I have just returned from a 10-day cruise organised by Heritage Expeditions
of Christchurch, New Zealand to Macquarie Island via some of the NZ
sub-antarctic islands. We saw most of the expected bird species including 7
penguins (the Snares Crested from a little too far away), 6 albatross under
the old taxonomy and assorted petrels, shearwaters and prions as well as
Antarctic Tern, 4 shags, Subantarctic Snipe and Auckland Island Flightless
Teal. We also had the first record of a Silver Gull at Macquarie Island,
according to Rohan Clarke (of 740+ Oz species fame) who guided us on the
Island where he is stationed. The cruise was very well organised and
executed and I recommend it to anybody who wants to see sub-antarctic
species and who can get over the initial shock of the price. I can provide
more details to anyone who contacts me directly.
Incidentally, I bought in Dunedin a new second edition (2000) of Stuart
Chambers "Birds of New Zealand - Locality Guide". The first edition (1989)
has been out of print for some years.
Gil Langfield
Melbourne, Australia
Birding-Aus is on the Web at
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