Raptor Resource Project Forum
All Other Topics and Sites => All Other Bird Cams and Information => Topic started by: LORIDAVIS on December 13, 2019, 03:41:39 PM
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(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ELinf2JW4AUlyY7?format=jpg&name=large)
Royal Albatross Cam
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t9XNKQY4tQc&feature=emb_logo
The RoyalCam is a collaboration between the New Zealand Department of Conservation and the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. To learn more while watching, view the cam at
https://www.doc.govt.nz/nature/native...
or at https://allaboutbirds.org/cams
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Royal Cam is a 24-hour live stream of a Northern Royal Albatross nest during the breeding season at Pukekura/Taiaroa Head on the southeast tip of New Zealand's South Island.
The season of 2019/2020 has seen the Royal Cam once again move up the hill. Now at Top Flat Track our new pair is OGK (banded Orange, Green, Black) a 21 year old male and YRK (banded Yellow, Red, Black) and 25 year old female. YRK laid the egg on 14 November 2019.
This season the live stream has partnered with Cornell Bird Lab. There are some new features including a trial of night vision and the ability to pan the camera at the rangers discretion.
More info on families
https://www.doc.govt.nz/nature/native-animals/birds/birds-a-z/albatrosses/royal-albatross-toroa/royal-cam/meet-the-royal-family/
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Northern Royal Albatross New Zealand South Island Cornell Labs
(https://i.gyazo.com/9316c7a60f885c3941b1d910aa63a772.gif)
Royal Cam Albatross ~ Beautiful Close-Ups Of The Tubenose! DOC Ranger Check Up On Egg! 12.28.19
https://youtu.be/T-_mfAOZ7xQ via ladyhawk
Stunning closeups of the male albatross OGK!!
The albatross spend most of their time at sea and only come in to land to breed. They are called tubenoses because of the pair of tubular nostrils on their hooked bills. They have long, narrow wings and webbed feet. They lay only one egg and both parents care for and feed the chick.
Today, we had a DOC ranger check up on the egg. The albatross are very docile and allow the rangers to handle their eggs easily. The NZ conservation program looks after the world's only mainland albatross colony!! The goal is successfully fledge as many chicks as is possible! Thank you for watching!
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Royal Cam Albatross egg & PIP check today ❤️
(https://i.gyazo.com/5b5dd69813c53ef4838abc5ab2b6bb29.gif)
Royal Cam Albatross ~ DOC Ranger Checking Egg For A Pip! 1.25.2020
https://youtu.be/8k6sUbXHKoU via ladyhawk
DOC ranger comes by to check the egg for signs of a pip - YRK greets her! No pip seen so far. Ranger Sharyn leaves a nice gift of grasses.
The albatross pair is OGK (banded Orange, Green, Black) a 21 year old male and YRK (banded Yellow, Red, Black) a 25 year old female. YRK laid the egg on 14 November 2019. Located at Top Flat Rock New Zealand.
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Albatross Kyra & Oliver, PIP waiting for hatch off site ❤️❤️❤️
(https://i.gyazo.com/792b58422db365064e422474ed99fdcf.gif)
Albatross Love (2020.01.30) - Royal Albatross Cam - NZ Dept of Conservation - Cornell Lab
https://youtu.be/F_u-Rhy35ro via holly
At the beginning of the video, YRK (Kyra, the female) is incubating the dummy egg and announcing the arrival of OGK (Oliver, her mate). Their reunion after his multi-day absence is so incredibly sweet! By the end of the video, OGK has taken over nest duties. Background: The egg has pipped and been taken to an incubator for an environment free of the threat of flystrike during the hatching process. The hatched chick will be returned to the parents as soon as possible.
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New Zealand Albatross Kyra & Oliver 3am there now... hoping to get a peek in a few hours! Baby returned to nest last night!!! ❤️
One tiny little bundle returned to OGK . Congratulations to you both OGK & YRK on your little chick
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EPljU1ZUwAEQjBv?format=jpg&name=900x900)
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Royal Cam Albatross ~ We Have A HATCH! Welcome To The World ♥ ♥ Chick Returned To Nest 1.31.20
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vBFIdWA_QvU
Royal Cam Albatross ~ FIRST FEEDING By Dad (OGK) 💖💖 2.1.202
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eyrm9xSY-m4
Royal Cam Albatross ~ Ranger Sharyn Morning Check & Weigh In For Albatross Chick 💝 2.1.2020
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tey55vAJzHA
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Thanks for the videos, T40 :) Baby is so cute!
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New Zealand Northern Royal Albatross, Peek from last night... all sleeping now.
(https://i.gyazo.com/82023440b1166ff7320983ea59589b69.gif)
Health check yesterday chick is 290 grams
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EPoiez0U4AErIjl?format=jpg&name=900x900)
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Wow! How sweet to hold one! :)
They are big birds!
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Royal Cam Albatross baby feeding & health check ❤️
(https://i.gyazo.com/fed88f315b4d3cbe437517e70ff970ed.gif)
Royal Cam Albatross ~ ADORABLE BABY!! Hungry & Ready To Eat! Magnificent OGK Wings! 2.2.20
https://youtu.be/IN68COMuEQQ via ladyhawk
2.2.20 ~~ OGK gets up and spreads his magnificent wings (I put in slomo to appreciate!) The little chick wakes up and is hungry and ready to eat! Dad gives his baby a very good feeding before bed and then resumes brooding.
Royal Cam Albatross We Have A VERY HEALTHY CHICK! Ranger Rebecca Takes New Weight 310 Grams!
https://youtu.be/5JQUx0CWdf8via ladyhawk
2/2/20 ~ Ranger Rebecca takes a new weight on the albatross chick ~~ 310 grams!! Dad is doing a great job feeding!
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Aw, I want a cuddle! ;) :)
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OMG....baby is so cute!!!!!!!
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Changing of the guard! :)
https://twitter.com/i/status/1224165533236355072
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Royal Albatross new baby closeup today! ❤️❤️❤️
(https://i.gyazo.com/1fe318aee42113ccfed6311d423e94a4.gif)
Royal Albatross Cam Zooms In On Chick In The Nest
https://youtu.be/Kfp68Q_on7s via cornell lab bird cams
Watch the Royal Albatross chick perk up to receive a meal from the female (YRK) in this close-up clip
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Albatross Chick check today ❤️
(https://i.gyazo.com/5f5214b44a33108f83c336a0b3b7565b.gif)
https://youtu.be/0CdsR_NXsE0 via cornell lab bird cams
A ranger from the New Zealand Department of Conservation measures the mass of the Royal Albatross chick during a quick health check at the nest.
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Aw!
https://twitter.com/i/status/1226716059555655680
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New Zealand Albatross family ❤️
(https://i.gyazo.com/00d6c896192e4020c1716a9f2e8576a4.gif)
(https://i.gyazo.com/364b3120518f99aca4213e9115911683.gif)
kisses(https://i.gyazo.com/d077db6a3666c1605f1e345c5c66b643.gif)
Royal Albatross ~ Affectionate Greeting by YRK For OGK ? Mutual Allopreening/Shift Change 2.12.20
https://youtu.be/u6Rdg7rO0rg via lady hawk
Albatross Chick Weigh-in and Health Check
https://youtu.be/pcf3fMdhU4U via samantha eye
New Zealand Department of Conservation (DOC) rangers weigh the chick daily. The chick hatched on 1/31/2020.
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They are kind of too warm today!
https://twitter.com/i/status/1229238348184555520
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New Zealand Albatross ❤️
(https://i.gyazo.com/d7f228d63aaaf3c6b598f9fe79d9b6dc.gif)
Royal Cam Albatross ~ Dad (OGK) Is HOME!! Mom (YRK) Heads Out To Sea!
https://youtu.be/nTs1aqlaCNY via ladyhawk
(https://i.gyazo.com/24744cbc9eb9d183582269ff56d1125a.gif)
https://youtu.be/spRg8g1fAMk via samantha eye
The Albatross dad watches as a New Zealand Department of Conservation (DOC) ranger weighs the chick.
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Dad said, "Get out of here!". :) From Samantha Eye:
https://twitter.com/i/status/1231660998227943424
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New Zealand Albatross ❤️❤️❤️
(https://i.gyazo.com/8db0968a896933f76e3f0b378d313f2d.gif)
(https://i.gyazo.com/e02f92910dadd88d819b1169f1af3d54.gif)
YRK Preens, Feeds Royal Albatross Chick During Long Brooding Break
https://youtu.be/CAK3Z74rizQ via cornell lab bird cam
The female Royal Albatross unveils her chick after she stands up for a long brooding break. After the chick takes a quick bathroom break, preening and feeding ensue.
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This sweet pair! :)
https://twitter.com/i/status/1232462571384369152
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❤️
New Zealand Albatross
(https://i.gyazo.com/478e519c390c28238c4500539b94ab3d.gif)
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New Zealand Albatross
(https://i.gyazo.com/c22f1f5e97c2fbcf04c2d8e3cb346821.gif)
The male OGK steps back and offers a meal of regurgitated seafare to his chick on the Royal Albatross cam. Northern Royal Albatross diet consists mainly of squid, fish, and crustaceans that they seize from the ocean's surface. They will also scavenge discards from fishing vessels.
https://youtu.be/7y62b155mqc via cornell lab bird cam
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Chick looks plump and healthy! :)
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Kissy kissy! ;D
https://twitter.com/i/status/1234665180929224705
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Sooooo big! :)
https://twitter.com/i/status/1236172745064370181
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Baby updates!!! ❤️❤️❤️
Albatross New Zealand
(https://i.gyazo.com/83d9115a42bc19ef63057a42cb143034.gif)
It's A Girl! DNA Results Determine #RoyalCam Chick Is Female
https://youtu.be/yVN3Kvqj_iI via cornell lab bird cams
Big news from down under! Our partners at the New Zealand Department of Conservation (DOC) announced that DNA testing has revealed that this year's Royal Albatross chick is a female. After having a bias towards female chicks in the colony over the past two years, this year's DNA tests confirm that there are more male chicks throughout the colony overall in 2020.
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Baby growing up too fast! :-*
https://twitter.com/i/status/1236449778281504769
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A couple baby pics this morning! ❤️❤️❤️
New Zealand Albatross family photo
(https://i.gyazo.com/680c60359ea9dbc564671ddeda2e369b.gif)
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❤️❤️❤️
Albatross New Zealand baby girl
(https://i.gyazo.com/266acc2cb72852d697f6ae7be64631b4.gif)
(https://i.gyazo.com/52bb36cdb78753bd4325524ebb8f4011.gif)
First Stroll Outside the Nest (2020.03.13) - Royal Albatross Cam, New Zealand DOC & Cornell Lab
https://youtu.be/EdtDW9Y0h_I via cornell lab bird cams
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Albatross Family New Zealand
(https://i.gyazo.com/91c1a5444297c9e19b393ac78e34f1ae.gif)
(https://i.gyazo.com/2d3252dbdebefacb52d07967802cf361.gif)
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baby updates... enjoy!!! ❤️❤️❤️
Albatross Daddy & me
(https://i.gyazo.com/f6f88ec1df0c40d24d8c788008841860.gif)
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Albatross family ❤️
Albatross New Zealand Dad hovering to protect family from intruder
(https://i.gyazo.com/c32236a3741a3fdcc70049504e416b8e.gif)
The baby
(https://i.gyazo.com/cb4392e35232418b2cbe1843391aeef2.gif)
Albatross celebrate baby girl
(https://i.gyazo.com/acd2772c3636ebec7df31aecdc26bbdc.gif)Albatross Block Party (2020.03.18) - RoyalCam New Zealand Dept of Conservation & Cornell Lab
https://youtu.be/FJnrgcBiJnE via holly
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Baby Albatross girl has a visitor... she's like "what was that furry thing" lol ❤️
(https://i.gyazo.com/49c95adc77d6427aaa3f0817e01f80aa.gif)
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❤️❤️❤️
Baby girl Albatross New Zealand catching a breeze
(https://i.gyazo.com/5db8f8050f67f11488c6a8a6595068ae.gif)
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Royal Cam Albatross our little girl "Pippa"
(https://i.gyazo.com/ac7d1fc18284c7c20d1741a9d4eb9831.gif)
Royal Cam Albatross ~ Pippa Goes Exploring & Leaves Camera View! 4.8.20[/b
https://youtu.be/i2MvrV5EQKY VIA LADYHAWK
At 69 days old, our young girl is starting to explore around the nest area more. At one point, she walks out of view of the cam on the right for four minutes before coming back to her nest!! She actually explored outside her nest four different times! Perhaps she will be making a play nest soon!
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Albatross New Zealand baby girl Pippa
(https://i.gyazo.com/1272b5f7a65cb77c88d25bbfc6db6b98.gif)
FEB 17 2020
(https://i.gyazo.com/d7f228d63aaaf3c6b598f9fe79d9b6dc.gif)
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What a pile of fluff! ;D
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❤️❤️❤️New Zealand Albatross
Pippa catching a breeze
(https://i.gyazo.com/016635848f6d93e238efb3a0b4a4463f.gif)
Pippa & Mom having a chat
(https://i.gyazo.com/8736079cb29483e3dcfd3140859d7861.gif)
]https://i.gyazo.com/c1a1a9b7edbaa8ed3d7843f2f2310c97.gif[/img]
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Royal Albatross Dad returns having chat with daughter Pippa ❤️❤️❤️
(https://i.gyazo.com/810ffe0e5f8e3b140ccd894b7c1e01a6.gif)
Royal Cam Albatross ~ OGK Returns & Surprises Pippa! He Is Walking SO Much Better Today 5.11.20
https://youtu.be/Jwt5JhXabWY VIA LADYHAWK
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Pippa getting a check up and weigh-in.
Look how big she is! :o :-*
https://youtu.be/B1gAq34ID3I
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Pippa getting a check up and weigh-in.
Look how big she is! :o :-*
https://youtu.be/B1gAq34ID3I
Awww I ❤️ Pippa!!! Thanks for sharing Lani
(https://i.gyazo.com/81b1b1ee225bd070a9af3cfe721042b4.gif)
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Lori, I just love her :-*
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Pippa getting a check up and weigh-in.
Look how big she is! :o :-*
https://youtu.be/B1gAq34ID3I
Wow, Pippa is getting big!
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Lani and Lori- ty for posting updates on Pippa. I've been fascinated with this cam and wish there was a way to get info on their nesting habits, growth on the baby and so on. Do you guys know how often the baby gets fed? Also when do their feathers come in. I don't remember when Pippa hatched but I don't see feathers yet. How far do the parents range food? Is the food digested by them or do they feed whole fish to the baby? I can't see. Ty again.
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Lupinelady, thanks for watching! Below are the links for information on the Albatross answering all of your questions. Very interesting ;) Start on page 1 of the forum Albatross thread I started for Pippa's hatch date and all she went through before being returned to the nest. Very cool! Enjoy!
(https://i.gyazo.com/52bb36cdb78753bd4325524ebb8f4011.gif)
Live cam and more info https://www.allaboutbirds.org/cams/royal-albatross/
or youtube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t9XNKQY4tQc&feature=emb_logo
Royal Cam is a 24-hour live stream of a Northern Royal Albatross nest during the breeding season at Pukekura/Taiaroa Head on the southeast tip of New Zealand's South Island.
The season of 2019/2020 has seen the Royal Cam once again move up the hill. Now at Top Flat Track our new pair is OGK (banded Orange, Green, Black) a 21 year old male and YRK (banded Yellow, Red, Black) and 25 year old female. YRK laid the egg on 14 November 2019.
This season the live stream has partnered with Cornell Bird Lab. There are some new features including a trial of night vision and the ability to pan the camera at the rangers discretion.
More info on families and Albatross
https://www.doc.govt.nz/nature/native-animals/birds/birds-a-z/albatrosses/royal-albatross-toroa/royal-cam/
https://www.doc.govt.nz/nature/native-animals/birds/birds-a-z/albatrosses/royal-albatross-toroa/
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Lori- ty for the info- I've saved it to read later. The first time I saw a huge ship go by I was amazed. Birds were unfazed though.
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Thanks Lori for the info. I love seeing the boat go by!
Hi Lupinelady, i love this albatross family too. :-*
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Royal Cam Albatross ~ DOC Ranger Sharyn Does A Visual Check On OGK's Leg Today! 5.31.20 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AuZ22_clesQ
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A Royal Departure In New Zealand!!! It was only a matter of time!
Atawhai, the star chick of the Northern Royal Albatross cam, took her first flight on the morning of September 16.
(https://i.gyazo.com/26213f78002f2b1b84a26cbcb597c1a3.gif)
There were no surprises here?all signs indicated a green light for takeoff. At 230 days post-hatch, Atawhai was a bit younger than the average fledgling (240 days), but she met a standard pre-fledge weight of 17.4 pounds (7.9 kg). Favorable winds may have also played a role into her departure, as the intrepid youngster looked every bit the part during hover practice this past week. Farewell, young Atawhai!
Thanks To Our Cam Partners: Even though Atawhai decided to fledge away from the cam's view, these past 9 months were filled with memories that we won't soon forget. The 2019?2020 breeding season marked the first in what we hope will be a long and fruitful partnership between the Cornell Lab and New Zealand's Department of Conservation (DOC), who manage the Northern Royal Albatross colony at the Taiaroa Head Nature Reserve.
What's Next For Atawhai: The young albatross will now navigate the Pacific Ocean on a multi-year journey. Her next stop on land will be her return to the breeding colony at Taiaroa Head. DOC rangers report that she'll start by foraging off the east coast of New Zealand's South Island before taking the long 5,600 mile (9,000 km) journey to one of the richest areas of marine life in the world, the continental shelf of western South America. Royal Albatross fledglings spend 4?10 years at sea before they return to their natal area to breed. Perhaps she'll one day be the parent of a future nestling on the Royal cam!
Once YRK and OGK (the adult breeding pair featured on this year's cam) return to find their fledgling gone, they will switch gears to building up energy for the next breeding attempt. Because it takes so much time and effort to raise a single chick, Adult Northern Royal Albatross take a year-long break after a successful breeding attempt. The birds need the extra time to get into breeding condition again after spending up to 8 months constantly tending to their nestling.
New Royal Family Coming Soon: We?re planning to live-stream another Royal Albatross nest when the 2020?2021 season begins in December. Until then, the Royal Cam will remain live 24/7 so you can enjoy the windswept New Zealand scenery and glimpse albatrosses passing by.
Chick Atawhai Feels The Winds Beneath Her Wings On Morning Of Fledge https://youtu.be/G9TG_b1-UGM
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Royal Albatross (LGL & GLG) have now laid eggs. Eggs weigh approx. 400g when laid & 300g at hatching. Daily egg checks now occur for the 79 day incubation period.
Laying egg yesterday
(https://i.gyazo.com/ffead0c66b0d21d3c1aa2332f829b24f.gif)
Dad visits & see's egg first time today!
(https://i.gyazo.com/e777fffbb16bdd0602f1f73ef54938db.gif)
https://www.allaboutbirds.org/cams/royal-albatross/
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Royal Cam Albatross New Zealand Great news! We have a pip today in LGK/LGL's egg!
(https://i.gyazo.com/aa1d1f163b1f3366e1193e8eeafb8835.gif)
Royal Cam Albatross ~ Royalcam LGK/LGL's Egg Has Pipped! Taken To Incubator To Hatch!https://youtu.be/uxdsV6nNZwE via ladyhawk
Great news! We have a pip today in LGK/LGL's egg! The rangers have now taken the egg to hatch in an incubator! The rangers have sprayed peppermint oil on the nest to prevent flystrike.An albatross egg can take up to 6 days to hatch so during this time the egg is completely safe in the incubator. Once the chick hatches, it will be returned to the incubating parent! Very eggciting to know we will be welcoming a new little white fluffball very soon! Thank you for watching!
~~ LGL hatched in 2008 and is a 12 year female paired with LGK hatched in 2009 an 11 year male. They have been together since 2017 and became our Royalcam couple for the 2018/2019 season. Their first breeding season produced an egg but it later died. In 2019 their chick Karere fledged successfully. LGL laid her egg on Nov. 7th 2020. LGL/ LGK are the Royalcam couple for the 2020/21 season!
Courtesy of Dept of Conservation Royal Cam, Royal Albatross Taiaroa Head, New Zealand & Cornell Lab.
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(http://dl5.glitter-graphics.net/pub/638/638145bltz6zqhdo.gif) (https://www.glitter-graphics.com)RoyalCam Albatross New Zealand Chick News!!! (http://dl5.glitter-graphics.net/pub/638/638145bltz6zqhdo.gif) (https://www.glitter-graphics.com)
Chick hatches & is returned to LGK (Dad) & Nest. Congrats to LGK & LGL!!!
(https://i.gyazo.com/8c83d789f6416c331881c6261b7c45e1.gif)
Shimmy shimmy ko ko pop (must a "Dad" thing) ;)
(https://i.gyazo.com/85957b60d24d95226ee7d3d5ab7b5e96.gif)
Royal Cam Albatross ~ RoyalCam Chick Hatches & Is Returned to LGK & Nest! 1.24.21
https://youtu.be/qR9mAeEKI_Mvia ladyhawk
Welcome to the world little albatross chick!! After hatching in an incubator, Ranger Julia returns the little one to the nest. She sprays with an insect repellent to prevent fly strike and then lets LGK sees his new baby! Congratulations to LGL and LGK and to the entire DOC team and to all the viewers!!
The #RoyalCam egg update January 23rd ~ chick is making wonderful progress using their egg tooth to chip away at the shell, in the safety of the incubator. Chicks are vulnerable to fly-strike at this stage too.
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EsZpSFeVkAAey--?format=jpg&name=small)
During the hatching process rangers can use albatross sounds to help stimulate the chick.
Juvenile Albatross Drop-by nest? it is party season!!
(https://i.gyazo.com/a1201b3b5e61f662128c2789488a64fd.gif)
The juveniles gathered well into the evening ? despite LGK?s 'protests'. A lot of fun to watch. They are so cute, they look like a bunch of girls so happy to see a new baby coming! I have seen this several times. ;)
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Lori why do they put the egg in an incubator?
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Good question Peep, here is my edited answer for you from Cornell... ;D
Northern Royal Albatross face many threats related to habitat loss, rising temperatures, and invasive species. They are designated as an ?At Risk? species in New Zealand and are listed as endangered. Because of their delicate situation, a number of conservation measures have been put in place to help improve the nest success of the albatross at the Taiaroa Head Nature Reserve?home to the only mainland colony of albatross in the Southern Hemisphere.
One threat that all Royal Albatross chicks are particularly vulnerable to is infestation by fly larvae?known as ?fly strike??during the hatching process. Chicks may take up to 6 days to hatch, and flies can quickly take advantage of a helpless hatchling during that period, often with fatal results. To remove the risk of fly strike during hatching, DOC rangers now carefully transport all pipping albatross eggs to hatch in an incubator.
After 5-6 days in the incubator, the chick will hatch and be swiftly returned to the nest to be cared for and fed by the parent?but the danger isn?t over yet. Fly strike remains a risk for up to two weeks after hatching. During this critical period, viewers will see DOC rangers make frequent checks at the nest to inspect for signs of fly strike and monitor the chick for healthy weight.
more info on www.allaboutbirds.org/
Here is the little one 3 hours ago I found on rewind, trying to get a pic of little one today! The rangers were there taking weight it appears. Here is a gif.
(https://i.gyazo.com/55d6afb08796281f12eb92d6a6f8fa69.gif)
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Royal Cam Albatross New Zealand, LGL (Mom) returns and see's her chick for the first time! (http://dl5.glitter-graphics.net/pub/638/638145bltz6zqhdo.gif) (https://www.glitter-graphics.com)(http://dl5.glitter-graphics.net/pub/638/638145bltz6zqhdo.gif) (https://www.glitter-graphics.com)
Gif recap ;) LGL-{Mom} gets home last night, says hi to LGK- {Dad}, they do a little "preening" kisses and then she sees her chick for the first time!
(https://i.gyazo.com/8f22ddb13ccd1c6e573ceffc79a3022a.gif)
Typically the female lays the egg and then leaves for several weeks to help restore her body condition after producing the egg. The male takes the first incubation shift, then they trade off after that.
Royal Cam Albatross ~ LGL Returns At Midnight! Sees Her Chick First Time Sweet Change Over https://youtu.be/tFink3F6cpI via lady hawk
After being at sea for 7 days, LGL returns just after midnight! It is a bit unusual to see a change over in the middle of the night but the albatross do fly at night if the winds are favorable (which they were!). She greets LGK and they spend some time preening one another. She did not know that her chick had hatched and see gets a surprise peek at 5:58 ♥♥ LGK was not quite ready to give up his brooding, but finally we have the change over at 8:48 ♥♥ LGL looks down at her new little bundle for some time before she shimmies down. LGK departs to the right for his time at sea hunting now. Thank you for watching!
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Royal Cam Albatross little one gets first breakfast By Mom
(https://i.gyazo.com/ee724ccf38b123dae87381c64ff21971.gif)
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Esm7u71XcAA6JvC?format=jpg&name=900x900)
Royal Cam Albatross ~ Wonderful First Feeding By Mom (LGL)https://youtu.be/ss4qjAaion0
LGL gives her new chick a great feeding this morning! It is such a tender moment to watch how patient she is with this wee one!
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Hello Forum Friends!!! This is a couple snips from the Cornell Labs year of 2020 video (link below). Out of all of their cams, I see that I am a regular fan of most of them; Royal Albatross ((Pippa)), Bermuda Cahow, White Tailed Tropic Bird, Hellgate Ospreys ((Iris)), Cornell Red Tailed Hawks ((Big Red & Arthur)), American Kestrels, & a couple feeder cams. This is an absolutely BEAUTIFUL video :)
(https://i.gyazo.com/9f393158034b20a76480f98713816181.gif)
(https://i.gyazo.com/3632a3f46b71ad313282956a72a2c1db.gif)
Cornell Labs Bird Cams: Best Of 2020https://youtu.be/KdmZKgSEB9w
2020 was a challenging year, when many of us found solace in nature during a difficult time. As the landscape of our daily lives shifted, birds provided a sense of normalcy in a changing world. Let's take a moment to review some of the best moments from the Cornell Lab's Bird Cams in 2020.
Watch the cams live at www.allaboutbirds.org/cams
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From Samantha Eye :)
https://twitter.com/i/status/1365406311765192709
https://twitter.com/i/status/1365417679474065410
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Goodnight little one, SED's!!! (http://dl7.glitter-graphics.net/pub/1899/1899467dz03wl49qb.gif) (https://www.glitter-graphics.com)
New Zealand Albatross Family
(https://i.gyazo.com/f7843c190d13a6d0b826fe2385cfee85.gif)
(https://i.gyazo.com/17f11056e35106b9746e95871e906815.gif)
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Lori, they are so sweet! :-*
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The cam was still live at 8PM EST, March 4. Praying the storm misses this sweet family!
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my pics from last night :)
(https://i.pinimg.com/564x/6c/d5/b2/6cd5b205ae4c220938ecab206a6da150.jpg)
(https://i.pinimg.com/564x/37/f9/55/37f9551cb80086077af81b60c431f525.jpg)
Oldguy's link to today's news about New Zealand earthquake
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mF2fR67E-H0
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Aren't they sweet! :)
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Northern Royal Albatross, New Zealand home of LGL LGK and chick.
Chick showing off her little wings as Mom (LGL) lands at nest this afternoon.
"Mom see what I can do!"!!!
(https://i.gyazo.com/d874e0b5dd4ce6c13ccf7867e85212eb.gif)
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Great pics Lani! Hi Peep!
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awww Lori, adorable, don't you love seeing other albatross flying by, and the sea, the islands. I love this area. So peaceful.
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Royal Cam Albatross New Zealand
(https://i.gyazo.com/83af47267026819bddbe7139d333d1b0.gif)
Royal Cam Albatross ~ Adorable Royal Cam Chick Exercising Her Little Winglets! 💕 Closeups! 3.13.21 https://youtu.be/79Zdle3ADUA via ladyhawk
At 7 weeks old, the Royal Cam chick is starting to realize that these wings might have some significance after all! She is starting to exercise them by holding them out by her side and feeling the wind beneath them. Then is is time to preen again! Beautiful closeups of our big girl ♥♥ Thank you for watching!
(https://i.gyazo.com/04644fba77e84a41982db374852e28c5.gif)
Royal Cam Albatross ~ LGL Arrives Home To Give Her Chick A Nice Feeding! 💕
https://youtu.be/5-ioiAp6J_c via ladyhawk
LGL arrives home in the late afternoon - just in time to give her chick a nice squid supper! The sun was starting to fade in the sky - what a beautiful day and view! LGL feeds her chick and then she walks over to say hello to the neighbor's chick before she departs back out to sea! The parents will for the most part now just come in for a feeding and not stay very long as they have to continually go out and forage for more food in order to feed their ever growing chick! Thank you for watching
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Royal Albatross New Zealand
Lil Chick saying "Good Morning Sunrise"!!!
(https://i.gyazo.com/d45d7ac56ace850f7255d87e290ef44d.gif)
(https://i.gyazo.com/3962d719de0d083e8c562946187d40ba.gif)
Royal Albatross~One Moment In Time! A Tiny White Chick Welcomes The Splendor Of The Sunrise! 3.15.21 https://youtu.be/hrx8Xkmmxqc via lady hawk
The Royalcam chick wakes up to a stunning sunrise this morning and greets the new day with some wing exercises! She is like one small white dot in the vast openness of the universe! Enjoy this magical moment in time with our precious girl ♥ Beautiful closeups of her beginning at 5:35. Thank you for watching!
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Royal cam Albatross New Zealand 2021 cutie pie "chick"
Dad (LGK) comes home for a short visit to feed the hungry baby. He goes from chick to chick to find her. "Parents find their chick through visual cues and vocalizations such as skycalling."
(https://i.gyazo.com/2a6e6e543d25a06fbc0bcf16af514741.gif)
Daddy & me...
(https://i.gyazo.com/3a577305ec90109dc1795de5524ea85c.jpg)
Little fluff ball taking a nap in the warm sun...
