Page 30 - 2008 NZ Subantarctic Islands

Even the professional birders among our naturalists enjoyed the

wonderful experience of seeing several species of albatross, giant
petrels, and other birds so close behind our birdwatching boat.

These birds were so close that it was difficult to use binoculars to
focus on them. The Captain’s mate threw out a frozen bait
mixture of ground fish parts inside a netball. It didn’t have to float

long on the water’s surface before huge albatross began closing in
on their long, elegant wings: we had Northern and Southern

Royal Albatross, Shy Albatross, Salvin’s Albatross, Gray-headed
Albatross, Wandering Albatross, with both Pintado and Giant

petrels in the melee around the bait ball. It was incredible to be so
close to these enormous birds and see their interactions when

quarrelling among themselves and with others species over the
food. Albatross can be aggressive and they have loud braying calls
as well as sharp staccato bill clicking when agitated. So we had it

all—visual and audio looks at these magnificent birds. It was a
banquet for the camera-bearers for sure. We were also lucky

enough see Dusky Dolphins and the smallest of all Dolphins, the

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