New Zealand – the very name conjures up images of a remote and isolated land a long way from Europe. The spectacular scenery is home to some of the world’s rarest birds and we have designed our tour to ensure that you have the maximum opportunities of encountering them on both land and at sea. We will travel from north to south island encountering glaciers, fjords, gushing rivers and the towering mountains of the Southern Alps. There are virtually no land predators, which have left many of the species incredibly tame and easy to observe and photograph. Our unique and carefully planned itinerary maximises our fantastic New Zealand pelagic opportunities, whilst still locating as many of the New Zealand endemics and natives as possible. We will take six full-day pelagics and three afternoon trips on the water, with pelagic trips out of the following ports; Oban – Stewart Island [full day], Jackson’s Bay – West Coast [full day], Kaikoura – Oceanwings pelagic [one afternoon and one full day], Marlborough Sounds – King Shag pelagic [afternoon trip], Whitianga – Mercury Islands [afternoon pelagic], Sandspit – Hauraki Gulf [two full days], Houhora – Far North [full day]. Please note – the itinerary should only be used as a guideline, as local weather conditions, tide times and the up to date whereabouts of certain species will determine exactly where we visit and is solely at the discretion of the tour leaders and boat skippers. We will aim to see members of the three endemic New Zealand families – the kiwi [aiming at three taxa], the New Zealand wrens [aiming for both of the two extant species], and the New Zealand wattlebirds [aiming for both of the two extant species]. As well as these key targets we will aim to see all of the regularly seen endemic and native land bird species, With such a modified landscape, a significant number of introduced species are present and easily seen, some even more so than in their own native ranges. Species such as Sky Lark and Cirl Bunting, which have decreased drastically in the United Kingdom, are common and doing well in parts of New Zealand. Your tour leaders will be Dr Robert Flood a name synonymous with the island after being part of the team that rediscovered the New Zealand Storm Petrel, which had been previously thought to be extinct for years and Brent Stephenson. We expect to see between 140 and 155 species during the whole tour, but you are certain never to forget the experiences you have on our ultimate New Zealand experience.
|
Introduction
