12 Dec 2019

Megaherbs and Albatross on Campbell Island

Waking to the calm waters of Perseverance Harbour, today was our chance to explore Campbell Island. An early morning briefing from our Expedition Leader Nathan Russ gave us two options of exploration. For some it was time to stretch the legs on a full day hike around part of the island, while for others it was a collection of activities encompassing the history and wildlife of the island.

A group of 13, led by Department of Conservation (DOC) Ranger Phil, left Beemans Base on the full day hike over the island and around to Northwest Bay. Walking through fields of Dracophyllum, tussocks and megaherbs it didn't take long until we sighted our first Campbell Island Snipe and were on the lookout for more.

Weaving our way through the shrubs as we made our way around the coast and up our first hill of the day we started encountering the many nesting Southern Royal Albatross dotting the landscape - the huge birds every bit as majestic as the stunning views of the valleys and shoreline they preside over. Walking along the ridge then down alongside the dramatic coastal cliffs to Penguin Bay we were greeted by the colourful explosion of megaherbs Anisotome latifolia, Bulbinella rossii, Damnamenia vernicosa and Pleurophyllum.

Once at Penguin Bay we all sat to enjoy the views while eating our packed lunches, before starting on our second climb of the day up to the Northwest DOC hut, many of us would have been happy to stay here the night but we were only half way through our walk and intrigued with what the afternoon would bring. What we were to discover was plenty more nesting albatross including a mating pair reconnecting after a year apart out at sea. After watching their reunion it was a quick walk down the hill where we continued spotting species including the Campbell Island Teal - one of the world's rarest ducks - we ended our walk at Camp Cove, location of the Guinness World Records' loneliest tree. It is thought the lone Sitka Spruce was brought here by former governor of New Zealand Lord Ranfurly between 1901 and 1907, the nearest trees are more than 200 kilometres away on the Auckland Islands. Back on board Akademik Shokalskiy we exchanged stories of our adventures with the rest of the group who had enjoyed a morning Zodiac cruise to Tucker and Camp Coves before making their way to the along the boardwalk to observe the Southern Royal Albatross colony at Col Lyall.

Image from file © A.Russ, Heritage Expeditions