(https://i.gyazo.com/9223e38db04cab2c9b495d47da7625d8.gif)
Peep had mentioned the naming of the Royal Cam's chick contest. Voting opens today. Vote for your favorite of the top five names before 6 May 2021, 5 pm (New Zealand Standard Time).
https://www.doc.govt.nz/nature/native-animals/birds/birds-a-z/albatrosses/royal-albatross-toroa/royal-cam/name-the-chick-competition/
I chose Tiaki, it means to protect, preserve, and care. ;D
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https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=kw0u2kudn78
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https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=LwwVnUekpe
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https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=LwwVnUekpe
I get a "video not available" on this YouTube link?
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https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=LwwVnUekpe
I get a "video not available" on this YouTube link?
Yes it is. Let me check.
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I get them with these on my PC:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kw0u2kudn78
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LwwVnUekpeE
I posted before from my tablet.
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Those work for me; thanks so much! I really like to keep up with them.
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Video from July 15. Tiaki is getting her adult feathers growing in nicely! :D
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Z2Pxbsa-3k&list=PLXJZ8Lf9KIx6iS2ncZFMv_-8H5svLN97H&index=1
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Northern Albatross Cam with beautiful little one Tiaki 💜
(https://i.gyazo.com/d7aa6e7ad723b0661a59ba5554deaf98.gif)
(https://i.gyazo.com/5ab6c6a6ed9467d315633e5c5a2e6acf.jpg)
(https://i.gyazo.com/6efaa854290b3df899d398e304bac966.gif)
Royal Albatross ~ Girls Just Want To Have Fun 😊 Tiaki & SSTrig Winging Simultaneously! MUSIC 7.24.21 https://youtu.be/PDLgr8ltdms
Tiaki and SSTrig chick are 181 & 180 days old and for the first time are seen wingercising simultaneously!! 😊 Enjoy watching the girls winging to the beat of Cyndi Lauper's song! Don't miss that cute tail wiggle by Tiaki at 0:31. Thank you for watching
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Royal Cam Albatross New Zealand LGL/ LGK are the Royalcam couple for the 2020/21 season. Tiaki hatched on January 24th 2021.
(http://dl4.glitter-graphics.net/pub/500/500824ms6eoy3c9b.gif) (https://www.glitter-graphics.com) Precious Tiaki this morning (http://dl.glitter-graphics.net/pub/575/575281br5nqkcttj.gif) (https://www.glitter-graphics.com)
(https://i.gyazo.com/df34b471f09a71ed72d3679dd37d4bb4.gif)
Royal Cam Albatross ~ Tiaki's Beautiful Wings At Sunrise 💕 Neighbor Chick Displays & Clacks 9.21.21 https://youtu.be/M5nFXtbA14o via LADYHAWK
Tiaki is 240 days old and looks stunning set against the beautiful sunrise today! She does several minutes of wing exercises before lying back down to rest. At 4:25 it looks like Plateau chick is talking to Tiaki and they both do some clacking! Then Plateau goes into several nice displays in front of her. This is part of Plateau's territory that Miss Tiaki has been hanging out in :) I guess Tiaki swapped SSTrig's displays for Plateau's now! Nice to see them both still here at the colony!
Check out the private facebook Royal Cam Albatross Group New Zealand for up to date information on the albatross family and to share information on albatross conservation, photos and comments! https://www.facebook.com/groups/991026361293354
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Empty nest syndrome! Fly high and free pretty girl! :-*
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qSa64Cb7Xc
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Empty nest syndrome! Fly high and free pretty girl! :-*
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qSa64Cb7Xc
Happy and sad tears this morning... ;) OK, now I'm crying again. lol I don't see her there. :'( Fly high & free and prayers for your new journey sweet Tiaki!!!!
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New Zealand Albatross little Tiaki
Tiaki safe travels on your new journey little girl! We have enjoyed watching you grow into the amazing beautiful Albatross that you are! Prayers for you Tiaki (protect, preserve & care)
(http://dl10.glitter-graphics.net/pub/1430/1430600ou0p0w0kok.png) (https://www.glitter-graphics.com)(http://dl10.glitter-graphics.net/pub/1430/1430600ou0p0w0kok.png) (https://www.glitter-graphics.com)(http://dl10.glitter-graphics.net/pub/1430/1430600ou0p0w0kok.png) (https://www.glitter-graphics.com)
Here she is yesterday (24 second gif) a spotty landing after hovering but she did a beautiful job!! My apologies for the spotty gif, I need to do some more work on my graphic card conflicts... :-\
(https://i.gyazo.com/db7f495799edd834aef9e84ea9e21e15.gif)
February 27th 2021
(https://i.gyazo.com/17f11056e35106b9746e95871e906815.gif)
March 5th 2021 "Look Mom, see what I can do"!!!
(https://i.gyazo.com/d874e0b5dd4ce6c13ccf7867e85212eb.gif)
March 13, 2021
(https://i.gyazo.com/83af47267026819bddbe7139d333d1b0.gif)
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Here is a beautiful video wrap up for the 2021 season! :D
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=z7MI91MGb0w
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Lori finally got a chance to take a gander through your thread.
Very interesting. Thanks.
Tiaki has some journey ahead of her. Be safe
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Royal Cam Albatross New Zealand South Island
i am happy to hear that OGK & YRK are the new seasons Royal Cam Couple!! We had fun watching them in the 2020 season with little one Atawhai. Atawhai was a lot of fun and they are a fun couple. OGK & YRK are Tiaki's grandparents!!
Here is a little history for everybody...[/color]
This season's Royal Cam family OGK and YRK have moved down the hill to Quarry Track since raising Atawhai at Top Flat in 2020. They are in view of the Richdale Observatory.
Egg Laid: 9 November 2021
Female Known as: YRK (yellow/red/black bands)
Age 28 years, hatched 1994
Breeding since: 2006
Male Known as: OGK (orange/green/black bands)
Age: 24 years, hatched 1998
Breeding since: 2006
This pair have been together since 2006.
They have raised a foster chick after the egg they laid was broken during 2018. The first chick they raised is a breeding female and the natal mother of the 2018 Royalcam chick, Amīria. During 2021 their 2012 chick RLK (male) raised a chick known as SSTrig near the Royalcam chick, Tiaki.
Atawhai highlights https://youtu.be/8wrR5T86J7U via cornell labs
Here is a gif of Atawhai & Mom in 2020.
(https://i.gyazo.com/52bb36cdb78753bd4325524ebb8f4011.gif)
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Thanks for update to your thread. Good banding info.
I've been popping in now and then to do some reading. :)
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Northern Royal Albatross New Zealand South Island
Mom checking on her egg... ;D
(https://i.gyazo.com/51f8781e1f72b0b1177883d44643223c.gif)
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Royal Albatross New Zealand baby news! (http://www.millan.net/minimations/smileys/babysmilesf.gif)
(https://i.gyazo.com/8b04fdb738429361541da72b1af4fb16.gif)
Royal Albatross ~ The Royalcam Chick Hatches! Welcome To The World Little One! 🐣 1.26.22
https://youtu.be/amxGEkIn_5s via ladyhawk
Look who has arrived!! The Royalcam chick has hatched today and was returned to YRK! Welcome to the world little one! 🐣 ♥ Ranger Sharyn brought the wee chick to the nest, removed the dummy egg, sprayed a safe insect repellent around the nest to prevent flystrike and then presented YRK with her new chick! What a beautiful moment when YRK touches it with her bill and greets it! Sharyn smiles at the cam with a look of happiness on her face at the next Royalcam star!
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Very interesting. Many thanks for update and photos.
Congrats on new youngster hatching!
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New Zealand Royal Albatross little one QT
(https://i.gyazo.com/55ef5b805b7111d60159aa3053d2652a.gif)
RoyalCam chick’s wings got a good airing today.
She also got a very quick visit from YRK (off-cam - 14:58).
Then back to flight school.
Her paddles still on the ground, but the winds seem to be calling her more loudly now.
Keep your wings up QT. via royalalbatrosscam
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News via Royal Albatross Centre
The chicks are banded!
All 25 Northern Royal chicks have now received a stainless steel engraved band on their right leg, this is done each year prior to fledging so we can identify them when they return several years from now 🌏
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FZxXsAfUEAAR_C4?format=jpg&name=small)
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FZxXsAeUsAAvAki?format=jpg&name=small)
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New Zealand Royal Albatross peek at egg...
Here is Dad giving us a peek at the egg 12-16-22
(https://i.gyazo.com/b9af2e8668d5f8b032078f6ce8da5a2e.gif)
Here is proud Mom and her egg...
(https://i.gyazo.com/014d5777e459e9eda89bdc693a25a440.gif)
Northern Royal Albatross 2022–23 Nesting Season Begins At South Plateau Site! https://youtu.be/_p-yCTa5BJ0 via cornell lab bird cams
We are happy to announce the new nesting site for the 2022–23 Northern Royal Albatross cam season! Male GLY (named for his colored leg bands: Green/Lime/Yellow) and female L (Lime) will be featured this season at the South Plateau nesting site located within the Taiaroa Head Nature Reserve on New Zealand’s South Island. Their single egg was laid on November 4, and the parents have been switching off incubation duties ever since!
This is the pair’s third breeding attempt, and they have successfully raised one male (2019) and one female chick (2021) since they began breeding in 2019. L returned to the headland in 2014, and GLY followed in 2015. They were both non-breeders looking for mates from 2016 to 2018.
Both parents contribute evenly to incubation duties, switching between bouts on the egg and foraging at sea. After a few changeovers, you’ll see the parents extend their foraging trips. Once the albatross start taking longer trips, they’re usually at sea for 7–14 days but can be longer.
The incubation period of the Northern Royal Albatross lasts around 11 weeks and is one of the longest of any bird species. During this time, rangers from the New Zealand Department of Conservation will conduct regular nest checks to inspect the egg and monitor the embryo’s growth in preparation for the chick’s arrival in late January.
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Lori Thank you so much for this update!
Congrats to the proud parents.
Great photos, too.
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Northern Royal Albatross cam update - 1/8
Better breezy, cooler conditions for L on her nest today.
In approx. over a week, it will be time to check the #RoyalCam egg for signs of hatching.
GLY & L’s egg is no 2. in the hatching schedule, but with nature’s timetable - expect the unexpected.
https://twitter.com/i/status/1612091997908783105
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1/10 19:25 - Royal Albatross update - Getting closer -
Once pipped the egg will be taken to an incubator to complete the hatching process. Controlled conditions minimizes fly strike risks, which can harm the chick.
More info on the hatching stage:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=ETjHi2xa8ds&si=EnSIkaIECMiOmarE
Getting closer to pip
https://twitter.com/i/status/1612829168269668353
(https://i.pinimg.com/564x/57/ec/79/57ec79d78f89d138a8cd4502073c9938.jpg)
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Royal Albatross cam tweets
Time for new arrivals, incl. young adults returning.
Enjoy a couple of cam cameos – perhaps auditions for future cam stars?
Hatch checks begin tomorrow – soon we will meet the #RoyalCam star of this season.
Sleep well GLY.
https://twitter.com/i/status/1614637002162593793
1/15
Who was ‘blue’?
GLY’s visitor was indeed Moana - 1st #RoyalCam chick (2016)!!
Returning after 7 years.
GLY & Moana are also half-siblings (YWK - father).
The imminent arrival of 2023's chick, & now Moana's return is extra special.
Sweet reunion :-*
https://twitter.com/i/status/1614469435733180416
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1/17 10:08
Hatch time. ;D :-*
The #RoyalCam egg has pipped & is off to the incubator.
Hatching can take a few days (av. is day 79). GLY is now on a dummy egg.
The nest is sprayed with non-toxic, avian insect liquidator to reduce flies.
Safe travels #RoyalCam chick.
https://twitter.com/i/status/1615124622730735616
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1/18 #RoyalCam egg update.
This is the South Plateau egg.
The size of an av. adult hand – approx. 12cm x 8 cm.
It went into the incubator at Day 74.
Today at Day 75 - no update yet...GLY remains happily on the ceramic dummy egg.
Stay tuned.
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Fmu_PadaYAAfJwt?format=jpg&name=900x900)
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Thank you for posting updates here, Lani; I really enjoy this nest and the information.
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Hi Linda, you welcome! Look at this sweetie ;D
Royal Albatross cam
1/20 - Happy hatch day.
1st chick for the colony has hatched!
#RoyalCam chick is not too far behind.
Tomorrow (1/21) the #RoyalCam chick is expected to be returned to their nest.
GLY will be ready, will you be ready?
http://AllAboutBirds.org/Albatross
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Fm5tarSagAAdA91?format=jpg&name=small)
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Amazing! This is so awesome; hope video is available when returned to nest.
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1/21 10:55
Here it is Linda! ;D
Special delivery for L.
Your chick is here.
With L & GLY’s nest change-over earlier this am (9:42), it is mum who gets to greet the chick for the 1st time.
Hello #RoyalCam chick – so glad to finally meet you.
Watch full clip at:
The #RoyalCam Chick Returns to the Nest Following a Successful Hatch! January 21, 2023
http://youtube.com/watch?v=ONOpOsOl2QE&si=EnSIkaIECMiOmarE
https://twitter.com/i/status/1616575505360359425
(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/d4/6a/75/d46a75b114ae80612f6889f3c3d9cb8e.jpg)
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I just love that so much; what a special moment. I hope all goes well for them. Thank you so very much!
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Hi Linda, it's amazing how quickly mom accepts her chick from the ranger.
1/21 20:41
Hello #RoyalCam chick - a little late feed.
1st feed was brief (approx.15:20). The chick doesn’t need much at this stage, still sustained by the yolk sac.
A little 1st day 'wobble in their bobble' – but reaching for mum already.
https://twitter.com/i/status/1616813279724318720
(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/01/68/cb/0168cb5626d020b7e546c9a6ce4c109c.jpg)
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1/22 8:16 #RoyalCam chick has already gained 100g - weighing 420g. (0.92 pounds).
During this stage – each feed provided by the parent will range from 10g to 100g a few times each day.
L & GLY chick doing & looking great. More info on each stage at:
https://doc.govt.nz/nature/native-animals/birds/birds-a-z/albatrosses/royal-albatross-toroa/royal-cam/what-to-expect/#Jan-Feb
Video - ranger is very gentle with chick, and mama is so proud :-*
https://twitter.com/i/status/1616989825588133888
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Royal Albatross ~ Adorable Closeups Of L Feeding Her Chick! ♥ Ranger Theo Weight Check 1.23.23 by Lady Hawk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kos1HAbFkAE
(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/bf/5c/96/bf5c9699229df1ee89e48055c6a0cb51.jpg)
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Royal Albatross ~ Cuteness Overload! Beautiful Closeups Of L's Little One! ♥ Weight Check 1.24.23 video by Lady Hawk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=81uOxbC_z6A&t=26s
(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/c7/75/af/c775af8c12e3d8f5c89d598f0522beb1.png)
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Royal Cam 1/25 16:51
Dad is home! video https://twitter.com/i/status/1618222275999989761
Things have changed a little since GLY was away. Now he gets to meet his #RoyalCam chick for the 1st time.
His turn for guard duty.
Watch for more post-hatch info, including the guard stage at: http://youtube.com/watch?v=OkZVMx7p8QM
GLY returning home to a surprise!
(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/be/c2/81/bec281c4d45d7913097c132d171ef79b.png)
L (mom) announcing the news of their new chick!
(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/04/63/c0/0463c05913bf74d9d8b223bc3b2ac25b.png)
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Love these! Thanks so much.
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You are welcome Linda :)
1/29 9:12
Little wings, big wings. #RoyalCam chick has a little flap of their tiny wings.
From 8 days old to approx. 8 months, the time it will take SP to grow wings that will span over 3 metres.
We will enjoy every minute watching this chick grow.
https://twitter.com/i/status/1619707537800175617
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#RoyalCam chick is doing & growing well, weighing 890g (1/30). Watch SP’s weight check (9:53), chick squeaks too.
Daily checks continue until the weekend, then changing to weekly (Tuesdays AM).
Track SP's weight at:
http://doc.govt.nz/nature/native-animals/birds/birds-a-z/albatrosses/royal-albatross-toroa/royal-cam/track-the-chicks-weight/
https://twitter.com/i/status/1620385540507049985
(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/6e/13/5e/6e135ea3305e4ddfc5310e63b74b1b81.png)
b]1/30 17:22 preening - maintaining their pair-bond is just as important as maintaining their feathers.[/b]
Though their focus is now on SP, a little time for some mutual preening, before GLY resumes his guard duties (17:26).
Start your week with some #RoyalCam alby love.
https://twitter.com/i/status/1620071488006270984
(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/7c/cc/72/7ccc72c9b428417ea951d29d810c53ba.png)
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Royal Albatross - 2/3 20:37 - A warm day & the #RoyalCam chick is getting too big for constant brooding.
SP can also retain body heat better, less dependent on mum for this. Still relies on L for cover, when it is time to rest.
Enjoy some sunset sounds & alby zen to end your week.
https://twitter.com/i/status/1621514094665945090
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2/4 14:44 - Another warm day, with Rangers providing L & the #RoyalCam chick some heat relief. With a warming climate, nest irrigation is essential.
L's afternoon is meeting (not necessarily greeting) passing visitors, then it is just her & SP.
https://twitter.com/i/status/1621870764583714816
2/5 10:41 - This #RoyalCam swap meet was not so 'neat'.
GLY (DAD) returning for his turn to guard, seems super keen to resume his shift. This includes shifting L (MOM) off the nest.
Mind those feet - SP just wants to sleep.
No long farewell for mum this time. See you later L.
https://twitter.com/i/status/1622157236847149057
Both parents seem anxious to return to their chick (SP). Their time away from nest to forage is about two - three days.
(https://www.doc.govt.nz/thumbs/gallery/link/5909d3b638d9461e9026665d11a41567.aspx)
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2/8 #RoyalCam chick at 19 days old, still snoozing under the covers of L (Mum) before GLY arrived to resume guard duties.
How lucky we are to watch this chick grow from egg to fledge.
https://twitter.com/i/status/1623538152978927618
(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/89/6b/19/896b19a49a7f3c0342c0447de424dfb5.png)
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(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/4d/2e/61/4d2e612657ae101caabc85c8305aa259.png)
Royal Albatross - 2/12 18:29
Mum continues to give SP some space when needed.
SP is busy preening – they have a lot of ‘growing-in’ their feathers to do.
But there is always plenty of room for L & her #RoyalCam chick to enjoy some evening sun together.
https://twitter.com/i/status/1624766538137104387
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Royal Albatross New Zealand
Fluffy cuteness & little yawns(http://dl.glitter-graphics.net/pub/575/575281br5nqkcttj.gif) (https://www.glitter-graphics.com)
(https://i.gyazo.com/67ffb8f01df9516d3529947df83041fb.gif)
(https://i.gyazo.com/29fbb9e26ecbe97160888d0078e9d590.gif)
Royal Albatross ~ SP Gets A Nice Afternoon feeding From L ♥ Yawns and Cuteness! 2.11.23 https://youtu.be/iYNDse0UHHw via ladyhawk
L gets up and touches her chick to wake them up ♥ Cute yawns and little preening by SP before Mom gives a quick afternoon feeding! Looks like SP is really gaining some good weight now. Soon GLY & L will not be able to brood SP like this and will have to be standing up mostly!
Royal Albatross ~ Sharyn Visits & Checks On SP ♥ Beautiful Closeups Of SP Preening Under Mom 2.12.23 https://youtu.be/ElIF0dE3NiM via lady hawk
SP is now 23 days old and is getting so big! Ranger Sharyn stops by to do a quick visit to check SP's bottom and then puts SP back under Mom L . All is good!! Enjoy some beautiful closeups of SP preening underneath Mom.
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thank you so much Lani for the beautiful updates and photos!!! Hi Linda! 💜
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Thanks Lori/Lani for all the updates
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Hi Lori and Phyl! My thanks too for the great gifs and updates. These birds are so amazing and wonderful; I love that they are monitored and helped in order that the species can survive.
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Hi Lori, Linda M and Phyl
Lori, great gifs and update :-*
Royal cam 2/15 16:54
All paddles, prods & preens at this #RoyalCam ‘party’.
GLY heads off after a not so elegant changeover, & L spends some time mutual preening with the remaining visitor (BO).
Visitors are good prep. for SP & the post-guard stage.
In the meantime – back with Mum.
https://twitter.com/i/status/1625850561085181954
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Royal Cam 2/16
Young Albatross yakking on the #RoyalCam behind sleeping L and SP chick. (LOL! ;D)
https://twitter.com/i/status/1626138297121771520
(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/f5/20/9d/f5209d94275329829beb29f4b9080002.png)
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Royal Cam - 2/19 7:07
Dad GLY and SP chick's preening session and chick's little wingersize.
Watch those little wings grow over the coming months.
https://twitter.com/i/status/1627084417670971400
(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/9e/b8/f0/9eb8f09ff90fe63bdd5db2ae86da1455.png)
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Northern Royal Albatross New Zealand South Island Cornell Labs
(https://i.gyazo.com/69341d616a7322e76a0a05037a3a6c3c.gif)
Royal Albatross Chick's First Solo Bout At Nest Is Short And Sweet | DOC | Cornell Labhttps://youtu.be/smZyQ7YWTaMvia cornell lab bird cams
The time has come for the Royal Albatross chick to spend some time at the nest alone! Watch the female (named "L") take off from the headland, leaving her 33-day-old nestling in charge at the nest site for the first time on February 22. In this case, L quickly returned to her guard duties, but this moment is a sign that the chick has grown old enough to enter the "post-guard" stage.
Soon, the chick will spend the most of the nestling period alone at the nest area. As the chick gets bigger it will need more food. To satisfy the hungry youngster, both adults hit the open ocean in search of food and only return to land during feedings.
The Royal Cam was set up in January 2016 by the Department of Conservation and the Cornell Lab has been collaborating with DOC since 2019 to bring the cam to life. To learn more while watching, view the cam at
https://www.doc.govt.nz/royalcam
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Thanks Lori :-*
This link provides info and a video about what to expect at the start of post guard and the curious juveniles.
https://www.doc.govt.nz/nature/native-animals/birds/birds-a-z/albatrosses/royal-albatross-toroa/royal-cam/what-to-expect/#Mar-Apr
I think this is the first night chick is left alone - cam Live. https://www.allaboutbirds.org/cams/royal-albatross/#
(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/8b/fa/1c/8bfa1c2b92055b90c0cf7ed456c364fe.png)
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(http://A Tiny Royal Albatross Makes its First Skycall! February 28, 2023 # RoyalCam)
After an early visit this morning by another chick's parent, the #RoyalCam chick made its first adult-like vocalization: a beautiful skycall.
Well done chick, the first of many more to come.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Mfz487FVxE
(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/68/01/d2/6801d2659a8a0defb689896f48084921.png)
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Marine wildlife thrive best in protected ocean areas. New Zealand's marine biodiversity:
https://doc.govt.nz/nature/habitats/marine/new-zealands-marine-biodiversity/
Scroll down to the graphic showing the continental shelf break where the ocean depth is around 2km deep, this is the area the Northern Royal Albatross feed in.
New Zealand is known for having one of the most unique marine environments on the planet. Learn more about the world we have underwater.
https://www.doc.govt.nz/nature/habitats/marine/new-zealands-marine-biodiversity/
3/5 - Yesterday SP chick had a few visitors stop by BLY Dad of UQ chick & a Blue. Watch for the little wingercises at the end.
1. This week it is Sea Week in Australia & New Zealand
Both countries have marine focused activities, check them out here: https://msc.org/en-au/what-you-can-do/campaign-for-change/sea-week
https://twitter.com/i/status/1632132246219149313
Royal Albatross ~ Tumanako (ROR) Flies In Twice To Join Albie Party! SP Little Wings! 🐥 3.3.23 by Lady Hawk
Where the Albie party is located is another nest with chick. You can see it's little white head pop up towards end of video. Thank you Lady Hawk.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a_eZqquZed4
(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/ee/e7/f5/eee7f558915c13ecfb37be44697478be.png)
I wish I was on the cruise ship
(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/6b/e6/65/6be665ba3d853673531e5d550631ae64.png)
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Royal Albatross cam - 3/8
News flash 📸
The DNA results are back, and SP chick is a male!
The last time there was a male chick was in 2017 with the young Tumanako ROR.
Ranger Sharyn's update below, and happy watching.
https://twitter.com/i/status/1633378129430609920
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FqrtBbHaUAEJQHB?format=png&name=small)
(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/82/aa/df/82aadf7e7affa59a3cb6d9c084ad9013.png)
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Royal Albatross - 3/12
Ranger Sharyn stopped by SP chick's, he was on guard duty, and some great wingersizes. Look how big he is!
https://twitter.com/i/status/1634827443537338368
(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/e7/c5/d6/e7c5d6840b5df68b36563a44ea239535.png)
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A young Albatross appeared, and L had to stop feeding chick to deal with the juvenile Alby.
Don't worry, Mum managed to finish feeding chick and the Alby lost interest and went to check the hose before walking off.
https://twitter.com/i/status/1634538812935409665
(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/78/ab/87/78ab87e4bcc182ff8c91044a19d4cbac.png)
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Royal Albatross - 3/14 11:51
53 days old SP chick is 4 kg.
Weighing #RoyalCam chick could not have gone more smoothly, this morning.
His last weight was 3 weeks ago at 32 days weighing 2.4 kg
Thank you Rangers and well done chick.
https://twitter.com/i/status/1635478536105652225
(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/60/9c/94/609c9451b6b9d258de6e1d3b6b535767.png)
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3/21
Wondering if SP chick has a full tummy? He sure does!
With Mum's feed on Sunday and Dad's yesterday, chick is well equipped to deal with the weather today.
Here's Dad GLY feeding chick yesterday and dealing with the juvie.
https://twitter.com/i/status/1638022151742840832
(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/17/53/15/175315ecf95c0cbe6a0cf9e8215f6a08.png)
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Royal Albatross - 3/28 10 amIt's weigh day.
67 days old SP chick was relaxed for weighing this morning
His weight is 5.3 kg which is slightly on the light side but hoping with today's weather it will bring in another parent/food.
Check out "Track the chick's weight"
https://doc.govt.nz/nature/native-animals/birds/birds-a-z/albatrosses/royal-albatross-toroa/royal-cam/track-the-chicks-weight/
https://twitter.com/i/status/1640553400675999746
(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/fe/4a/15/fe4a15ea8c6150750310bd28f290dcc8.png)
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Royal Albatross ~ SP Does A Lovely Skycall & Trilling To Neighbor RLK! ♫ ♥ 3.30.23 by Lady Hawk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=39WSWNtFUho&t=30s
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Royal Albatross - 4/2
The view looking up at SP chick and UQ chick on the right, showing the 'edge' of the hill side out of cam view.
Daylight Saving Time ended in New Zealand last night. The clocks went back one hour at 3am Sunday. Thank you
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FsrV-W9aEAEVrnE?format=jpg&name=small)
Dad Gly arrives to feed SP, sweet greeting calls.
https://twitter.com/i/status/1641756510559817730
Dad feeding SP
https://twitter.com/i/status/1641758114189017099
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Royal Albatross - 4/5
SP chick was busy up the bank this morning, when a Harrier Hawk whizzed by in the background.
The Hawk is no threat to the Albatross chicks. You can read all about them here:
https://nzbirdsonline.org.nz/species/swamp-harrier
http://AllAboutBirds.org/Albatross
https://twitter.com/i/status/1643578039731892226
4/4 10:42
Guess who is in the 6 kg club?
South Plateau chick is 74 days old, and weighs 6.4kg
Could it have been Mum L's extra visit yesterday afternoon? 3 feeds in two days! Well done Mum!
https://twitter.com/i/status/1643175488461103105
(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/f4/d9/ab/f4d9ab28b1817db4d132041755d6e11b.png)
Chick wasn't to sure but he can now be picked up like a big Alby too. Thank you DOC Rangers.
https://twitter.com/i/status/1643161791516790788
(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/78/ac/28/78ac28b58be3ee75397fa69c5bc5dccd.png)
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Royal Albatross - Easter Day 4/9
All ruffled up, with breakfast to serve.
Dad GLY arrived to feed chick. It was an extended visit, with Dad disappearing up top before reappearing to sit and listen to chick's chatter.
GLY gave chick a small top up before heading off into the winds.
https://twitter.com/i/status/1645034107045548033
(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/ff/27/3a/ff273ada8ca95f839cb834761a670e29.png)
4/10 12:14
Wings and wingercizes, and how about a skycall too.
#RoyalCam chick shows us how it's done.
https://twitter.com/i/status/1645387624033693696
(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/25/02/3d/25023df965d1ec55c169802aa4bf4278.png)
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That's a great photo of the wingercizing & walking! Looks like it's smiling. Thanks, Lani.
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Thank you Linda, SP is doing very well. :)
Royal Albatross cam 4/12 10:48
Weigh day for the chicks. South Plateau chick at 82 days old weighs 7 kg.
This is a very good weight for this age and only 100g shy of the heaviest chick's weight, today.
https://twitter.com/i/status/1645977061889306624
(https://i.pinimg.com/564x/39/89/3e/39893e70a916cba653cb427b036fea95.jpg)
Dad Gly arriving with lunch for chick :-*
https://twitter.com/i/status/1647063263434395648
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Royal Albatross cam 4/17 16:05
SP chick looking sleepy and full, this afternoon. :-*
Could it be Mum L's afternoon tea, today? Most likely :)
L was also in yesterday too.
Sweet greetings from chick for Mum :-*
https://twitter.com/i/status/1647916078792843264
(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/58/2e/1d/582e1d791352b40df9f2bc0d7bd0b27b.png)
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Thanks for sharing all these with us in the Beakroom.
I peek in here from time to time ---
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4/23 - Royal Albatross
The latest portrait video of SP chick. https://twitter.com/i/status/1649977158159458305
He is looking fab! Taken yesterday afternoon via the #RoyalCam
(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/53/0c/71/530c7100d506763d69d98d522ee2b5e2.png)
4/24
Seen on the RoyalCam yesterday
A White-faced Heron flew past UQ & SP chicks and
then another chick appeared up the top of the bank, listen to SP chick :-*
📝Due to it being ANZAC Day tomorrow the colony's 33 chicks will be weighed on Thursday.
https://twitter.com/i/status/1650385955034116097
4/25
Dad GLY landed right in front of the webcam this morning, with breakfast for SP chick.
