Pterodroma pelagics New Zealand seabird expeditions

Hauraki Gulf (Auckland, New Zealand) and New Zealand's Far North Seabird Tours. Great itineraries for ship-based New Zealand Seabird Birdwatching Expeditions - Three Kings, NZ. South Pacific Seabird Expeditions and Oceanic Seabird Birdwatching Opportunities

Painting by Sarah McBeath

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About Pterodroma Pelagics

Chris Gaskin operates Pterodroma Pelagics as a subsidiary of Kiwi Wildlife Tours NZ.

Karen Baird and Chris Gaskin, South Cape, Stewart Island

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 during Mokohinaus Survey
Chris - Mokohinau (Pokohinu) Islands Bird Survey.
Karen Baird
Karen - leader for Zegrams Subantarctic Islands Voyage

Research


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:


  • 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.
Kiwi survey team
Kiwi Survey Team on Little Barrier (Hauturu).

Bookings - please contact us - info@nzseabirds.com
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