Two caught with squid bait.
Mantis was eating a bee.
On a return trip from White Island we had gone about ten kilometres when we came a cross these albatross along with other seabirds and dolphins.
According to NZ birds on line this bird is the Antipodean albatross sub-species Gibson's (Diomedea antipodensis gibsoni). But other authorities seem to agree with Naturewatch by classifying this bird as a sub species of wandering albatross (Diomedea exulans gibsoni). Either way it was a magnificent bird to observe.
Juvenile seen in about 2006, was rescued by DoC
Blechnum fern with separate reproductive and photosynthetic stalks.
We observed a magpie eat the three wasps.
Blechnum fern with separate reproductive and photosynthetic stalks.
Perhaps a Cattle Egret?
First time I've seen an egret but it appeared to be a shorter and stockier bird than the Eastern Great Egret documented here.
A last minute opportunity to do the "albatross encounter" trip at Kaikoura resulted in a great range of species for a winter trip. It was a rough day so we had to stay within the shelter of the peninsula but nevertheless a good range of pelagic species came to the boat.
These included: 4 northern royal albatross, and six southern. Unfortunately I lack the skills/knowledge to different between the two for this observation.
A flock of gull-bird tern in adult breeding plumage circled me for several minutes calling loudly during a visit to Kaituna Lagoon end of Lake Ellesmere. Associating strongly with caspian tern and black-billed gulls. Interestingly their calling and circling behaviour was a virtual mimic of the caspian terns which had a breeding colony with young chicks present nearby to protect, something the gull-bills would not have had.
Adorable. Not shy.
I always enjoy seeing these birds down on our beach although they always choose the same nesting place that is safe as long as there are no strong storms or king tides.
Examples of the defensive/distraction display of this dotterel which was how I first found her after nearly blundering onto her nest. I grabbed a few quick shots of the display then backed off to allow her to return to her eggs.
Banded dotterels at Lake Pukaki.
Many pairs on windswept sand spit
Good numbers of banded dotterel nesting along the Ashley River, some with chicks already, others still on the nest
good numbers of banded dotterel along the Ashley River, almost every shingle island seemed to have at least two pair or more. Chicks were very hard to see among the stones.