akapenguins
Well-known member
We recently returned from Heritage Expedition's "Birding Downunder" trip which was excellent for seeing rare and beautiful pelagics and many other great birds and mammals in the subantarctic areas below NZ and Australia.
For example, during the 19 day trip more than 100 sp of birds were seen including: 8 penguin species (inc 3 endemics), 15 sp./subspecies of albatross (inc 5 endemics), 16 sp. of petrel including the very rare magenta and chatham island petrels, 4 sp. of shearwaters, 3 sp. of prion, 4 sp. storm petrel and diving petrel were seen.
The trip leaves from Bluff in NZ and goes down through NZ's Snares and Auckland Islands before heading to Australia's Macquarie Island, then back to NZ waters to Campbell, Antipodes, Bounty and Chatham Islands.
Some of the islands we went ashore on, others can only be cruised by zodiac due to their conservation status - but we saw an amazing amount, including landing on Macquarie Island for their first fine day in 3 months - a real highlight!
While we were voted "seasickest couple on the ship" it was well worth the pain!
Anyone wanting to know more: http://www.heritage-expeditions.com/travel/birddownund-expd/ or just ask us.
We are posting some of our 8000+ photos in the New Zealand and Australian sections of the gallery!
For example, during the 19 day trip more than 100 sp of birds were seen including: 8 penguin species (inc 3 endemics), 15 sp./subspecies of albatross (inc 5 endemics), 16 sp. of petrel including the very rare magenta and chatham island petrels, 4 sp. of shearwaters, 3 sp. of prion, 4 sp. storm petrel and diving petrel were seen.
The trip leaves from Bluff in NZ and goes down through NZ's Snares and Auckland Islands before heading to Australia's Macquarie Island, then back to NZ waters to Campbell, Antipodes, Bounty and Chatham Islands.
Some of the islands we went ashore on, others can only be cruised by zodiac due to their conservation status - but we saw an amazing amount, including landing on Macquarie Island for their first fine day in 3 months - a real highlight!
While we were voted "seasickest couple on the ship" it was well worth the pain!
Anyone wanting to know more: http://www.heritage-expeditions.com/travel/birddownund-expd/ or just ask us.
We are posting some of our 8000+ photos in the New Zealand and Australian sections of the gallery!
