Birders

A birdwatchers paradise.

There are no less than 52 native bird species/subspecies on the Chatham Islands of which 18 breed no where else in the World. The vast majority of these species can be seen on and around Pitt Island. 

3-Day Birdwatchers Special Package paradise

New for this season 2024/25 3-Day Birding package including mainland airfares, Inter-island air transfers, accommodation, all meals, 2.5 days bird watching on Pitt Island, half day bird watching boat trip to Mangere, Pyramid & Rangatira Islands and Star Keys (no landing permitted)

Download Birding package Info and Booking form.

Species List for Pitt Island

  • Chatham Islands Tui
  • Chatham Islands Tomtit,
  • Chatham Islands Fantail,
  • Forbes Parakeet (mainly on Mangere Island, very rare sighting on Pitt Island) 
  • Chatham Islands Red Crown Parakeet 
  • Chatham Islands Warbler
  • Chatham Islands Pipit
  • Giant Petrel (in season)
  • Brown Skua (in season)
  • Broad-billed Prion
  • Little Blue Penguin
  • Chatham Island Oystercatcher
  • Chatham Islands Snipe (some trans-located to Pitt Island in 2008, extremely rare sightings since)
  • Chatham Islands Petrel (in breeding season)
  • Antipodean Albatross (occasionally breeding on Pitt Island or at Sea)
  • White faced Heron
  • White Fronted Tern
  • Weka 
  • Pukeko 

At sea

  • Chatham Islands Albatross (Mollymawk) (Pyramid)
  • Bullers Mollymawk
  • White-capped Mollymawk
  • Royal Albatross
  • Little Blue Penguin 
  • Chatham Islands Shag
  • Pitt Island Shag
  • Cape Pidgion
  • Subantartic Shearwater
  • Sooty Shearwater
  • Storm Petrel
  • NZ Shore Plover (South East & Mangere Islands, can be seen from the boat. Rare sightings on Pitt Island) 
  • White Fronted Tern 

Flowerpot Lodge operates its a own charter vessel and specializes in birding/pelagic tours. Islands include Mangere, Rangatira, Pyramid and Star-Keys.

And while we are not permitted to land on the outer Islands, there is the possibility of seeing the famous CI Black Robin, Forbes Parakeet and Shore Plover from the water.

*Denotes sightings on very rare occasions, so no guarantee

Please check out our other activities, we can combine any activity as a package to suit your budget and time constraints.

Please email for a quote.