MEGA Laughing Gull - Te Ahiaua Reserve

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sav
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Re: MEGA Laughing Gull - Te Ahiaua Reserve

Postby sav » Fri Dec 23, 2016 5:56 pm

So it's certainly a Laughing Gull. It appears to be a second winter. I can't get there for a couple of days, so can people please keep feeding it bread or something in the meantime..........
Sav Saville
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RussCannings
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Re: MEGA Laughing Gull - Te Ahiaua Reserve

Postby RussCannings » Fri Dec 23, 2016 6:07 pm

For anyone planning a visit, I believe it's signed as Waiotahi Spit Scenic & Historic Reserve (I could be wrong but I think Te Ahiaua is a name for the local Marae or old village site nearby). Pretty obvious spot at the inlet mouth with public toilets etc.

Great find Annette!

Russ
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Tim Barnard
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Re: MEGA Laughing Gull - Te Ahiaua Reserve

Postby Tim Barnard » Fri Dec 23, 2016 7:47 pm

Thanks David. Great find. I'll be out and about tomorrow. Let me know if you are coming over would be good to coordinate a search. I know the site quite well.
Tim
ian smith
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Re: MEGA Laughing Gull - Te Ahiaua Reserve

Postby ian smith » Fri Dec 23, 2016 8:00 pm

The later and better photos confirm that belly is not dark so my earlier suggestions are clearly not valid. Would this be the first NZ record for Laughing Gull? Great find, Annette and David!
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David Riddell
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Re: MEGA Laughing Gull - Te Ahiaua Reserve

Postby David Riddell » Fri Dec 23, 2016 8:19 pm

Hi Ian, yes I understand this is a first NZ record. Tim, we're in Gisborne for Christmas but will be passing again on Boxing Day, probably around the middle of the day. The name Te Ahiaua was on a sign within the reserve itself, but Russ may well be right about the road sign.
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Tim Barnard
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Re: MEGA Laughing Gull - Te Ahiaua Reserve

Postby Tim Barnard » Fri Dec 23, 2016 8:33 pm

Cheers David, I'd planned to come over to Ohiwa today but decided to stay put after a very stormy night and morning here in Rotorua. C'est la vie ...
Thanks for the update ... have a great Christmas on the coast.
Tim
JFDillon
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Re: MEGA Laughing Gull - Te Ahiaua Reserve

Postby JFDillon » Sat Dec 24, 2016 9:17 am

Is it possible to say about how long it will stay? I'm at Ohiwa (about 10 km W) on the 5th Jan and this would be an amazing bird to see!
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RussCannings
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Re: MEGA Laughing Gull - Te Ahiaua Reserve

Postby RussCannings » Sat Dec 24, 2016 10:01 am

Time will tell Joe, in Aussie they have sometimes stayed multiple months so if it's happy there I reckon it will load around for at least the summer.

Russ
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Liam Ballard
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Re: MEGA Laughing Gull - Te Ahiaua Reserve

Postby Liam Ballard » Sat Dec 24, 2016 10:17 am

Time will tell Joe, in Aussie they have sometimes stayed multiple months so if it's happy there I reckon it will load around for at least the summer.


I'll start walking then!
:D
Liam Ballard
andrewcrossland
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Re: MEGA Laughing Gull - Te Ahiaua Reserve

Postby andrewcrossland » Sat Dec 24, 2016 12:22 pm

Fantastic!

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