Enjoy their greetings, and thanks Dad. ;D
https://twitter.com/i/status/1650832802437533696
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Royal Albatross Cam 4/30
📝Tomorrow Monday May 1, the chicks will be weighed instead of the usual Tuesday, and SP chick will be 101 days old.
Here is South Plateau chick this morning, beside his excavations in the bank with North Top Flat chick, slightly visible, above.
Image credit: Sharyn Broni
4/29 12:14
Lunchtime treat.
Dad GLY arrives with lunch for SP chick.
Here's some good mouthfuls, and a few strands of spaghetti too.
There is still time to scroll back and watch Dad's visit.
Thanks for watching and enjoy your weekend.
Sweet calls to Dad :-*
https://twitter.com/i/status/1652236603937689601
4/29 This is my front lawn! ;D
SP chick was not too happy about a pair of adolescents stopping by, last evening.
Chick soon moved them off with his snapping bill.
https://twitter.com/i/status/1652096287150604288
4/28 Chick SP had a lot to say when he returned to his nest! ;D :-*
https://twitter.com/i/status/1652111538701111296
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Fu8PQtraYAIIubX?format=jpg&name=small)
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Royal Albatross update - 5/1 13:01
Weigh day (instead of Tuesday)
SP chick is now the heaviest chick in the colony. ;D
At 101 days old chick weighed 10 kgs this morning, thanks to his 2 breakfasts.
Also, Mum L was in at 16:23 this afternoon.
https://twitter.com/i/status/1652997543461281794
Royal Albatross - 5/1
Early morning wingercizes, and a parent arrives! :-*
It is likely to be chick's Mum, L. Enjoy your breakfast SP chick.
Then a couple of hours later, Dad arrives with breakfast number 2, video below.
https://twitter.com/i/status/1652944311972147238
Royal Albatross - 5/3
How is this for a perfect landing in windy conditions? ;D
GLY arrived in grand fashion, to feed his #RoyalCam chick, yesterday.
Includes a brief close up GLY and SP chick, later on in Dad's visit.
https://twitter.com/i/status/1653527496107913217
Royal Albatross - 5/4 9:03
Don't forget to paddle scratch.
Damp/wet chicks can attract dirt & nest material, just like SP chick did this morning.
https://twitter.com/i/status/1653981825210146817
Also check out the highlight videos. Here is the latest one of GLY arriving in that 30-knot northerly.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=eNrNMHFWAGA
(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/b0/da/8c/b0da8c5d58fc2cbcbd153a74e6070b1c.png)
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Lani - I so love the albatross videos...thank you.
That wind is something else....and it's the first time I have seen that building in the top left corner....5/3
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Hi Kb, I'm so glad you enjoy them too. Thanks for visiting :-*
Royal Albatross - 5/14 12:25
How nice to have #RoyalCam Mum L come in with lunch for SP chick on Mother's Day.
:-*
https://twitter.com/i/status/1657710848931143682
(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/9e/d7/fa/9ed7fa1eed8d2d1b2e9cca20053a5e79.png)
Happy Mother's Day and blessed Sunday to our Beakers!
Morning Blschue, Lilbro, Lori, Clynn, Tsk, Lisa, Karen, Oldguy, Puff, Eagles, Kb, Tig, Baz, Phyl, Peep, Jaspurr, Pink, Jilltosa, BL, Eburg, Weasel, Ezee, Bggolden, T40, ssrl, Maxie, and All!
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Royal Albatross - 5/16 :-*
Weigh day - tricky bill this morning, SP chick.
With a big breakfast under his feathers, chick at 116 days old, weighed 9.4 kg this morning. Thank you Rangers.
Dad GLY was in for breakfast and also dinner today. Thanks Dad.
https://twitter.com/i/status/1658434630373224448
(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/4a/bf/d8/4abfd85d7ad0202471b01cfd0a1b70e0.png)
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Royal Albatross - 5/20
Need inspiration to submit a name for SP chick.
How about Ocean, Atarangi or Delmar
Check out the details: https://bit.ly/3OxjeNz
Fill in the online form: https://bit.ly/3Wt5Mfp
Read the Terms & Conditions: https://bit.ly/3WlifSe
SP chick today, and enjoy your weekend.
https://twitter.com/i/status/1659833173222789121
(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/7f/96/5c/7f965cd31b5062504bbabd42d34c7618.png)
(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/fa/ce/89/face895c30e15231e6359d1959584c42.png)
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Royal Albatross - 5/20
Need inspiration to submit a name for SP chick.
How about Ocean, Atarangi or Delmar
Of those I like Atarangi. How about Moana (Maori for sea, ocean or large lake)? Although it is also a movie title. Good luck!
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Linda M, I like your suggestion of Moana, great name ;D
Royal Albatross update 5/22
A close up view of SP chick's eye and bill.
Watch chick's third eyelid. The nictitating membrane helps protect and keep chick's eyes moistened.
Tomorrow is weigh-in day! ;D
https://twitter.com/i/status/1660603467738787840
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Royal Albatross SP chick is 123 days old and weighs 8.4 kgs.
A weather change is forecasted and hopefully it will bring in a parent for chick.
Check the chick's weight: https://tinyurl.com/4dee65hp
The heaviest chick today weighed 9.5 kg
https://twitter.com/i/status/1660960635142950912
(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/37/3f/11/373f117ff927e3f8a56dee1f45bfaa16.png)
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Royal Albatross - 5/26 14:19
It's #RoyalCam Dad GLY! ;D
GLY arrives to feed SP chick, he even fed chick up behind his nest.
It is a large piece of food GLY is maneuvering back down as he leaves.
Thanks Dad, and hopefully we will see Mum L soon.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YLcRLWEUhbk&t=2s
(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/c3/3a/f4/c33af4a72c0c6179a2bf05c3392193a8.png)
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Royal Albatross - 6/4
SP chick's early morning wingercizes. Chick's wingspan is nearly 2m. Wow :)
https://twitter.com/i/status/1665322548245196802
6/2
3 meals in 24 hours! Mum L first, followed by Dad GLY with his perfect landing, yesterday afternoon.
Then this morning, Mum L with a very windy breakfast. Thanks Mum and Dad.
https://twitter.com/i/status/1664432296836075521
There's another growing chick in the background. They often visit with each other. There's another one higher on the hill.
(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/47/54/44/47544411ab4c5503bb4cd49a6fa5a10f.png)
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Royal Albatross 6/7
Rangers arrived to weigh South Plateau chick, this morning. He is 138 days old, and weighed 9 kg.
The heaviest chick today, weighed 10.3 kg.
https://twitter.com/i/status/1666373585479553024
Also check out Track the chick's weight here;
https://doc.govt.nz/nature/native-animals/birds/birds-a-z/albatrosses/royal-albatross-toroa/royal-cam/track-the-chicks-weight/
6/9 15:32
Wake up SP chick, your Dad is coming. A neighboring chick skycalls for SP chick's Dad.
Before GLY could feed SP chick he needed to go up the bank to check on the other chick, just to make sure she stayed up there :)
https://twitter.com/i/status/1667136975474950144
(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/4d/34/55/4d3455a07c676b0d310739c925c032dd.png)
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Royal Albatross - 6/12 Looking good chick!
The latest portrait video of SP chick this morning, & a quick one up the bank looking around, this afternoon.
A few days left to vote for your favourite name for chick.
Voting closes Friday June 16 2023 at 5 pm NZST.
https://doc.govt.nz/nature/native-animals/birds/birds-a-z/albatrosses/royal-albatross-toroa/royal-cam/namethechick/
https://twitter.com/i/status/1668172963823374339
(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/dd/fc/5d/ddfc5d3c1382935845c658cdd703d7a4.png)
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Royal Albatross 6/14 16:08
What a nice surprise, short & sweet
Mum L arrived with an early dinner for SP chick, we haven't seen her for a little while. Also a neighboring parent passes by.
L leaves, heading off into the sunset and back to SP chick, resting & digesting. I love to hear his calls to parent.
https://twitter.com/i/status/1668933659716636672
(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/2d/31/c2/2d31c2f3f6af722905f1fbb46ca87936.png)
(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/6f/d7/6d/6fd76d3c50fd99bcafe212f3f3daef3a.png)
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Royal Albatross - 6/19
Happy World Albatross Day 2023 & a perfect day to announce SP chick's name.
Introducing Manaaki the 8th #RoyalCam chick.
https://doc.govt.nz/nature/native-animals/birds/birds-a-z/albatrosses/royal-albatross-toroa/royal-cam/namethechick/
Chick was fed twice today Dad 10:44 & a parent at 16:26
https://twitter.com/i/status/1670702810969800705
Mannaki :-*
(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/f0/16/95/f0169557ef8be21cee5bcad055c42243.jpg)
(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/a0/73/d2/a073d25a97b039b51d0d27dd87115a20.png)
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Royal Albatross -
6/24 7:56
Wingercizing into the weekend with Manaaki and Upper Quarry chick.
https://twitter.com/i/status/1672414910100430850
Manaaki Weighing In At Over 24 Pounds!
https://youtube.com/watch?v=gl9hI0DRh4w
Manaaki Guzzles Down a Meal From Mum
https://youtube.com/watch?v=JPxLGrIV_e4
Incredible Close-ups of Manaaki
https://youtube.com/watch?v=WJH2kxasvvw
Enjoy!
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FzMRdjLaIAAUxz2?format=jpg&name=small)
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6/27 11:36
Weigh day.
First came the meal, then the Rangers to weigh Manaaki
and finally the weight.
Manaaki at 158 days old weighs 12 kg. Don't forget to check the graph. It had to be made bigger!!
https://twitter.com/i/status/1673572137591001088
Here is Dad GLY feeding his son Manaaki.
He arrived with breakfast this morning at 9:58 before weighing time.
Info-byte:
Manaaki is 1kg heavier than the next heaviest chick today and 2kg heavier than Royalcam chick Tūmanako at the same age.
https://twitter.com/i/status/1673583937707442176
(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/92/69/ae/9269ae7faa2168a7fc8225b656e398a8.png)
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Royal Albatross - 6/30
High 5
Manaaki earlier this week airing out his nest & stretches. Note the curve of his tail feathers too
https://twitter.com/i/status/1674615778719698944
Latest highlight video
In case you missed the weighing this week, it's worth watching Heaviest Albatross in the Colony! Manaaki!
https://youtube.com/watch?v=jECXYdoknwo&t=3s
Royal Albatross ~ TF Chick Almost Coming Down Hill! Manaaki Tail Wiggles, Wings & Paddles 6.30.23 video by Lady Hawk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4xGbCET5PsM&t=31s
(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/c8/62/9d/c8629dd9e7ecd3caab1983d1b547f289.png)
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Explore Bird cams :(
7/5
Well, the recent weekend changes to @Twitter
have completely removed the ability of our talented & devoted volunteer moderators to share content from the cams w/viewers & interact. We're working on a plan B, but a new platform may be necessary. We'll share as we learn more...
Royal Albatross twitter - 7/2 (this is the last one posted :( )
A light dusting of snow this morning on the distant hills didn't deter Manaaki from his wingercises.
The chicks are well equipped for this type of weather with insulating feathers/down.
There has been rain/sleet & snow this afternoon too.[/i]
https://twitter.com/i/status/1675377868476645377
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FzMRdjLaIAAUxz2?format=jpg&name=small)
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7/11
A trio of good things
It's weigh Day
Manaaki is 172 days old and weighed 11 kg. Mum L arrives to excited yaps and a skycall from the neighbor, and also some wings for good measure. Keep an eye on his left foot.
Thank you Rangers and Mum.
https://twitter.com/i/status/1678752913437634560
7/10
It's a good day when one parent arrives with a meal but how about both parents.
Mum with brunch and Dad with afternoon tea, thanks Mum and Dad.
https://twitter.com/i/status/1678373202119233537
Have a good week everyone!
A good comparison of Manaaki's feathers and Dad :-*
(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/56/1d/6e/561d6e150f942015f0c59d85df705949.png)
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7/13
🎥Hi everyone, 3 #RoyalCam highlight videos for you.
Build those muscles, Manaaki!
https://youtube.com/watch?v=k1oXGisfRcc
Manaaki weighs a whopping 11 kg (25.25 lbs)
https://youtube.com/watch?v=Jcktgb_if_A
Two-Meal Day For Manaaki
https://youtube.com/watch?v=m3rkMLeZ-Jo&t=467s
Look at her gorgeous wings today! :-*
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/F06L32jagAI6fDm?format=jpg&name=small)
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Royal Albatross - Manaaki went to check out a plot of land next door. The grass is greener and a view, you can't beat.
Then back to his nest. Oops! Mind that ditch you made Manaaki.[/i][/size]
https://twitter.com/i/status/1680558142839480321
(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/f1/8a/79/f18a79a4601ae3e4f6d1f8b3ad9e0bed.png)
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Royal Albatross cam - 7/16
Manaaki neighbor's interactions
NTF North Top Flat chick paid a short visit close to Manaaki before she made a quick exit.
Manaaki also snipped at a few strands of grass as if to say that's mine :)
https://twitter.com/i/status/1680342758287085568
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/F1HJ7gtagAAbNiX?format=jpg&name=large)
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Royal Albatross 7/24
Hope you all had a good weekend. Here is Manaaki's latest #RoyalCam portrait video. He is looking fantastic.
Today, Manaaki also went further afield...
https://twitter.com/i/status/1683358499420647424
(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/fe/62/8c/fe628c865cde6eaea445ea9672fe8601.png)
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Royal Albatross 8/11
This afternoon Manaaki at 203 days old, was weighed and supplementary feed 600ml of rehydrating fluids and 1 kg of fish and octopus. Yum!
🎥In case you missed it, here is Manaaki's recent GLS attachment with explanations.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=jY9IKG-3yEw
8/10
Julia holding an Albatross chick with their GLS device.
The devices are very small and attached to the S-S band with a very small cable tie. Kalinka from Parker Conservation helped with the attachments. Thank you. https://parkerconservation.co.nz
Photos credits: Kalinka Rexer-Huber
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/F3IHkRlbAAYYMJ8?format=webp&name=small)
Royal Albatross - 8/9
Wind and Wings
Manaaki used the winds to help him with his wingercizes, and strengthen those flight muscles.
He also attempted a jump or two while hopping about.
Clever chick. ;D
A Black-billed gull dropped in to look, too.
https://twitter.com/i/status/1684561514903347200
(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/1c/fd/27/1cfd27d707731eeaba21570cb66589af.png)
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Royal Albatross - 7/28
Today was a big day at Pukekura with all 33 chicks banded with a Stainless-Steel band & a unique permanent alphanumeric darvic band.
Manaaki is D36 darvic band, and black for males.
NTF chick is D17 darvic band, and yellow for females.
The bands are large with the internal diameter of 19 mm The Stainless-Steel bands are a height of 12 mm & take careful adjusting to get them on the leg.
In 2/3 weeks the S-S bands will be checked during weigh day to make any adjustments prior to fledging
Thank you Sharyn & Colin
https://twitter.com/i/status/1684850090580873216
What an armful! ;D :-*
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/F2HPHu3bQAEqwfI?format=webp&name=360x360)
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/F2HPHv2a8AAbmAJ?format=webp&name=360x360)
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Royal Albatross - 7/31 World Ranger Day
A time to think about all the wonderful and hard work Rangers do in your part of the world.
Thank you to all the DOC Rangers at Taiaroa Head, looking after the Northern Royal Albatross and their environment here at the colony. Have a great day!
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/F2Uqer8bgAAYaBn?format=webp&name=small)
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Royal Albatross 8/3
Sharing a recent photo of Manaaki & his neighbours: Image credit: Sharyn Broni.
Left, Upper Quarry chick KD40 (K Black)
South Plateau chick Manaaki in the middle KD36
North Top Flat chick YD17 (Y Yellow) she has moved closer to the cam from her original nest.
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/F2kbEMUbgAQcd4-?format=webp&name=small)
Yesterday's weather was a bit of everything, winds, (SW 50 to 68 knots) rain & sleet
Ranger Sharyn "We do not handle the birds over 50 knots. Over 60 knots we do not go onto the hill side. Over 80 knots it is very difficult to stand up."
Safety first!
https://twitter.com/i/status/1686905393900027907
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Royal Albatross - 8/8
Manaaki is 200 days old today & weighed 8 kg. He will be supplementary fed tomorrow or Thursday.
Data logger attachment (GLS Global Location Sensor)
Also today 20 chicks, 10 males including Manaaki & 10 females were each fitted with a tiny GLS device.
~more info to follow.
(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/2a/d9/78/2ad9783ae46fbbf860eb9df065e46bc6.png)
(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/d1/d3/8a/d1d38a659bfff0b616b8bf8d7a462ed2.png)
8/9 GLS (Global Location Sensor)
Hi everyone, this is the information about the GLS provided by DOC Ranger Sharyn.
Image credit: Sharyn Broni. Thank you.
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/F3C4bXtboAIMmRA?format=jpg&name=medium)
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Royal Albatross 8/11
This afternoon Manaaki at 203 days old, was weighed and supplementary feed 600ml of rehydrating fluids and 1 kg of fish and octopus. Yum!
🎥In case you missed it, here is Manaaki's recent GLS attachment with explanations.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=jY9IKG-3yEw
8/10
Julia holding an Albatross chick with their GLS device.
The devices are very small and attached to the S-S band with a very small cable tie. Kalinka from Parker Conservation helped with the attachments. Thank you. https://parkerconservation.co.nz
Photos credits: Kalinka Rexer-Huber
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/F3IHkRlbAAYYMJ8?format=webp&name=small)
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/F3IHmxVaMAM3A_b?format=png&name=900x900)
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/F3IHpGMa0AAfhDb?format=png&name=900x900)
Royal Albatross
Think we've done our dash on the electronic side of things for now :) How about the latest highlight video:
Wings On Windy Afternoon with Manaaki.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=lzqBjr9a64I
Keep an eye out for the jump!
http://AllAbout.birds.org/Albatross
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/F3ISwEragAA8TzB?format=webp&name=small)
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Royal Albatross - 8/14 15:14
Is that you up there Dad?
Look who the afternoon sun brought in. Dad GLY arrives to feed Manaaki. Great to see Dad & great for Manaaki too.
Dad was last in July 30, so its really good to see him, hope we see Mum soon too.
https://twitter.com/i/status/1691054600563077121
8/14 8:02
What's up Manaaki?
The very sociable Quarry chick, grubby tum and all, came to see Manaaki this morning.
Even though Quarry gave a great skycall, Manaaki wasn't having it.
https://twitter.com/i/status/1690979196062048256
8/13
Manaaki, yesterday, from his feet to the top of his head.
Enjoy the rest of your weekend!
https://twitter.com/i/status/1690517387333046273
(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/90/45/71/9045719bf7dd693a185f0c287f047252.png)
(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/ea/fa/c0/eafac0095a7ef2d878733ce7f8e4760d.png)
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RoyalAlbatrossCam
Aug 15
8/15 Weigh day
Manaaki is 207 days old today & weighed 9.8 kg.
Here are 2 other chicks weights to compare.
UQ chick, younger than Manaaki, weighed 7.3 kg, he was suppl. fed & a male chick,
similar age to Manaaki, weighed 11.3 kg.
https://twitter.com/i/status/1691428464891760641
8/15
Also Dad GLY was in this morning with breakfast for Manaaki.
Enjoy Manaaki's squeals and yaps ~ mind your ears though.
Thanks Dad, nice to see you again. :-*
https://twitter.com/i/status/1691431122746712065
(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/19/2c/b7/192cb7712c4249a171ae7be363bae091.png)
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Royal Albatross 8/19 What did they say to each other?. They're cute ;D ;D ;D
Yesterday afternoon, Manaaki went down to see UQ chick. They exchanged a skycall or 2, and some yaps and bill claps.
Enjoy your weekend, and thank you.
https://twitter.com/i/status/1692681826773721233
(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/9d/0c/a2/9d0ca2c36853c211a81f37641a4fc6b0.png)
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Royal Albatross 8/19 What did they say to each other?. They're cute ;D ;D ;D
This was great! Thanks, Lani :)
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Hi Linda, glad you enjoy the updates. Manaaki is a hoot, and I'll miss him when he fledges! ;D
Royal Albatross Cam - 8/23 ;D
8/23 Flight training in progress x3
Hi everyone, there was no weighing yesterday but only for a few chicks like UQ chick
Manaaki was 9.8 kg last week, & he has been fed 7x since Aug 19 including this morning with Mum L.
Thanks Mum, & Dad too.
http://AllAboutBirds.org/Albatross
Manaaki, UQ chick and friends practice wingersizing! ;D
https://twitter.com/i/status/1694126802279772388
A few highlight videos & pics to share
Manaaki Visits His Neighbor
https://youtube.com/watch?v=7Hg5Yn1m4zI&t=1s
Chick Practices Hovering Under A Rainbow
https://youtube.com/watch?v=kUuzW_Z3_5w&t=7s
Mum L Drops In To Feed Her Giant Nestling
https://youtube.com/watch?v=c2oa9onmugo&t=2s
This morning at the webcam and Mum L
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/F4LHJ0sbwAAsJbV?format=webp&name=360x360)
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Royal Albatross Chick "Manaaki" Waddles In For A Close Up | DOC | Cornell Lab
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qU1ap4SVjkM
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/F4LCTl1aIAAXx-d?format=jpg&name=large)
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Royal Albatross cam - 8/28
Breaking News: A chick has fledged!
The First Otago Albatross Fledgling A Record Setter
~Please click the link below to read the full press release
https://doc.govt.nz/news/media-releases/2023-media-releases/first-otago-albatross-fledgling-a-record-setter/
Godspeed Gunpit chick
Image credit: Hayden Parsons Gunpit chick 4 days prior to fledging. Gorgeous!
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/F4mZSxUa4AATCW5?format=png&name=small)
8/27
Up up and away...ok not quite.
A perfect wet and windy morning to practise flying. Manaaki,
UQ chick and NTF chick showing different stages of flight training from jumping into the air to hovering out of view.
Enjoy and thank you.
https://twitter.com/i/status/1695764441223287161
PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE for Manaaki and neighbor chick!! Soon they will be gone.
(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/41/c8/f3/41c8f3591af1e003b663b1fadf8ae5ac.png)
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Northern Royal Albatross New Zealand... check out Manaaki!!!💜
So proud Lani!!!
(https://i.gyazo.com/c87dc30df9f869c2540e5201c047c15e.gif)
(https://i.gyazo.com/fe17df42148cbbfd4d23ac3b0feede96.gif)
Royal Albatross ~ Manaaki Is Almost Ready To Fly! 💗 Beautiful Wing Exercises & Closeups! 8.28.23
https://youtu.be/GtazvBB2tYc?feature=shared
Manaaki is 220 days old and he is getting close to fledging! We are in the homestretch now with the chicks getting ready to take flight. Today, we had the first fledge of the 2023 season - Gunpit chick at 217 days old.
Manaaki has a gorgeous view of the sea from his nest and we have a gorgeous view of him!! He will also head to the grassy area close to the cam where a small prism of light like a diamond adorns him (just like Pippa, Tiaki & QT Lilibet had their diamonds) Manaaki does some gardening and then heads back and look out over the sea and perform his wing exercises! Thank you for watching!
Video captured & edited by Lady Hawk
Media release 28 August 2023
First Otago albatross fledgling a record setter! The first fledgling toroa/northern royal albatross to leave Pukekura/Taiaroa Head on Otago Peninsula this season set a record when he spread his wings and set off to spend years at sea. DOC Dunedin ranger Sharyn Broni says the male is the youngest on record to fledge, taking flight on Sunday —Gunpit chick at just 217 days after he hatched. He will spend the next 4-10 years at sea before returning to the colony. “The previous record for youngest fledgling was 219 days and the average is 240 days. We think he fledged so early because he had really regular feeding from his parents, meaning he was in good condition and at a good weight, and perfect fledging conditions on Sunday with strong winds blowing him straight out to the ocean. “The chick is one of 20 which has been fitted with a tracker that will record his movements for about the next three years. Previously the species has only been tracked for up to one year, so we’re excited to learn more about what these juveniles do in their first few years.”The trackers do not transmit the bird’s location but save the data on the unit, which will be retrieved when they return to the colony. He is the first fledgling of 33 toroa chicks at the colony this season. If all fledge successfully it will be the highest number on record to do so in a season. The current best is 30 chicks in 2021. That includes the Royal Cam chick, Manaaki, who has been the focus of the popular 24-hour online live stream, run in partnership with Cornell University’s Lab of Ornithology in New York. Manaaki has been stretching his wings in the breeze but is not quite ready to begin his journey.
Sharyn says it’s been a very successful breeding season at the colony so far, though it has had its eventful moments.
“One major event was a female going to the Dunedin Wildlife hospital with acute liver failure near the end of the guard stage, which is the first 30-40 days when parents stay with their chicks to protect them. “Remarkably she pulled through after a two week stay in hospital — a first for a breeding toroa — and is back successfully raising her chick.” However, one unfortunate trend that’s been observed is parents returning to feed their chicks with plastic in their stomachs, which is then regurgitated for the chick, says Sharyn Broni. “Plastic is a serious threat for albatross. It can look like food when it’s floating in the ocean so the birds often catch it, which is a choking hazard for both parents and chicks. It can also fill up their stomachs which causes the birds to effectively starve, as plastic has no nutritional value.
“Easy ways you can help albatross and other seabirds include picking up rubbish when you’re at the beach or near waterways, reducing your plastic use where possible, and carefully disposing of any plastic you do use.” Te Poari o Pukekura chair Nadia Wesley-Smith says, “It’s always pleasing to hear of a successful fledging, and this one beating the record for earliest recorded fledging shows the importance of regular feedings from parents and how that impacts the overall population of toroa at Pukekura. With the tracker attached, we’ll also look forward to gaining new insights on their activity during the years spent away from the headland”. Otago Peninsula Trust and Royal Albatross Centre Ecotourism Manager Hoani Langsbury says, “As a father myself, I always think of the first chick to fledge as heralding in the empty nest concept as the birds start their big OE. This is both a sad and exciting time for staff. We’re looking forward to the first returners for next season.”
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Lori, thank you for posting your great gifs and info!
I love this big boy so much. I'm going to miss him very much when he fledges.
But, right now, I enjoy seeing him grow! :-*
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Royal Albatross 8/30 9:10
Morning fun.
Besides keeping track of Manaaki and his neighbors it's nice to pause
and watch the interactions between the chicks especially this morning with Quarry chick
displaying in front of Manaaki.
https://twitter.com/i/status/1696767810184339784
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/F4wwBsnacAAxCiJ?format=jpg&name=large)
2 Highlight Videos to share
Chicks Flap Their Wings As Gulls Fly Overhead
https://youtube.com/watch?v=oar6PTonjdE
Royal Cam Chick Weighed By Rangers
https://youtube.com/watch?v=Gg62axh0uBQ
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Royal Albatross 9/2
It's the weekend & we have a few links to share
What to expect in September/October
https://doc.govt.nz/nature/native-animals/birds/birds-a-z/albatrosses/royal-albatross-toroa/royal-cam/what-to-expect/#Sept-Oct
& when it starts to get a little quiet you can checkout the YT Royalcam playlist
https://youtube.com/watch?v=0VccrYCx9xw&list=PLXJZ8Lf9KIx6iS2ncZFMv_-8H5svLN97H
Quarry chick thought she could walk by Manaaki & his nest... ;D it's fun watching them!
https://twitter.com/i/status/1697870850438123743
9/2
A good start to the weekend for Manaaki.
Mum L with brunch and Dad GLY with an early dinner.
Quarry chick dropped in to watch Mum and Manaaki. ;D
https://twitter.com/i/status/1697897466564419994
Manaaki's back to cam and Quarry Chick facing him and showing off his wings! Manaaki could care less! ;D
https://twitter.com/i/status/1696767810184339784
(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/d8/27/06/d82706af6a2c6ec682fd14c79856b8f7.png)
(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/7f/62/e2/7f62e202dd97993fbc320fc89dd79fe3.png)
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Royal Albatross - 9/6
Only lightweight chicks were weighed yesterday. Six chicks, including UQ (Upper Quarry) chick were supplementary fed.
Manaaki is 229 days old today. At 221 days old he weighed 10.4 kg.
Early evening quiet time, last night with Manaaki. :-*
Enjoy your day.
https://twitter.com/i/status/1699222064266355096
(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/32/bd/11/32bd11ac123038d46f46ac6b7ae42e95.png)
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9/5 #RoyalCam 2 in 1
Wonder where they walked too.
NTF chick & Q chick returned from a morning walk to be greeted by Manaaki & UQ chick
and yesterday. Run Parent Run ;D
A parent either arriving or leaving ran into 3 yapping chicks. Manaaki UQ & Q chicks
https://twitter.com/i/status/1698860641887662397
(https://i.pinimg.com/564x/04/bf/38/04bf38518dfba7c50b37c458e2ecf380.jpg)
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Royal Albatross cam 9/7
Yesterday's neighborly interactions.
Manaaki and his neighbors UQ chick and Q chick
Click the YT link to see what Manaaki does.
Manaaki doesn't seem pleased with the neighboring albatross chicks. I'll miss their antics! LOL! ;D
Royal Albatross Chick "Manaaki" Claps Bill At Encroaching Neighbors
https://youtube.com/watch?v=emp6NRPy3GM&t=1s
Q Chick's under wing feather changes
(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/d1/6c/75/d16c75e4a5939fcb7d45fe883efc95d6.png)
Neighbor Quarry Chick has lost most of its baby fuzz
(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/26/e1/e9/26e1e94f530f1f9860de9c5d46118a14.png)
Manaaki's feathers are more defined now, and losing the baby fuzz, soon he will fledge. I'll miss him.
(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/66/39/cb/6639cbbf5e6a1744cfe1c0a5ce579c68.png)
https://twitter.com/i/status/1699547382151835720
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Royal Albatross - 9/9 This morning.
