Birding Down Under

With the most diverse collection of seabirds in the world, you can be sure you are in 'birdwatcher's paradise' in the Sub Antarctic Islands. Visit seven islands groups, each with their own unique variation of plant and animal life, many of them endemic.

Day 1. Arrive in Invercargill
Established by Scottish settlers with its wealth in the rich farmland - sheep and dairy farms predominate. On arrival please make your own arrangements to transfer to the Kelvin Hotel in the central city. A detailed programme will be available to you when you check in at reception. Dinner is at the hotel which is an opportunity to meet fellow expeditioners.

Day 2. Embark ship at Port of Bluff - At sea
Breakfast at your leisure in the dining room at the hotel. Your programme will advise a time for bags out and then you will be transferred to the Southland Museum to view the special Sub Antarctic display in the Museum before being transferred by coach to the Port of Bluff (27 km south of Invercargill) to board the Spirit of Enderby. Depart for the Snares Islands.

Day 3. Snares Island
The Snares is the first of the Sub Antarctic Islands that you will visit. It is an amazing island - more birds nest on this small island than there are seabirds around the entire British Isles. You will arrive early morning, landings are not permitted so you will zodiac cruise the sheltered eastern side. Cruising in the sheltered bays you should see the endemic Snares crested penguins, tomtit and fernbird. Cape pigeons, Antarctic terns, white-fronted terns and red-billed gulls are around the coastline. There is an estimated 6 million sooty shearwaters nesting on the Snares Islands. Buller's albatross breed here from early January onwards.

Day 4. Enderby Island - Auckland Islands
Arrive at Enderby Island, a great island to bird in the Auckland Island group. You will make a landing at Sandy Bay, the main breeding ground for the Hooker's sea lion with observations of the following species: southern Royal albatross, northern giant petrel, Auckland Island shag, Auckland Island teal, Auckland Island banded dotterel, Auckland Island tomtit, bellbird,pipit, red crowned parakeet, yellow-eyed penguin, light-mantled sooty albatross. You will spend some time searching for the Sub Antarctic snipe which you have a very good chance of seeing. Other more common species you will see include goldfinch, song thrush, blackbird, European starling, red-bill gull, redpoll. On Derrycastle Reef there is a good chance to see Bar-tailed Godwit, Turnstone and perhaps other migratory waders.

Day 5. Auckland Islands
This morning you will cruise to Carnley Harbour in the south of the main Auckland Islands. There will be an opportunity for the energetic participants to climb to the Southwest Cape Shy Albatross colony. Gibson's wandering albatross nest above the colony amongst the tussock, you should get good views of these birds as they will be nesting at this time. Those remaining close to shore will explore the coastal forest with a chance to see New Zealand falcon and enjoy close encounters with other bush birds. You will depart the Auckland Islands in the mid afternoon and head south west to Macquarie Island.

Day 6. Auckland Islands
At sea you will have a series of lectures supported by videos of the biology and history of the Sub Antarctic Islands and the Southern Ocean. The Sub Antarctic Convergence Zone is traditionally very close to the area you will be sailing through so you should expect the birdlife to reflect this as you get closer to Macquarie Island. You will be at sea all day, another opportunity to see pelagic species, including wandering albatross species, Royal albatross, shy and white-capped albatross, light-mantled sooty albatross, grey headed albatross, black browed albatross, white chinned petrel, mottled petrel, white- headed petrel, cape petrel, diving petrel, grey backed and black bellied storm petrel.

Days 7 & 8. Macquarie Island
Arrive at Macquarie Island which is the only place to see the Royal penguin and there is an abundance of these. King penguins are also found in large numbers. Two other penguin species breed on Macquarie Island - the gentoo and the rockhopper. Along the coast you will see the Imperial (Macquarie) shag. Redpolls can be seen as can the European starling along the cliff edges. Landings are planned for both the ANARE base and at Sandy Bay. You will also zodiac cruise Lusitania Bay, where there is a huge King penguin colony. Continue your exploration of Macquarie Island and then depart for Campbell Island on the afternoon of our second day.

Day 9. At sea en route to Campbell Island
You will see a similar range of species as you saw en-route to Macquarie Island from the Auckland Islands.

Day 10. Campbell Island
Arriving early in the morning you will spend the day exploring the island by foot from Perseverance Harbour. Campbell Island is a magnificent island. Rats have recently been successfully removed with encouraging increases in small bird numbers being observed, most notably the pipit. There is some great birding and photographic opportunities on this island especially Southern Royal albatross and the early flowering mega herbs. During the day ashore you should see the Southern Royal albatross, light-mantled sooty albatross, Northern giant petrel, Campbell Island shag, Southern skua, red billed gull, black backed gull, Antarctic tern, redpoll, dunnock and the New Zealand pipit. The regeneration of the megaherbs since the removal of the sheep in the 1970's/80's is a spectacle to behold.

