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The head of the Kowhai Valley, Uerau Nature Reserve
(Department of Conservation); home to the largest of the two remaining natural colonies of Hutton's shearwater. This steep and rugged sub alpine country at 1000-1600 m above sea level is where these seabirds come home to nest. The second and smaller colony, in just as rugged country (some would say more so at 1200 - 1800m above sea level) is at the head of the Puhi Puhi Valley in Shearwater Stream, and is privately owned. -
Helicopters; a welcome addition to the logistics of getting in and out of this big and rugged country. It meant you could be into the colony area and starting work within minutes as opposed to days!
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Fat and fluffy – these chicks sport some interesting looks whilst loosing their down!
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One egg a year for these birds as with most seabirds, and given the terrain and conditions they nest in, its very previous indeed. Sometimes inexperienced juveniles will lay their egg above ground.
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Historical records suggest the species once bred from at
least eight sites in the Inland and Seaward Kaikoura Ranges. Most of these colonies have since disappeared, probably due to wild pig predation. Thankfully topography is the saving grace for the Shearwater Stream colony - its virtually impossible for pigs to get into the main breeding area. The Kowhai Valley colony however is a different case. A few years ago the Department of Conservation along with hardy
volunteers, constructed a pig trap in the only accessible route for pigs to the colony. Local Kaikoura Helicopters would routinely check the trap to no avail for such a long time.......until this big guy and some of his mates were spotted. -
Sometimes patience is the name of the game - after a hard winter sometimes they have to wait for the snow to melt before they can get on with their job of making a burrow and finding a mate!
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An amazing sight - During spring and summer, large flocks can often be spotted just offshore from the Kaikoura coastline flying low over the sea or rafted up in large groups on the water.
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Studies have indicated that the two remaining mountain
colonies are large enough not to be adversely affected by stoat predation (which predate on chicks). The greater threat is from predation by wild pigs or trampling of burrows at colonies by ungulates (deer, goats, chamois, etc). All the colonies which have gone extinct in the last century have likely been destroyed by pigs, with six known colonies having gone extinct since the 1960s. Pig, ungulate and predator control therefore remains one of the top conservation management priorities for endangered Hutton's shearwaters. -
Hop, skip and a jump - these birds are incredibly agile on water and easily take flight from their colony environments, however are completely unable to take flight from ground level.
Puffinus Huttoni
Boysenberry Sour
5.1% ABV - alc./vol.
In 1965, Kaikoura, legend told of a vagrant seabird colony high in the snowy mountains.
Keen mountaineer and amateur ornithologist, Geoff Harrow, took his sleeping bag up to the tussocks of the Seaward Kaikoura Ranges — in search of the mystery bird.
A fruitless venture, so it seemed, when in serendipity — Geoff discovered three carcasses and sent them to the bird experts in Wellington. Three days later, a telegram: Indeed — Hutton’s Shearwater.
Easily disoriented by bright lights and flimsy on the ground, the lilac-footed birds are excellent in flight, launching from their burrows set on the steep slopes of the mountains, under cover of darkness, down the Kowhai River valley: to sea.
Each year the birds ditch winter and migrate to Australia, always returning to their mountains to nest. Of eight colonies only two remain today.
Treasured as a precious Taonga among locals, their efforts to keep this bird going have been tireless. Hand whizzing sardine smoothies for the chicks and creating a predator-free colony for breeding.
We sent this beer to launch in Aussie for the Great Australian Beer SpecTAPular (GABS) Soured from Lactobacillus and aged on Nelson boysenberries — we took a chance on this one in dedication to our little Trans-Tasman seabird.
Haere ra e nga Titi — farewell o Hutton’s shearwater!
Sold Out Huttoni in the 60's
The Complete Range
