Gannets are commonly seen around the coastline of New
Zealand. They are large birds, with an
adult’s wingspan reaching 1.8 metres, and have a regal air that seems to surround
them.
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| Australasian Gannet (Morus serrator) in flight |
They are most often noticed when fishing as they are plunge
divers, plunging at speed from great heights into the ocean to catch their
prey. Fishing gannets are often solitary
but can be found in groups, especially when near a breeding spot.
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| Gannets soaring around a headland |
Cape Kidnappers, near Napier, is a well-known breeding
colony and is sometimes open to visitors.
I visited many years ago and endured an adventurous ride on a trailer
towed by a tractor along the beach to see some of the birds (unfortunately, we were unable to reach the main colony at the time).
Gannets prefer flat sites for nesting, usually on islands or
headlands that are completely or partially surrounded by sea water.
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| Part of the Cape Kidnappers breeding colony |
Only one egg can be successfully incubated at a time, with
the resulting chick being cared for by both parents. Parents will separate once the chick fledges,
but frequently will pair up again the following season.
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| Adult gannets nesting in spring (September) |
Gannet chicks usually fledge in the autumn, but do not develop full adult plumage until they are three years old. The noise in a breeding colony is LOUD, and the constant comings and goings of the adults would make any air-traffic controller cringe!
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| Adult birds with chicks of different ages (February) |
The gannetry at Muriwai, around one hour from central Auckland, is one that is easily and freely available for the public to visit. Gannets are present for the breeding season, between September and March, although a few birds can often be seen either side of this.
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| Part of the gannet colony at Muriwai Beach |
These majestic birds are a wonderful part of our coastal scenery, and many is the time I have sat and watched them as they dived for their dinner.
Nature watching is a wonderful
activity J
Margaret.
Wow! That is an impressive wingspan!
ReplyDeleteI can just imagine the noise (and smell) of that large colony of gannets.
Oh yes, I forgot to mention the smell. Haha :))
DeleteThey are beautiful birds aren't they.
ReplyDeleteA wonderful experience visiting the colony. What a sight they must be in the air
ReplyDeleteGannet colonies are among the great spectacles of nature. There is a huge breeding colony of Northern Gannets on Île Bonaventure in Québec which we visited a couple of years ago, me for the second time, Miriam for the first. I would go back in a heartbeat!
ReplyDeleteThere is a huge colony of Northern Gannets at Cape St. Mary’s in Newfoundland, my home province. They are a wonder of nature to be sure. We see them off the coast of PEI diving for fish but the colony is west of here..
ReplyDeleteI had no idea they were that big...I have never seen one of course. So just had not thought to look them up. I can just imagine the noise. I have really enjoyed this post and pic...I am with you on loving to watch nature.
ReplyDelete