Day 11. At sea en route to the Antipodes
It is a day for the pelagic birding. Species commonly seen in this area include wandering albatross species, Southern Royal albatross, black-browed albatross, Campbell Island albatross, light-mantled sooty albatross, Salvin's albatross, grey-headed albatross, Northern and Southern giant petrel, sooty shearwater, little shearwater. This region of the Southern Ocean is one of the few places where the fairy prion, Fulmar prion and Antarctic prion occur together providing a good opportunity for comparison. Other species to be on the look out for include soft-plumaged petrel, mottled petrel, white-headed petrel, grey-faced petrel, white chinned petrel, grey backed storm petrel, Wilson's storm petrel, black-bellied storm petrel and common diving petrel.

Day 12. Antipodes Island
Antipodes Island is one of the most isolated, least known and rugged of the New Zealand Sub Antarctic Islands. Landings are not permitted, so a zodiac cruise of the coastline is planned, where you have a good chance of seeing the Antipodes Island and Reischeks parakeet which is a strong subspecies. You will also see the Antipodes subspecies of the New Zealand pipit. You will enjoy good views of both erect crested and rockhopper penguins breeding the coastline. There are usually a good number of Antarctic terns and kelp gull.

Day 13. Bounty Islands
Arrive at the Bounty Islands, inhospitable granite knobs lashed by the Southern Ocean, early morning to zodiac cruise. Erect crested penguin, Fulmar prions and the endemic Bounty Island shag will feature on the bird lists for this morning. Depart for the Chatham Islands. This afternoon you should see wandering albatross species, Northern Royal albatross, white capped albatross, Salvin's albatross, Northern giant petrel, cape petrel, Antarctic Fulmar, mottled petrel, soft plumaged petrel, broad billed prion, Fulmar prion, White chinned petrel, sooty shearwater, little shearwater, grey backed, black bellied petrel and Wilson's storm petrel. There is a possibility you could see the Chatham Island Petrel and the crew will be keeping a close watch for the Magenta petrel. Depart for the Chatham Islands.

Day 14. Pyramid
This morning continue toward the Chatham Archipelago. This will be another good opportunity for pelagic birding. You will be especially interested in looking out for the Chatham Island petrel (it has been seen on this leg of the voyage before) and also the very rare Chatham Island taiko or magenta petrel. This afternoon you will arrive at the spectacular Pyramid Rock - which is the only breeding place of the Chatham Island albatross.

Day 15. Chatham Islands
At South East Island (Rangatira), one of the world's greatest nature reserves, zodiac cruise (landings are not permitted) and obtain good views of the very rare shore plover and the Chatham Island oystercatcher. You should also see the Pitt Island shag, tui, tomtit and red crowned parakeet. This afternoon you will cruise pass Mangere and Little Mangere Island from where the endemic black robin was rescued in the 1970's when the total population was only 6 birds. The story of how the black robin was rescued will be related. This evening sail across Pitt Strait to the main Chatham Islands and pass the Tuku valley where the magenta petrel breeds.

Day 16. Chatham Islands
This morning you will land at Waitangi, the main settlement on the Chatham Islands. Near the landing you should see the endemic Chatham Island shag. Local buses and Landrovers will transport you down the South Coast to the Tuku Reserve. Here on private land, and guided by the local people you will enjoy a bush walk in the hope of seeing the Chatham Island warbler and Chatham Island pigeon. Much of the main Chatham Islands has been developed for farming and many introduced European birds can be seen in this area. Return to the Spirit of Enderby early afternoon and depart for Dunedin.

Days 17 & 18. At sea en route to Dunedin
En-route to Dunedin you will cross what is known as the Chatham Rise. It is a relatively shallow area of water, compared with the rest of the surrounding ocean, it is also one of the best places for pelagic watching with an overlap of both northern or more temperate species and those birds from southern latitudes. You can expect to see wandering albatross species, Royal albatross species,black-browed albatross, white-capped albatross, Salvin's albatross, Northern giant petrel, cape petrel, westland black petrel, white chinned petrel, great-winged petrel, Cook's petrel, flesh footed shearwater, Buller's shearwater, sooty shearwater, little shearwater, fairy prion, broad-billed prion, grey-backed storm petrel, white-faced storm petrel, diving petrel. There could well be other species so it is a good time to be on the bridge.

Day 19. Arrive in Dunedin
You will arrive in Dunedin and after completing formalities passengers will be able to disembark. There will be a central city and airport drop off.

Grade A
General good health necessary.
No specific fitness requirements.

Clients must be in good general health to join our expeditions. The expedition is ship-based, and physically not very demanding. Although you spend as much time as possible ashore, you are welcome to remain aboard the ship if you like. To join the voyage, you must be able to get up and down steps between the different ship levels and up and down the gangway to board the zodiacs for the excursions ashore.

