A remarkable wildlife sighting has taken place off the Port Macquarie coast, with two rarely seen Southern Ocean seabirds photographed in the area. The birds, identified as the Kerguelen petrel and grey petrel, were spotted offshore during what has been described as a “stunningly rare” seabird event.

The sighting is significant because these birds are associated with the Southern Ocean and are not commonly observed close to the NSW coastline. Their appearance off Port Macquarie has attracted attention from birdwatchers and wildlife observers interested in unusual marine species.

The Kerguelen petrel is a seabird that spends much of its life at sea, while grey petrels are also highly pelagic birds that can travel vast distances across the Southern Ocean. Seeing both species in the same area provides an unusual opportunity for observers and researchers.

Photographs of the birds have helped document the rare event and provide valuable evidence of their presence off the Mid North Coast. Wildlife sightings such as this can contribute to broader understanding of seabird movements, migration patterns and changes in marine environments.

Port Macquarie is already known for its diverse coastal wildlife, but sightings of Southern Ocean species this far north are particularly noteworthy. The event demonstrates how dynamic Australia's coastal waters can be and how weather and ocean conditions may bring unusual species into areas where they are rarely recorded.

For local birdwatchers, photographers and nature enthusiasts, the sighting has created considerable interest. However, observers are encouraged to respect wildlife and avoid disturbing seabirds while attempting to photograph them.

The unusual encounter is another reminder of the biodiversity found along the NSW coastline. Researchers and bird enthusiasts will be watching for further sightings that could provide additional information about the birds and the conditions that brought them close to Port Macquarie.