Pioneering Christchurch-based expedition cruise company Heritage Expeditions is ruffling feathers within the birding
fraternity following its discovery of what is believed to be a new species of seabird.
Dubbed the ‘Heritage Lava Petrel’ and described as having “prominent white markings on both its upper and underwing,
dark chocolate brown plumage and a massive bill” the suspected new species was recorded by Heritage Expeditions’ expert
birding guides Chris Collins, Lisle Gwynn and Sav Saville some 250 nautical miles south of the small island of Santa Ana
in the Solomon Islands during popular birding voyage ‘Western Pacific Odyssey’.
The sightings of four of the unique birds caused a stir among the guides and experienced seabirders alike who all agreed
the birds’ striking plumage, unusual flight and long slender wings, not dissimilar from a Tahiti Petrel, was “quite
unlike anything in ornithological literature” after viewing photos and video footage captured on board expedition vessel
Spirit of Enderby.
Heritage Expeditions General Manager David Bowen said the authentic expedition cruise company’s exploration of the
world’s most remote and hard-to-reach shores and coastlines ensured guests were able to experience one-of-a-kind
wildlife and cultural encounters.
“Most of our birders come with their species lists of what they hope to see and, every once in a while, a very lucky few
get to add an entire new species to that list when they journey with Heritage Expeditions.”
It’s not the first time a new species has been discovered during a Heritage Expeditions voyage, the elusive New
Caledonian Storm-Petrel was first spotted on the ‘Western Pacific Odyssey’ in 2008, while an unknown breeding site for
the critically endangered Spoon-billed Sandpiper was discovered in 2016 during Russian Far East voyage ‘Siberia’s
Forgotten Coast’.