Muriwai Gannet Colony

I drove south from the Kauri Forests to Muriwai Beach. The headlands at the South end of the beach contain a nesting colony of Gannets. This is one of the few colonies that is on the mainland. Most are located on small isolated offshore islands. It was after sunset when I arrived so I just had a short time to work. The next morning, it was alternating between foggy and rainy. I managed to get a bit more done between rain showers, then it was time to head further South.

The weather forecast is for 4 or 5 days of rainy weather, so I decided this would be a great time to head down to Waitomo Caves. If it’s going to rain, I might as well be underground. I had to pass through Auckland, but since it’s Sunday, there wasn’t much traffic. The main route South through Auckland is a reasonably nice freeway. It even stays freeway for quite awhile South. Finally, it gradually looses lanes and fades into a two lane road like in the North. It was nice to be on 4 and 6 lane freeway for awhile. I went through some heavy rain showers, and was very surprised to pop out into a nice sunny area that lasted all the way down to Waitomo. I’m sure it will be gone tomorrow.



This is the Muriwai Gannet Colony. There are viewing platforms built on the cliffside where you can watch the birds without bothering them. You can see one of the platforms in the upper left corner.


They also use a conveniently flat topped rock just offshore.


This is the nesting area just below the upper platform.


Birds are constantly coming and going.


There are constant territorial squabbles. The birds are just starting to stake out their space and a few are starting to make nests.