Notes from A Skipper's Log Book, an account of New Zealand's Bay of Islands

Clifford Graham

Designed, typeset, printed and bound by Whitcoulls Ltd, softcover, illustrated by Michael Nettmann

Signed by Author on 11-02-1986 "Best wishes from the......................"

Whales and Dolphins
Sea and Shore Birds
Geology Coastal Plants
Fisch and Fishing
Anecdotes


Introduction
Situated on the north east coast of New Zealand's North Island, washed by the waters of the world's largest ocean, the Bay of Islands was first described by Lieutenant James Cook in 1769. He named it 'on account of the Great Number (of islands) which line its shores', further commenting that 'these help to form several safe and commodious harbours, wherein is room for any number of shipping'.

Cook was, of course, quite correct. Islands are numerous, more than 89 in fact, and the coastline of the Bay includes several deep inlets penetrating well back into the hills of the hinterland — 'safe and commodious harbours' indeed. In the south and west four rivers flow into the sheltered waters.

Although the area of surface water in the Bay is but a minute percentage of the 64,000,000 square miles of the Pacific Ocean, it is nevertheless an area recognised for its abundance of birds, fish, and other marine life. The long shoreline supports the varied feeding habits of a diversity of coastal birds which take advantage of the considerable tidal range, averaging about 6 feet (2m), whilst oceanic birds seek the abundance of fish and plankton carried to the Bay on seasonal oceans currents. Dolphins visit frequently and whales pass by on their migrations north to the warm waters of the tropical Pacific, or south to the Antarctic.

For more than 20 years I have been based at Russell, at first as a gamefishing skipper and more recently as skipper of one of the Bay's largest excursion launches. Through my employment I have been privileged to enjoy countless opportunities to study the many fascinating creatures which make up the resident and visiting wildlife population; my 'in the field' observations have spanned some 250 days each year. My work has been shared with many people, both visitors and residents alike, and life has been richer for their involvement.

From many and varied experiences has come the material for this book. In the following pages I have endeavoured to record interesting observations of wildlife, together with factual information about the Bay which I believe will interest the increasing numbers of visitors who are attracted to this beautiful area each year.