News
The latest news from our Rangers, project teams and volunteers. If you can't find what you're looking for try asking over at our Facebook Page.
Latest from Facebook
Its a GFP PARTY!! The BHCT grey faced petrel study site out on Bream Head/Te Whara Scenic Reserve was inspected by Cathy MItchell and Ripley Dean today and they confirmed 15 GFP Adults in burrows!!! These adults are all very likely incubating their egg, although it must be made clear that there is a slight chance some of the adults might not be on an egg. Cathy said that one burrow that had an adult in it had an egg outside of the burrow, most likely kicked out of the burrow by other GFP. However, the fact that there are five more GFP in burrows than any other year we have been studying this site is a fantastic result, and it makes me so excited that there are more birds coming into the reserve to breed, this means we are doing an outstanding job thus far in protecting them (see my previous post about GFP adults also found in old burrow sites in a completely different part of the reserve for the first time). Hopefully this also means that the birds are doing okay out at sea in the off season and returning. We banded some chicks last season, and if they return in 4-5 years time to breed themselves we will really know if they are surviving well and getting enough food at sea to live successfully. I am stoked, hope you are too. Arohanui from Adam Willetts (BHCT Head Ranger/ project manager, Ripley Dean (BHCT Ranger) and Cathy Mitchell (BHCT seabird expert and volunteer)!
PHOTOS: GFP Adult in burrow. Cathy MItchell using specialised wifi endoscope to monitor birds in long, deep burrows.