Rodney Russ - Expedition Leader
Rodney trained with and worked for the New Zealand Wildlife Service (now Department of Conservation) as a "Protected Species Officer" - responsible for the management and conservation of rare and endangered bird species. His work took him the length and breath of New Zealand and to the Sub Antarctic Islands. He left the department to further his studies at the University of Otago - where he completed a double degree in New Zealand and Pacific History and theology. He became more passionate about the need to share the natural world with people, emphasising the need for advocacy in a successful conservation strategy.

In addition to New Zealand Expeditions Rodney has led expeditions to the Pacific and Asia and more recently to South Georgia and Antarctic Peninsula. His goal in everything that he does is to provide opportunities which enhances travellers' experience and understanding of the natural world.

The Expeditions are also led by some of the most experienced Southern Ocean naturalists, who have devoted a lifetime to research in this region.

On board the ship:
The ship is heated throughout with the normal temperature 17-25C. In keeping with the expedition's atmosphere, dress on board is informal. Bring casual and comfortable clothing. Keep in mind that much of the spectacular scenery can be appreciated from deck, which can be slippery. Bring sturdy shoes with no-slip soles and make sure a jacket is never far away in case of the call, "Whales" comes over the load speaker and you have to dash outside. Wear layers since it is comfortably warm on board the ship - and cold out on deck. There may be an occasion, i.e. Christmas Day, New Year's Eve or a spontaneously Posh Night where you may require clothing that is a little more formal.

Tips to stay comfortable & warm in cold weather:

Avoid overdressing to reduce perspiration

Wear water repellent outer garments that will keep you dry on the outside and still breathe enough so that moisture from you body can escape

Body heat is most likely to be lost from parts that have a lot of surface area in comparison to total mass - namely, the hands and feet. Keep them warm and dry. For hands, mittens are better than gloves.

If the rest of your body is covered, as much as 90% of heat can come from your head, so be sure to wear a hat, beanie or balaclava. These items can be pulled down to protect your ears, forehead, neck and chin. The neck also needs protection with a woollen or synthetic scarf that can be wrapped around the face, when travelling against the wind.

Dress comfortable, loose layers. For anyone out in the cold, it is far better to wear layers of relatively light, loose clothing than one thick, heavy item. Between each layer there is a film of trapped air which, when heated by your body, acts as an excellent insulator.

Wool and silk are superior to cotton because they can trap warm air. Synthetic fabrics that spring back into shape after compression are also good. When damp or wet, polyester down is better insulator than goose or duck down. Polar fleece is popular and recommended.

Essential Items

Warm Trousers

Waterproof trousers

Thermal Underwear

Sweaters/Jerseys

Turtlenecks

Mittens and Gloves

Woollen Hat or Balaclava

Warm Socks

Rubber Boots (Gumboots or Wellingtons as we commonly call them)

Waterproof and Windproof Jacket

Backpack

Sunglasses

A pair of Binoculars - highly recommended.

Optional items:

Sandals or similar (slip on sandals) are very useful to wear around the ship

Earplugs may be useful if sharing a cabin with a snorer.

The Expedition Vessel 'Spirit of Enderby' (Professor Khromov) is one of the best run ships of it kind. On board the atmosphere is peaceful and warm, more akin to a private yacht than a cruise ship.

With just 48 passengers a very tangible camaraderie is created amongst passengers and crew. The ship is under the command of an experienced team of Russian Officers, with New Zealand and Australian hotel and expedition staff.

Built in 1984, the Spirit of Enderby measures 72 metres in length and is fully ice-strengthened. Powered by two, 1,156 horse power, diesel engines. It is capable of speeds of up to 12 knots. The vessel is fitted with stabilisers, making travel much more comfortable.

Excellent accommodation is provided in twin share cabins, approximately half of which have private facilities and the remainder shared facilities. On board is a bar, library and lounge.

You are encouraged to spend time on the bridge to witness the experienced captain and officers in action, recognised as experts in polar navigation. The team of expert staff are always on hand to assist with every need and question. Throughout the voyage the crew maintain a lookout for seabirds, dolphins or whales and keep an expedition log, a bound copy of which will be sent to everybody at the conclusion of the expedition.

The key to these expeditions is the fleet of semi rigid inflatable Naiad (Greek for water nymph) craft, also known as Zodiacs. These extremely safe and stable craft will land you at some of the most amazing places, where few others have ever been.

Dining is informal and relaxed, and the cuisine outstanding. Award winning chefs prepare delicious meals and are able to cater for any special dietary requirements. A selection of fine New Zealand and Australian wines is available.

