Red-billed gulls Wairaka Rock - Pukerua Bay
-
- Posts: 4
- Joined: Mon Aug 31, 2015 1:21 pm
Red-billed gulls Wairaka Rock - Pukerua Bay
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.
-
- Posts: 247
- Joined: Tue Mar 13, 2012 9:14 am
Re: Red-billed gulls Wairaka Rock - Pukerua Bay
It wld be good to hear how they get on if you're able to update this page from time to time?
-
- Posts: 703
- Joined: Sun Mar 03, 2013 1:04 pm
Re: Red-billed gulls Wairaka Rock - Pukerua Bay
Colony still very active - possibly the jellyfish like creature that washed up along wellington & kapiti beaches has provided a good food source?
cheers
jim
cheers
jim
-
- Posts: 703
- Joined: Sun Mar 03, 2013 1:04 pm
Re: Red-billed gulls Wairaka Rock - Pukerua Bay
Colony still active 29 December.
cheers
jim
cheers
jim
-
- Posts: 703
- Joined: Sun Mar 03, 2013 1:04 pm
Re: Red-billed gulls Wairaka Rock - Pukerua Bay
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
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
-
- Posts: 1008
- Joined: Sat Aug 07, 2010 10:22 pm
Re: Red-billed gulls Wairaka Rock - Pukerua Bay
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.
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.
-
- Posts: 703
- Joined: Sun Mar 03, 2013 1:04 pm
Re: Red-billed gulls Wairaka Rock - Pukerua Bay
Colony deserted - similar thing occurred year before last.
cheers
Jim
cheers
Jim
-
- Posts: 703
- Joined: Sun Mar 03, 2013 1:04 pm
Re: Red-billed gulls Wairaka Rock - Pukerua Bay
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
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
-
- Posts: 913
- Joined: Sat Jul 11, 2009 6:31 pm
Re: Red-billed gulls Wairaka Rock - Pukerua Bay
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
Regards
Colin
-
- Posts: 703
- Joined: Sun Mar 03, 2013 1:04 pm
Re: Red-billed gulls Wairaka Rock - Pukerua Bay
Hi Colin
Do you know if the colony on Mana is active this year?
Cheers
Jim
Do you know if the colony on Mana is active this year?
Cheers
Jim