Kaikoura’s Albatrosses

Peter Langlands/Wild Capture Photography E:langlands@xtra.co.nz M - 0274 501 016 Kaikoura is a magical place- a collision of steep mountains and deep ocean trenches almost within a stones throw from each other. The proximity of the deep ocean trench, just to the south of Kaikoura Peninsula, is the main reason hat such a diversity of marine life is found in the area. The marine has been sequentially discovered o=over the last to decades. Firstly the whales, then dolphins followed finally by the albatross, which occur off Kaikoura Peninsula. Their sequence follows size, but ironically the first major seabird discovery at Kaikoura as the small balck and white- diminutive, Hutton’s Shearwater (a small scale version of its larger kin being the albatross). One of the magical species of encountering albatross at Kaikoura is jut how close theirs will come- often within an arms length. While photographing a wandering albatross at sea level the bird loomed in close enough to tap my camera lens with its bill. Wanders are often the boldest of the albatross. Yet strangely the often-larger Southern Royal, will stay back in the pecking order despite their large size. Each species of albatross has its own temperament. Some speceis of albatross will only be seen in the distance soaring past without any apparent interest, such as oceanic wanders like the light-mantled sooty albatross- a very graceful bird with angular wings. Albatross encounter operates trips out to view the albatrosses. These trips have proven a major success with the companies international profile booming. Certainly Dennis Buurman's vision has put Kaikoura on the map worldwide for bird waters. To date albatross Encounter has taken out 1000’s of birdwatchers from points a far on the map as which albatross are Kaikoura turn up from. To date over 15 types of albatross have been sighted off Kaikoura. To date five species of “great albatross” have been sighted, comprising of the Wandering and Royal albatross group- the largest of all flying birds. The Snowy Wandering Albatross is sighted especially over the winter months and holds the title of the world’s largest flying bird. Over nine types of smaller albatross, also known as “Mollymawks” have also been sighted off Kaikoura. Several of the species are only seen on rare occasions such as the Chatham Island Albatross or the oceanic Light-mantled Sooty Albatross, which possibly holds the title of the ocean’s most graceful bird. So in total at least 15 different types of albatross have been identified from off the Kaikoura Coast, more than any other single location in New Zealand. New Zealand is an island nation, surrounded by the oceans of the roaring forties. It is within this realm that albatross gracefully glide. Therefore we should consider albatross as much a part of our culture and natural history. For many species

of albatross that occur at Kaikoura only breed in New Zealand’s Waters and are a defining part of our ocean realm. Take the time to head up to Kaikoura and check out these grand birds for we have the best seaward opportunities to observe. These birds on the world right our doors.