It's the weekend, time to catch up with the neighbor...or maybe not.
Manaaki (right) Q chick with brown spots(left), and UQ chick watching from the sideline. Have a great weekend everyone. LOL!! ;D
https://twitter.com/i/status/1700471777733054773
An afternoon X tra
Manaaki also had a parent come in to feed him. Look how quickly he moved up the hill. :-*
https://twitter.com/i/status/1700475118445875568
9/8 Friday catchup
Hovering was the order of the day, yesterday.
Manaaki first with a few practise jumps then Quarry chick hovering across the screen & Upper Quarry chick going straight up and down.
A quick note NTF chick has fledged
Bon voyage NTF chick!
https://twitter.com/i/status/1700043481375560054
I want to reach up and grab his talons. I don't want him to leave. :-* ;D
(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/3f/f3/56/3ff356818fda8e718619f9d885253031.png)
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Royal Albatross ~ PADDLES UP! UQ Practicing Hovering! Slycall By Manaaki & Dual Wingers ✈️ 😊 9.11.23
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ZZBvDVyCX0
Manaaki has the sweetest calls! Keep watching he returns to his nest in the rain after practicing his flight wings. He's the one on the left. Thank you Lady Hawk :-*
(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/8f/16/94/8f1694f984f844bba999762be07e4502.png)
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9/12
X tra news
A chick fledged in #RoyalCam view at 13:45 today. Confirmation is needed to whether it was Quarry chick or chick YD00. Both were in the UQ area and weighed this morning.
Slo-mo footage included, and thanks everyone.
https://twitter.com/i/status/1701561224214007909
9/12
Sharyn Broni Ranger
Kia ora koutou
In preparation for the start of the new Toroa season for 2023/2024 the Dunedin City Council has produced a video about the tradition of the bell ringing for the arrival of the first toroa for the next season
Sep 11, 2023 #dunedinnz #dunnerstunner
We’re not sure why or when it started, but for the last few decades, when the northern royal albatross return to Pukekura/Taiaroa Head after a year at sea, it’s been a Dunedin NZ tradition to ring in the return of the wandering toroa for the breeding season. Find out more about the wildlife capital of NZ: www.dunedinnz.com/wildlife
https://youtube.com/watch?v=uanfnBN6OPI
We expect that the first Toroa will arrive in the next couple of weeks. We will notify everyone when that happens, in the meantime get your bells ready and Take 3 for the Sea https://take3.org
Ngā mihi nui (thanks so much)
Stay tuned for fledging update this afternoon.
Manaaki :-*
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/F5x1UTfaEAErCmJ?format=webp&name=small)
Royal Albatross - 9/12
Weigh day
Today Manaaki is 235 days old & weighed 9.2 kg.
He was fed up top by a parent on the 9th & 11th
Fledging news
9 chicks from the 33 have fledged, but numbers could have changed by this afternoon, with the strong winds.
https://twitter.com/i/status/1701555500884857325
Manaaki :-*
(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/8e/6f/6b/8e6f6b9876fffbb49a1026c66bcf4c37.png)
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Read about the Royal Albatross-Toroa
https://www.doc.govt.nz/nature/native-animals/birds/birds-a-z/albatrosses/royal-albatross-toroa/
Migration and foraging trips
Renowned ocean wanderers, royal albatross travel vast distances from their breeding grounds to feed – as much as 190,000 km a year. Royal albatross range throughout the Southern Ocean and are most commonly seen in New Zealand coastal waters during winter.
Birds have been banded on Campbell Island since the early 1940s. Returned bands show young birds and nonbreeders migrate to southern South American waters and back to New Zealand.
In other work, satellite transmitter packages developed by French, British and Australian researchers were used to track the birds’ flight paths. Signals were monitored by satellite and the information used to learn more about the birds while at sea. One bird travelled 13,000 kilometres during a two-week foraging trip.
The following map shows GPS tracks of three adult breeding birds during their foraging trips from Taiaroa Head. They were tracked between February and May 2012.
(https://www.doc.govt.nz/contentassets/5bb01a12eb9f4d0085e82edeab27b0a3/royal-albatross-migration-map-565.jpg)
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Manaaki and his friend are still there! :-*
9/14
2 yapping chicks and some gastronomical seafare.
Yesterday Mum L arrived to feed Manaaki...Please click the link to continue watching. Thank you :)
https://youtube.com/watch?v=qct76UEeyDY&t=1s
http://AllABoutBirds.org/Albatross
https://twitter.com/i/status/1702140670700658954
9/14
Manaaki expelled a bolus very early yesterday morning.
Julia is collecting the pieces under Manaaki's supervision. He had scattered some of it around his nest.
An update will follow of its contents soon, as the Rangers are very busy.
https://twitter.com/i/status/1702147297805848803
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9/15 2 Albatross chicks needed rescuing.
Sharyn Broni Ranger, DOC Kia ora koutou (hello everyone)
Yesterday 2 chicks were on the harbour after a failed fledge attempt. Cont'd below
Manaaki and UQ chick this morning.
https://twitter.com/i/status/1702475781556109633
9/15
A very big thank you to the Rangers and the Rescue team, retrieving the 2 chicks from the harbor, too try again. https://porttoport.co.nz
Thank you Sharyn for the update and the latest fledging news too. Please click to read the full update.
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/F6BozZqbcAAQ4EB?format=png&name=medium)
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Royal Albatross - 9/17
The winds & the seas called, and Manaaki responded. He has fledged.
I was watching this on the Live cam, his neighbor UQ chick is watching :'(
This is Lady Hawk's video - Royal Albatross ~ MANAAKI FLEDGES! Floats Down The Hill & Out Of View 💗 Congratulations! 9.16.23
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T9ArgVuAv98&t=38s
Wishing Manaaki the South Plateau #RoyalCam chick
all the very best as he navigates his way across the South Pacific Ocean.
Please read Sharyn's full update below. Thank you!
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/F6McJZZbcAAU76J?format=jpg&name=4096x4096)
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/F6Mh7ahbAAA74Zh?format=jpg&name=medium)
9/17
...and something a little more worrisome, plastic pieces found its way into Manaaki's diet.
Thank you everyone for taking the time to read Sharyn's update and thank you for all your comments, and thoughts for Manaaki today.
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/F6MnKJUbwAAyt9K?format=jpg&name=medium)
I will continue watching UQuarry chick.
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UQ was lonely with everyone gone and hungry too. His parents haven't been seen for a few days. Manaaki's mom L comes to feed Manaaki, but he has fledged, she refuses to feed UQ.
(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/e6/2f/80/e62f80557e01eec503bf61c6bae25c0b.png)
Royal Albatross ~ Mum Lime Returns Two Times Looking For Manaaki 💗 UQ Comes Running Over 9.17.23 video by Lady Hawk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-jyvqQBSAag&t=86s
Sep 16, 2023
Ranger Sharyn reported this morning that our sweet Prince Manaaki has fledged at 240 days old. UQ chick has been looking all day for his friends as one by one they have left and he is alone now on the track. First it was Miss Sassypants NTF - full of attitude and owning the hill. She was the first one to give UQ a clack & display! Then Miss Quarry chick - who was very close to UQ and spent most of her time sitting, talking and displaying to him! Now his albie bro Manaaki has left and joined his cohorts flying over the sea - leaving UQ all alone. ♥
Mama Lime arrives back to the nest and she does not know that Manaaki fledged. UQ chick sees a parent come in and rushes over wheeing & hoping for a meal. But Mama Lime is here for only Manaaki and she clacks at UQ. L goes to her nest and sniffs for Manaaki's scent. The nostrils of the albatross are highly sensitive and she is trying to determine if his scent is still fresh or not. Mama Lime waits for ten minutes for her sweet boy - she came back with perhaps another mother load of squid for him and wants to feed him but finally she flies off.
But L returns a half hour later and looks for Manaaki again. It is time to get those tissues out....she is really missing her baby. Mama Lime waits for him at the nest - she does not know where he is but her instincts told her to come back to the nest for him. She sniffs the nest again for Manaaki's scent. Bless her heart - a Mother's love knows no bounds, UQ is hopeful he can get a feeding too but realizes she is only here for Manaaki. (UQ chick had a good feeding this morning from the rangers)
Mama Lime will fly off in a beautiful departure over the sea. Maybe this time she will not look back, knowing her work has has been accomplished and it is time for her to fly back to South America to renew and rest. GLY does not know that Manaaki has fledged so he will probably return looking for him as well.
It is always a sad time to see a parent come in and not see their chick that they have been caring for 7.5 months suddenly not here! The parents will head across the Pacific Ocean to feed in the waters around South America now. GLY and L will live separate lives until they once again return to breed. They will not breed during the 2023/2024 season but with good fortune, they both will come back in October 2024 to breed again for the 2024/2025 season.
Farewell sweet Mama Lime - you have done an excellent job ♥ Godspeed and stay safe. Thank you for watching!
Video captured & edited by Lady Hawk
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Royal Albatross ~ GLY dad Is BACK Looking & Waiting For Manaaki 💗 UQ Does More Amazing Hovering 9.18.23
Sep 17, 2023
UQ chick decides to do some wing exercises and hovering early this morning! He flaps his wings and then goes straight up in the air with his paddles hanging down lol wheeee! He is getting really good at these moves! He then spots a parent coming in and landing at Top Flat and he rushed over there wheeing hopeful for a feeding. It is our dear GLY who has come home after a long fishing trip at sea (nine days) to feed his Manaaki. But Manaaki had fledged and he missed out on both parents L and GLY coming in to give him one last feeding.
GLY clacks at UQ as he makes his way towards his nest to look and wait for Manaaki. GLY waited a long time in the grass hoping to see his big boy come paddling home wheeing like he has every single time. But there was silence at the empty nest...
GLY then goes towards UQ chick who begs a couple of times...GLY then turns around and goes back toward the nest - all the while looking for his chick before he departs. UQ chick will go up in some amazing hovering as he continues to practice his flying skills.
Now that both GLY and L (who came in two times yesterday) have seen that Manaaki is no longer here on the headland, they will head back to South America and take the next year off to renew their energy reserves, regain some weight and molt their feathers after having successfully raised their chick to fledging! His Royal Roundness will be a legacy for GLY and L and for all future generations to come! Good job & Farewell GLY ♥ Thank you for watching!
Video captured & edited by Lady Hawk
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Royal Albatross ~ Dedicated Super Dad GLY Returns A 2nd Time Looking For His Manaaki 💗💞💗 9.18.23
Sep 17, 2023
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0J1NQgMOCz8
Just like Mama Lime, GLY has also returned two times looking for Manaaki not knowing that their big boy has fledged. UQ chick is so hopeful the parent is for him but alas it is not. GLY comes to his nest and lies down in it and sniffs it for Manaaki's scent. The albatross have a very keen sense of smell and he is searching to see if Manaaki had been here recently. GLY is a very dedicated Dad - just like Mama Lime - they are both two outstanding parents.
I have to say this second visit did get to me seeing that they do everything in their power to make sure their chick is fed and cared for. It is sad to see the empty place where our Prince Manaaki spent 7.5 months lovingly tending to his nest! It is more than just instinctual - they are emotionally connected to their chick. They must see how empty the colony is by now and know that the time is drawing near for their own departure to South America. Thank you GLY for an outstanding year of devotion you have displayed to your mate and to your big boy Manaaki. Stay safe and godspeed GLY. Till we meet again...💗💞💗 Thank you for watching!
Video captured & edited by Lady Hawk
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Royal Albatross ~ UQ Dual Hovers w/ Another Chick! Crashes A Feeding & Takes Short Cut Home 9.18.23
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EJXzfoblZ6c&t=106s
Sep 18, 2023
UQ chick hears another chick wheeing and getting fed by a parent down the track to the right and of course, he has to paddle over there to crash the party. UQ is now taking Manaaki's place as the parent crasher! He then starts to walk back towards his nest but decides to take a short cut and flight express hovering home instead! So much more efficient and so fast!!
UQ will head to Top Flat and is seen hovering in sync with another chick! Very cool to watch the dual hover. I am not sure if that one chick fledged or just came down out of cam view. UQ makes his sneaky way back to his spot. Then it is back over to Top Flat again! Rangers check to see who is up there and Julia reports is was UQ. He is seen hovering again and then out of view. UQ shows back up in his spot again. Another exciting and fun day for UQ - I am glad he found a new friend to fly with! Thank you for watching!
Video captured & edited by Lady Hawk
The rangers give UQ a feeding late yesterday.
He/she tries
(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/b3/8f/e2/b38fe2958fd416f5310635041fe99441.png)
and tries
(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/59/e3/96/59e396530d5350e843c550954a9521c8.png)
then settled for the night near Manaaki's nest and moved down hill to his own nest later that night.
(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/61/38/09/613809aafbbfa94a2c88a8f4a7f3a358.png)
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Royal Albatross ~ Beautiful Closeups Of Sweet UQ ♥ The Last Of The Fab Four Chicks! 9.18.23 by Lady Hawk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sNxbnxPxFRE
Sep 18, 2023
UQ chick is the last of the Fab Four chicks - NTF, Quarry and Manaaki have all fledged. UQ is the youngest of this group and is 10 days younger than Manaaki. Hopefully he will stay around for 240 days like Manaaki did before he takes that leap of faith and flies out over the ocean to meet his destiny. Enjoy some beautiful closeups of UQ as he settles in for the night in his comfy spot on the grass. Thank you for watching!
Video captured & edited by Lady Hawk
(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/30/be/86/30be863c42c811c275b414abd5a951eb.png)
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A few pics I captured today.
Around 3pm New Zealand time, which was 8pm Central time, adult albies started flying above and around the island. UQ started calling to them....
UQ sees a parent and starts running and calling :-*
(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/35/3d/0f/353d0fbebc775abe2b07da8204ff249b.png)
A nice long 10 minute feeding
(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/c4/d2/f0/c4d2f02302c043e61736c7131ddfa800.png)
"Excuse me" another parent is walking by as UQ's parent continue feeding and spending time with him
(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/4d/0c/89/4d0c89ac452fbdd208132b4b23b21393.png)
UQ returns to the nest with a full tummy for the night and a happy heart :-*
(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/81/fd/b8/81fdb835bc16ba4849466f0b6e8c77ec.png)[/size]
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Royal Albatross ~ UQ Gets A Supp Feeding! ♥ A Chick Comes Over Wheeing! GLY Or L Brief Visit 9.21.23
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4tpG6e4qu-U
Sep 20, 2023
UQ stayed below the hill for the most part of the day but did pop his head up so that we could get some great zooming on him!! Later in the morning, UQ is walking around and sees the basket people arriving one more time.The rangers weigh UQ (he came in at 7kg which is a bit low) so they give him electrolytes of 600ml and 1kg of fish & squid - bringing his weight to 8.6kg which is much better.
One of the neighbor chicks comes by wheeing excited for a feed too! This chick has been receiving regular supp feedings as well and can smell the fish/squid in the container. When the rangers were finished with the feeding, they get up to leave and the chick turns around and leaves as well.
Later, UQ is in his spot below the hill when one of Manaaki's parents is seen flying in. :-* They walk up the hill and sit next to UQ for a brief visit. It might be Mama Lime, she looks up at the empty nest as UQ is wheeing and begging for a feeding. She does not stay long - she was kind to UQ chick :-* , perhaps realizing now that Manaaki is really gone and so she flew off in a beautiful departure over the sea. She circled around, perhaps saying her goodbyes for the season as she disappeared into the horizon. It is time for her to head to South America as her work here is finished. Both GLY & L have done a great job raising Manaaki and they should be very proud. ♥ Thank you for watching!
Video captured & edited by Lady Hawk
Good night!
UQ has settled into his old nest, where his mom waited for him to give a feeding yesterday. He's been there since his feeding from the rangers. :-*
(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/70/a9/ef/70a9ef8036690ca07bd617c33225e416.png)
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Good night pic on the 21st!
(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/95/0c/d4/950cd44c701a8c30c42a5f61943965cf.png)
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Royal Albatross ~ UQ Gets A Supplementary Feeding! A Chick Walks Up The Hill ♥ 9.22.23
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Up1zRUjOUZs&t=4s
Sep 22, 2023
QU is sitting in his usual spot just below the hill but still in view of the cam. Another chick comes walking up and looks around the area. This is a male chick with a black Darvic band from one of the nests below the hill. It may have been the same chick that came up and was interested in the feeding that UQ got yesterday from the rangers. He is getting supplementary feedings as well.
Rangers Colin and helper arrive a few minutes after the chick departed back down the hill and they gave UQ his supp feeding. First they gave him hydration (electrolytes) through a syringe and then comes the whole fish - 9 of them I counted. Ranger Colin makes sure each dish is swallowed before they feed the next one. That is a good meal for UQ and he should be feeling quite content now. Watch UQ shake out his wings after the rangers are getting ready to leave!!! Thank you for watching!
Video captured & edited by Lady Hawk [/size]
I took this pic of UQ yesterday, it rained most of the day :-*
(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/20/32/a5/2032a55b36669b47e5ea823d6bcffdeb.png)
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Friday the 22nd - good night post
UQ hasn't been seen for two hours, since 14:53 pm New Zealand time, they keep searching the hills. My last pic of him was at 14:48 pm their time. I snipped it as he was going to the left of the cam. And then they lost him. Never saw him again. :(. ... it's so strange not seeing him sitting at his favorite spot staring out to sea.
I took this pic today, New Zealand time was 9:26 am
(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/de/d3/5c/ded35c62280bd53ceeeba29f41f69ac1.png)
Royal Albatross ~ UQ Beautiful Closeups!! Wet & Very Cute! 🐦 ♥ 9.22.23
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gVL2pXQppPU
Sep 22, 2023
UQ wakes up and does a lot of preening of his feathers & stands up and shakes out his wings with the raindrops. Enjoy some beautiful closeup coverage of UQ looking wet but oh so cute as he sits on his comfy place in the grass & shakes the raindrops off his feathers & does a paddle scratch 🙂💕 It was a calm day with no wind so no hovering or flight practice for the chicks. UQ seemed to be content to hang out in his spot just below the hill 🙂 💚 Thank you for watching!
Video captured & edited by Lady Hawk [/size]
Good night! I'd like to think UQ is one of the albies soaring the skies with his friends :-*
(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/0e/7d/ad/0e7dad87fb0281dfd1068067e2de6123.png)
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I think UQ has fledged or he is out of sight and below the hill. When UQ moved to the left off cam's vision the cam operator moved too quickly to the left thinking he would hover. Well, he didn't he probably went down the hill. I haven't seen him or his white top. You could always see the white of his head in the dark on his 2nd nest. This is the latest lady Hawk video of him. There is not chat room and they don't allow comments on their youtube channel. I went to their facebook page and asked a question.
Royal Albatross ~ Time To Ring Those Bells! First Albies Are Back! UQ Skycalls A Parent! :-* 9.23.23
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jrtWSAV4t1k&t=11s
Sep 22, 2023
We have only 9 chicks left on the headland - 24 have fledged so far! And it is time to ring those bells! The first returning albatross have arrived back to the colony (GBK a 20 year old male and YGK a 30 year old female). Ranger Sharyn has said "Both GBK and YKG have been away from the headland and waters around New Zealand since January 2023. Feeding in the waters around South America during the winter gets the toroa in condition for the next breeding season at Pukekura.
YKG last fledged a chick in 2020 but her mate has not been seen since 2021. GBK is also a bereaved toroa and last fledged a chick in 2017. It is hoped that since they are both looking for a new mate that they may pair up. Egg laying is in November so we should know in a couple of months whether they will breed for the 2023/23 season or not.
To celebrate these new seasons arrivals the Royal Albatross Centre will organize bells to ring on Monday 25th September at 1 pm. The celebration of bell ringing is a great reminder for people to take care of the ocean where the toroa spend over 85% of their lives."
For those in the USA it will take place on Sunday Sept 24th 6:00PM PST/ 9:00PM EST and Hawaii time 3:00PM.
UQ is 235 days old today and he continues to do his wing exercises showing off those incredible 3 meter (10 feet long) wingspan. Simply gorgeous! He then heads down the track and comes back as a ranger takes a chick head count to see who has fledged and who is still here. UQ does more hops, flaps and paddle walking before he stops to gaze out over the ocean imprinting his home upon his heart. We are going to miss UQ when he gets ready to leave soon. Thank you for watching!
Video captured & edited by Lady Hawk
Kb, I just received a facebook reply from a poster on the The Royal Albatross Center fb website. She sent me 3 posts, here is the last two. When you and I saw him go to the left that was the last anyone saw him too. We'll need to wait and hear from the rangers. I'm sure they will post something today.
Stacy L wrote: I just watched again, walked off cam at 14:50, cam didn’t move to the left until 14:53, so no idea where he went. Hopefully he just went down the slope near his nest to sleep. I can’t imagine that he fledged, there was barely any wind. Sharyn, the ranger, said it’s unlikely for them to fledge under 5 knots.
(https://scontent-sjc3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/382446775_10232419865379072_6367899461332564857_n.jpg?stp=cp6_dst-jpg&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=6a0516&_nc_ohc=2ceoSlcX8rMAX_w-pSh&_nc_ht=scontent-sjc3-1.xx&oh=00_AfA7G8OczqYWu1iUHEjExrM6lMJzxvwhwYt3jYSf_BnSSw&oe=65138121)
Stacy L wrote: I just checked the port website, wind speed was favorable. It didn’t look windy on the cam. 😞 I’ll be happy for him if he left, but sad that I missed it. Going to miss UQ. He helped me get over Manaaki leaving 🙂
(https://scontent-sjc3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/383076809_10232420033783282_7177346630807625954_n.jpg?stp=cp6_dst-jpg&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=6a0516&_nc_ohc=JjXUbJNyU5cAX9WCQJ-&_nc_ht=scontent-sjc3-1.xx&oh=00_AfAZmrOFGgmrUoPNpuEFJy2OiJTolsmI_RcTxlligDwQdw&oe=651431C9)
Beautiful UQ, I snipped this pic yesterday at 8:07am New Zealand time, Saturday 23rd - baby fuzz no more! :-*
(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/eb/74/5e/eb745e2a7fa7d6615253a480ece88997.png)[/size]
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Finally found a Royal Albatross discussion website with the Ranger Mod who handles the webcam that we watch, and I was able to find a few answers.
The cam is on UQ's favorite hilly spot, down the slope is two chicks.
They think it's UQ and the neighbor chick that would visit UQ from the right side of the hill.
There are three cams facing this area. The Port Harbor cam takes photos from a higher location, and they captured this photo of the two chicks down the slope.
(https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/e2be8ad1b295a5b3cef1da9f93b7eeb4b52229f22b118ccf3c058103bfa1dc0b.jpg)
(https://www.portotago.co.nz/assets/Webcams/Taiaroa-cam/taiaroa_24-09-2023_09-30am.jpg)
The photo below is taken from the opposite direction or seaview. You can see the white heads of the chicks. UQ has got to be the one closer to the top of the hill where he usually sits.
That is why the webcam is focusing on that part of the hill.
The black arrow is the webcam, the signal station camera is inside the green building to the left.
[/size]
(https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/dc507ee74991618685feb3e3e99daea5fd06dcfc981a5f5d5e70d5c4813de518.jpg?w=800&h=541)
This is headland where the Royal Albatross nests
(https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/cc55173676a694577b296241ce1f97e347d71eae5862aa6f9d517683d18b247c.jpg?w=800&h=519)
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This is a cool site I found on the discussion board regarding Royal Albatross
Look at the video of the chicks up on the top left corner of webcam.
https://www.windy.com/-Webcams/New-Zealand/Otago/Aramoana/Taiaroa/webcams/1508610974?-45.787,167.443,7
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great news! I received info from someone I connected with on Royal Albatross Centre Facebook and UQ is okay and still there![/size] :-*
(https://scontent-sjc3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/382451079_10232424786022085_9169140070960986694_n.jpg?stp=cp6_dst-jpg&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=6a0516&_nc_ohc=bX_UGBLZIh8AX8l3vb2&_nc_ht=scontent-sjc3-1.xx&oh=00_AfBi6EaKJ67YPQGJ1SNsYwG-Afr-L1G30IJIilSEKpQxvg&oe=6513B334)
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Royal Albatross - 9/24 🔔Get your bells ready!
Ringing of the Bells | Return of the Wandering Toroa | DunedinNZ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uanfnBN6OPI&t=7s
Not one but two new seasons arrivals touched down at Pukekura on Friday afternoon
GBK Green, Blue, Black on the right is a 20-year-old male & YGK Yellow, Green, Black on the left is a 30-year-old female.
Image credit: Colin Facer. Thank you.
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/F6rULSbbcAAYCpx?format=webp&name=small)
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/F6rampHakAAuCyj?format=png&name=medium)
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Royal Albatross ~ Say Hello To Beautiful Miss YD21 ♥ She Is Checking Out The Cam! 9.24.23
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-4S6eNZzQqo
Sep 23, 2023
UQ is still here as of today (Sept 24th) He was seen half way down the hill this morning and received a supplementary feeding by the rangers. He will probably fledge from below the hill when he is ready!! ♥
In the meantime, we have a visit from one of the neighboring chicks - YD21. She is seen at the cam doing some gardening, She is so cute - and still has bit of down on her neckline. YD21 stands for (Yellow for the female, D for the designation of this season's chicks 2023, and her number 21). I don't know which nest she is from but she may be the chick from Signal Station Flat on the hill. Thank you for watching!
Video captured & edited by Lady Hawk
(https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/008b9370e40cced40d6ffc3c4679c160180d99ef1608aa9eba6f0280e48c986c.png?w=800&h=493)
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Royal Albatross - posted by Sharyn Broni (Ranger, DOC)
Kia ora koutou (hello everyone)
It appears the UQ (Upper Quarry) chick has fledged this morning. :-* There are some good breezes today and he was supplementary fed yesterday. He is now 237 days old and has been looking in good condition for fledging.
There are still 9 chicks as we (DOC rangers) picked up another one from the Aramoana Salt Marsh over the weekend.
(https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/1cb68d4a9da8525086107329828b103b85d76fa33f4168b0311ce13c1ff6d821.jpg)
The cam will stay in this location until after egg laying in November. We may see new arrivals coming to this location over the next several weeks.
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Royal Albatross ~ UQ HAS FLEDGED! 💗 Safe Travels To The Last Of The Fab Four Chicks! 9.25.23
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P-_ZTucKLJs
Sep 24, 2023
UQ has fledged! 💕🐥 He sure picked a special day to take flight with the ringing of the bells today on Sept 25th! Godspeed UQ - the last of the fab four chicks to take flight! Enjoy some of the last coverage I got of UQ before he went down the hill and out of cam view on Sept 23rd.
From Ranger Sharyn: "UQ (Upper Quarry) chick has fledged this morning! There are some good breezes today and he was supplementary fed yesterday. He is now 237 days old and has been looking in good condition for fledging. There are still 9 chicks as we (DOC rangers) picked up one from the Aramoana Salt Marsh over the weekend. This chick took the long way back around the harbour to the headland but was safely picked up!
The cam will stay in this location until after egg laying in November. We may see new arrivals coming to this location over the next several weeks." Thank you for watching!
Video captured & edited by Lady Hawk
I took quite a few pics of UQ on his last day on the cam. I took more pics of him than I did of Manaaki ;D I'm happy Lady Hawk made a video of his last day too! :-*
UQ his last day on the cam 9-23-2023 9:04 am :-* My favorite pics are those of him looking out towards the Otago Harbor waters on the right is the South Pacific Ocean.
(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/9d/0e/db/9d0edb1835b0082a57e54c957dd0f7c9.png)
4 chicks Manaaki on the left sitting on his nest, UQ, NTF coming from right, followed by Q (Quarry) chick.
(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/fb/59/79/fb597977d82b4dd7ff3d685c3ee7572e.png)
This is one of my favorite videos ;D
Sept 9th morning.
It's the weekend, time to catch up with the neighbor...or maybe not.
Manaaki (r) Q chick (l), and UQ chick watching from the sideline.
https://twitter.com/i/status/1700471777733054773
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Royal Albatross ~ Update On Fledges!! Two Of The Four chicks Still Here In View! ♥ 9.27.23
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1AiRHfNEK9M
Sep 27, 2023
Ranger Sharyn Broni has reported: "There are now only 4 chicks left on the headland. I missed seeing one fledge by moments this afternoon and the one we picked up from the Aramoana salt marsh on Saturday has gone again."
We were lucky to see two of the chicks up on the track. One could be SSF Signal Station Flat chick. With new albie arrivals and returnees starting to come in, the new season will start to pick up in the next couple of weeks. Thank you for watching!
Video captured & edited by Lady Hawk
Royal Albatross ~ Female Chick Jumps Down & Lands On Manaaki's Nest! Practices Hops & Hovers 9.28.23SSF practicing on Manaaki's nest
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bIX__aXCj4k&t=4s
Sep 27, 2023
We now have only 4 out of 33 chicks left to fledge on the headland ♥ This female chick jumps down from Top Flat and lands on His Royal Roundness's nest!! 😊 It may be the SSF (Signal Station Flat chick) since her nest is up on the hill. She picks some of the grass around Manaaki's nest, rests briefly and then she is up to hop and flap to the edge of the hill.
Looking out over the hill, she stretches out her wings, feeling the wind and deciding if it is a good day to fledge. She hovers with paddles up and lands to the right just out of view of the cam. She will be fledging when the winds are the most favorable and she may continue further down the hill (just like Manaaki and UQ did). We are getting down to the final four chicks left to take flight. New arrivals and returning albies are starting to come in for the new breeding season. Thank you for watching!
Video captured & edited by Lady Hawk
SSF chick
(https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/9f20eef7d800326614d60ca4721a36e437fffd24e24e64542eb1a683558dc2db.jpg?w=800&h=501)
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Royal Albatross ~ Update On Fledges!! Two Of The Four chicks Still Here In View! ♥ 9.27.23
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1AiRHfNEK9M
Sep 27, 2023
Ranger Sharyn Broni has reported: "There are now only 4 chicks left on the headland. I missed seeing one fledge by moments this afternoon and the one we picked up from the Aramoana salt marsh on Saturday has gone again."
