1 Aug 2026

THE PETREL STATION TOUR REPORT

Had a great day out on the latest pelagic seabird tour to The Petrel Station, offshore from Tutukaka (in Northland, New Zealand).

Highlights of the tour were:

• Huge numbers of Common Diving Petrels often really close to the boat

• Plenty of Grey-faced Petrels soaring around the boat

In total we recorded just short of 7,500 stunning seabirds, and 16 seabird species (see the full species list below). Conditions on the day were fine/overcast, with 3-15 knot winds and a 1m swell.

Keen to join us for a unique seabird experience? We've got one winter tour to go, and then it's into the spring season seabird spectacle! ... Check out our upcoming tour dates and get in touch – It’s always a great day out 😁.

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Grey-faced Petrel

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Common Diving Petrel

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Australasian Gannet

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Little Shearwater

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Buller's Albatross

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Northern Giant Petrel

Here’s the full tour results from the day:

Seabirds seen:

• 3 x Buller's Albatross

• 8 x White-capped Albatross

• 1 x Northern Giant Petrel

• 2,500 x Fairy Prion

• 1 x Cook's Petrel

• 135 x Grey-faced Petrel

• 150 x Fluttering Shearwater

• 29 x Little Shearwater

• 2,750 x Common Diving Petrel

• 1,900 x Australasian Gannet

• 1 x Caspian Tern

• 50 x Red-billed Gull

• 4 x Black-backed Gull

• 58 x Pied Shag

• 2 x Little Black Shag

• 1 x Little Shag

Learn more about the seabird species seen on this tour:
Albatross • Petrels • Shearwaters • Storm Petrels • Prions • Skuas • Other Seabirds

Other marine life encountered:

• 200+ Common Dolphin

• 18 x NZ Fur Seal