A live drop from the OD led us to explore Seymour Island looking for the rare Fiordland crested penguin. None were seen here but after visiting the Blanket Bay Hotel we encountered one in the shelter of Bauza Island. Passing through the narrow passage known as the Gut we headed seaward towards the Nee Islets and a colony of NZ Fur Seal. Cruising along the rugged coast towards Dusky we noted Sooty Shearwater (titi) Wandering Albatross, Bullers and Shy Mollymawks/Albatross.
En route to Dusky Mark gave a presentation on Albatross and Penguins.
Traversing Acheron Passage the wet weather gave us occasional views down the various arms and islands that make up this spectacular fiord. En route we came across a pod of bottlenose dolphins and a solitary common dolphin - we had previously heard of, but had never seen, this unusual mix.
Anchoring in Fascile Harbor in the lee of Resolution Island, we then visited the site of Richard Henry's house on Pigeon Island encountering brown creeper (pipipi), Mohua (yellowhead) and the South Island Robin (toutouwai). Henry's pioneering translocations of kakapo and kiwi in the 1890's remain a benchmark in NZ's conservation history.