We were lucky to see two of the chicks up on the track. One could be SSF Signal Station Flat chick. With new albie arrivals and returnees starting to come in, the new season will start to pick up in the next couple of weeks. Thank you for watching!
Video captured & edited by Lady Hawk
Royal Albatross ~ Female Chick Jumps Down & Lands On Manaaki's Nest! Practices Hops & Hovers 9.28.23SSF practicing on Manaaki's nest
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bIX__aXCj4k&t=4s
Sep 27, 2023
We now have only 4 out of 33 chicks left to fledge on the headland ♥ This female chick jumps down from Top Flat and lands on His Royal Roundness's nest!! 😊 It may be the SSF (Signal Station Flat chick) since her nest is up on the hill. She picks some of the grass around Manaaki's nest, rests briefly and then she is up to hop and flap to the edge of the hill.
Looking out over the hill, she stretches out her wings, feeling the wind and deciding if it is a good day to fledge. She hovers with paddles up and lands to the right just out of view of the cam. She will be fledging when the winds are the most favorable and she may continue further down the hill (just like Manaaki and UQ did). We are getting down to the final four chicks left to take flight. New arrivals and returning albies are starting to come in for the new breeding season. Thank you for watching!
Video captured & edited by Lady Hawk
SSF chick
(https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/9f20eef7d800326614d60ca4721a36e437fffd24e24e64542eb1a683558dc2db.jpg?w=800&h=501)
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Royal Albatross ~ A Chick Continues Its Flight Practice & Hovering Skills! 9.28.23
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W8ROTJtFPUo&t=38s
(https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/250785dad2aa1e9834607e6cbaf04a337b1412643c5f4541235012be0b9b82a6.jpg?w=800&h=661)
Sep 28, 2023
One of the chicks is seen working on its pre-flight & hovering skills! Enjoy watching their efforts as they make their way down the track and just below the hill. This chick may be fledging in the morning with favorable winds! It is one of the four remaining chicks left on the headland. Thank you for watching!
Video captured & edited by Lady Hawk
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Royal Albatross - 10/3 All 33 chicks of 2023 have fledged :-*
The remaining 3 chicks fledged yesterday in the strong winds. Godspeed Albatross chicks!
This is the highest number of chicks to fledge from the colony. A big congrats to all their parents, Sharyn and the Rangers👏
http://AllAboutBirds.org/Albatross
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Royal Albatross discussion thread today!
Some chatters think the video and photos may be from the location or area around Quarry 23, UQ and Manaaki's nests today! ;D
And they are wondering about the 33 chicks from this past season and are they direct descendants.
Royal Albatross and chick at Taiaroa Head, 1939
Royal Albatross with newborn chick at Taiaroa Head, 1939. Includes footage of Agnes Richdale [?] and Lance Richdale.
From the Lance Richdale collection, Hocken Archives MS-1260-053/004. Our thanks to Maurice Hayward and the Film Heritage Trust for digitising this film.[/size]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=roCXhVtxanc&t=124s
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10/9 an update from Sharyn.
The new season of 2023/24 is building up momentum. Nearly 40 individuals having been sighted, and some pairs have been sighted together.
A pair of Toroa. Pic by Sharyn Broni, DOC
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Royal Albatross ~ New Arrivals Update 💗 YRK Is Home! WYL Is Back Skycalling & Waiting 💗 10.10.23
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BE0SOXS0cn4
Oct 11, 2023
The new season arrivals are coming in every day! We have 40 individual albatross seen and some pairs are finding one another again. YRK (yellow red black) has been seen which is great news! If you recall, YRK is the mate to OGK and parents of RLK, Atawhai & Lilibet. Paddles are crossed that OGK will return and be reunited her with again after he went missing during Lilibet's season. ♥ Also in is RBL (red blue lime) male and WYL the male who is coupled up with BOK last season and she laid her first egg. First time breeders are not always successful so let's hope that BOK returns and they try again this year!
The coverage begins with WYL in with some beautiful and loud skycalls! Another returnee flies in - I can't be sure on the bands but it could be WKW (white black white) the widowed female who was looking for love last season. Let's hope she finds it this year! Enjoy some of the beautiful scenery and a couple other albies coming in! Thank you for watching!
Video captured & edited by Lady Hawk
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Royal Albatross - Oct 13, 2023
As the new season is beginning to get underway, we were fortunate enough to see some of the returnees on the hill at sunset. There were five albies that were seen socializing at one point. How exciting to see them all back- maybe for the first time to try and make a connection! At the last count, there were 40 new new arrivals back to kick off the season. These are a mix of prior breeding adults. juveniles and first time returnees.
Video captured & edited by Lady Hawk
Royal Albatross ~ Albie Party At Sunset! 💗 New Arrivals Socializing! 10.13.23https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xVPZzgAkXWI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xVPZzgAkXWI
Royal Albatross ~ Mid-Air Kisses Between Albies 💕 More Returnees Including OLY! 10.14.23
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6lJy8gd4iE4
Oct 14, 2023
This was a magical moment when one returning albatross was on the ground and a second one hovers right overhead and & they reach out and try and touch bills like they were giving one another a kiss! The kisser circles around several times and offers up some more affection before landing and interacting with another albie. Such an enchanting time for the toroa as they return now to meet up with their mate or to find new love!
It looks like maybe LKO has returned as well and then we get to see OLY flying in and get a good look at his band. LKO will be looking for a mate and OLY and his mate did have an egg in 2022 but were unsuccessful. Lots of albies flying in and around the headland now - very exciting!
To see the highlights below, please click on the timestamps to advance to that portion of the video.
TIMESTAMPS
00:00 - Opening albies flying
01:25 1st mid air kiss
02:13 One albie lands
02:17 2nd mid air kiss
02:30 3rd kiss attempt
03:10 Three albies socializing
04:33 Possibly LKO seen
05:31 OLY flying in
06:25 OLY closeup and band seen
07:01 More returnees in view
Video captured & edited by Lady Hawk
This happened near Lilibet-QT's nest before the Royalcam was moved to South Plateau!
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Royal Albatross - 10/19
10/19 Do you know who Button is?
The Ranger team is pleased to announce that the legendary Button and his mate OYW have returned to Taiaroa Head for another attempt at breeding this season.
Please read Sharyn's update below.
Image by Chris McCormack of Button's return in 2021
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Royal Albatross ~ Albies Socializing & Courtship Displays! 💗 10.25.23
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yTDWNMTRQro
Oct 25, 2023
The adolescents continue to arrive and search for a mate for the upcoming season. I could not read any of the bands on these returnees but the one with the nice tiara on its head is back and at one point we see five albies. They will continue to socialize and engage in courtship displays for the next few weeks. There is one albatross that continues to wait for their mate in the same spot for the past week. ♥ As soon as there is an update from Sharyn on the colony new arrivals I will pin to the comment section. Thank you for watching!
Video captured & edited by Lady Hawk
Royal Albatross 💗 Beautiful YRK Flies In & Socializes With Other Non Breeders 💗 10.26.23
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P79EFau6lAo
Oct 26, 2023
YRK has been back for two weeks looking for her mate OGK to return. She flies in and lands right next to a non breeder male albie! The albie has a black darvic band which signifies he is a male and it appears the letters are A87. The A series is for all birds fledging between 2010-2019 - most likely this one is a young non breeder. They exchange skycalls and socialize for a few minutes. A couple more non breeding adolescents show up - a blue banded albie will fly off. You can recognize YRK right now by her bright bands of Yellow Red Black and on her head she has a tiara of some dark feathers. The feathers darken during the winter months and will bleach out to white while albies are incubating their egg over the summer months.
We are still hopeful for OGK's return but if he does not return we wish YRK will have a second chance at love again with a new mate. She will most likely stick around for a few more weeks before flying off. She will return again next year to look for a new mate. ♥ Thank you for watching!
Video captured & edited by Lady Hawk
Male Albie KA87 with YRK
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Lots of socializing! ;D
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Royal Albatross - 11/5
New Zealand Bird of the Year & Century
2 Toroa are included: the critically endangered Antipodean Albatross & the Buller's Mollymawk.
https://birdoftheyear.org.nz
Voting closes 5pm Sunday 12 November 2023 NZDT & don't forget to validate your vote.
Albies "rushing off to vote". ;D
https://twitter.com/i/status/1720983117748666603
11/3 Hi everyone, some sad news to share with you.
Although we do not know for sure, it looks like the much-loved OGK has not returned following his disappearance in the winter of 2022 while raising Royalcam chick, Lilibet.
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Royal Albatross ~ Beautiful Courtship Interaction Between Two Albies! Skycalls & Displays ♥ 11.6.23
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ojQ9tOl9mw
Nov 6, 2023
The footage opens up to the far right of the track where the lone albie continues to wait for their mate. H/she has a brief social interaction with another albie and hopefully this will help ease its loneliness with this sweet hello ♥
Then to the left of the track we have one albatross welcoming in an albie with skycalls and displays. The incoming albie is banded but I unfortunately could not read them. The albie has a very distinct tiara on its head and is an active participant in this sweet interaction. Did they meet one another previously? It may be young love as bonded pairs normally don't engage in the courtship displays as we see here. Once they have a mate they tend to just greet with skycalls and get right into preening one another and sitting next to other and of course mating!
These albies may be in the process of forming a bond this season as they both paddled down the hill together! The cam then pans over to the right and we see the lone albie watching their interaction and hoping for their mate to return. Hope springs eternal and may this lone albie feel inspired to reach out and engage in more sweet hellos and skycalls so they will be full of joy again with a partner to love ♥ Thank you for watching!
Video captured & edited by Lady Hawk
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Royal Albatross ~ Albies Returning & Waiting For Their Mates! YWK Is Home & So Is BWK 💕 11.4.23
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQUbnV9Ppdc
Nov 4, 2023
The albatross continue to come in and wait for their mates or find a new love this season. 💕 It appears that YWK *Yellow White Black) is back home! For those unfamiliar with his history - he is the older brother of our dear OGK and also the Dad of GLY 💕 He and his mate KGY are the parents of the Royalcam chick Moana back in 2016 - so this is exciting news to see him back safely.
Also BWK flies in and walks past the cam.
There is also an albie that continues to wait in this same spot for it's mate hoping for a reunion. It calls out with skycalls as it waits as other albies fly overhead. It is too far away to see any bands but it is not YRK because it does not have a tiara on its head. As we are now in November, this is the time for the pairs to begin posturing and preening one another and ultimately mating and preparing a nest. Hopefully this albie and all the others that are without a mate will find love and have their dreams come true with the laying of a beautiful egg - the light of the future of the colony! Thank you for watching!
Video captured & edited by Lady Hawk
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Royal Albatross - 11/9
Preparations for the 2023/2024 season's chicks.
Albatross couples, nest sites, defending territories, eggs & trail cams.
Please read Ranger Sharyn's update below & links provided.
~Royal albatross behaviour on and off Royal Cam
https://doc.govt.nz/nature/native-animals/birds/birds-a-z/albatrosses/royal-albatross-toroa/royal-cam/royal-albatross-behaviour-on-and-off-royal-cam/
~What To Expect On The Royal Albatross Cam November–December
https://youtube.com/watch?v=X_gF2yTa_zc
~Incubating Northern Royal Albatross Maintains Nest
https://youtube.com/watch?v=O1OZR7rNfVA
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/F-chWAlbEAA56-G?format=jpg&name=medium)
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Royal Albatross 11/23/2023
The flightless takahē is a unique bird, a conservation icon and a survivor.
Population: Around 500 as of October 2023
New Zealand status: Endemic
Conservation status: Threatened–Nationally Vulnerable
Found in: Native grasslands of Murchison Mountains, Fiordland and Gouland Downs, Kahurangi National Park
Threats: Predation, competition for food
Sound recordings:
Takahē song (MP3, 622K)
00:38 – Takahē song.
Takahē song (MP3, 611K)
00:52 – Takahē song.
Species information: Takahē on NZ Birds Online
https://www.doc.govt.nz/nature/native-animals/birds/birds-a-z/takahe/
Takahē - return to the wild
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IG423K3pmQI
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Kia ora koutou (hello everyone) From Ranger Sharyn Broni
Thank you all for your patience at this quiet time on the Royalcam.
Elsewhere in the colony it has not been as quiet as watching the grass grow.
Some eggs are old enough to candle to determine whether they are fertile or not.
Check out this video from 2020 to see how candling an egg at a nest looks.
Rangers Candle The Royal Albatross Egg at the #RoyalCam Nest | NZ Dept of Conservation | Cornell Lab
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nBH959EPhkk&t=126s
Jan 11, 2020
Candling uses a bright light to shine through the egg shell to observe changes in the size of the airspace and embryos within the shell. Candling the eggs allows biologists to assess whether the embryo inside is developing properly as well as estimating how near to hatch the egg is. In this video, a New Zealand Department of Conservation Ranger visits the RoyalCam nest to candle the egg, which should be nearing hatching in the next couple weeks. Afterward, she reported that "Egg is developing as it should."
Busy Rangers checking on nests
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Grand Princess off to Christchurch and the Monarch
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Albatross Cam Newsflash!
The new #RoyalCam site has been chosen. We will have two nests on view for the whole season.
The RoyalCam couples are experienced LGK & LGL and WYL & BOK
In 2021 LGK, LGL had chick Tiaki :-*
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GAAxXKQbgAAP27x?format=jpg&name=medium)
Never fear Christmas is coming and the elves have been busy, not long to wait 🎅
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Royal Albatross cam - 12/4
Hi everyone, a peek at the new #Royalcam location Top Flat, with the couples in residence LGK & LGL and WYL & BOK.
Please read Sharyn's update below, and also a must-watch: NZ Geographic video-Grandma https://nzgeo.com/video/grandma/
http://AllAboutBirds.org/Albatross
Image credit: Sharyn
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GAdA_t9bkAAbbfv?format=png&name=900x900)
Sharyn's update, and the other 2 live links.
Read more about Toroa here: https://acap.aq/latest-news/toroa-the-colony-s-500th-northern-royal-albatross-returns-to-taiaroa-head
Read the media release here: Get set for seabird-safe fishing
https://acap.aq/latest-news/toroa-the-colony-s-500th-northern-royal-albatross-returns-to-taiaroa-head
Thank you, and have a great week!
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Royal Albatross 💗 Welcome Our Royalcam Couple LGK & LGL For the 2023-2024 Season 💗 12.13.23
Live cam ;D
https://www.allaboutbirds.org/cams/royal-albatross/
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7xlFJNGquCM
3,841 views Dec 13, 2023
Welcome back for the new 2023-2024 season for our Royalcam couple LGK & LGL!! ♥
This year we have our stars at Top Flat and an extra bonus couple of WYL & BOK right next to them at Top Flat Track in view! Double the fun again!! Here is the new Meet the Royal family page with updated information https://www.doc.govt.nz/nature/native...
From Sharyn Broni " Currently, on view are LGK (male, left nest at Top Flat, on for 3 days) and BOK (female, right nest at Top Flat Track, on nest for 1 day). The grass has not been cut between Top Flat and Top Flat Track to give the less experienced pair some privacy. WYL and BOK have incubated an egg previously but have never raised a chick. Minimizing stress for them with some privacy from their neighbours is helpful for younger pairs. We will still see changeovers and the parent stretching etc. The grass will die down as the season progresses also. "
Enjoy some coverage and closeups of LGK and a glimpse at BOK to the right. Also LGK gets two visits today - the first one is from a no color banded albie (non breeder) who is very affectionate and preens LGK at 06:46. We get to see the RC egg at 02:36 &10:46 and the next visitor is LWK at 12:44. LWK is bereaved this season so hopefully he will find a new mate. LWK is the son of OGK and YRK and Dad of Plateau chick from Tiaki's season 2021. Thank you for watching!
Video captured & edited by Lady Hawk
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Royal Albatross ~ LGL & BOK Have Front Row Seats To An Albie Party! Closeups of LGL 💕 12.17.23
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w5uSfd8GyXo
1,011 views Dec 17, 2023
LGL (Lime Green Lime) is on her nest and her neighbor BOK (Blue Orange Black female) is on her nest when a party of non breeders fly in and decide to socialize and have a party! Looks like at least 6 maybe 7 on the ground/air as they come to meet one another with skycalls and bill taping. The two Mom's don't bother to get up - they remain on their eggs. The non breeders will stay for a few more weeks as they make their acquaintances and hopefully future partners.
On another note, the Royalcam chick of 2016 Moana has been banded! She is yellow A55. Moana is one of the non breeders that has returned this season to try and find a mate like Tumanako and some of the adults who are bereaved and looking to find love again. Looks like Top Flat is going to be full of action this season!
You may notice that the grass is high between LGL and BOK's nest. The DOC has decided to not trim the grass but to leave it natural allowing for some privacy for BOK & WYL as they attempt to hatch their first egg. Thank you for watching!
Video captured & edited by Lady Hawk
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12/27
An Albatross display in the long grass, yesterday. Video link.
https://twitter.com/i/status/1739803723642339755
News Catch up
WYL at Top Flat Track is still incubating his egg,
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LGK arrived early Christmas Day to swap with LGL
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Royal Albatross ~ LGK Closeups & A Peek At His Precious Egg! ♥ 12.26.23 by Lady Hawk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b6jhAWs3Hn4
Dec 26, 2023
LGK gets up to do some preening and we get to see a glimpse of the egg as he touches it with his bill. ♥ At this stage of the incubation, we don't get many views of the albatross egg because of the parent sitting on it for long periods of time. LGK sits back down and we have nice closeups of him looking very content upon his egg! Thank you for watching!
Video captured & edited by Lady Hawk
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Royal Albatross
Top Flat Track Update WYL & BOK (lower nest in grass. BOK female has been gone 13 days. WYL did not leave nest for hydration or any food. Rangers were worried something happened to BOK.
Mind your ears ~ skycalls all round last evening (and big sighs of relief) as BOK walked past the #Royalcam to relieve WYL of nest duties.
Their egg will be swapped with the dummy egg sometime today. The egg has been taken to the incubator for safe keeping in case of desertion by WYL.
Update posted 5 hours ago: The Ranger came by this morning to confirm BOK was in at the TFT nest, and then came back in the afternoon to return her egg and take the dummy egg away. WYL & BOK's egg will be candled later.
https://twitter.com/i/status/1742667676198281712
BOK female on the right, WYL male sitting on nest
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2/28
Sharyn candled LGL & LGK's 51 days egg today and this is what she saw:
~The air cell is nice and clear and the bulk of the egg is dark showing that the embryo is alive and growing~
https://twitter.com/i/status/1740237765030330561
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Lani, thanks. Wow, gone for 13 days; wonder why. Sure glad she's back.
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LGK and BOK (below pic in grass)
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Royal Albatross update 1/8
Sharyn candled BOK (on nest) & WYL's egg yesterday
At day 54 (Sunday 7th Jan) showed that the embryo is still healthy.
This egg is a week younger than LGK & LGL’s egg.
Even though inexperienced with chick raising WYL & BOK are good at egg incubation
Video of Ranger Sharyn candled BOK & WYL's egg
https://twitter.com/i/status/1744138436502843869
We are now 10 days away from visual checks of LGK and LGL’s egg at Top Flat. When hatching begins the developing embryo moves into the air cell of the egg. Sometimes, sounds like scrunching can be heard as the membranes are broken through. There may even be a chick call. When the shell has a crack or pip in it for the beginning of hatching, we will remove it to the incubator. We hold the parents on the nest with a dummy egg until the chick has hatched. The nest will be sprayed with Avian Insect Liquidator* to ensure that flies are not living in the nest when the chick is returned.
The toroa colony at Pukekura is so tiny (just 1% of the entire world population of Northern Royal Albatross) that every chick matters. The incidence of often fatal fly strike** on this headland is too high to leave the hatching eggs at the nest.
The parents are happy to incubate the dummy egg and receive the chick quite readily when it has hatched.
LGK and LGL have raised 2 chicks that have hatched in the incubator with no incidence.
Although in-experienced with chick raising WYL and BOK are good at egg incubation. A candling*** of the egg at day 54 (Sunday 7th January) showed that the embryo is still healthy. This egg is a week younger that LGK and LGL’s egg.
*Avian Insect Liquidator is a bird-safe liquidator that repels flies. It is necessary to use a bird-safe repellent only as the respiratory system, being evolved for flight, is much for efficient than that of mammals.
**Fly strike and why is it an issue. Fly strike is caused by flies laying eggs in the flesh of the hatching chick and the resulting maggots quickly devouring the flesh they find themselves on. It is an issue at this site due to introduced flies that hatch out maggots supper fast and introduced grasses that hold the heat on the volcanic soils in this area. Fly strike only became an issue in the 1970’s and has become increasingly severe with the hotter, drier summers which are a result of climate change.
**Candling: shining a light at an egg in a dark space so that the inside is revealed. At this later stage of incubation, the egg is dark with a clear air cell like in the following picture.
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Lani, thanks. Wow, gone for 13 days; wonder why. Sure glad she's back.
Hi Linda, Rangers were worried and considered switching eggs. Giving WYL a fake egg in case he decided to leave the nest to eat & drink water.
He's a great mate to be devoted to his duty.
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Royal Albatross cam -
1/17 Welcome little Albatross chick!
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GEB9BrIbgAAGjsy?format=png&name=large)
The first chick of the season has hatched belonging to first time breeders GBL and BYW. Congratulations, and to the Rangers too.
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Royal Albatross cam - 1/22 LGK and LGL's Egg update
Peek a boo chick ~ if you zoom in you can see part of chick's bill. The hole is about 1-2 cm wide.
Image: DOC, Top Flat egg hatching in the incubator
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GEZsQbWbQAAZrvr?format=jpg&name=900x900)
Beautiful LGK sitting on a fake egg, while baby is safely hatching in the incubator.
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Royal Albatross Cam - Posted 14 hours ago.
1/23 Hello little Top Flat chick
Sharyn Ranger DOC ~This morning's check of the incubators show that the Top Flat chick is nearly hatched. A lot of progress has been made overnight. The umbilicus is likely still attached to the membranes of the egg. The drying out process takes a few hours, but it is possible that the chick will be returned to the nest later today. The down will be nice and fluffy by then.
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GEehPKEaoAAyg9U?format=jpg&name=900x900)
UPDATE: Posted 2 hours ago
1/23 Here comes TF chick with Ranger Colin!
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Royal Albatross ~ The Top Flat Chick Has Hatched! 🐣 Welcome To The World Little One! 💗 1.23.24
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q8xQ_HMsB30
The Top Flat chick hatched earlier today in the incubator but the rangers had to wait to return it to the nest because of the bad weather. While they were waiting, Mama LGL came in and had a wonderful reunion with LGK. She must have known that her chick was going to hatch today and she flew in for the celebration!!
The video begins with ranger Colin spraying around the nest with Avian Insect Liquidator a safe insect repellent to protect the hatchling from flystrike. Then Colin will bring the container with the Royalcam chick to be placed under LGL. He removes the dummy egg and puts the wee hatchling under Mom. Look at LGL smiling as she looks down lovingly at her new chick! And Colin was smiling as well as he was recording video of this blessed event!
The chick weighed 300 grams at hatching and the rangers will be making stops twice a day at the nest to weigh the chick and to check it for any flies or issues.
Congratulations to LGK and LGL on their new hatchling! And Congratulations to the entire DOC and RAC staff for all their hard work in hatching the chicks in incubators and then returning them to the nest. All of us Aunties and Uncles are thrilled to take part in another season of watching this little chick grow up and fledge! Thank you for watching!
Video captured & edited by Lady Hawk
Good morning Beakers!
Morning Emyrauld, Lilbro, Blschue, Lori, Clynn, Tsk, Lisa, Karen, Oldguy, Puff, Eagles, Kb, Tig, Baz, Phyl, Peep, Jaspurr, Pink, Jilltosa, BL, Eburg, Weasel, Ezee, Bggolden, T40, ssrl, Maxie, Nrstooge, Omasawyer, Paulie, jicaji, LB, and All!
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Royal Albatross
Here is a pic from Colin take last night.
(https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/364daca95a1a12dc9d5b0a6ffda811827cc5ca797d5883922477ede545762f37.jpg?w=800&h=1008)
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Royal Albatross~Health check and weighing by Sharyn (Ranger DOC~4:02 pm 2024/01/24
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oeDi3XpWr8c
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1/25
Its been a few busy days for the newly TF hatchling weight & health checks and learning to feed with LGL
First Feeding For the 2024
https://youtube.com/watch?v=ByHhSRwc-tI&t=1s
A Weight Check-watch till the end
https://youtube.com/watch?v=pUQbCnkLNeo&t=1s
Newly Hatched Albatross Chick
https://youtube.com/watch?v=K1faYDhsTxU
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GEotmNObYAAuy9a?format=jpg&name=large)
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GEovQ7VaAAAv1-K?format=jpg&name=large)
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Royal Albatross ~ Ranger Sharyn Afternoon Weight Check! Gives Thumbs Up - All Is OK! 👍 💗 1.25.24
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N8LupRqxR6I&t=2s
Jan 24, 2024
Ranger Sharyn visits the nest in the afternoon for the 2nd weight check up of the day. I can only imagine how busy the rangers are now with chicks hatching and requiring twice daily health checks, looking for the pips on the incubated eggs & watching over the eggs that are currently hatching in the incubator!! Many thanks to the rangers and the DOC staff for their dedication and love for these albie chicks!!
Sharyn gives us a thumbs up - meaning all is OK with the chick!
Sharyn does a through visual check on the chick today and she sprayed the chick's bottom with the AIL and also around the nest. Is is just me, or does the chick look bigger today?? ☺ Sharyn weighs the chick and puts it back under LGL who is happy to have her little one back underneath her. Sharon pulled up some grasses and nesting material and threw it to the side and pulled fresh grass and presented it as a gift to LGL. LGL loved the new grass gift and started moving it around as soon as Sharyn left. ♥ Thank you for watching!
Video captured & edited by Lady Hawk
1/25
Afternoon Sharyn. A lovely feed this afternoon with Mum and chick followed by a weight & health check with Ranger Sharyn.
Chick's weight 425g.
https://twitter.com/i/status/1750399294765736411
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Royal Albatross - 1/28
A photo of Top Flat chick with foster parent WLB yesterday, snuggled in on her feet. Very cute!
http://AllABoutBirds.org/Albatross
Image credit: Sharyn DOC Ranger
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GE6JlNzaAAA8KRM?format=png&name=small)
Top Flat chick was removed from LGL and given to above foster parent for a few hours. LGL had been on nest 5 days and had not had enough food to feed chick when it was returned to the nest. When dad LGK returned to see new chick for first time. Ranger had returned their chick to them. It's been hot during the day. Remember this is their summer season... So feedings and weighins are closely monitored daily. Sometimes twice daily for some nests. Thank God for these hardworking and devoted rangers!
1/28
Hi everyone it was an eventful day yesterday but it did end very well.
Rangers arrived for morning checks. LGL - TF chick weighed and checked and WYL - TFT egg checked and off to the incubator.[/size]
https://twitter.com/i/status/1751389287462076544
Paddle wave by TF chick during afternoon weigh and check by ranger Megan.
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Royal Albatross - 1/30
TF chick's weight & health check this morning saw chick's weight had popped up to 630g.
Thanks to LGL's 2 earlier feeds. She also fed chick this afternoon.
🎥Here is the video of LGL's return yesterday
https://youtube.com/watch?v=E5MfaCOAEsU
Sharyn's update and live links.
Track the chicks weight
https://doc.govt.nz/nature/native-animals/birds/birds-a-z/albatrosses/royal-albatross-toroa/royal-cam/track-the-chicks-weight/
Read more about the rangers work
https://doc.govt.nz/nature/native-animals/birds/birds-a-z/albatrosses/royal-albatross-toroa/royal-cam/rangers-work-for-royal-albatross/
Gular Fluttering in Birds
https://youtube.com/watch?v=IZCuDo5kOZs&t=1s
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Royal Albatross - 1/31 Top Flat Track chick has hatched! Weight 270g
Jim arrives, sprays BOK's (swapped with WYL yesterday) nest with AIL & places their little chick under her with a thank you.
Later in the day, a health & weight check with Sharyn.
Congrats BOK & WYL
Royal Albatross ~ BOK's Egg Has Hatched & Returned! Ranger Sharyn Does A Weight Check! 1.31.24
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wdeaqk2Oefg
Jan 31, 2024
Egg-citing news! BOK & WYL's egg has hatched today and was returned to BOK! The video opens with Ranger Megan coming to the Royalcam chick and taking its weight. Then ranger Jim brings the newest hatchling back to the nest and is introduced to Mom. ♥
Later, Ranger Sharyn does a weigh check on the little one! She introduces the Chick to Mom once again!
She gives a thumbs up -all is ok!! Thank you for watching!
Video captured & edited by Lady Hawk
Ranger Sharyn checking BOKs chick and weighing. Thumbs up.
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"Northern royal albatross banded at Taiaroa Head have a stainless steel band on the right leg and 1–3 coloured bands on the left leg.
There are exceptions to this, eg the opposite is the case for birds that are from the Chatham Islands.
The colours we use are: black, blue, green, lime, yellow, orange, red, white and pink.
We read the colour bands from the top down, for example, green on top and orange below would read as GO.
Except for black, record the colour by its first letter, for example, red = R. Black should be recorded as K to avoid confusion with B for blue."
This season's Royal Cam family
LGK and LGL (Top Flat) WYL and BOK (Top Flat Track) 2023/24
Top Flat (TF)
Egg
Laid: 7 November 2023
Chick hatched: 23 January 2024
Female
Known as: LGL (Lime/Green/Lime bands)
Age: 15 years, hatched 2008
Breeding since: 2017/18
Male
Known as: LGK (Lime/Green/blacK bands)
Age: 12 years, hatched 2010
Breeding since: 2017/18
Family history to date
Following a failed egg in 2017 LGK and LGL have raised 2 Royalcam chicks, Karere and Tiaki.
LGK, LGL and Tiaki were GPS tracked.
