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Te Papa Tongarewa

Kingdom of the Birds: An Expedition to Solander Island

The remote Snares Islands, 105km south-south-west of Stewart Island, are teeming with rare wildlife – including tomtits, albatross, and penguins. They seldom have human visitors.

In late 2013, four Te Papa scientists spent two weeks on the Snares, carrying out a range of seabird and plant research projects. 

The steep cliffs of Solander Island loom out of the mist like a lost world, 2013. Photograph by Michael Hall. Te Papa

Access to Solander Island is a stomach-churning boat ride, or a slightly less stomach-churning helicopter flight. Our team were in the safe hands of Rob, a former pilot for the famous marine conservationist Jacques Cousteau.

Flying over Solander Island, 2015. Photograph by Michael Hall. Te Papa

Can you spot the team’s campsite on the side of the island?

 
Aerial view of the expedition campsite, 2013. Photograph by Michael Hall. Te Papa

Solander Island was once home to a band of hapless sealers for 5 years. They'd been forgotten by their employers and left to fend for themselves.

Luckily for the island’s seal residents, New Zealand’s sealing days have been consigned to history.

Seals on Solander Island, 2013. Photograph by Michael Hall. Te Papa

Solander Island has been identified as an 'Important Bird Area', owing to the 5,000 pairs of breeding Buller’s albatrosses.

Adult albatross with chick, 2013. Photograph by Michael Hall. Te Papa

Pairs of the bigger birds, resplendent with their striking yellow beaks and dark grey markings, waddle around each other awkwardly, nodding and rubbing beaks in a ritualised mating dance.

Albatross courtship display, 2013. Photograph by Michael Hall. Te Papa

Albatross courtship display, 2013. Photograph by Michael Hall. Te Papa

Looking like little furry dodos, the chicks sit high in the nest waiting for their next feed. As you near the nests, the chicks make a clop-clop sound; if you get too close, they spew!


Albatross chick, 2013. Photograph by Michael Hall. Te Papa

The team’s research on the island will provide useful information for those trying to understand and preserve these amazing birds.

Buller's albatross, 2013. Photograph by Michael Hall. Te Papa

Solander Island, 2013. Photograph by Michael Hall. Te Papa

When the team departs, Solander Island is left uninhabited once more, with the wildlife left contemplating the strange visitors who briefly shared their home.

Albatross chick, 2013. Photograph by Michael Hall. Te Papa

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Expedition to Snares Island

In late 2013, four Te Papa scientists spent two weeks on the Snares, carrying out a range of seabird and plant research projects. Watch a series of videos about the expedition.