- Titi/Muttonbird Islands
The Titi or Muttonbird Islands are located near
Stewart Island/Rakiura in the far south ofNew Zealand .There are three chains, all of them simply referred to as the Muttonbird or Titi islands. The northeastern chain is located in
Foveaux Strait , to the northeast of Stewart Island, between it andRuapuke Island . A small eastern chain, south of Stewart Island's East Cape, also goes by the name of the Breaksea Islands. The southern chain is located to the southwest of Stewart Island.The islands are not permanently inhabited, and are named for the traditional harvesting of the
Sooty Shearwater byMāori . These birds are also known as "Muttonbirds" due to their vaguelymutton -like taste.In May 2006, the northeastern chain was the scene of tragedy when the fishing boat "Kotuku" capsized with the loss of six lives, close to Womens Island. [ [http://www.skipper.co.nz/ISSUES/S63%20Kotuku%20p80-81.pdf "Kotuku" tragedy highlights decaying fleet] , "Professional Skipper" 63, May/June 2008, 80-81.]
Islands
"Northeastern chain:" North, Womens, Edwards, Jacky lee, Herekopare and Kanetetoe Islands; The Bunker Islets, and Fish Rock.
"Eastern chain:" Rukawahakura, Takawini, Potuatua, Pomatakiarehua, Kaihuka and Wharepuaitaha Islands.
"Southwestern chain:" Big Moggy, Little Moggy, Kaimohu, Pukaparara, Putauhinu, Pukeweka, Tamaitemioka and Pohowaitai Islands; and The Putauhinu Nuggets. Closer to Stewart Island, the 'Boat Group' consists of Big Island, Kundy, Betsy and Rat Island.
References
External links
* [http://www.terranature.org/sootyShearwaterMigration.htm Migration of sooty shearwater from New Zealand to the north Pacific - TerraNature article]
* [http://www.otago.ac.nz/titi/ The University of Otago Titi Project]
* [http://www.nzbirds.com/birds/titi.html Titi, the sooty shearwater. Description]
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