Top of Flat Track (TFT)
WYL and BOK
Egg
Laid: 14 November 2023
Female
Known as: BOK (Blue/Orange/blacK bands)
Age: 10 years, hatched 2013
Breeding since: 2022/23
Male
Known as: WYL (White/Yellow/Lime bands)
Age: 9 years, hatched 2014
Breeding since: 2022/23
Family History to Date
WYL and BOK were first time breeders during 2022/23 but their egg did not hatch.
A photo of Top Flat chick with foster parent WLB yesterday, snuggled in on her feet. White-Lime-Blue
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GE6JlNzaAAA8KRM?format=png&name=small)
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Royal Albatross cam
2/3 TFT chick fostered to the TF nest with LGL
Ranger Colin weighed both chicks this morning & TF chick weighed over 800g. BOK's chick needs a feed & switching with TF chick temporarily will achieve this naturally.
LGL has fed TFT chick twice so far.
Albatross ~ Ranger Colin Swaps The Chicks Into Each Other's Nest! LGL Feeds TFT Immediately 2.3.24
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eKbM5HBesZ0
Feb 3, 2024
Ranger Colin takes TF (Top Flat) and TFT (Top Flat Track) chick weights. He then returns in about an hour and he swaps the chicks into each others nests.The younger chick TFT went to LGL and LGL's chick TF, went to BOK's nest. The reason for this swap is BOK's chick needs to be fed this morning and she seems to be depleted of food so the two chicks have been switched temporarily to achieve this feeding naturally. Right after Colin departed, Mama LGL began to feed TFT chick and gave a good feeding to her foster chick!! Well done LGL! Thank you for watching!
Video captured & edited by Lady Hawk
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Royal Albatross - 2/5 Nice round tummy's this morning
Check ups at both nests this morning. Top Flat chick with LGK, weighed 1.01 kg on day 13. TF chick will now be weighed once a week.
Top Flat Track chick weighed 505g on day 5 after a nice breakfast (8:45) with WYL.
https://twitter.com/i/status/1754302201391141020
Ranger Sharyn:
Kia ora koutou (hello everyone)
Today TF chick weighs 1.01kg and is 13 days old. This weight has been entered on the Track the chick’s weight graph:
https://www.doc.govt.nz/nat...
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How is my baby doing Colin? ;D
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2/7
A wonderful display with a Blue, LKO & LWK putting their wings up
TF chick & TFT chick were fed today. TFT was also weighed. Their Moms are in, swapped with the Dads yesterday. (2/6)
Albie Party Time at Top Flat ;D
https://twitter.com/i/status/1755195028807586082
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Royal Albatross ~ LGL Returns Home! Ranger Weighs TFT Chick! 💕🐥💕 2.12.24
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=znxKQwrnpa4
TFT gets a weighing and check up this morning. Tomorrow we start the weekly weight checks for TF who is 20 days old today. TFT chick is 12 days old today and may be weighed once a week as well. 💕
Sweet LGL is home after being at sea three days! When she walks up to LGK she skycalls, LGK skycalls and so does neighbor BOK! LGL & LGK preen one another briefly - LGK gets up and it is doesn't take LGL long to capitalize on the changeover. But LGK is standing over the nest so she has to push her way in there only 6 minutes after she arrived! They both are looking down at little TF who is vocalizing in its baby voice. GK finally moves his leg and LGL stands over their chick. 🐥 LGK does some gardening close to the cam before he walked out of view. Thank you for watching!
Video captured & edited by Lady Hawk
Beautiful light shining on TF (Top Flat ) Dad and chick.
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Royal Albatross 2/14
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2/15
Non-breeder activity in the Top Flat area on Sunday.
The nests are in the background.
There is a ‘keeping company’ pair and adolescents of varying ages in the image.
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GGVOdWPbAAAxomz?format=png&name=900x900)
A 'keeping company' pair are likely in their final year of courtship prior to breeding the following season.
Adolescents in the #RoyalCam view on Sunday.
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GGVVhnUagAAG-8c?format=jpg&name=large)
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Royal Albatross - 2/18
A little tidy up around the webcam, thank you Sharyn, and skycall greetings for LGL. (Now, you can see both chicks, and they will see each other when parents are gone :-* )
Top Flat nest - LGL hears TF chick's little yaps and makes her way over to LGK. Time move LGK!
Top Flat Track nest ~ BOK swapped with WYL last night & both chicks have been fed this morning.
https://twitter.com/i/status/1759046552423993557
Grass and cam maintenance with an audience front and back. Thanks Sharyn.
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Royal Albatross - 2/20 Weigh Day
Colin weighed the chicks this morning with their Dads watching on. Yes there was changeovers at both TF & TFT nests.
Read Sharyn's update for the chicks weights, info about the imminent post guard stage esp. for TF chick & health checks.
The parents are trusting and patient while chick is being handled by ranger. :-*
https://twitter.com/i/status/1759908116177760701
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Royal Albatross ~ LGK Defends TF Against Adolescents! KA13 Pulls TF's Fluff 😲 WYL Visits LGK 2.22.24
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bVfbSL3_gYo&t=779s
Feb 22, 2024
LGK spent the night with TF and in the morning defended TF as curious adolescents BGY and KA13 were too close to the nest. LGK chases them off but KA13 returns and approached TF and pulls its downy fluff! You can see the fluff in its bill. LGK chases him off again! Thankfully LGK was here to protect TF!
BOK returns and when WYL gets up off his nest to let her take over brooding of their chick, WYL comes over to LGK and visits for a long time and ends up taking a nap before he departs back out to sea.
TF is in the very beginning of the post-guard stage and LGK and LGL will be staying away for longer periods of time during the next couple of weeks. TF is a very brave chick getting its fluff pulled! Thank you for watching!
To see the highlights below, please click on the timestamps to advance to that portion of the video.
TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Opening - LGK wakes up with TF
02:45 TF busy with gardening!!
04:49 BGY arrives
05:40 KA13 comes into view and LGK chases both BGY & KA13 away
07:33 KA13 comes back & pulls TF fluff -LGK chases off
09:44 BOK arrives back to her nest
11:45 BOK/WYL changeover - WYL comes to LGK to visit and rest
Video captured & edited by Lady Hawk
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2/23 "Home Alone"
Top Flat chick spent their first night alone last night.
Dad LGK was back and forth, then finally left.
TF chick also had his/her first visitor come by, LWK who is in the process of finding a new mate.
https://twitter.com/i/status/1760820404657258801
Ever present LWK (single, no mate) checking in on TF chick
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/47580c7e228e90177ab368d79db9b1e55db4040a23fa15591100f259ddb543d5.png?w=800&h=493
Top Flat chick over night & this morning. The last pic, the Ranger was walking by. Also BOK is with TFT chick.
The health checks for the Top Flat area has moved to Monday due to Top Flat chick being in early post-guard stage.
Images from the #RoyalCam
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Royal Albatross - TF chick's mom LGL has been gone a week. It's becoming concerning :(. . Dad LGK has shown up every day with food so far. Rangers are keeping close eye on chick's weight and may help supplement chick's diet to ease dad's burden.
2/25
Little skycalls come in little packages. Top Flat chick's beautiful skycall yesterday afternoon.
https://twitter.com/i/status/1761545374073045325
Royal Albatross ~ Super Dad LGK Returns To Feed TF Twice & Spends The Night! 💕 2.24.24
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kXt1iPHz81I
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Feb 24, 2024
LGK has been back every day since TF entered post guard stage on Feb 20th to make sure his chick is okay with being left alone now for periods of time and an overnight. And TF is doing a great job with this big change. LGK returns back late in the afternoon amidst the rain and bad weather at Taiaroa Head/Pukekura to take care of TF. LGK begins a long feeding and then rests for a while and begins a second feeding. LGK will take off for an hour and come back when it was getting dark and he spends the night ♥ This behavior is really heartwarming to watch as his instincts are telling him to keep checking on TF until LGL returns back. What dedication he displays...reminds me of another very special albie Dad who took his parenting role to heart - OGK. ♥ OGK found his way home injured and bleeding and still insisted on feeding Atawhai Pippa even in great pain while he healed. Such great devotion we see from these albie parents! Hurry home LGL ♥ Thank you for watching!
Video captured & edited by Lady Hawk
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The rangers posted Manaaki was left alone at 34 days, TF chick is only 29 days. But it is summer, the Albies need to be hydrated and need more food to be able to feed their chick.
5 Hours ago, Dad LGK returned! :-*
Great feed by Dad LGK for TF chick! A little attempted preen for 'the boss', then off again to go to sea for the next round. Champion LGK.
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Royal Albatross ~ LGK Gets To Meet TFT For 1st Time! 🐥 Shares Affectionate Preening w/ BOK 💕 2.25.24
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_4w-uKxWgKQ
Feb 25, 2024
Dad LGK spent the night with TF and in the morning he gave two feedings. At the nest to the right TFT BOK flew in for another changeover with WYL. The coverage begins with LGK getting up and walking to the cam and giving us some great closeups! LGK is one handsome dude!! 💕 After several minutes of admiring himself for the camera, he heads over to TF who is not interested in another feeding at that time.
LGK walks over to BOK who is sitting on the nest and he reaches over and gives her some affectionate preening. He also does a playful nip at her feathers. They have a friendly neighborly interaction (no he is not disloyal to LGL by preening another female!) :) Albatross mate for life and very loyal and dedicated to their partner. Even when a partner dies, it can takes years before the bereaved albatross will start to find a new mate. LGK is just being neighborly 💕
BOK gets up and LGK gets to see TFT and touch it with his bill - sort of like the elephants that touch a new born ellie with their trunks! Very tender moment. Looks like both WYL and BOK will be good neighbors to LGK & LGL. ♥ LGK gets up and has a beautiful departure over the water! Hurry home LGL we miss you! Thank you for watching!
Video captured & edited by Lady Hawk
Health check for TF chick on left and TFT nest on the right of screen.
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MOM LGL has returned!!
TF Chick jumps up from sleep and sounds alert! Parent is coming! TFT parent calls out too!
(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/b6/43/e1/b643e1dae74c1f8d274ae285414a12e8.jpg)
Welcome Home Mom LGL! She returns to see her much bigger chick!
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Lots of kisses, preening and feeding of chick :-*[/size]
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LGL tries to brood a much bigger chick after 9 days away. ;D
(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/de/60/a5/de60a56a3a640c7a54db66b21b602b77.jpg)
Both mothers are sitting with their chicks. Hopefully LGL will stay the night... :-*
(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/af/91/4d/af914dc837a737e1b9482b483028a319.jpg)
Mom LGL with TF chick laying under her with a look of pure contentment on both faces... mom and baby. :-*
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Royal Albatross - 2/27 Weigh day with Colin
This is the first weighing for Top Flat chick without a parent in attendance. Colin is very steady with slow movements to reassure chick its okay.
At 35 days old TF chick weighed 2.2kg slightly down from last weeks 2.3kg. LGL will feed chick later on.
https://twitter.com/i/status/1762420721077326250
It's Top Flat Track chick's turn with Mom BOK, and
guess what? At 27 days old TFT chick weighed the same as TF, 2.2kg up from 1.4kg last week.
Also WYL came in & LGK was in for a brief pitstop.
Sharyn's update will be shared later tomorrow. Cheers!
https://twitter.com/i/status/1762423879023440251
Track Flat (TF) Chick looks very content :-*
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Royal Albatross - 2/29
Hi everyone Sharyn's latest update from Feb 27. It contains interesting info about the health checks recently done on the colony's chicks including TF chick and TFT chick.
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GHffF6CaIAA7RCt?format=jpg&name=large)
Top Flat Track nest
BOK and WYL discuss post-guard timing? WYL: I'm not convinced. Sits on TFT again. BOK always checks on Top Flat chick too, either before leaving or returning from trip.
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Royal Albatross :-*
Kia ora koutou (hello everyone)
Top Flat chick is 42 days old and weighs 3.3 kg at 9.59am this morning. This is 500g lighter than today’s heaviest chick of 3.8 kg. Last week Top Flat chick’s weight was 2.2 kg so today has been a sizable increase. LGK and LGL were both in at around 8.20am this morning. One of them had also fed their chick at 4.30am when it was still too dark to see the bands.
Check out Top Flat chick’s weight compared to the averages for males and females of the same age and the past Royalcam chicks.
https://www.doc.govt.nz/nature/native-animals/birds/birds-a-z/albatrosses/royal-albatross-toroa/royal-cam/track-the-chicks-weight/
Ranger Colin and weigh day for chicks!
https://twitter.com/i/status/1764982083884306507
Mom LGL came back to feed TF at 18:28-18:40 ♥
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And here comes Dad LGK to reunite with his family! A graceful landing LOL! ;D
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Beautiful family moments together! This was posted by Ranger Sharyn 10 hours ago. ;D
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Royal Albatross
The results are in and both chicks are male.
https://twitter.com/i/status/1766077906424574384
TFT chick watches parents
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Royal Albatross ~ TFT is In Post Guard Stage 💕 BOK Leaves Alone Overnight & Returns Next Day! 3.9.24
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0XG0wceQ81A
Mar 9, 2024
It is now time for TFT chick to begin post guard stage - where both parents will be leaving their chick alone for short amounts of time and gradually lengthening the time away as they forage for food at sea. Mom BOK left her chick for a short time on March 8th and returned back. After she left, both chicks were tracking an incoming adult and it turns out to be our dear bereaved Dad LWK. He walks over to TF and says hello and touches his fluff. LWK is always the perfect gentleman albie....♥
BOK fed TFT and then she left again and did not return until the following day (March 9th) TFT spent its first night alone on the nest at 37 days old ♥ TFT and TF are able to see one another and I am sure that gave them both a little comfort, but especially to TFT who was missing having a parent brooding him. TFT had a peaceful night and did great!
Mom BOK returns & walks over to TF chick first to say hello. It looks like she wanted to preen his fluff ♥ Then she went to her nest and she spend a lot of time preening and giving affection to TFT. No doubt BOK missed her chick and TFT missed Mom too. The wind was blowing BOK's feathers as she was trying to brood TFT. She is such a beauty! She was able to manage getting part of TFT underneath her - his little head is sticking out. BOK spent the night with her chick and she took off the nest day. WYL is currently on the nest coming in (March 10th). Thank you for watching!
Video captured & edited by Lady Hawk
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Royal Albatross - 3/9
Last night Top Flat Track chick spent his first night alone with his neighbor TF chick close by. Well done TFT chick!
TFT-BOK came in at lunch time 12:57. She has just left,
and TF-LGK was in with a big "special" breakfast 10:30[/size]
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Royal Albatross ~ TF & TFT Chicks Graduate To Larger Green Baskets! 💪 Two Armfuls Of Fluff 😂 3.12.24
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yz-ockxDNTQ&t=6s
Mar 11, 2024
Early in the morning both TFT and TF will do yawns within minutes of one another! They are getting ready for the day and it is Tuesday so that means it is weight day for the chicks at the colony.Today both chicks graduated to a larger green basket! It now will take two rangers to successfully take their weights! YAY!! 💚🎉
They weighed TFT first - and this is no little chick anymore! Definitely will need to arms for both TF and TFT. 😣💚🎉 TFT did great and was returned to its nest. Ranger Colin approached TF very carefully. The whistling is to calm and distract the chick while the ranger are working to take their weight. TF tries to bite ranger Colin;s sleeve lol 🥰 So it begins! It is beneficial for the rangers to have long sleeve jackets while working with the chicks.
Boy oh boy did TF looks big this week when Colin but him in the basket! They cover the chicks eyes to keep them calm. The motion of going up in the air coupled with being in a basket could cause a chick to spill its stomach oil if unduly stressed so they go very slowly. 😣💚🎉
TF is then returned to his nest! Colin watches him to make sure he is okay and then they leave. TF then does a wing and body shake!! I can't wait to see how much these chicks weigh this week and will pin the totals to the top of the video! Thank you for watching! Lady Hawk
TF is 5.kg and TFT is 3.2kg! . TF is a big boy!!!! ♥♥ Heaviest chick in the colony this week!! Great job LGL and LGK!! And TFT is almost the same weight that TF was last week and doing well too!
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TFT Dad WYL stops and gives a neighborly preening to TF chick :-*
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Toroa/albatross chick dies from swallowing plastic
https://www.doc.govt.nz/news/media-releases/2024-media-releases/toroaalbatross-chick-dies-from-swallowing-plastic/
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Toroa chick in Dunedin Wildlife Hospital prior to of plastic ingestion. Credit, Dunedin Wildlife Hospital.
The problem with plastics is huge and individual contributions may seem small, but they are meaningful. Also meaningful is when groups, such as families, schools, community groups, businesses etc work on plastic reduction.
If you want to take your plastic free action further, I recommend the Cornell University Civic Ecology Lab Plastics Impact and Action global online course.
https://www.civicecology.org/ https://www.civicecology.or...
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Royal Albatross ~ Dad LGK Comes Back Twice! Feeds His Chick & Visits With TFT Chick! 💗 3.13.24
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fbWWGdDBX2Y&t=1056s
Mar 13, 2024
Dad LGK has been coming in every other day to feed TF along with LGL! He arrives back to the nest and sits down and makes TF come towards him for the feeding! LGK feeds TF and when he is finished he sits down and gives a little preen to the top of TF's head ♥ LGK then departs but he comes back a few minutes later with a beautiful landing! But instead of heading back to his nest, he goes over to TFT's nest for a short & very polite little visit ♥ LGK is a gentleman albie Dad and TFT has nothing to be afraid of with him coming to visit (just like WYL does with TF).
LGK then makes his way back to TF and sits down to rest. He does not feed TF again, just stays for a few minutes and then he takes off as well. LGK is a wonderful albie Dad and is making sure that TF keeps growing and hitting all those weight markers! Thank you for watching!
Video captured & edited by Lady Hawk
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Royal Albatross ~ LGL & WYL Come Home To Feed Their Chicks! 💗 Sweet Neighborly Interactions 3.14.24
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U4Q92vrolPA
Mar 15, 2024
This was a very interesting interaction by WYL and LGL when they came in to feed their chicks! First WYL arrives and he feeds TFT and sits and rests a while- then gives a 2nd feeding! TFT gets a huge piece (looks like a tentacle) and swallows it. WYL then leaves his nest and comes over to TF's nest and does some Albie- chick-sitting 🙂 Uncle WYL is such a great albie pseudo parent to TF.
LGL arrives back and walks up to her nest and has some neighborly interactions and preening with WYL. LGL walks over to TFT nest and WYL comes over and they have another preening session.
Albatross commonly will preen one another to remove head lice. It does not mean that they are interested in a new mate. LGL then returns to TF and gives her chick a feeding.
LGL returns to WYL and TFT and they interact once another. Looks like LGL does nudge TFT with her bill gently - TFT wants Dad all to his self! WYL starts in on giving TFT a 3rd feeding and LGL will leave. WYL departs shortly after LGL. TFT's weight should get a big bump up from today's feedings!! And will TF be able to maintain his status as the heaviest chick in the colony again next week? ♥
Video captured & edited by Lady Hawk
WYL and LGL at TF's nest
LGL leads WYL to TFT's nest
LGL and WYL check if the camera saw them canoodling ;D
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Royal Albatross - Ranger Sharyn posts
Kia ora koutou (hello everyone)
Top Flat chick is 56 days old and weighs 3.45 kg. This is a big drop from the massive 5 kg last week but is still up from the week prior which was 3.3kg. Top Flat chick was last fed by LGL on the 14th of March. LGK was last in on the 13th of March. A reweigh may be necessary later in the week if no further feeding is sighted here.
Top Flat Track chick is 48 days old and weighs 3.05 kg. This is down slightly from last week’s 3.2 kg but both parents have been in regularly here. Weighing at both nests was around 10.45am this morning. BOK arrived at Top Flat Track just over an hour later.
Both chicks are well into post-guard stage life now and have very thick down that keeps them warm and dry in stormy weather. Full tummies keep the chicks warm as well.
A technical note:
Our current webcam, supplied by Cornell Lab of Ornithology in 2019, the Axis P5635-E MkII PTZ, is being replaced by an Axis P5676-LE PTZ cam. This one has an inbuilt night light system so will be more streamlined that the first Axis model that became the Royalcam and is now in transit to Dunedin. We hope to have the new cam installed in a few weeks and the live stream will be off-line while the change is being made. It will be great to have the night viewing back now the days are getting shorter.
TF (Top Flat) chick on left - TFT (Top Flat Track) chick on right - both are in alert as weigh station rangers are coming.
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TFT got startled (and so did I!) when the Virgin Liner it blasted its horn while passing by.
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Royal Albatross ~ LGK Returns But Misses LGL By 3 Hours! Feeds TF & Baby-sits TFT 💕 3.23.24
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nvt5xlJDKrE
Royal Albatross - Mar 24, 2024
Dad LGK comes back home the same day as LGL (TF's mom) - just missing her by 3 hours! What a shame - their reunions are few & far between now with both parents out full time foraging for food for their chick. LGK sits down like he likes to do upon arrival and then slowly make his way over to TF. LGK gives TF a feeding, rests again and then walks over to sit with TFT and baby-sit :) LGK is a gentle albie adult and TFT is happy to have the company. LGK comes back to be with TF and give a 2nd feeding. Thank you for watching!
Video captured & edited by Lady Hawk
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Royal Albatross ~ TF Does A Beautiful Skycall For LGL! ♫ ♥ Mum Feeds & Preens Her Chick! 4.1.24
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hm4bFlJgDR4&t=2s
Mar 31, 2024 - Easter
LGL is back after being gone for 6 days at sea! When TF sees that Mum is home, he lets out a beautiful skycall greeting to her! We have not heard any skycalls lately from the Royalcam chick so this was music to our ears! LGL approaches the nest and she returns the greeting - giving a full adult head thrown back version to her chick ♥ LGL will give TF a nice feeding and he gets some good mouthfuls of the squid special of the day! LGL also did a light preening on TF which was sweet and affectionate of her. LGL gets up and walks out of view on her way back to the sea to forage for food again. Hopefully she will find success close to home this time! Thank you for watching!
Video captured & edited by Lady Hawk
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Mom BOK with her Easter chick TFT :-*
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Weigh Day for TF and TFT!
Top Flat chick is 70 days old and weighs 6 kg at 9.03am today. Last week’s weight was 5.6kg. The top weight today was 6.7 kg.
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Top Flat Track chick is 62 days old and weighs 4.9 kg at 9.05am today. Last week’s weight was 4.6kg.
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Both chicks had feeds from parents yesterday. Parents need all the time they can get to find enough food for their fast-growing chicks.
The image below shows the GPS track of LGL when she raised Tiaki* in 2021. Albatross do not require much energy to fly as they use the wind currents. What they do need is a very good sense of smell to locate their food and to be able to fly vast distances. They will rest on the surface of the ocean and can fly 1000 km in a day. The speed an albatross flies depends on the wind speed. One of the earliest records of albatross flight speeds was when an albatross passed a helicopter travelling at 115 km/hr.
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Mom BOK visits and feeds chick TFT :-*
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Last night: the chicks were working on their nests... looking quite close here. TFT was really moving around.
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Royal Albatross cam - 4/7
It's the weekend and party time at Top Flat with the young adolescents, yesterday. Both Moms, LGL and BOK, were in, too.
Also New Zealand Daylight Saving ended last night. At 3am the clock switched to 2am
Enjoy the rest of your weekend.
https://twitter.com/i/status/1776735204058800448
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Royal Albatross cam -
Apr 9, 2024 #birdcams #albatross #nowplaying
Watch LGK—the adult male from the Top Track nest site—wander into frame and begin feeding his lumbering, down-covered chick. This is LGK's first visit to the nest in more than 2 weeks! Adult Northern Royal Albatrosses can travel vast distances over the ocean to find food for themselves and their chick. In fact, one adult was tracked traveling more than 8000 miles in a single 2-week foraging trip!
Male LGK Royal Albatross Returns After Two-Week Foraging Trip To Feed Nestling TF
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9dScQ6wH9V8&t=5s
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4/10 The chicks were weighed yesterday.
TF chick was 77 days old & weighed 5.9 kg, chick was then fed by Mum LGL & Dad LGK!
TFT chick was 69 days old & weighed 5.3 kg, he was fed by his Dad WYL later on.
Sharyn's update below and LGK video/news
http://AllAboutBirds.org/Albatross
https://twitter.com/i/status/1777798510710075511
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Royal Albatross - A special skycall duet. :-*
Top Flat Track chick and Top Flat chick skycalling a few days ago.
Also includes their Dads, TF LGK and TFT WYL who were both away for a few weeks
Today; TFT Mom BOK and TF Dad LGK were in.
https://twitter.com/i/status/1778346497005981993
TFT chick with Dad WYL
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TFT chick with mom BOK
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Royal Albatross
Kia ora koutou (hello everyone) posted by Ranger Sharyn Broni
The new cam has been installed, thank you for your patience while we have been offline and while we have been unable to provide night viewing. We have been testing cam operations and will set presets for the cam ops this afternoon. We will, of course must wait till darkness to check out the InfraRed capabilities (visible to the cam but not the wildlife).
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Toroa News
EDIT: Next week's weigh day will be on Monday 22nd April rather than the usual Tuesday.
LGK fed Top Flat chick at 1207 hours as the live stream came back online.
Weighing of chicks happened 20 minutes or so after the live stream came back online but Top Flat chick was a bit too nervous after the activity at the cam and had just been fed anyway. Risking losing a fresh meal does not benefit the chick.
Top Flat chick is 84 days old, the average weight for males at this age is 6.5 kg.
Last week's update: Top Flat chick is 77 days old and weighs 5.9 kg at 9.20am. This is just under average for this age and slightly down on last week’s weight. At 9.26am LGL came in and fed her chick. Rangers were well away from the area at this stage having already weighed the heaviest chick at Observation Post which recorded a hefty 7.5 kg.
This week the Observation Post chick was the heaviest chick again at 7.8 kg. A larger basket has been necessary for weighing of these large chicks.
Check the graph here: https://www.doc.govt.nz/nat...
Dad LGK feeding TF chick.
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Dad LGK would later sleep between the two chicks
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Dad WYL and his chick TFT
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Ranger Sharyn Broni posted
Kia ora koutou (hello everyone)
Weigh day has come a day early again this week. We will back to Tuesday weigh day next week.
Top Flat chick is 97 days old and weighs 7.9 kg at 12.35 today. Last week’s weight was 7.4kg.
https://www.doc.govt.nz/nat...
Top Flat Track chick is 89 days old and weighs 7.6 kg at 12.35 today. Last week’s weight was 6.2 kg.
All four parents are around but sometimes they need to take a longer foraging trip to feed themselves as well as their fast-growing chick.
In case you haven’t seen it, here is our What to Expect video for May/June.
What To Expect On The Royal Albatross Cam: May–June | Adult Feathers And Sex Characteristics video link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N9ijwgtvq2k&t=5s
Without DNA testing it would only be around this early part of the winter that the sex of all the chicks would be accurately determined. The males are heavier now, although a large female could be bigger than a small male.
Chicks are starting to wander a bit more from their nests now with distances up to 50m being possible. They are likely to return to their nests as this is where their parents will return to feed them.
Exploring the area may help the toroa find the place they were raised when they return as adolescents in 5 years’ time.
Yesterday was Family time for chick TFT. Both parents come to check in for feedings. :-*
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It's a beautiful Sunday morning in Albie land! :-*
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Royal Albatross ~ LGL Is Back To Give TF A Nice Feeding! Beautiful Wingers By TFT 💕 5.3.24
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hCaVL4SXD_g
May 3, 2024
LGL returns home to give a feeding for TF. She gives some good mouthfuls to our ever hungry Royalcam chick! Enjoy some beautiful coverage of TFT standing up and stretching his wings! TF will also do a wing stretch at the end of the video too! Thank you for watching! Lady Hawk
Courtesy of Dept of Conservation Royal Cam, Royal Albatross Taiaroa Head, New Zealand
Chick TF's wings are darkening!
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TF (Top Flat) and TFT (Top Flat Track) have been identified as males after test. ;D
Both chicks have been moving about more to visit with each other or other chick nests close by.
5/7 - Top Flat chick is 105 days old and weighs 7.9 kg just after 10 am this morning. Average weight for 105-day old male is 7.8 kg. Last week’s weight was also 7.9 kg as LGK and LGL had both been in the day before. Top Flat chick has been fed by both parents frequently over the last week, some feeds have been quite large, but there has been a gap just prior to weighing.
The heaviest chick today was 9.9 kg.
TF chick has moved further downhill near neighbor TFT
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TF chick enjoying the lower view on the hill ;D
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The last chick at top flat, Miss NTF (North Top Flat), ventured a little further around this time to have a chat with TF.... She was very funny.
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5/12
Happy Mother's Day!
Hope you all enjoy/ed your special day with loved ones.
You may also enjoy watching the latest video ~ Albatross Chick Goes On Walkabout
https://t.co/YW1hzekJfb
Cheers :)
Northern Royal Albatross Chick Goes On Walkabout In New Zealand | DOC | Cornell Lab – May 10, 2024
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nkxfz9b4yMo
May 10, 2024 #endangeredspecies #newzealand #wildlife
At 100 days old, the Northern Royal Albatross chick from the Top Flat nest goes on a walkabout to explore the headland. As the chicks get older, they begin to wander further and further from their nest sites. They may even venture to areas out of view from the camera for periods, but they won't stray too far from their natal nest at this age.
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After that look from TFT's mom BOK, TF thought he'd just mosey on right over there to this nest. BOK will bit other chicks, especially TF. She does not like him.
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TF is busy gardening while TFT is taking a nap❤️
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More on the magnificent Aurora Australis
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Royal Albatross cam
Kia ora koutou (hello everyone)
Top Flat chick is 119 days old and weighs 8.7 kg at 10.10 am today. Average male is 8.4 kg; average female is 7.2 kg. LGK fed his chick after weighing and LGL came in later. This will mean that Top Flat chick is over 9 kg and well over average weight for his age.
Top Flat Track chick is 111 days old and weighs 8.2 kg and is a good increase on last week's 7.5 kg. Average male weight for day 111 is 8.1 kg. BOK and WYL have been in to feed frequently over the past week.
The regular weighing ensures that chicks who may be missing a parent can be supplementary fed and survive to fledging and beyond. Read more about our conservation work here: https://www.doc.govt.nz/nat...
