Sunday 31 January
Today we
had a tour booked to see the gannet colony at Cape Kidnappers. We arrived in
plenty of time after about a half hour drive down the coast from Napier. The
track out to the colony is over private land and is quite an experience in
itself. A beautiful landscape which has been created by the earth’s movements
once again.
The gannet
colony was marvellous. There are three different colonies. The one we visited,
perched high up on the cliff, another down below and a third situated further
away on a rocky reef. The one on the top of the cliff is the largest. The
height gives these large birds greater lift when taking off into the thermals.
It was
fascinating to see these birds so close and to watch their behaviour first
hand. They mate for life and there were many young males trying very hard to impress
a suitable mate. The young chicks, born in December were at various stages of
development. Many ready to embark on their first flight which will take them
across the Tasman Sea to Australia. They have never flown before this moment
when they take to the air for this journey which many do not survive.
There are
many chicks which have been born at a second stage because the first eggs were
taken by scavengers, so the pair produce another egg. Sadly the majority of these second stage
chicks do not survive.
After our
tour we visited Hastings to sample the famous Rush Munro’s ice cream. Then a
visit to the Silky Oak Chocolate Factory. Both absolutely delicious.
Returning
to Napier we headed up to the Bluff again to take a look at Legend of the Seas
which had arrived at midday. We had seen a coach load of passengers at the
chocolate factory!
That
evening our hosts had invited us to their street party. So we joined with them
for a great bbq and a thoroughly enjoyable evening. The rain held off which was
lucky. What a lovely way to end our stay in this lovely city.
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| Visible uplifting of the earth along the cliffs |
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| This pied Oystercatcher was alone when we drove past on our way out. Fortunately its mate was there when we passed on the way back. You can just see two swallows which were flitting around as well. |
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| After the albatross these are a favourite of mine |
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| To see them so close was a treat |
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| This young fellow was collecting for some time before he took off with his prize. |
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| He made five or six circuits before landing once again close to where he took off. Either trying to impress a prospective partner or he couldn't navigate into his assigned landing spot too well! |
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| This youngster is getting a good feed |
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| A lot of display activity going on |
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| The chicks flex their wings constantly. They never get the chance to try them until they take off for their first flight and do not land again until they reach Australia |
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| This youngster is well fed and almost ready for its first flight |
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| This little one is not going to be so lucky. It is not likely to survive |
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| Another colony lower down on the cliff, looking towards Cape Kiddnappers |
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| Watching these birds coming in to land is amazing |
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| They fly in so low over where we are standing you can almost feel they will hit you |
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| Our journey back through the farm |
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| This gully was quite something to negotiate |
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| On one of the dams we were lucky enough to see this endangered teal family |
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| The house we were staying in. Our room is at the top with the balcony |
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| Legend of the Seas leaving the Bay |
