This was my 3rd trip to Norfolk Island, and it wont be my last. Norfolk Island is an awesome destination for a number of reasons. There is great waves, great diving, great fishing, great birding, great history and amazing scenery. A photographers heaven.
This was a family holiday, and our first holiday with two kids under our wings. Norfolk is also a great destination for families with kids. There is a rural town feeling, complete with cows on the streets, wild chickens everywhere, and friendly locals. All of this is surrounded by a breathtaking coastline unique to anywhere I have seen on the mainland. The water at Norfolk Island is as clear as you will see anywhere.
World Heritage Listed settlement and convict ruins are scattered over the island, with the majority around Kingston.
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| Bronze Whalers have learnt over the years to follow the fishing vessels in for a free feed of fish scraps. |
Red-tailed Tropicbird's were nesting in good numbers on the island this year. Their courtship flight is pretty special to watch with one bird flying backwards while its partner flies ahead and takes the lead, then the process is repeated. These birds are quite unique with their long red tail streamers, and bright red bill.
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Red-tailed Tropic Bird and nestling.
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Masked Booby's can also be found nesting along the cliff tops of certain parts of the island at this time of year. These very large and powerful birds courageously spear into the water headfirst at speed to catch fish.
When I think of Norfolk Island, one of the first things that comes to mind is White Terns. These birds are pure white, and in summer can be seen travelling to and from the island all day. Heading out to fish, before returning with the catch for their offspring. Most Norfolk Pines, in summer, have at least one little fluffy White Tern chick sitting precariously on a limb.
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| A White tern returning to the island with a full load of fish in its beak. |
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This White Tern's chick will be pleased with this feed of squid and fish.
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| A White Tern chick waiting on a Norfolk Pine limb for a parent to return. |
Since European settlement Norfolk Island has had a pretty horrific wildlife extinction rate. With little or no predators for most species on the island right up until the point of European habitation - exploitation for food and the introduction of pest species such as rats, has forced the disappearance of several endemic species. A feral cat population to now go with the rats, is doing its best to see out a few more species.
The Norfolk Island Green parrot is just one of these species hanging on for dear life. I first saw the Green parrot two years ago on my second visit to Norfolk. I spent many hours searching the island before I was finally rewarded. Now being familiar with their call and few other distinguishing traits, I found it much easier finding this endangered parrot the third time around.
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| Norfolk Island Green Parrot. |
Annual counts of the population occurred from 1988 - 1997. In '98 they were estimated to total 17-30 individuals with only 4 breeding pairs. In 2006/7 the population was estimated at over 200 individuals with 6 breeding pairs. After our second trip to Norfolk, in 2012, I found it very hard to believe that more than 200 hundred individuals was an accurate figure.
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| Norfolk Island Green Parrot's can be very inquisitive and have climbed down from high in the foliage to check me out before continuing to feed. |
This recent trip strengthened my concerns that this figure is over estimated. Admittedly I have only personal observations to go from, but I would still confidently wager that the population would be lucky to be over the 100 individuals mark. Other observers have suggested similar concerns as well. There really is nowhere to hide on the island, with their habitat strictly confined to the national park or botanical gardens.
Below is a very short glimpse of the very rare Norfolk Island Green Parrot..