Heritage Suite: has a large lounge area, a separate bedroom with double bed, a single bed in the lounge, writing desk, wardrobe, drawers, fridge. There is a private bathroom with shower, toilet and washbasin. There are large forward and side facing windows with great views.

Mini Suite: has a small bedroom with a 3/4 bed and a single bed in the lounge, wardrobe, drawers, a desk and a private bathroom with shower, toilet and washbasin. This suite has windows.

Superior Plus: Cabins have two lower berths, wardrobe, drawers, a private bathroom with shower, toilet and washbasin. These cabins have windows.

Superior: Cabins have one bunk, wardrobe, drawers, a desk, a private bathroom with shower, toilet and washbasin. These cabins have windows.

Main deck: Cabins have two lower berths, wardrobe, drawers, a desk, washbasin. The nearby showers and toilets are shared with other Main deck cabins.

What type of ship to shore communication facilities does the ship have?
The ‘Spirit of Enderby’ is equipped with the Iridium satellite phone for phone calls and for receiving and sending emails.

What currency is accepted on board?
The U.S. dollar is the standard currency on board. New Zealand and Australian currency will be accepted at the current exchange rate.

Can you cater to specific dietary requirements?
Chefs can prepare food according to special dietary needs providing requirements are noted at the time of final payment. Unfortunately, kosher, halal and vegan meals cannot be offered.

Can I recharge my batteries and use electrical appliances on board (e.g. hairdryer)?
Power on board is 220V (AC current) with outlets being recessed, round 2 pronged European type. If you plan to bring the American standard 110V equipment with flat pronged plug, you will need to bring a converter and a round 2 pronged European type adaptor plug. Please check your equipment to be sure you bring what is necessary for your personal needs.

Special note for video equipment battery packs: Please check with a camera source and bring with you a convertor adequate for recharging your pack if your equipment is 110V and needing to be converted to the 220V on board.

How sea sick will I be?
All people wonder if they will be sea sick, the answer to this is difficult as it depends entirely on the individual. A small percentage of people do get sick and then recover for the remainder of the voyage. If you think you are susceptible to sea sickness then it is a good idea to be prepared. Motion sickness tablets or Scopolamine patches (Scopoderm) can be purchased from your local chemist. Please remember if you are concerned, commence these before the voyage starts (as directed on the information for each medication) rather than after you are already sick.

Not included in expedition fee:

Airfare to and from your home to the port of departure or arrival in New Zealand.

Items of a personal nature such as insurance, and excess baggage charge.

Passport, visa and vaccination fees.

On board the ship: beverages, communication charges, medical supplies, laundry, sea shop purchases.

Single Travellers:
Single travellers who wish to share their cabin/hotel room should so indicate on the booking form. The published per person double occupancy fare is guaranteed in this case, whether or not a cabin mate is available.

Payment:
You may request to pay for this tour in US or NZ dollars. If you wish to pay in US dollars, it is necessary to pay the money directly into our US dollar account, and not by credit card.

You can pay in NZ dollars by credit card or by direct transfer into our NZ dollar account. Your bank will charge a set fee for telegraphic transfers but you will not incur any exchange fees. If you pay by credit card, your bank may charge a currency conversion fee (usually between 1% and 3%). The current exchange rate on the day of booking will be used. As exchange rates are constantly changing there is no guarantee that your credit card bill will come out to the exact US dollar price as advertised.

Deposits:
A deposit of 25% of the expedition fee is required upon booking to confirm participation. The balance of the fee is payable 90 days prior to departure date.

Cancellations:
Cancellations must be received in writing. For cancellations received more than 120 days before departure date, a full refund will be made less $US400.00 fee per person for administration/handling fee. For cancellations received within 120 days of your embarkation date, the full deposit is forfeited. The full expedition fee is forfeited if your notice of cancellation is received within 90 days of your departure date. On forwarding the deposit you agree to be bound by the terms and conditions found here.

Travel Insurance:
Travellers must obtain full comprehensive travel insurance that covers emergency evacuation. It is advised that you purchase trip cancellation protection and/or travel insurance at the time of booking.

Price Changes
The operator reserves the right to alter prices should there be substantial changes in tariffs, exchange rates, cost of fuel, labour or materials.

Itinerary Changes
Due to the nature of the expedition, weather, ice or government regulations may require changes to be made to the itineraries and/or the cancellation of certain shore excursions. Every attempt will be made to adhere to the itineraries described within the limits of safety and time. The ship's Captain has the last word on any decision made with regard to the vessel's itinerary and it is understood that such a decision will be made in the interest of safety of the vessel and of all the passengers on board. In the event of changes, passengers have no right to any refund or other compensation. Expedition fees are based on group participation. Should you choose not to take part in any activity or make use of services provided, no refund will be made.

Notes:
This trip is run in conjunction with another operator.