Red-billed gulls Wairaka Rock - Pukerua Bay

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Gillian Candler
Posts: 4
Joined: Mon Aug 31, 2015 1:21 pm

Red-billed gulls Wairaka Rock - Pukerua Bay

Postby Gillian Candler » Fri Nov 10, 2017 2:00 pm

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.
Olwen
Posts: 247
Joined: Tue Mar 13, 2012 9:14 am

Re: Red-billed gulls Wairaka Rock - Pukerua Bay

Postby Olwen » Sun Nov 12, 2017 9:17 pm

It wld be good to hear how they get on if you're able to update this page from time to time?
Jim_j
Posts: 699
Joined: Sun Mar 03, 2013 1:04 pm

Re: Red-billed gulls Wairaka Rock - Pukerua Bay

Postby Jim_j » Tue Nov 14, 2017 1:20 pm

Colony still very active - possibly the jellyfish like creature that washed up along wellington & kapiti beaches has provided a good food source?

cheers
jim
Jim_j
Posts: 699
Joined: Sun Mar 03, 2013 1:04 pm

Re: Red-billed gulls Wairaka Rock - Pukerua Bay

Postby Jim_j » Fri Dec 29, 2017 3:04 pm

Colony still active 29 December.

cheers
jim
Jim_j
Posts: 699
Joined: Sun Mar 03, 2013 1:04 pm

Re: Red-billed gulls Wairaka Rock - Pukerua Bay

Postby Jim_j » Thu Aug 30, 2018 1:02 pm

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
Clinton9
Posts: 1008
Joined: Sat Aug 07, 2010 10:22 pm

Re: Red-billed gulls Wairaka Rock - Pukerua Bay

Postby Clinton9 » Thu Aug 30, 2018 4:54 pm

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.
Jim_j
Posts: 699
Joined: Sun Mar 03, 2013 1:04 pm

Re: Red-billed gulls Wairaka Rock - Pukerua Bay

Postby Jim_j » Fri Sep 21, 2018 10:33 am

Colony deserted - similar thing occurred year before last.

cheers
Jim
Jim_j
Posts: 699
Joined: Sun Mar 03, 2013 1:04 pm

Re: Red-billed gulls Wairaka Rock - Pukerua Bay

Postby Jim_j » Wed Oct 30, 2019 3:10 pm

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
Colin Miskelly
Posts: 912
Joined: Sat Jul 11, 2009 6:31 pm

Re: Red-billed gulls Wairaka Rock - Pukerua Bay

Postby Colin Miskelly » Wed Oct 30, 2019 9:12 pm

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
Jim_j
Posts: 699
Joined: Sun Mar 03, 2013 1:04 pm

Re: Red-billed gulls Wairaka Rock - Pukerua Bay

Postby Jim_j » Thu Oct 31, 2019 8:01 am

Hi Colin
Do you know if the colony on Mana is active this year?

Cheers
Jim

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