6 Jul 2025

2025WINTERTOUR REPORT
Written By Scott Brooks

THE PETREL STATION TOUR REPORT

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

Highlights of the tour were:

  • 8,500 Common Diving Petrels – are highest number ever recorded

  • 6 species of Albatross

  • Our third ever record of Westland petrel

During the tour we recorded 23 different seabird species, and enjoyed watching just over 18,000 stunning seabirds in total! Conditions on the day were fine, with 10-15 knot S winds and a 1.5m swell. See below for the full list of seabirds recorded on the tour.

We've still got a few spare spaces on the 2 remaining winter seabird tours (and loads of tours throught spring) so if you’re interested in coming out to The Petrel Station then check out the upcoming seabird tour dates and get in touch – it’s always a great day out.

Here’s the full tour results from the day:

Seabirds seen:

  • 2 x Northern Royal Albatross

  • 5 x Buller's Albatross

  • 5 x Campbell Albatross

  • 6 x Black-browed Albatross

  • 1 x Salvin's Albatross

  • 10 x White-capped Albatross

  • 1 x Southern Giant Petrel

  • 1 x Northern Giant Petrel

  • 2 x Brown Skua

  • 7,650 x Fairy Prion

  • 1 x Cook's Petrel

  • 2 x Pintado Petrel

  • 1 x Westland Petrel

  • 14 x Grey-faced Petrel

  • 270 x Fluttering Shearwater

  • 31 x Little Shearwater

  • 2 x New Zealand Storm Petrel

  • 8,500 x Common Diving Petrel

  • 1,350 x Australasian Gannet

  • 135 x Red-billed Gull

  • 8 x Black-backed Gull

  • 43 x Pied Shag

  • 1 x Little Pied Shag

Other marine life included:

  • 43 x NZ Fur Seal

Scott Brooks
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2 Jun 2025