The heaviest chick this week is 10 kg and we now have a very light-weight chick who is receiving regular supplementary feeds. Chicks consistently over the average weight are now weighed every 2nd week so the lighter weight chicks can be focused on. In the past all chicks were weighed each week build the data set that we use to inform the need for supplementary feeding.
Night viewing:
Recently there has been some little owl activity on cam in the evenings. This is not a native species to New Zealand but was introduced here over 100 years ago from Germany. Read more about little owls here: https://nzbirdsonline.org.n...
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Mom LGL preens TF chick (notice black feathers appearing ;D)
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Let's check on our beautiful Albie chicks TF and TFT! Weigh Day!! ;D
Kia ora koutou (hello everyone)
Top Flat chick is 126 days old and weighs 9.6 kg at 10.30am. He was 8.7 kg last week on day 119 so has increased 900 g. Average male weight for day 126 is 9.4kg. There have been several feeds from both parents since the last weigh in.
Top Flat Track chick is 118 days old and weighs 10.4 kg the heaviest chick weighed today. :o He was 8.2 kg last week on day 111 so has gained 2.2 kg in a week. There have been several feeds since the last weigh from WYL and BOK.
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It was very windy on Sunday, but the chicks all stayed down and are fine. Although being blown off a nest is an issue for some species of albatross, the northern royal albatross has flatter nests than species where this is an issue. The toroa at Pukekura can get back onto the nest and will wander from the nest to practise their nest building skills.
Early this Monday morning these two boys are looking beautifully fluffy!LOL! ;D
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Royal Albatross ~ DOC Rangers Colin & Jim Weigh The Chicks! 😊💕 6.4.24
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Suz3ySFyECg
Jun 4, 2024 #royalcam #albatross
The DOC rangers Colin & Jim are on chick weight check duty today as they go around the colony and take all the chicks weights. Last week, TFT was the heaviest chick in the colony and came in at a whopping 10.4kg! TF was at a good weight too last week at 9.6kg.
Today TF is 133 days old and weighs 9.9kg (21.83 lbs) and is slightly over the average weight for a male at his age. TFT is 125 days old came in at 9.5kg (20.94 lbs) - a decrease from last week but that is totally normal since his weight shot up with several big feedings from BOK and WYL. TFT is still very good and he is is over the average weight for a male at his age. The heaviest chick in the colony weighs 11kg - Observation post chick! These chicks are now well over 20 lbs and still growing - that is quite the armful to fit in the basket! Thank you for watching!
Video captured & edited by Lady Hawk
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Royal Albatross cam! [/b] ;D
Beautiful TF showing his new feathers
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Now TFT’s turn to show his new feathers ;D
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Royal Albatross news!
TF gets feed from mom LGL :-*
Weighing News (10.24 am):Top Flat chick is 140 days old and weighs 9.6 kg. Last week he weighed 9.9 kg. The average male weight at this age is 9.9 kg There is approximately 100 days till fledging. LGL was seen coming in to feed her chick yesterday while the live stream was off-line. There was a few calm days after weigh day last week and the parents have not been in as frequently, but the slight weight drop this week is not a concern.
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Top Flat Track chick is 132 days old and weighs 10 kg. Last week he weighed 9.4 kg. BOK and WYL were seen feeding their chick yesterday while the power was out. Both BOK and WYL have continued to come in quite frequently. On Sunday WYL dropped a large piece of octopus which was too big and heavy for his chick.
TFT and Mom BOK
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TFT parents WYL arriving on the left and BOK leaving on the right.
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6/18 Royal Albatross - Someone, got the wriggles. ;D
Weigh day chicks ~ Top Flat chick is 147 days old and weighs 9.2 kg. Top Flat Track chick is 139 days old and weighs 9.8 kg.
The heaviest chick today is Observation Post chick at 10.8kg.
https://x.com/i/status/1802917677658448090
5/17
A little family reunion yesterday afternoon at TF chick's with Dad LGK & Mom LGL arriving at the same time.
Then the breakfast dash at TFT chick's this morning Dad WYL first then Mom BOK.
Ranger Sharyn-It is a big boost to the chick's weight when they get a double feed like this.
https://x.com/i/status/1802509165837086753
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6/19 Sharyn Ranger DOC: Happy World Albatross Day!
If you are a local to to the Colony-There is cake & free tours at the Royal Albatross Centre today
https://t.co/jjCURl9tMY
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Our TF chick's feathers are changing daily! :-*
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Yesterday, Eurasian Skylark/ Kairaka flew over, while TF chick energetically works on nest.
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Later Mom LGL visits TF chick for feeding :-*
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Yesterday morning, Mom BOK visits TFT :-*
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Royal Albatross cam - Weighing update
Top Flat chick is 154 days old and weighs 9.5 kg. Last week he weighed 9.2 kg, so he has gained 300g. Since last weigh day he has been fed 7 times. The average weight for a male this age is 10.15 kg.
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Top Flat Track chick is 146 days old and weighs 10.4 kg. (on right) Last week he weighed 9.8 kg, giving an increase of 600g. He has been fed 6 times since last weigh day.
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Here is the updated graph for Top Flat chick this morning.
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Royal Albatross update
Wing flapping practice from both chicks!
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Chick TFT's mom has flown in to provide feeding!
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TF chick on maneuvers! ;D
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TF chick preening his soft as cotton ball look! :-*
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b]Royal Albatross - It's winter for our chicks! [/b]
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Both chicks facing into the cold winter weather
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Royal Albatross ~ TF Leaves His Nest Paddle Walks To Base Of Hill To Garden! Sleeps Off Nest 7.1.24
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3sV7sNmpqXw
Jul 2, 2024 #TAIAROA #royalcam #albatross
TF is on the move!! He gets up to do some gardening and slowly paddle walks towards the base of the hill. He does some gardening along the way and then stands up to look down over his nest and at his neighbor TFT 😊Back down a few steps and then back up! TF will eventually walk down and to the right and lay down on a totally new spot and not his nest. TF ends up staying here and sleeping! A big NZ storm comes in overnight and he stays in this spot the following day and only returning to his nest late at night on the following day! What an independent explorer TF is! Thank you for watching!
Video captured & edited by Lady Hawk
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Royal Albatross update
Weighing Update: (10.20 am)
Top Flat chick is 168 days old and weighs 8.6 kg. There was no weighing last week and this is nearly a 1 kg decrease in weight from the 25th of June when he was 9.5 kg. His parents came in frequently during the end of June but there has been a bit of a lull in feedings for Top Flat chick during July. A recheck of his weight will occur next Tuesday. There may be potential for supplementary feeding if there have been no significant gains by then.
https://www.doc.govt.nz/nat...
Top Flat Track chick is 160 days old and weighs 10 kg. There was no weighing last week, the weight on the 25th of June was 10.4 kg. Even with a 400g drop in weight Top Flat Track chick is still above the average weight for a male of his age. BOK is a larger female than LGL so we would not expect both chicks to be the same size.
Top Flat chick has moved away from the nest and is spending much time on the right side of the cam view. This is not so far away that his parents cannot find him when they come into feed. Chicks often move away from the nest at this stage. He has moved to the lower right of TFT chick.
Alphanumeric bands are being placed on many chicks early this season as the chicks become more mobile and shift locations. This will ensure that records are kept accurate, and no misidentification can occur. Top Flat chick was banded this morning as E24, and Top Flat Track was banded as E25.
The stainless-steel bands will be placed on the chicks early August.
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Royal Albatross ~ TFT Skycalls LGL's Arrival ♫ 😂 LGL Feeds Her Hungry TF ♥ 7.11.24
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/6ca0a338437fdf6100de5c907b4809a040425e8131177cbac45b6861fcbbae52.jpg?w=800&h=475
Jul 11, 2024 #TAIAROA #royalcam #albatross
Today must be the day for skycalls for the chicks! Both boys were sleeping when they awoke to LGL flying in and landing just below Top Flat. TFT immediately does a skycall greeting and TF begins to whee! LGL walks up to where TF has been hanging out lately. TF begins to beg LGL for his supper - LGL wants to head towards her nest but decides to feed TF in this location.
TF must be quite hungry today -he is incessantly bill tapping Mom to open up & feed him. It is the bill tapping by the chick that actually stimulates the parent to begin the regurgitation process! LGL feeds her chick and then she walks to the right like she was leaving, turns around and comes back - heading to her nest to fix it up. TF has not been on his nest for several days now - he is too busy exploring the track around his nest.
LGL then decides to try and top off one more mouthful for TF before she departs to the right and down the track. It was nice to see LGL today and LGK the other day coming in to feed TF. WYL came in today to feed TFT (he did clack at TF for begging). Thank you for watching!
Video captured & edited by Lady Hawk
It's obvious TF chick needs more food, poor boy. He's so hungry. I wouldn't be surprised if the rangers give him his first supplement feeding.
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Weighing Update: 11.08 am.
Weighing is early this week due to staffing allocations.
Top Flat chick is 174 days old and weighs 8.8 kg. He was later fed by a parent at 11.45 am. Putting his weight up into the acceptable range and not requiring supplementary feeding or a further recheck later in the week. Last week Top Flat chick was a low weight of 8.6 kg but was feed by parents soon after.
TFT chick on left... LGL is feeding TF chick, look how his feathers are changing every day. :-*
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Royal Albatross ~ LGK Returns To Feed & Preen TF 💕 7.21.24
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s6B-a-UUO7I
Jul 21, 2024 #TAIAROA #royalcam #albatross
It was another day of double feedings for TF with LGL coming in early in the morning and now LGK arriving later in the afternoon. Also today TFT had both BOK and WYL in to feed him so both chicks got fed by both parents!! Lucky chicks! 💕💞💕
LGK comes in from the right and TF runs to him wheeing with excitement! LGK feeds his hungry chick and then he stops to allopreen the top of his head. TF grew quiet while Dad was grooming him. Then LGK starts to leave, walking close to his nest and then to the center edge of the track. A black-backed gull lands next to TF - gulls follow parents feeding their chick because there might be some spillage of food on the grass for them to eat. LGK flies off over the sea and TF goes back to his spot on the right to garden. Thank you for watching!
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7/22 Wind, rain, choppy seas and a rainbow. A lovely backdrop for Top Flat chick & Top Flat Track chick.
To catch up on a few happenings from last week, check out the latest videos here:
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXJZ8Lf9KIx6iS2ncZFMv_-8H5svLN97H
https://x.com/i/status/1815184298938699782
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Royal Albatross update
Weigh day update
Top Flat chick is 182 days old and weighs 9 kg at 9.59 am. Last week’s weight was 8.8kg. He has been fed several times by LGL and LGK has been in twice since then.
TF taking a nap :-*
https://x.com/i/status/1811340224812945767
https://www.doc.govt.nz/nature/native-animals/birds/birds-a-z/albatrosses/royal-albatross-toroa/royal-cam/track-the-chicks-weight/
Top Flat Track chick is 174 days old and weighs 10.5 kg at 10.57 am. His last weight 2 weeks ago, was 10 kg. WYL and BOK continue to feed their chick regularly.
Around 4:30pm TF relocated to the left of TFT. Then went walkabout a few hours after that and is now halfway down the hill.
Here’s the boys as soon as the night vision switched off
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Jul 27, 2024 #royalcam #albatross #TAIAROA
TF is now off to the right of his natal nest coming close to SSTrig territory. He stands up and shows off his magnificent wings and wing span right at the cam! Enjoy some great closeups of TF flapping and preening.
LGL is seen in flying in & has a beautiful arrival landing close to TF. He walks over wheeing to Mom so happy to see a parent come in. LGL gives TF a quick feeding and then she starts to walk to the left. TF followed her wheeing and she stops and tops him off and then departs over the sea. It was a very short visit from Mom today. LGL will however come back later in the afternoon to give TF another feeding! 💕 Thank you for watching!
Royal Albatross ~ Amazing Closeups Of TF Spreading Out His Wings! LGL Flies In To Feed TF 💕 7.28.24
Video captured & edited by Lady Hawk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cyal33X3Q_4&t=6s
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TF chick watching the sun set :-*
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Kia ora koutou (hello everyone)
The Royal Cam Name the Chick competition has begun!
It is an honour and a privilege to be able to name one of such a special taonga (treasure) species such as the toroa. We have been given permissions to name one of the Royalcam chicks and that is the Top Flat chick, parents LGK and LGL.
Name submissions will close on 23 August 2024 at 5 pm (New Zealand time) so get in quick.
To go in the draw to win loads of awesome prizes, all you need to do is…
1) Submit a name suggestion for the chick.
2) Do an action for the environment that can help protect albatross.
3) Then take a photo of your action.
Super simple! Get in quick, head over to our website to find out more details and how to enter (Entries are only valid through our website)
T's and C's apply: https://www.doc.govt.nz/nature/native-animals/birds/birds-a-z/albatrosses/royal-albatross-toroa/royal-cam/namethechick/name-the-chick-entry-form/terms-and-conditions/
Enter here: https://www.doc.govt.nz/nature/native-animals/birds/birds-a-z/albatrosses/royal-albatross-toroa/royal-cam/namethechick/
The judging criteria is as follows:
*Relevance to the theme of what happens on land impacts our oceans, the chick, colony or species.
*Originality and creativity of the name and inspiration.
*Reflective of the characteristics of northern royal albatross or their habitat on Pukekura/Taiaroa Head.
TF chick :-*
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TF chick as the sun is setting!
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Royal Albatross - Weighing and supplementary feeding Update (9.55am)
Top Flat chick is 190 days old and weighs 8.0 kg :( prior to supplementary feeding. He was weighed at 9kg on the 23rd of July and has only has 3 feeds since then. LGL was in twice on Sunday 28th July and LGK arrived on Monday 29th July. We have fed him 1kg in fish and 600ml of fluids.
https://www.doc.govt.nz/nature/native-animals/birds/birds-a-z/albatrosses/royal-albatross-toroa/royal-cam/track-the-chicks-weight/
Top Flat Track chick is 186 days old today and has remained at such a consistently high weight that we are no longer weighing him weekly.
He is being fed by his parents more regularly than Top Flat chick is.
Video - Royal Albatross ~ DOC Rangers Give Royalcam Chick TF His First Supplementary Feeding! 💕 8.4.24
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fWdSETzBaoU&t=1s
Aug 3, 2024 #TAIAROA #royalcam #albatross
This morning Ranger Sharyn & helper went to weigh TF and seeing his below average weight, decided to give him his supplementary feeding and fluids. TF weighed 8.0kg (17.63 lbs) which is down from 9.0kg at his last weigh-in taken July 23rd. During this time, he only received three feedings (two from LGL on July 28th and one from LGK on July 29th).
The rangers gave TF 1kg (2.2 lbs) of fish and 600ml of fluids for hydration today. TFT chick was not weighed last Tuesday and has remained at such a consistently high weight that they are no longer weighing him weekly.
I am sure that TF feels a lot better with this big meal in his tummy! ♥ Enjoy some beautiful sunset footage of him from the other day! Many thanks to Ranger Sharyn and entire team for all their excellent work taking care of the albatross chicks to make sure they are all healthy and at a good weight! Thank you for watching!
Video captured & edited by Lady Hawk
TF chick with a full tummy will sleep well tonight :-*
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Royal Albatross update
Top Flat chick is 196 days old and weighs 8.3 kg. The last recorded weight was 8 kg after which he was supplementary fed 1.6 kg fluids and fish. He may be supplementary fed again tomorrow.
By this stage, peak weight of a toroa chick has been reached and they start losing weigh prior to fledging.
https://www.doc.govt.nz/nature/native-animals/birds/birds-a-z/albatrosses/royal-albatross-toroa/royal-cam/track-the-chicks-weight/
Top Flat Track chick is 188 days old and weighs 8.8 kg. The last recorded weight was 10.5 kg.
We are unable to keep both chicks on cam at the same time now as they are further apart. We pan over to Top Flat Track chick when we can.
Stainless steel banding of the colony’s chicks will occur on Friday 9th 2024
What To Expect On The Royal Albatross Cam: July–August | Banding And Preparing To Fledge. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hzKjZ2iiUks&t=30s
A normal part of preparing to fledge is regurgitation of a bolus of hard indigestible parts of food in the developing chick’s stomach.
Increasing, we are finding plastic in these boluses, but they should be made up of squid beaks and bones. Below photo.
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Earlier this morning Dad LGK returns for feeding TF chick :-*
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16 hours ago TFT Chick
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TFT chick with his Mom BOK
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Royal Albatross
Top Flat chick is 199 days old and was banded with a Stainless-Steel band which has a GLS tag cable tied to it.
Top Flat Track chick is 191 days old and was also banded with a Stainless-Steel band and a GLS tag.
All this seasons’ chicks are now fully banded, 10 males and 10 of the females have GLS tags (see below for more information).
We are unable to keep both chicks on cam at the same time now as they are further apart. We pan over to Top Flat Track chick when we can.
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I mage DOC. Darvic bands, males receive black bands and females are banded with the yellow bands for quick identification of the sex of each toroa. Most chicks have already received their alphanumeric darvic bands to avoid misidentification during the weighing rounds as they became more mobile during July. This season’s cohort have received E bands.
The plastic bands have been upgraded to high quality darvic bands that do not need glued down onto themselves.
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Image DOC. Geo Location Sensor (GLS) tag to be cable tied onto a stainless-steel band.
As during Manaaki’s season* chicks are receiving GLS tags so that we can collect the location data for up to 3 years of toroa flights in research that has never been carried out in this species before.
TF chick receiving a little loving from dad LGK before he leaves for the sea. :-*
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Dad WYL saying hello to his boy TFT :-*
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Royal Albatross - Weigh day update (from 10.10am)
Top Flat chick is 203 days old and weighs 8.8 kg. It has been a busy week for Top Flat chick with a supplementary feed on the 8th of August, banding and a Geolocation Sensor attached on the 9th of August, another weight check on the 10th of August and several feeds from LGK and LGL. During this time his weight had increased from 8.3 kg to 8.9 kg the 10th of August.
https://www.doc.govt.nz/nature/native-animals/birds/birds-a-z/albatrosses/royal-albatross-toroa/royal-cam/track-the-chicks-weight/
Top Flat Track chick is 195 days old and weighs 9 kg. Last week Top Flat Track chick was 8.8 kg, but this was the first lower weight for him and not yet a concern. Both WYL and BOK are still feeding their chick.
DOC Rangers Band And Tag Northern Royal Albatross Chicks Across The Colony – Aug. 9, 2024
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_VU3gjD4m70&t=8s
Supplementary feed requirements around the colony have been on the increase over the last few weeks.(https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/524a65f3f96bc26626303cd02fbb790fed03ab3a6cfc0345ebdf0b2ee0ea568f.jpg?w=800&h=847)
TFT chick testing his wings! ;D
(https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/250ad0449aad28d55916003aa32d22db203ab4cad4a3bd642f52eaa4c9121e58.jpg?w=800&h=475)
TF chick this chilly morning. 45 degrees partly cloudy day :-*
(https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/74fda54b974763f0a2a847732b5598d1759a9ffdca7438af515d0921ee18e2b9.jpg?w=800&h=485)
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An adult toroa weighs around 7kg and can easily go for 2 weeks without food.
(https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/a3a2bb045e6a18e1f60ca181345455587bf4d0bf501c926c90e2eda79eb2377c.png)
Before the end of LGK and LGL’s last successful breeding season when they raised Tiaki, LGK was travelling further and further to find enough food.
(https://www.doc.govt.nz/nature/native-animals/birds/birds-a-z/albatrosses/royal-albatross-toroa/royal-cam/meet-the-royal-family/#tiaki-2021)
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8/18
TF with a weigh in and sunday morning smoothie. Sharyn expertly handles a wild, hungry chick combined with a minor equipment issue.
(https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/230cb6d44948806a513e9dfbffa775211e27a8249d51b058ed7ddb6f5ebf2a3a.png?w=800&h=493)
LGL leaving after giving TF another feeding... all good... TF had 3 feedings in one day. :-*
(https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/81dccbcded7049002efed2197a562d70753b23e7edda1a9c691a13f4d2646b38.jpg?w=800&h=499)
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8/20 Royal Albatross Weigh day update
On average, the growth spurt phase is over, and the chicks will lose weight prior to fledging.
Top Flat chick is 210 days old and weighs 10.6 kg. Last week he weighed 8.8kg but only 7kg on Sunday when he was then supplementary fed, later LGK and LGL cam back to feed him. He is now above average weight for his age after several weeks of being on the light side.
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(https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/dc285c2bc681975e76b03f203eb3aee3c0ba61a61cc6b7d2203213e11107f1a1.jpg?w=800&h=651)
Top Flat Track chick is 202 days old and weighs 9.6 kg. Last week he weighed 9 kg and has had several feeds since then. This is a below average weight but not of concern.
(https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/571b9fe4bf448e9f6d5aae74b2ff52e288f2f1ac29a856dd723a0edb01c881bc.jpg?w=800&h=475)
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Royal Albatross ~ LGK Returns to Feed TF! 🐥 TFT Does A Skycall 🐥 ♫ 8.24.24
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qHqOHCLnhGg
Aug 24, 2024 #TAIAROA #royalcam #albatross
TF is a lucky chick! After getting a feeding earlier in the morning from LGL, now he sees Dad LGK arrive home! TF runs to meet Dad wheeing & begging for his squid special! LGK feeds his chick with some good mouthfuls ♥ When LGK is finished he heads to the left and walks just past TFT. He stops and quite unexpectedly - TFT does a skycall for him at 07:38 . That was sweet to see and hear! LGK then departs over the sea - TF is on his nest and TFT does some wing exercises.
The video does have some lags and skips in it - I tried to take out as many as I could. Thank you for watching!
Video captured & edited by Lady Hawk
TF :-*
(https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/ce09d6f3634ea263818f8e70acd030ba8694553e0f74c50cd91dc9a97530f5b7.jpg?w=800&h=510)
(https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/ef6f6efb7add75370a0f984f4a1edd97441bcd30cac7f8172e53bfb118bf961c.png?w=800&h=493)
TFT Skycall! :-*
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/722f731b49e7257541012aad3d93122cf9f370b9b1e5e8044cb357785c490d9c.png?w=800&h=493
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b]Royal Albatross update from Ranger Sharyn Broni[/b]
Kia ora koutou (hello everyone)
Name the chick, what happens on land affects the sea. Thanks for all the great name submissions, it has been super to see all the conservation action happening out there.
https://www.doc.govt.nz/nature/native-animals/birds/birds-a-z/albatrosses/royal-albatross-toroa/royal-cam/namethechick/
We are selecting 10 names from the submissions for you to vote on. Watch this space.
TF chick :-* Weigh day update: there is no weighing for Top Flat and Top Flat Track chicks this week.
Both chicks are doing very well, and the ranger time will go into the lighter weight chicks elsewhere in the colony.
Top Flat chick is 217 days old today. Last week he weighed 10.6kg which was a big jump up from recent low weights and some supplementary feeding. He has been fed frequently over the last week. Average weight is 10.9 kg and lowest acceptable weight is just under 9kg.
(https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/9a4f87fb5981746412e75a3d3d4c27da271570b56313f23ecdd7512d3584274e.jpg?w=800&h=475)
Top Flat Track chick is 209 days and last week he weighed 9.6 kg. Although this was a bit of a drop from the good steady weights that he had been maintaining he is still within the acceptable weight range. Average weight for a male this age is 11.1 kg with the lowest acceptable weight being just over 9 kg. He has been fed at least 5 times over the last week.
Note that we are not always able to keep the cam on Top Flat Track chick as he is often too far from Top Flat chick for the cam to be able to include both on screen. We will pan over to Top Flat Track chick at least daily and try to keep both chicks on cam when we can.
TFT chick on left - TF chick on right (standing) very handsome boys! Soon they will be leaving for their great adventure across the seas :-*
(https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/711d006c78ef8da9b51f0df209b2d8b5a1fe410e9b11cf9bf9fe740bbb91f741.jpg?w=800&h=475)
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8/29 2 highlight videos to share with you:
LGK Escapes Up The Hill
https://youtube.com/watch?v=c8DPhmweuQI&t=1s
and A Neighborly Dispute
https://youtube.com/watch?v=E-fbvLNK2TQ
Here is Dad LGK's arrival for TF chick, TFT chick & TF chick.
https://x.com/i/status/1828993655140679926
Beautiful closeup of preening of feathers
(https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/4de6ab60d8787dcebf9bfa06ceafb7be123745d103390a02c04352a059f1f393.png?w=800&h=493)
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Royal Albatross
The ever-changing morning skyscapes over Taiaroa.
Good morning TF! Happy September 1st young man. When will you be leaving for your big adventure across the seas! :-*
(https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/4d5558ae1e8fb8f131280560b4d9bd497f1176ec8474c4a16dc712837d49e3a8.jpg?w=800&h=491)
TF chick has moved further down hill.
(https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/92f9ede1a77f1520c30ac1fa35b6c85a51100c5046b18becea7ebaec64dc83c5.jpg?w=800&h=485)
18 hours prior, LGK was feeding TF chick :-*
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/70c48321e78cf433cfcd13b9bdbbba03be6bca41fab2397a9bffb728f2eb7bde.jpg?w=800&h=869
Royal Albatross ~ TFT Takes Hops! Paddles In Air Over TF's Nest! LGL Arrives To Feed TF 🐥 8.31.24
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dPBIqs-iKA4
Aug 31, 2024 #royalcam #albatross #TAIAROA
TFT wanders towards TF early in the morning! The winds are favorable and the chicks are both practicing their wing exercises. TF goes to the right and out of view - TFT then will take some hops and get both paddles off the ground! Whew!! TFT will hop over TF's nest in his practice session before heading back over to his nest area.
TF will hear and see LGL arrive so he heads over to her wheeing excitingly. For the next several minutes, TF and LGL are out of cam view but we hear TF's begging wheeing and know that he is getting fed. Then LGL walks in front of the cam. She stops and sniff at TF's nest picking up his scent. TF follows her wheeing. After a few minutes, TF returns to his nest. ♥ Thank you for watching!
Video captured & edited by Lady Hawk
TFT chick watching parent BOK coming in for a feed! ;D
(https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/bcdf479e74ebfa8934894a902c29f7b752108f200a8126a3c4715773de247175.png?w=800&h=497)
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Royal Albatross - Weigh day update 8/2/2024
Top Flat chick is 224 days old and weighs 9.7 kg. Two weeks ago, he weighed 10.6 kg which was a big jump up from recent low weights and some supplementary feeding. He has been fed frequently over the last couple of weeks. Average weight is 9.7 kg for this age and lowest acceptable weight is 8.7 kg. Weight loss prior to fledging is normal.
https://www.doc.govt.nz/nature/native-animals/birds/birds-a-z/albatrosses/royal-albatross-toroa/royal-cam/track-the-chicks-weight/
Top Flat Track chick is 216 days old and weighs 9.1 kg. Two weeks he weighed 9.6 kg. Although this was a bit of a drop from the good steady weights that he had been maintaining he is still within the acceptable weight range. Average weight for a male this age is just under 10 kg with the lowest acceptable weight being just over 9 kg. He has been fed regularly over the last two weeks.
Note that we are not always able to keep the cam on Top Flat Track chick as he is often too far from Top Flat chick for the cam to be able to include both on screen. We will pan over to Top Flat Track chick at least daily and try to keep both chicks on cam when we can.
Now that it is September, the older, more developed chicks and those that have had a lot of time in the air, or just encounter the ideal conditions at the right time are ready to fledge.
Royal Albatross ~ Royalcam Chick TF Has A Meet & Greet With a New Neighboring Chick! 💕💞 💕 9.3.24
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K6mxoVR921o&t=5s
Sep 3, 2024 #TAIAROA #royalcam #albatross
One of the neighboring albie chicks comes into view and paddles towards TF for the first time! He sees this neighbor chick and being true to form, he clacks and defends his nest and territory. The visitor clacks back for a short time but then they both reach an impasse and stand off. TF will walk away towards the left and the visitor will follow him. TF will clack at this neighbor and pull up some of the grass marking his territory. The visitor was very calm and simply curious with meeting TF. After a few minutes, the visitor will proceed down the hill to its nest.
I am not sure which chick this it, but ranger Sharyn might weigh in on which nest it is from. Immediately below the hill we have Quarry Track and Upper Quarry Track and to the right South Plateau. Since LGK fed TF at South Plateau I am assuming that there is no nest and chick there this season. Manaaki was there last season! Thank you for watching!
Video captured & edited by Lady Hawk
TF Chick sitting on the hill - Dad WYL is on the left walking to feed TFT chick
(https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/205216c2f648eae761d5f30d04704c604311c40f9e78346c25a0821d92c53413.png?w=800&h=495)
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Royal Albatross 9/6 - beautiful sunrise and TF chick :-*
(https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/e42cd4151e80f570bab77cbf8ccf2328a1c8429e7ee11dd3c317681644759a4a.jpg?w=800&h=494)
Royalcam Chick TF Expels A Bolus In Anticipation Of Fledging! Ranger Picks It Up To Examine 😲 9.6.24
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iUAU4ZysRv0
Prior to fledging a chick will regurgitate a bolus which is composed of hard indigestible material. It is mostly squid beaks but sometimes there are other hard materials such as plastics found too. The toroa chicks regurgitate the bolus prior to fledging to lose some weight. TF is seen casting out a bolus this morning. DOC ranger Jim is there to walk over and search the grass for the bolus and to pick up the contents for examination. TF will watch Jim do his work and then when he is finished, TF will spread out his wings showing them off!
TF is getting ready to fledge at any time now. The chicks lose weight prior to fledging in order to get better lift for take off. On a breezy day, we tend to see the first chicks take flight. TF is almost ready to go! ♥ Thank you for watching!
Video captured & edited by Lady Hawk
(https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/3ca00ef98fdb8ee5fb521a8a0dbe62eaf2aaeb2e86fa1b8a1b7aa4aa7facdb20.jpg?w=800&h=486)
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Royal Albatross
Royal Albatross ~ TF's Sunset Hovering! 💕 🌇 TFT & TF Have A Long Visit! 9.7.24
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IcJcWNgfvC8
Sep 7, 2024 #TAIAROA #royalcam #albatross
TF continues to take advantage of the breezy conditions to practice his hovering skills at sunset. ♥ And TFT (left) will walk over close to TF's nest and the boys have a long visit with some chick chat! When TF decides that he had enough socializing, he clacks at TFT who then turns around and heads to the left back to his nest :) Thank you for watching!
