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The Cape
Kidnappers Gannet Reserve, with over 5,000 pairs of birds, contains
the largest and most accessible mainland gannet colony in the
world. After lived in New Zealand for all these years and
having been to Hawke's Bay a number of times, we finally made it to the
Reserve to see the gannets at the right time (albeit not
the ideal time as the best time for viewing is between
early November and late February).
The Gannet, a member of the Booby family, is related to the families
of shags, pelicans, and frigate-birds. While they are ungainly on
land, they fly gracefully and dive from great heights into the sea
to catch fish.
From early May to mid-July the
gannetry is empty. All one can see are rows of neatly-spaced nesting mounds.
Following the full moon in July, males which nested during the previous
season return to their nesting sites and are later joined by their
mates. Chicks can be seen at all stages of development between
late December to late February. By mid-March, the number of
gannets dwindles and by mid-April, the colony is almost deserted as the
chicks fly north across the Tasman Sea to the eastern coasts of
Australia where they remain for 2.5 to 3.5 years until they become
adults. They then return to New Zealand and remain in New Zealand
waters thereafter.
Rather than opting for a commercial tour by tractor or quadbikes along the
beach, or by four wheel-drive overland, we decided to take the healthy option
of walking along the 8km beach and a steep walk up to the Pleateau Colony. This means we had to get the
times of the tide right and complete the tour within six hours to
avoid being stranded! The 5-hour walk was absolutely rewarding and
worthwhile.
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On
our way to the Cape
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A
courting pair
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