the hook which tasted great as entree for dinner
on the 6th!
Overall quite quiet, but good to be around as some of these tropical
species start to enter NZ waters. Should be fun later in the season.
Chris Gaskin
Pterodroma Pelagics
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