17 Dec 2019

Sunshine and Adventure on Enderby Island

Waking to glassy calm conditions, Enderby Island turned on what must be one of its best summer days for our landing today. Enjoying breakfast on board Spirit of Enderby, we then collected our packed lunches before boarding the Zodiacs to make the short transfer to Sandy Bay where New Zealand/Hooker's Sea Lions and Hoiho/Yellow-eyed Penguins awaited our arrival.

Dividing into round island walkers and northern cliff explorers, we headed off to begin exploring this fantastically diverse island. The Bulbinellla rossii was still in full bloom while further around the island the Anisotome latifolia was just approaching its full glory, Light-mantled Sooty Albatross were spotted nesting on the cliffs below and Auckland Island Banded Dotterel ran about the grassy sward.

Continuing around the island, it was an impressive wall of regenerating Stilbocarpa polaris that awaited us in the east of the island, here the parakeets noisily chattered away and next to catch our attention was the flowering of the Southern Rata, while the patient were rewarded with views of the Auckland Island Flightless Teal and Auckland Island Snipe.

Back at Sandy Beach the sea lion summer was in full swing with pups being born and beachmasters holding their territory. Before too long it was time to head back to Spirit of Enderby and relive today's adventures over a pre-dinner drink in the bar.

Image from file © J.Mishina, Heritage Expeditions