IBATD Nugget Point and Dunedin

Day 6
Short drive to Nugget Point. Ticked SPOTTED SHAG and got fantastic views of a YEPenguin on the side of the road. NZ Fur Seals were also around, plus a large breeding colony of the rare Spoonbill, normally a rubbish-bird for me, having them in my backyard an all ;)

Day 7
Dunedin. A short stop at Sinclair Wetlands produced no Fernbird, but a large flock a CANADA GEESE kept me entertained. Late that evening we headed to Tairo Head, the only mainland breeding colony of albatross in the world, in this case the Northern ROYAL ALBATROSS. This was a great opportunity to get shots without the pitching of a boat, despite the cloudy conditions.

As a bonus, a large nesting colony of STEWART ISLAND SHAGS were below the albatross viewing hide.   

Day 8
Relaxing day. While shopping in Dunedin I found a brochure on the Black Stilt Visitor Hide we were visiting the next day... and realised the birds there were captive, not wild. Oops! Spent a frantic 30 minutes with my IPod and Maccas free WiFi getting some locations for this critically endangered wader.

 Northern Royal Albatross

 Stewart Island Shag nesting colony

Close-up Yellow-eyed Penguin from the car hide

Day 6
Short drive to Nugget Point. Ticked SPOTTED SHAG and got fantastic views of a YEPenguin on the side of the road. NZ Fur Seals were also around, plus a large breeding colony of the rare Spoonbill, normally a rubbish-bird for me, having them in my backyard an all ;)

Day 7
Dunedin. A short stop at Sinclair Wetlands produced no Fernbird, but a large flock a CANADA GEESE kept me entertained. Late that evening we headed to Tairo Head, the only mainland breeding colony of albatross in the world, in this case the Northern ROYAL ALBATROSS. This was a great opportunity to get shots without the pitching of a boat, despite the cloudy conditions.

As a bonus, a large nesting colony of STEWART ISLAND SHAGS were below the albatross viewing hide.   

Day 8
Relaxing day. While shopping in Dunedin I found a brochure on the Black Stilt Visitor Hide we were visiting the next day... and realised the birds there were captive, not wild. Oops! Spent a frantic 30 minutes with my IPod and Maccas free WiFi getting some locations for this critically endangered wader.

 Northern Royal Albatross

 Stewart Island Shag nesting colony

Close-up Yellow-eyed Penguin from the car hide