06 Dec 2024

A symphony of wildlife on Enderby Island

The wind and seas eased overnight, and in the early morning, we arrived at Enderby Island, in the Auckland Islands group - a true jewel among New Zealand's Subantarctic Islands.

Some of us opted for the Circuit Walk around the island, while others went for a mix of Zodiac cruising and a walk to the Northern Cliffs, through the low Rātā forest and into tussock moorland.

Walking across the island, we saw extraordinary flowering megaherbs, Red-capped Parakeets and Dotterels, among other incredible wildlife. Nesting amongst tussocks along cliff edges was several Light-mantled Sooty Albatross. It was an incredibly immersive experience in this wild and remote part of the world.

Enderby Island had more secrets to showcase the Zodiac cruisers, revealing dramatic columnar basalt cliffs and waterfalls, nesting Auckland Island Shags and the flightless endemic Auckland Island Teal at home in the dense kelp forests.

An incredible day for all!

Images © S. Bradley, Heritage Expeditions