william-harlands favoriter

Endemic bird to the island. I found this species to be quite difficult to photograph. I tended to hear it more than see it. Was fortunate to see a pair come out and vocalize in the open while I waited for the ferry. One of my favourite New Zealand endemics.

I did five expeditions to The Pyramid Tarakoikoia from 2007-2010 doing Chatham Albatross research. This photo taken during the 2009 trip. Photo taken in 'the cave' overhang where the weather doesn't wear down the albatross nests. Chatham Fulmar Prions burrow under and around these tall nests.

Indian Ocean Yellow-nosed Albatross recorded on The Forty-Fours Motuhara. This bird was first recorded in 2007 on my first expedition to The Forty-Fours Motuhara and banded that trip. I Subsequently saw the same bird in 2008 and 2009 on The Forty-Fours Motuhara and I photographed the bird in 2009. Not seen on a nest. Bird stood out from Northern Buller's Albatross with its very white head. White head, small amount of black in front of the eye and yellow on top of bill goes to a point where it meets the forehead indicates Indian Ocean species.

Small forested stream. In log. Woo! Such an honour to find one of these beautiful animals! Accidentally disturbed while climbing over the log it was in and it fell out.

Note: The animal was not handled or affected in any way. Was just taken photos of then left alone.

Underwater recording of Weddell Seals by the McMurdo Oceanographic Observatory (www.moo-antarctica.net). Of potentially soniferous marine mammals, only Weddell seals occur in the area at this time of year. Verified also by regular visual/video observation. Hydrophone at 21m deep. (Attached photo is example of Weddell seal near the observatory site, but was not taken at the same time as the audio recording).

Honestly this dude just came to terrorise us while we were eating lunch.

A couple of petrels wandered (stumbled maybe a more appropriate description), out of the bush, at least one seemingly very attracted to the UE Boom playing music (Move on up by Curtis Mayfield, if anyone would like to repeat this test for science).
The petrel proceeded to sit right next to the speaker and snap at anyone who tried to come anyone near him. See last photos for the deadly attack launched upon a team mate innocently enjoying lunch

This bird was first photographed and reported via the NZ Bird Identification Facebook group. Upon seeing this we made a visit to Waikanae Estuary and scanned the flock of White-fronted Terns several times before the bird flew in and landed amongst them around 11:45am. It then roosted for 45 minutes before leaving to feed in the channel with the majority of the tern flock.
Basic plumage marsh tern with extensive black headphone markings on head, darker grey upperparts than the similar White-winged black tern, along with a longer bill, darker legs, a grey rump, and grey shoulder tabs which are diagnostic for Black tern. This is likely the Eurasian subspecies Chlidonias niger niger owing to the pale underwings and relatively small shoulder tab markings. Would be the 1st record of this species for New Zealand if accepted.