Kaikoura’s Southern royal albatross

Kaikoura’s Southern royal albatross Kaikoura is now well known as New Zealand’s albatross capital. Of the ten albatross species regularly sighted, the two types of great albatross are the most spectacular. The Wandering Albatross is often the type most often sighted and they are considered to be the world’s largest flying bird. The second type is the Royal Albatross, with the Southern Royal Albatross being of a similar size to the Wandering Albatross. Southern Royals are seen offshore from Kaikoura throughout the year. But in contrast to the Wandering Albatross are not as bold as feeding on fish scarps, and often feed out further from the boat than the Wanders. The Royal Albatross is distinguished from the Wander by having a black line along their bill. Often binoculars are required to see this detail that separates the Royal from the similarly sized Wander. Royals also have a regal and elegant appearance that allows the trained eye to recognize

them from a distance. Of the two species of Royal Albatross sighted off Kaikoura (the Northern and Southern) the Southern is the most frequently sighted, although often never in large numbers. Also unlike the Wandering Albatross the Southern Royal only breeds in New Zealand’s waters. The birds seen off Kaikoura are most likely to have originated from breeding colonies on either the Auckland or Campbell islands- some 600 to 700 miles south of Kaikoura. The best way to see Royal Albatross is on a charter boat trip. They will come within several miles off the tip of Kaikoura Peninsula and are often sighted by birdwatching charter trips or on occasions feeding on scraps behind a fishing charter boat. Southern Royal albatross certainly live up to their name are are awe inspiring large and elegant birds to sight. Peter Langlands/Wild Capture Photography E:langlands@xtra.co.nz M - 0274 501 016

Hoki fishery a major feeding ground for our white-capped albatross

The NZ White-capped albatross is one of the main species that follows fishing boats on the hoki fishery, NZ's largest fishery by volume which is in season now. The Hokitika canyon off the South Island's West Coast is a focal point for spawning hoki

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.

Snowy Albatross- the king of albatross

Snowy Albatross- the king of albatross Peter Langlands

Kaikoura is now well known as the albatross capital of the World. Not only for the sheer numbers of species that have been recorded but also for the accessibility. Large albatross come within only a kilometre or two of the South Bay boat ramp. One species, the Snowy albatross, is the most striking of all. Snowies are the largest of the albatross species, perhaps as an adaptation to living in cold climates, being the most southern breeding of all the great albatross. Yet Snowies will venture thousands of miles north and can be seen throughout the year at Kaikoura. Recently Snowies have been regularly sighted on offshore boat trips. The Snowy is distinguished by its large size which makes it stand out from the fifteen or so other species of albatross that are sighted at Kaikoura. Also as the name suggests the snowy is the whitest albatross and older birds may be mostly white, with only black wing tips. Another species of Wandering Albatross, the Gibson’s is the most commonly sighted of the larger albatross off Kaikoura, but Gibson'salbatross are notably smaller than Snowies. The second largest albatross species, the Southern royal is also often seen off Kaikoura but is distinguished from the snowy by having a black cutting edge along its’ bill. Yet the Snowy is the King. Albatross will often feed in groups, of many species when fish remains are discarded, and the Snowy will stand out. Most Snowies breed in the South Indian and Atlantic Oceans, so birds seen at Kaikoura are likely to have traveled thousands of miles- a true oceanic wander.

Salvins albatross

The Salvin's albatross is one of our most threatened species with a rapid rate of population decline over the last thirty years. Peter Langlands/Wild Capture Photography E:langlands@xtra.co.nz M - 0274 501 016