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Red-billed gulls Wairaka Rock - Pukerua Bay

Posted: Fri Nov 10, 2017 2:00 pm
by Gillian Candler
Last year the red-billed gulls disappeared from Wairaka Rock around the coast from Pukerua Bay, this spring they are back nesting on the rock, although I think smaller numbers than in 2015. Around 80 pairs are visible from the shore, also around the same number of white-fronted terns. Two harrier hawks were circling high up above the rock.

Re: Red-billed gulls Wairaka Rock - Pukerua Bay

Posted: Sun Nov 12, 2017 9:17 pm
by Olwen
It wld be good to hear how they get on if you're able to update this page from time to time?

Re: Red-billed gulls Wairaka Rock - Pukerua Bay

Posted: Tue Nov 14, 2017 1:20 pm
by Jim_j
Colony still very active - possibly the jellyfish like creature that washed up along wellington & kapiti beaches has provided a good food source?

cheers
jim

Re: Red-billed gulls Wairaka Rock - Pukerua Bay

Posted: Fri Dec 29, 2017 3:04 pm
by Jim_j
Colony still active 29 December.

cheers
jim

Re: Red-billed gulls Wairaka Rock - Pukerua Bay

Posted: Thu Aug 30, 2018 1:02 pm
by Jim_j
A number of birds prospecting and commencing breeding - appeared to be 50+ birds at the site at his stage.
Certainly not the density I've seen in the past but maybe early days.
Will be interesting to see how the colony progresses - two year earlier the colony was abandoned mid-season.

Also first Reef Heron I've seen in Pukerua Bay for a year or two - back in the favoured spot just past the bridge & old gun emplacement.

cheers
Jim

Re: Red-billed gulls Wairaka Rock - Pukerua Bay

Posted: Thu Aug 30, 2018 4:54 pm
by Clinton9
Red-billed gulls do not start to laying eggs until late October.

Last year on 22/9/17 I checked the body of freshly dead adult female Red-billed gull and found it had lots of growing feathers, this shown me if this bird were alive, it would finish its prebreeding moulting by late October.

Re: Red-billed gulls Wairaka Rock - Pukerua Bay

Posted: Fri Sep 21, 2018 10:33 am
by Jim_j
Colony deserted - similar thing occurred year before last.

cheers
Jim

Re: Red-billed gulls Wairaka Rock - Pukerua Bay

Posted: Wed Oct 30, 2019 3:10 pm
by Jim_j
Colony deserted - didn't appear to be any nesting attempt at all this year.
There were a few Black Backed Gulls that appeared to be prospecting for nest sites a few weeks ago but they to seem to have disappeared.
Generally also there seem to be far fewer RB Gulls around than normal....

Cheers
Jim

Re: Red-billed gulls Wairaka Rock - Pukerua Bay

Posted: Wed Oct 30, 2019 9:12 pm
by Colin Miskelly
There is a large colony of red-billed gulls at the north end of Mana Island (500+ pairs), which is close to Pukerua Bay
Regards
Colin

Re: Red-billed gulls Wairaka Rock - Pukerua Bay

Posted: Thu Oct 31, 2019 8:01 am
by Jim_j
Hi Colin
Do you know if the colony on Mana is active this year?

Cheers
Jim