Paul's 2023 Photographic World List (1 Viewer)

[Paul Chapman]

Day 32 (Dec 13th). A day when I got very wet & very muddy as Campbell Islands hit us with everything. The Teal and the Shag were found despite the conditions though my photos weren't great. Time was spent sitting with Southern Royal Albatrosses and we sailed by the huge Campbell (Black-browed) Albatross colony.

We are now at sea again with a full day before arriving at the Antipodes Islands tomorrow.

A few back of camera pics. Southern Royal Albatross (three pics), Campbell Island Teal (two pics), Campbell Island Shag (three pics), Subantarctic Tern, Sooty Shearwater, Light-mantled Albatross & Campbell (Black-browed) Albatross. The pic on the water contains at least one Grey-headed Albatross. The pics of the cliffs shoe the vast numbers present.

All the best

Paul

 

[Owene]

Have you managed all the land birds on the islands Paul? I know you’ve missed a few seabirds but presumably there are still chances of them.

 

[Paul Chapman]

The only miss on landbirds so far has been. Snares Islands Snipe. We could not land and seeing it from a zodiac is pot luck! Two parakeets to target tomorrow on the Antipodes and they can often be problematic... Again, zodiac cruising only tomorrow.

All the best

Paul

 

[Owene]

I can’t even imagine trying to see a snipe from a zodiac 😀

 

[Paul Chapman]

Day 33 (Dec 14th) was a day of seawatching as we travelled from Campbell Islands en route to Antipodes Island. Eight forms of Albatross, three Ptetodromas, at least two Prions, two Storm Petrels, etc was a bit of an intensive class on seabirds as we prepare for more variety & excitement in the next few days.

A few back of camera pics. White-chinned Petrel, Sooty Shearwater, White-headed Petrel, Mottled Petrel, Grey-headed Albatross (two pics), Cape Petrel, Light-mantled Albatross (two pics), Northern Giant Petrel, Antipodean Albatross (nominate - two pics), Northern Royal Albatross, Campbell's Black-browed Albatross, Soft-plumaged Petrel, Southern Royal Albatross, Antarctic Prion (two pics) & Prion species (undetermined - one pic).

Finally, a rather nice display of the Aurora Australis....

Tomorrow should be an interesting day. I must work out my trip list again. 😀

All the best

Paul

 

[Paul Chapman]

Day 34 (Dec 15th) saw an astonishing effort in heavy swell by Heritage Expeditions to get the zodiacs launched to get close enough to explore Antipodes Island. Both endemic parakeets photographrd from the zodiacs. In the afternoon, we then sailed towards the Bounty Islands and were treated to hundreds of White-headed & Soft-plumaged Petrels en route. Highlight though was finally connecting with five or so Subantarctic Shearwater.

The seabird diversity is due to increase over the next couple of days!! 😀

A few back of camera pics. Salvin's Albatross, Subantarctic Shearwater (two pics), White-headed Petrel, Soft-plumaged Petrel (two pics), Grey-backed Storm-petrel, Northern Royal Albatross, Black-bellied Storm-petrel, Erect-crested Penguin (two pics), Antipodean Parakeet, Resichek's Parakeet, Antipodean Albatross (three pics), Southern Royal Albatross, Light-mantled Albatross, Black-browed Albatross & Cape Petrel.

Early start tomorrow for what could be another exceptional day. 😀

All the best

Paul

 

[Paul Chapman]

A few general phone pics showing locations and logistics today.

All the best

Paul

 

[Frank van Drogen]

Seems like the tip of a life-time!!!

(That many others may follow )

 

[JWN Andrewes]

The seabird diversity is due to increase over the next couple of days!! 😀

Increase??!! Good grief!!

Keep it coming though Paul, it's a great read, and nicely illustrated.

 

[Paul Chapman]

Day 35 (Dec 16th) started in the Bounty Islands with Bounty Islands Shag & hundreds of Salvin's Albatrosses, Erect-crested Penguins & Fulmar Prions.

We have since been heading north to spend two days at the Chatham Islands starting tomorrow. A very brief Black-winged Petrel & two Cook's/Pycroft's Petrels have been puzzling Pterodromas. Hopefully, further chances & views will follow...

A few pics attached. White-faced Storm-Petrel, Mottled Petrel, Pycroft's Petrel (maybe), Northern Royal Albatross, Fulmar Prion (two pics), Bounty Islands Shag (two pics), Wilson's Storm-petrel, Antarctic Tern, Erect-crested Penguin (three pics), Salvin's Albatross (four pics) & New Zealand Fur Seals (three pics).

All the best

Paul

 

[Dave Boyle]

I think structurally it looks better for Cook's rather than Pycroft's but most years there's confusing pterodromas seen on that trip between the Bounties & the Chathams. We did catch a Cook's in the Tuku this time last year so they are around. See you tomorrow!

 

[Paul Chapman]

I think structurally it looks better for Cook's rather than Pycroft's but most years there's confusing pterodromas seen on that trip between the Bounties & the Chathams. We did catch a Cook's in the Tuku this time last year so they are around. See you tomorrow!

I was just sneaking in to amend it to Cook's Petrel having discovered that better pics of the bird from the port side of the ship had shown that... You were too quick off the mark for me to get away with it.... 😀

See you tomorrow. Looking forward to it!

All the best

Paul

 

[Dave Boyle]

Hopefully I'll have some birds to show you, need some non breeders ti come in tonight & stay fir the day! There's a few potential taiko, chatham petrel might be harder

 

[Paul Chapman]

Hopefully I'll have some birds to show you, need some non breeders ti come in tonight & stay fir the day! There's a few potential taiko, chatham petrel might be harder

A few people on here crossing their fingers....

 

[Dave Boyle]

Could have done without the weather turning so nice! Could you see the Pyramid this morning?

 

[Paul Chapman]

We saw the bottom of it & not the top when we visited it but then all of it from a distance later.

I fluffed my Chatham Island Robin photo opportunity but a number of us got views & others got a pic or two..... 😀😀😀 (I suspect the colour ring combination could be read from those.)

Otherwise a number of targets fallen so far albeit Snipe heard only. A very good day so far.

We are in the first group tomorrow. It seems you will be busy.

All the best

Paul

 

[Dave Boyle]

Wow, can't be many people seen Black Robin from a zodiac!

 

[Paul Chapman]

Wow, can't be many people seen Black Robin from a zodiac!

😀

Edit - a pic of the Robin twitch. We were very lucky to be nearby when it was found. Second pic is the hole in which it gave its views (in the centre of the first pic)! When I switched from bins to camera, I just couldn't pic it up.

 

[Paul Chapman]

Day 36 (Dec 17th) was our first day at the remarkable Chatham Islands with a visit to Pyramid Rock, a zodiac along the shoreline of South East Island & cruise alongside Mangere & Little Mangere. All iconic locations in terms of conservation battles & successes and the chronicles of endemic species.

My trip list rose to 453 species.

A few back of camera pics. Little Penguin, White-fronted Tern, Chatham Oystercatcher, Tui, Pitt Island Shag, White-faced Storm-petrel, Northern Royal Albatross, Chatham Albatross (four pics), Buller's Shearwater, Northern Buller's Albatross (three pics), Shore Plover (two pics), Arctic Skua, Common Diving Petrel & Chatham Islands Shag.

An epic day & hoping for more successful adventure tomorrow... 😀

All the best

Paul

 

[Paul Chapman]

A pic of the Robin here...

https://twitter.com/x/status/1736299276874162221

All the best

Paul