#petrelhead

New Zealand storm petrels are such enigmatic birds. Thought extinct for over 100 years. Their colonies (as far as we know) confines to one island. We see them dancing around the Hauraki Gulf through most of the year, but really we have no idea what they’re doing, where they’re going. So much of their life is still a mystery, which is exciting. We have our work cut out for us in studying them, but I love a challenge! #birdventurenz #thebrillianceofbirds #your_best_birds #seabirds #wanderwonder #seabirdbiology #ornithology #fieldworkphotos #petrelhead #aotearoa #wildnz #newzealand #haurakigulf #nikonnz #nuts_about_birds #bird_lovers_daily #eye_spy_birds #fieldbiologist #conservationphotography #birdsofaotearoa #nzbirds https://www.instagram.com/p/CALvUMaJ_L7/?igshid=1e3f5m99dyodu

After having to cancel research trips because of lockdown, it was great to get back to Tāwharanui and check on the ōi/grey-faced petrels on Monday! These birds and I have a long history - they were the first birds I studied and they hold a very special place in my heart. This photo is from an early research tip to the Mokohinau islands a few years ago when we did a health-check of the population out there.⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ All bird handling is done under appropriate Wildlife Act permits. ⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ #birdventurenz #seabird #petrelhead #birdventure #birdsofaotearoa #nz_birds #islandlife #wildernessculture #ocean #conservationphotography #research #scienceoutside #womeninstem #fieldbiology #birdsofinstagram #bird_brilliance #scientist #newzealand #aotearoa #bird_lovers_daily #bird_captures #bird_lovers #birds_adored #discover_earth #haurakigulf #seachange #seabirdscience #fieldbiologist #wildlifeconservation #conservationbiology https://www.instagram.com/p/CAtP0L-JSo0/?igshid=161vddpr5r9aq

Massive seabirds like albatross are awe-inspiring. But I’m almost more fascinated by the tiny ones - like storm petrels, who navigate the same vast oceans and somehow survive the wildness of these stormy seas. Black-bellied storm petrel, Southern Ocean. ⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ #birdventurenz #thebrillianceofbirds #nzbirds #your_best_birds #conservationphotography #conservationphotographer #nuts_about_birds #bird_brilliance #birds_adored @docgovtnz @forestandbird @nz_birds @nikonnz #nikond500 #nikon #birdphotography #feathered_perfection #aotearoa #subantarctic #seabird #stormpetrel #petrelhead #sunset #bird_lovers_daily #bird_lovers #nature_brilliance #eathcaptures #wilderness #explore #adventure #fieldbiology #fieldbiologist https://www.instagram.com/p/B9heXxnp0vi/?igshid=zgjzmszuqr6k

Ōi (grey faced petrels) are remarkably resilient birds. They can persist on rat infested islands, and there are even relict populations on the mainland - but their chicks are very vulnerable to being eaten by rats, stoats, and ferrets. After hatching, they sit in the burrow alone while their parents feed, and their only defence is to spit oil at intruders - but it not enough to stop a hungry mammal. There are community groups around northern Aotearoa working to protect these birds and help them breed successfully in the mainland like @karioiproject . There are always setbacks, and even a predator proof fence isn’t a permanent solution. But one day there will be parts of the mainland where these birds can breed safely again, not just our predator free islands! #birdventurenz #birds_adored #birds_captures #nzbirds #seabirds #petrelhead #nocturnal #whatwedointheshadows #conservationphotography #conservationphotographer #wildlifeonearth #your_best_birds #nuts_about_birds #eye_spy_birds #kiwipics #discoverearth #wanderwonder #seabirdstory @docgovtnz @forestandbird @fujifilmphotosnz #fujix100s #best_birds_of_ig #best_birds_of_world #bird_brilliance #birdstagram #bird_lovers_daily #aotearoa #wildnz https://www.instagram.com/p/B48B7kbJ9jK/?igshid=3vfyd9e6klq7

I love being at sea in the evening, watching the sun slip away behind a distant horizon, and being surrounded by skimming seabirds as the day fades. On the way to the Kermadec islands, Black-winged petrels were our constant companions, whistling calls to one another as they circled the ship. #birdventurenz #nuts_about_birds #seabird #fieldbiologist #fieldbiology #seabirdscience #kermadec #sunset #petrelhead #birdsofnewzealand #nz_birds #birds_adored #bird_brilliance #eye_spy_birds #birdsonearth #aotearoa #ocean #expedition #nikonnz https://www.instagram.com/p/B-VF6kaJzhM/?igshid=15f09ya22ejq5

I miss glassy days... Cape petrels, off Kaikōura | 2018 #birdventurenz #seabird #petrel #birdsofinstagram #nzbirds #ocean #seabirdstory #birdventure #nzfinds #travelnz @albatrossencounterkaikoura #seabirdscience #petrelhead #newzealand #aotearoa #birds_adored #birds_brilliance #bird_lovers_daily #birds_illife #ig_discover_birdslife #feathered_friends #bird #marine #wildlife #your_best_birds https://www.instagram.com/p/B3tu3B6JmdL/?igshid=alr9saltrbj7

It’s not quite as mirror calm as this, but I’m heading back out to the islands to do more seabird work! Spring weather is hammering us this year 😫 Cape petrel, Kaikōura | 2018 #birdventurenz #thebrillianceofbirds #seabird #your_best_birds #birds_adored #birds_brilliance #conservationphotography #nzbirds #birdventure #conservationphotographer #raw_birds #portrait_perfection #cutebird #docgovtnz @docgovtnz @forestandbird #petrelhead @nikonnz #nikonnz #nikond500 #wildnz #birdstagram #birdsofinstagram #eye_spy_birds #nuts_about_birds #aotearoa #explorenz #nzmustsee #kings_birds #ocean #newzealand #discoverearth #wanderwonder ⁠ https://www.instagram.com/p/B3ac4tbJQZO/?igshid=v94bhlaa5pc3

Hoping for some mirror-glass seas by the end of the week so we can get out and do some #seabirdscience! Spring is always an unpredictable time of year, but it's when many of our Hauraki Gulf seabirds return to their breeding islands, so we have no choice but to begin the field season!⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ pakahā/fluttering shearwaters | Hauraki Gulf, 2016⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ #birdventurenz #seabird #petrelhead #conservationphotography #scicomm #womeninstem #fieldbiology #biologistlife #spring #mirror #reflection #ocean #sea #raw_birds #your_best_birds #nikonnz #nzbirds #seabirdstory #birdstagram #birds_adored #birds_brilliance #conservationphotographer #scientist #wildnz #nuts_about_birds #eye_spy_birds #kings_birds #adventure #birdventure https://www.instagram.com/p/B2z80NuJjeS/?igshid=1gv4aazer3d6x