Dolphins of the Marlborough Sounds

Five species of dolphin can be seen in the Queen Charlotte Sound. The most common species being the endangered Hector's dolphin and dusky dolphin, and the less common being the orca and (surprisingly) the common dolphin. There's a fairly good chance that any time of the year you head out on the water at least one of these species will be encountered. Summer is the best time to see Hector's dolphins on a regular basis and common dolphins or orca if you are lucky. Winter is when the acrobatic dusky dolphins visit the Marlborough Sounds and can be seen in large groups.

Hector's dolphin making eye contact

Hector's dolphin breaking the surface

Bottlenose dolphins

Common dolphin

Juvenile common dolphin (displaying more muted markings than the adults)

Dusky dolphin breaking the surface

Dusky dolphin showing its characteristic dark-tipped beak

 

The spotted shag

The spotted shag is another species that is endemic to New Zealand. This stunning bird becomes particularly striking during the spring when they attain their breeding plumage. Their "eye makeup" shades of green and blue are particularly impressive.

Spotted shag sporting its striking breeding plumage

Spotted shag

A couple of king shags together with spotted shags (smaller more grey birds)

New Zealand king shags

New Zealand is a country of a diverse range of bird species - both terrestrial and seabirds. The cormorants, or shags as they are referred to in New Zealand are a group of birds of which about one third of the world's species can be seen in New Zealand. Several shag species are endemic, being found only in New Zealand. One of these species is the king shag, which is found only in a small area of the outer Marlborough Sounds. Unfortunately this population is small and very vulnerable, with the last population estimate putting them at only 646 individuals in 2024. 

A couple of younger individuals lacking the striking adult breeding plumage

Kaikoura coastline

Kaikoura will forever be one of my favourite places in New Zealand. I've been lucky to have spent quite a bit of time here; undertaking whale research, working, living and playing along this stunning part of coastline. The coastal walk along the top of the peninsula is a must-do when visiting Kaikoura.

Birds at Orokonui Ecosanctuary

Following on from my previous post, below are some New Zealand birds that I photographed on my visit to Orokonui Ecosantuary. Many of these species struggle to survive outside of the fenced off ecosanctuary, due to predation by introduced predators outside of the fence.

New Zealand woodpigeon/kereru

South Island robin

Having a feed

Looking very satisfied after feeding

Bellbird in full song

Bellbird

Another stunning kereru

Orokonui Ecosanctuary

Orokonui Ecosanctuary in Dunedin is one of several fenced off wildlife sanctuaries in New Zealand. Designed to keep introduced predators out, these sanctuaries protect the vulnerable endemic species within. Most of these species are on the brink of extinction, and being endemic they are found nowhere else in the world. Many people are familiar with New Zealand's birds that are on this list, but there are also a huge array of other endemic species of animals and plants that we are fighting to protect. The below Otago skink and tuatara are two such examples of lizards that are unique to New Zealand.

Otago skink

Otago skinks

Tuatara

Trip to bluff

This was a magical short trip away to Bluff at the bottom of the South Island of New Zealand. It turns out that the cabin we had booked to stay in was a magnet for birds. I've never seen so many tui in one place at one time before!

Nugget point

Tui - one of the many photos taken of this species this day

Bellbird

Silvereye

A whole gathering of tui!