| Sub-Antarctic Islands of New Zealand Birding Down Under November 2007 |
The Snares, Bounty, Antipodes, Auckland, Campbell and Macquarie Islands occupy the stormy latitudes of the
Roaring Forties and the Furious Fifties. The region hosts the most diverse collection of seabirds in the world.
More than 40 seabird species – at least 11 percent of all the worlds’ seabirds – breed in the Sub Antarctic region,
and over 120 species have been observed at the islands or in the surrounding ocean. Ten of the world’s
albatross species- some 40 percent- breed in the region, five of them nowhere else.
Among the world-wide family of Petrels, Shearwaters, Fulmars and Prions, 21 species or 30 percent breed on the
Sub Antarctic Islands. Penguins too, are special in the Sub Antarctic region. Of seven penguin species breeding
here, three (Snares crested, Erect crested and Royal) are endemic to the region. The land birds indicate, through
their diversity, just how long these islands have been isolated. No fewer than 15 species are Sub Antarctic
endemics.
Below is a map of our route followed by links to pages about this trip.
Roaring Forties and the Furious Fifties. The region hosts the most diverse collection of seabirds in the world.
More than 40 seabird species – at least 11 percent of all the worlds’ seabirds – breed in the Sub Antarctic region,
and over 120 species have been observed at the islands or in the surrounding ocean. Ten of the world’s
albatross species- some 40 percent- breed in the region, five of them nowhere else.
Among the world-wide family of Petrels, Shearwaters, Fulmars and Prions, 21 species or 30 percent breed on the
Sub Antarctic Islands. Penguins too, are special in the Sub Antarctic region. Of seven penguin species breeding
here, three (Snares crested, Erect crested and Royal) are endemic to the region. The land birds indicate, through
their diversity, just how long these islands have been isolated. No fewer than 15 species are Sub Antarctic
endemics.
Below is a map of our route followed by links to pages about this trip.
Prior to our trip and again at the end, we spent approximately 12 days in the southern portion of the South Island of New
Zealand. Below are links to pages on that part of our trip.
Zealand. Below are links to pages on that part of our trip.
