Kaikōura Peninsula

Canterbury > New Zealand

As the continental socket ends very near to the Kaikōura Peninsula it is a great spot for birding for offshore birds with the comfort of being onshore.

Added* by Paul Poletajew
Most recent update 16 Φεβρουαρίου 2024

Description

With Hutton's Shearwater breeding in the mountains behind Kaikōura, they are often seen even from the peninsula - they congregate in large flocks in the evening before flying to the breeding colonies and it can be an impressive experience to see them flying closely over you. During the non-breeding season, roughly from May to August, they are less commonly seen. With the right wind, you can also expect to see some albatross (e.g. Salvin's Albatross) and other petrels from land, though identification may be tricky.

The walk along the peninsula is partially along the coast and partially through grasland. So there is also opportunity to see some waders and herons as well as songbirds such as the in New Zealand introduced and rare Cirl Bunting. Along the beach towards the carpark, you can often see some waders including Ruddy Turnstone.

Details

Access

You can start a walk from the town of Kaikōura on the north coast of the peninsula. It is located in proximity of the A1 highway, what makes it easy to reach by car, shuttlebus, etc. The walk itself has some steps and I think it is not manageable for wheelchairs, but offers very good viewpoints on the sea, the seal colonies and the flyway of the Hutton's Shearwater.

Terrain and Habitat

Canyon/cliff , Beach , Scattered trees and bushes , Grassland , Agriculture , Plateau , Sea , Dunes

Conditions

Rocky , Hilly , Mountainous , Sandy , Open landscape

Circular trail

Yes

Is a telescope useful?

Yes

Good birding season

Summer , Spring

Best time to visit

Spring , Summer

Route

Wide path

Difficulty walking trail

Average walk

Accessible by

Foot

Birdwatching hide / platform

Extra info

There are paths under the cliffs near the seal colonies. I think they are open although they are not marked, but you should be careful not to disturb the seals!

Comments & Tips

Štefan Kopec (2022-10-17)

I think this place should be considered "Not to be missed!"

Kaikoura is the Seabird capitol of the planet--especially for albatross! So many pelagic birds pass through this area and feed offshore of Kaikoura every year, including Bar-tailed Godwit from Alaska, Sooty Shearwater migrating north, Wandering Albatross and Ruddy Turnstone at the edge of their migration, to say nothing of the resident and vagrant penguins.

There are multiple boating excursions to watch cetaceans or pelagic birds (you can often image several species of albatross in the same photo as a humpback whale), ranging from kayaks close to shore to the large whale-watching vessels which go many kilometers out to sea.

If you want to see pelagic birds from a close distance, Kaikoura is a must-see.

Team Birdingplaces (2022-10-17)

Dear Štefan, thanks for your comment. We upgraded the area to 'Not to be missed'.

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