Video captured & edited by Lady Hawk
TFT renovating the edge of TF's natal nest (I think). No objections from TF.
(https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/f1e110a2e8b31b97fe87d5e33c1331315db869281152df4cf72eed5f32e2c8c9.png?w=800&h=493)
Here comes LGL to visit TF chick
(https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/df21caa545c69023f02942671ec38ad57a845ae91cb05688e49e10d596d68bcd.png?w=800&h=370)
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Royal Albatross
Top Flat Track chick is 223 days old today. Last week he weighed 9.1 kg which, although below average, was still in the healthy weight range. Both parents have been in to feed him since the last weigh day.
Fledging
Fledging has started a few from further down the hill have left now. All the chicks are practising hovering and holding their wings out in the wind. Their weights drop prior to fledging and mobility increases.
Parents and chicks can recognize each other from at least 50m apart so it is not necessarily an issue if the chicks are not at their nests when the parents come in for those last few feeds. Once the chicks do fledge, a parent may wait near a nest for a while until they decide their chick is not showing up. The parents then head to the waters off South America to feed up for the next 12 months before arriving back to breed again.
Royal Albatross TF Chick Gives Huge Wings A Workout As Fledge Watch Approaches | DOC | Cornell Lab
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0XClhui66SM&t=1s
Albatross TFT Chick Pays A Visit To Royal Cam Under Pink New Zealand Skies | DOC | Cornell Lab
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q7JptUB5WUs
TF chick looking very splendid and grown up! :-*
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Dad is still coming in to feed his boy TF... as you can see TF is busy heading up the hill, lots of wingersizing going on from all the albie chicks!
(https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/f57383329d5f657fa3073a35a249ca11d2a8985a418066608c4f83360205e38c.png?w=800&h=493)
TF is scurrying after Dad!!
(https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/42fa3edb401a0b6163878bef775bf6243bacbbda666501af8f454b86574ff670.png?w=800&h=459)
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Top Flat chick is 238 days old and weighs 10.4 kg. Average fledging age is 240 days. There was no weight for Top Flat chick last week. He was 9.7 kg the previous weigh day. The average weight for a 238-day old male toroa is 9.2 kg. He may have been fed out of view a couple of times in the last week.
Royal Albatross ~ Rangers Weigh The Chicks! TF Tells Ranger Colin "NO MORE BASKETS!" 9.17.24 video by Lady Hawk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=el6U1g6ArPg
1, 2, 3, TF chick jumps and hop glides downhill. Will he come back up? [Yes, he does].
(https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/82d6d2efecd9b1dfd4f304e830192403c8d9bfa076740468fd036caeabd39623.png?w=800&h=493)
(https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/da244e89ba912530d427e8034a5388e72609e3eb219e0ec469703fa20df7ae0e.jpg?w=800&h=459)
Top Flat Track chick is 230 days old and weighs 9.5 kg. There was no weight for Top Flat Track chick last week. A bolus of squid beaks and one small fragment of hard plastic was found over the weekend where Top Flat Track chick had spent much time. At his last weigh 2 weeks ago, he was 9.1 kg. The average weight for a 230-day old male toroa is 9.5 kg. BOK fed her chick after weighing today.
(https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/85dc20f705d34752d293d5d8238b5e3037f2f9f765ef38432e88451a0d37f089.jpg?w=800&h=480)
This is a cute exchange, TF is trying to be the peace maker.... BOK goes to neighbor chick to make sure it's okay... TFT is not having a good day!! ;D
Royal Albatross ~ CHICK FIGHT AT TOP FLAT! TFT Defends His Territory After BOK Arrives Home! 9.16.24
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gaNO6ZecUtI
Sep 15, 2024 #TAIAROA #royalcam #albatross
Early in the morning, we see TFT at his nest and another neighbor chick over to the left . TF announces his presence by running & flapping into view! TF heads over to TFT who is sleeping and looks around. TFT wakes up & clacks at TF for disturbing him. TF doesn't feel much like socializing so he turns around & heads back to his nest.
An hour later, BOK arrives close to TF and he comes over to her. She gives him a quick little clack warning, then heads over to TFT to begin a feeding. The other neighbor chick sees BOK and he runs to her to try and get a feeding but TFT snaps at him and defends his territory and feeding with BOK. Chick fight at Top Flat! TFT is boss and he sends the message to the other chick to scram and it does go beneath the hill.
TFT gets a feeding from BOK and TF comes over and is a gentleman as he watches the feeding from a respectable distance. When BOK is finished, she heads over to the neighbor chick who is at the far left and begins to preen its head. TFT is frustrated for BOK ending the feeding and to see all these other chicks around so he starts in with TF & clacks at him. TF turns and goes back to his nest. Then TFT goes over to BOK and the other chick and he has another chick fight with it - sending the neighbor away from his territory. TFT is the boss! Thank you for watching!
Video captured & edited by Lady Hawk
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Royal Albatross update - Ranger Sharyn Broni posts 15 hours ago, Top Flat Track chick has fledged. :-*
In the below video from Lady Hawk you can see the last sighting of TFT chick before he fledges.
Royal Albatross ~ LGL Comes Back To Feed TF! Drops A Big Piece Of Food On The Ground! 😲 9.19.24
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xzsjGbJ1LXM&t=12s
Sep 19, 2024 #TAIAROA #royalcam #albatross
Mom LGL flies in and lands in a bit of a flop close to TF. He is very excited to have a parent come in and immediately runs to her wheeing for his breakfast. LGL begins to feed TF and she regurgitates a large piece of food - TF is unable to swallow it and it falls to the ground. TF didn't try to pick it up he just kept begging from LGL.
LGL sees the food on the ground and she grabs it with her bill and swallows it in one huge gulp! TF continues his begging LGL for several minutes and LGL continues to try and feed him. I am not sure if she was able to regurgitate that piece of food back up for him. I am sure LGL needs the nourishment too. ♥ When LGL is finished, she walks down the hill and TF whees at her because he can still see her. Thank you for watching!
Video captured & edited by Lady Hawk
TF chick keeps trying those wings, he spent the night further away from the cam. It'll be soon :-*
(https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/ac5595fbbe958672f2b8a1797ec0eb9b822b83b0ca3a7462f22d111d405374df.jpg?w=800&h=493)
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Royal Albatross Dad WYL
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~ Dad WYL Comes Back 4 Times Looking & Waiting For His Chick But TFT Has Fledged 9.20.24
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ivtmVsbvVHA
Sep 20, 2024 #TAIAROA #royalcam #albatross
This is coverage from Sept 19th & 20th with WYL making 4 stops at the nest in search for his chick TFT so he could feed him. TFT was not here and had fledged! But TF was nearby and went to WYL in hopes he could get a feeding,
Notice how different WYL reacted to TF in this video versus all the other times that TF approached him. Here you can clearly see that WYL is feeling some bewilderment as to where his chick is. He landed and looked around, then flew off and searched the headland for TFT then returned. He left again and then came back and he sat down and waited for TFT to come back to his nest. WYL is a first time Dad - these feelings are all new to him. So to not see his chick must have left WYL feeling confused.
TF's presence did not help as WYL clacks at TF and was not welcoming to him. While TF was growing up, if you remember, it was WYL who would sit next to him and visit, he never clacked at him, he was a gentle albie uncle to him. It was BOK who was not so nice and would bite and chase TF away.
Today, WYL returned and had a long stay on the nest. He sniffs the grass for TFT's scent...taking all this information in so that his instincts will be able to tell him that his job is over and he can fly away and not return here for a couple of years. We have such beautiful zooming of Dad WYL ♥ TF was here just like he was yesterday- our TF is never one to miss a meal or a potential meal ♥ WYL clacks at TF and TF clacks back...the dynamic is changing.
I think WYL needed this time to process the fact that his chick was not here and will not be coming back. I do believe in their own way, they know that their job has been fulfilled as parents and they can now take the time to rest and replenish themselves since it has been a long process of raising a chick, BOK has not been back yet so she does not know TFT had fledged. She may come back a few times as well before she takes off for South America.
Kudos to BOK and WYL on the great job they have done in raising TFT to be a strong & healthy chick! The albatross family is simply amazing, Thank you for watching!
Video captured & edited by Lady Hawk
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9/20 Happy Voting!
~ Name the Chick Public Voting opened this morning,
https://doc.govt.nz/nature/native-animals/birds/birds-a-z/albatrosses/royal-albatross-toroa/royal-cam/namethechick/
*Some fledge news - Top Flat Track chick has fledge.
Godspeed TFT chick!
~ Top Flat chick this morning, he is getting itchy feet and Sharyn's update below.
http://AllAboutBirds.org/Albatross
https://x.com/i/status/1836989152736465108
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Royal Albatross update - TF chick further down the hill :-* ... not too many chicks left on the island. A new season of parents are about to descend on the empty nests.
(https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/937b12a9597f5306505b8ac85790d34cb785d24e87c0279e3f8b6f64380d368a.png?w=800&h=499)
You can see a little dark spot over to the right of this pic - TF chick sleeping last night
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Royal Albatross ~ TF & TFT's Last Visit Before TFT Fledges! 💕 9.19.24
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Ar4qJ7zgQc
Sep 20, 2024 #TAIAROA #royalcam #albatross
This is the last cam view footage we have of TFT before he went down the hill and later fledged. TF is on his nest and TFT comes into view from the left practicing his hops & running with wings outstretched. TF clacks at TFT when he got too close lol One last clack for good measure! 💕😊
TFT takes a short rest and the chicks look at one another before TFT gets up and continues his running and hops down the track. TFT pauses a few times, taking in Top Flat and imprinting it so he can return here in about 5-8 years. Then TFT goes down the hill and we no longer see him.
TFT was a delight to watch from his hatch to his fledge. He was such a sweet chick, was well fed by BOK and WYL and had a great neighbor in TF to hang out with. Godspeed TFT - have a safe journey & may you always have a belly full of squid!! 💕😊 The video is dedicated to my good friend Silvana Souza who is one of our albatross's biggest fans and especially proud of first time parents BOK & WYL and their chick TFT! Thank you for watching!
Video captured & edited by Lady Hawk
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Royal Albatross ~ TF Prepares For Fledging with Hovers, Jumps & Running Flapping Down Track 9.21.24
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_TJDEHkdgfM
Sep 21, 2024 #TAIAROA #royalcam #albatross
TF's fledging is imminent now as he feels the calling to the wind and sea! TF practices his wing flapping taking it running down the track several times. He will also do a jump hover as he passes his nest - with the EXACT same route that TFT took the other day before his fledge! TF spent the night just below the hill last night. Will TF fledge today? Stay tuned! Thank you for watching!
Video captured & edited by Lady Hawk
Posted 11 hours ago, You can see the top of TF's head poking out of the tall grass in the middle of the pic - he's staring out at the big world and dreaming of adventures!
(https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/651e6bce7a40f226cd2144c7f1dbc13052bf5989dcffb08b1cacc2c49e4af971.png)
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TF Fledges! :'( ;D :-*
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Royal Albatross ~ TOP FLAT CHICK TF FLEDGES! Congratulations & Safe Travels! 🎉 💕 🎉 9.23.24
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KAihrvuhJ8U
Sep 22, 2024 #TAIAROA #royalcam #albatross
Today was the big day for TF! He was seen off to the right down the track in the early morning flapping his wings in the breeze. Our cam op was able to zoom in on him in his favorite spot just below the hill. TF continued to flap his wings and headed down slope just out of view - all except for a few glimpses of his wings flapping that let us know he was still there.
Then TF was out of view and the cam op panned around and back to the area that TF was last seen in and within seconds we see a chick fledge. I do believe this was TF ♥ He was only seen for a couple of seconds and he then went down and out of view. Timestamp 05:44 real time & 06:05 slomo. I included this is in regular time and with zoom and slomo to see it better. Ranger Sharyn confirmed TF did fledge this morning, so this may have been the last view of him from the cam.
This occurred at 07:24:58 on Monday Sept 23rd 2024.
Congratulations to TF on fledging & safe travels! Mum LGL came in at noon so she just missed seeing her chick for the last time. A bittersweet moment for LGL who is staying for hours at the nest waiting for TF to return ♥
I am so proud of LGK & LGL for successfully raising their chick to fledge! TF is 244 days old today! Bon Voyage TF - may you always be safe and have a fully tummy of squid! I hope you find TFT out there and share your fledging tales! I am going to miss TF very much Godspeed sweetheart!
And a big shout out to the Cornell team and to the entire DOC staff & rangers for all the work they have done this season! We were blessed to have been able to watch these amazing albatross and share in a small part of their lives! Thank you for watching!
Video captured & edited by Lady Hawk
Mom LGL has been waiting and looking for TF on their nest for more than 4 hours. She's not left the area. Searching for her boy. :-*
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Congratulation to all at Taiaroa - feathered and otherwise. What a fabulous job you do and we are privileged to be able to share it . One last screen shot of beautiful LGL before the bells ring out for the start of another season. :-*
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Join in for the annual bell ringing tradition to welcome back the toroa for the new season at 1pm Tuesday 24th of September.
Ringing of the Bells | Return of the Wandering Toroa | DunedinNZ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uanfnBN6OPI&t=26s
We’re not sure why or when it started, but for the last few decades, when the northern royal albatross return to Pukekura/Taiaroa Head after a year at sea, it’s been a Dunedin NZ tradition to ring in the return of the wandering toroa for the breeding season. Find out more about the wildlife capital of NZ: http://www.dunedinnz.com/wildlife
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Royal Albatross
Ranger Sharyn Broni has already explained, albatrosses have an extremely good sense of smell. They can detect their food within a radius of 50 km.
I think the parents know that their offspring have fledged. They can no longer smell them. But they can smell the places where they were before.
Perhaps it has something to do with the "genetic program" that is now causing them to fly away and allowing hormone production to return to normal.
I wish all the departing albatrosses the best. Because the first returnees of the Toroa season have already been spotted.
Mom LGL waited more than 9 hours in TF chick's last nesting area. She did not leave until after sunset. :'( :-*
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Farewell TF chick - A special moment from a special season…. between Mom LGL letting Ranger Shari handle TF :-*(https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/f406771143f1333faa322332b575c09e837ca1aabc6ccfdb3ddf2885e1782ac8.jpg?w=800&h=692)
Mom BOK skycalling for TFT chick - she waits for him at their nest for 5 hours or more and leaves after dark.
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Last pic of Top Flat chick taken 22 September 2024. Image credit, DOC.
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Top Flat Track chick fledged at 233 days of age.
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https://www.doc.govt.nz/nature/native-animals/birds/birds-a-z/albatrosses/royal-albatross-toroa/royal-cam/track-the-chicks-weight/
Top Flat Track chick at Observation Post, 5 days prior to fledging.
No longer chicks, the toroa that have fledged are now juveniles and will become adolescents once they return to Pukekura in about 5 years’ time. Around a third of them have fledged now. One has been rescued by DOC, Royal Albatross Centre and Port to Port staff and later fledged successfully.
Tracking tags via crowd funding
The generous crowd funding on the Royal Albatross Centre give-a-little page has provided funds for the expensive GPS tags to be attached to 7 of the remaining chicks.
A big THANKYOU to all who donated!
Unlike the smaller, longer life, GLS tags, the data will be sent back via satellite so we can view where the fledged juveniles in near to real time. It is not pinpoint accuracy but will give everyone a general idea of where these individuals are in the vastness of the ocean.
The work was due to be carried out today but has been deferred till tomorrow due to extremely high winds making it unsafe to carry the work out today.
Photos and details of the chicks tagged will be available for next week’s update.
How the tags work, from the Marine Bycatch and Threats team
Solar GPS/PTT combo! I.e. Solar Global Positioning System/Platform Terminal Transmitter
- These tags log locations internally like a GPS and save this to memory but, when they get an ARGOS* satellite fix, they send location like a PTT while also transferring the GPS info that they have been logging to the satellite as well.
- We can then retrieve the PTT and GPS data via an app on our phones / or by logging into the ARGOS website.
- What this means is that we get a high fix rate (which depending on battery power can be up to 1 location every 30 mins) from birds and can retrieve this data while they roam the high seas. It’s a win-win.
https://www.argos-system.org/
Because the tags are solar what limits their life span is either
1) The programming is wrong, and they run out of battery fully. Erroneous programming is an uncommon problem.
2) The tags drop off either because birds have been bycaught or are deceased.
3) Tags are moulted off once they reach South America – this is the most common “end of tag life” outcome and occurs around 12-18 months post deployment.
We will share the tracks of these 7 individuals once they become available.
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Royal Albatross
Kiwa (TF) has been gliding over the Te Moana-nui-a-Kiwa | Pacific Ocean for 4 days now so it is appropriate that he has been given this name.
Although Kiwa did not stick around to receive a GPS tag 7 of his cohorts have, one of which has also fledged since tag day.
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The Marine Team are looking into public viewing of the tag locations. Unlike Tiaki’s season this will not be on the Albatross Tracker app. We will let you know where this information can be viewed in due course.
In the meantime, the fledged chick has already sent a location... ;D
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Royal Albatross update
"Kia ora koutou" from Ranger Shari Broni!
Just a quick note to say that there are still 2 or 3 chicks left to fledge (this could change at any time given the current wind conditions).
Typically, all chicks will have fledged by the 15th of October and unless parents are missing, they will still come in to feed their chicks.
Although the Royal Albatross Centre is closed due to slips on Harington Point Road rangers have been allowed access to continue the toroa work.
The large amount of rain was not of concern to the toroa as all are fully waterproof and ready for their life on the ocean.
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Royal Albatross update - Lots of sky calling!! It's wonderful to have the adult Albies return home to renew relationships and rebuild nests for a new season. :-*
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Royal Albatross update from Ranger Sharyn Broni :)
Kia ora koutou (hello everyone)
Now that we are into November egg laying has begun. There is typically 3 to 4 weeks of egg laying with most laid during the middle part of November.
https://www.doc.govt.nz/nature/native-animals/birds/birds-a-z/albatrosses/royal-albatross-toroa/royal-cam/what-to-expect/#Nov-Dec
Nests are new and fresh and a lot of nest building and nest maintenance by the pair occurs at this stage. As pairs become busy with the task of incubation and foraging in turns, there will be less activity around the headland for a short time until non-breeder numbers build up. Non-breeders, including those who are returning to Pukekura for the first time in several years after fledging, will continue to arrive through to the end of the summer.
It is a busy time for rangers as well. The incubator room is running again, we prepare for the candling of each egg when they are 10 days old and irrigation for individual nests will be put in place once egg laying has finished.
https://www.doc.govt.nz/nature/native-animals/birds/birds-a-z/albatrosses/royal-albatross-toroa/royal-cam/rangers-work-for-royal-albatross/
A new location for the Royalcam will be selected once egg laying is completed.
In the meantime, the juveniles are heading across the Pacific Ocean. Although they do not travel together, the parents of the fledged juveniles have also headed across the ocean. The breeders at Pukekura now are new breeders, those that failed early in 2024 and those that fledged chicks during 2023.
Today's GPS tag update of juvenile toroa from Pukekura tagged 25th of September and 5th of October 2024.
The five males and five females fledged from 240 to 264 days.
The distance across Te Moana-nui-a-kiwa | Pacific Ocean, is over 9000 km. The last two juveniles are yet to leave New Zealand waters.
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Kia ora koutou (hello everyone) from Ranger Sharyn Broni
Royalcam Season 10
Season 10 of Royalcam will be a big milestone for us. We are keeping likely pairs under wrap and will share the activities of past Royalcam pairs once the cam is at its new location. This will happen once egg laying has finished to ensure no nesting toroa are disturbed at this very sensitive time. We also want to include all options in our final decision of the new location.
Egg laying continues throughout November and both parents take turns to incubate the egg while the other forages off the coast of Aotearoa/New Zealand.
A toroa parent prepares to settle on their new egg.
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You can see three nests in this pic, two occupied and with egg.
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Royal Albatross Cam
Ranger Sharyn Broni Kia ora koutou (hello everyone)
Season 10 of Royalcam
Nest site:Signal Station Trig
Pair: RLK (Red, Lime, black) 12-year-old male and GLG (Green, Lime Green) 14-year-old female.
This pair started breeding in 2019/20, but their egg failed that season. They successfully raised two female chicks during 2021 and 2023 respectively. Their nests during these seasons were not far from the Royalcam nests of Tiaki and Manaaki and the chicks were seen on cam later in the season.
See this page for previous Meet the Royal family information: https://www.doc.govt.nz/nature/native-animals/birds/birds-a-z/albatrosses/royal-albatross-toroa/royal-cam/meet-the-royal-family/
GLG laid her egg on 11th of November 2024, it has been candled and is fertile. RLK and GLG will take turns to incubate the egg for 2.5 months.
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Royal Albatross update
Kia ora koutou (hello everyone)
Past Royalcam pairs
https://www.doc.govt.nz/nature/native-animals/birds/birds-a-z/albatrosses/royal-albatross-toroa/royal-cam/meet-the-royal-family/
GLY – L parents of Manaaki 2023 laid the first egg this season on the 2nd of November.
YRK, mum of Atawhai (2020) and Lilibet (2022) has a new mate, A87 and they are incubating a fertile egg too.
Check out this video of their courtship behaviour from last summer.
Royal Albatrosses Practice Courtship Rituals In New Zealand
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y2QB_qnvrwc
ROYALCAM pair RLK – GLG at Signal Station Trig
GLG has been on the nest for 9 days today. Changeover times can be around 2 weeks; the adult albatross is perfectly adapted to going without food for this time.(https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/9b28cf0ca295695e18b477cd0b3e310380e4df1a8a832723bc800915fd1be5d8.jpg?w=800&h=390)
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Royal Albatross update
The 2024–25 season features male RLK (named for his colored leg bands: Red, Lime, blacK) and female GLG (Green, Lime, Green) nesting at the Signal Station Trig nest site. This is the pair's first season on the Northern Royal Albatross Cam. The fertile egg was laid on November 11, 2024.
Known by their colour bands and identified as male or female by their size (the average male is larger than the average female). They share the incubation of the egg which takes on average 79 days, around 2.5 months. Occasionally, we should get a glimpse of the egg as the parent stands briefly.
Changeover times can be around 2 weeks; adult albatross are perfectly adapted to going without food for this time. It was a quick turn around for GLG for her last foraging stint and she was only away for 5 days.
The Royalcam pair will receive GPS tags.
Geo Positioning Tags are very light weight and are cable tied to the strong back feathers between the wings. They will fall off after around a year when these feathers are moulted. We will receive the data via satellite so do not need to retrieve the device to see the information that it has gathered of the bird’s whereabouts.
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Northern Royal Albatross Cam Launches 2024–25 Season With New Royal Family! – Dec. 3, 2024
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Czn8h3q_vYc&list=PLXJZ8Lf9KIx6iS2ncZFMv_-8H5svLN97H&index=2
Mom GLG is back on the nest she will be the first of the pair to be tagged, likely later in the week on Friday. The egg will be placed in the incubator during the process and returned once she is settled on a dummy egg on the nest. We hope to gain foraging location insights from the data.
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Welcome home dear! Cries mom to be GLG to RLK :-*
Royal Albatross ~ RLK Is Home! Sweet Interactions With GLG! 💕 12.17.24 video by Lady Hawk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mxGVjPvLoVI
Dec 17, 2024
GLG has been incubating her egg for the past 9 days. RLK arrived back to the colony today with skycall greetings for his mate GLG.💕 He sits down next to her and they both give each other sweet interactions and preening affection. They are a lovely young couple! RLK is patient and waits for GLG to get up off the egg and he immediately switches places with her and begins his incubation duties for the next several days.
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Ranger Sharyn Broni - Kia ora koutou (hello everyone)
The Royalcam nest. To have both parents fitted with Geo tags is wonderful. Now, they will be able to track parents. Hopefully, this will help solve the positioning of lost adult mates during their seasons.
After (mom GLG) arrived back at Signal Station Trig nest for her turn at incubating the egg on the 26th of December it was decided to GPS tag her while she is fresh on the nest. Geo Positioning Tags are very light weight and are cable tied to the strong back feathers between the wings. They will fall off after around a year when these feathers are moulted. We will receive the data via satellite so do not need to retrieve the device to see the information that it has gathered of the bird’s whereabouts. We hope to gain foraging location insights from the data. The egg was placed in the incubator prior to tagging and returned once she was settled on a dummy egg on the nest. Dummy eggs are kept warm in the incubator until use, so it is near the bird’s body temperature when placed in the nest. Toroa are very accepting of eggs that are fake or not their own making dummy eggs great tools for conservation management.
In the meantime, (dad) RLK/KA85 is around 500km from Pukekura, and nearing Rēkohu/Chatham Islands.
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Royal Albatross ~ GLG Has Been Fitted w/ GPS Tracker! Egg Swap! Update On Tagged Juveniles 12.27.24 Lady Hawk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=exODU94PVlE&t=40s
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Happy New Year New Zealand!
https://x.com/i/status/1874235783940628615
Amīria, the Royalcam chick from 2018, has returned to Pukekura and has been banded YA43,
Here she is in 2018
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Kia ora koutou (hello everyone) from Ranger Sharyn Broni
The Royalcam nest.
Egg candling 2nd of January.
At around 9am Julia candled the Signal Station Trig egg to check for healthy development. The embryo is developing just fine and is 52 days old. If we do find failed eggs the parents can be given a dummy for when we need them as foster parents later. This increases the chances of fledging more chicks.
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:-*
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Royal Albatross - Handsome Dad RLK / KA85 💙 on his nest 🥚 💕
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8hUCQ8TaIm0&t=7s
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Royal Albie RLK waits patiently for his mate GLG to return from her foraging for food.
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Royal Albatross ~ Ranger Sharyn Cuts The Grass Around The Royalcam Nest! 🌿 1.12.25
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xI2mH8Xuztw&t=1s
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Royal Albatross ~ GLG Returns Home! 💕 Beautiful Skycalls With RLK! 💕 Fast Changeover! 💕 1.15.25
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7iIKcAkoFFw
Jan 15, 2025
The video opens with RLK on the nest and GLG flying overhead on her return home! RLK recognizes her in mid air and he skycalls. GLG will circle around, land and come walking towards the nest - RLK skycalls to his beloved again. GLG returns his greeting as she approaches the nest. They both engage in some sweet affection and allopreening for a few minutes until RLK is ready to get up off the egg.
It is a fast changeover with RLK getting up and GLG immediately going to the egg to take over incubation duties. RLK stays around the nest to garden for a few minutes before he departs to the sea to forage for food.
GLG was gone twelve days at sea foraging for food. RLK now can enjoy some good fishing and squid meals! Thank you for watching! Video captured & edited by Lady Hawk
Mom GLG is returning home after 12 days at sea foraging for food. :-*
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A Big Welcome Home greeting from dad! ;D
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b]Kia ora koutou[/b] (hello everyone) From Ranger Sharyn Broni
The Royalcam nest.
Currently Mom GLG is on the nest.
GLG arrived on the 15th of January.
The egg is now 70 days old. Visual checks for Signal Station Trig egg start in 3 days’ time on the 23rd of January.
Check out what we do and why we do it here: https://www.doc.govt.nz/nature/native-animals/birds/birds-a-z/albatrosses/royal-albatross-toroa/royal-cam/rangers-work-for-royal-albatross/
What To Expect On The Royal Albatross Cam: January | Hatching
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ETjHi2xa8ds&t=1s
To add to our growing list of other species on Royalcam here is a Red Admiral butterfly, voted Bug of the Year 2024.
https://www.nzbutterflies.org.nz/species-info/red-admiral/
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Kia ora koutou (hello everyone) from Ranger Sharyn Broni
The Royalcam nest.
Mom GLG and Dad RLK
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Currently GLG is on the nest.
The first check for signs of hatching on the 23rd of January.
Early Morning Egg Inspection at the #RoyalCam Nest | January 22, 2025
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dy5dWbZ5aZ4&t=1s
Chick calling and tapping could be heard from within the shell.
The egg has pipped on the 24th of January and has been taken to the incubator for prevention of fly strike. This was at 10:20 am if scrolling back on the live stream or watch this highlight clip here:
:-*Today is the Day! Hatching Begins at the #RoyalCam Nest! January 24, 2025
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sVuZ9zHjzac
Jan 23, 2025
As hatching nears at the Northern Royal Albatross nest featured on the Royal Cam, rangers from the New Zealand Department of Conservation are monitoring the status of all of the eggs at the albatross colony. At this stage of development, the rangers are looking for signs of the chick starting to break out of the egg (a process called "pipping"). Today was that day!
Now that the egg begun hatching, it is moved to an incubator to protect the hatching chick from fly infestation called "flystrike", and a fake egg will be tucked under the adult. After a successful hatch in the incubator, the chick will be returned to the nest and the breeding season will proceed as normal.
The nest was sprayed with Avian Insect Liquidator. Harmless to birds this product kills the flies who would lay their eggs in the hatching toroa egg given half a chance. The introduced sheep fly maggots hatch very quickly and do a lot of damage to the very vulnerable toroa chicks.
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Interesting post on Royal Albatross discussion - posted 9 hours ago.
Iceberg A23a actual position
Date: Jan. 22, 2025
Time: 14:40 – 21:40 UTC
https://www.nesdis.noaa.gov/news/goes-east-tracking-a23a-the-worlds-largest-iceberg
Scientists are monitoring A23a closely due to concerns that it may collide with South Georgia Island, potentially threatening a delicate ecosystem which is home to penguins and seals. Satellites play a crucial role in tracking its journey as it travels through the icy waters surrounding Antarctica.
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Serene GLG really doesn't mind the waiting. Her patience keeps us grounded. 💕
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Some nest material for GLG, thanks Sharyn
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1/27 - Royal Albatross :-*
Ranger Sharyn Broni ~ Hatching Update: Jan 26
Photo 1 - The Signal Station Trig egg now has 3 star pips as of Sunday midday
Further Hatching Update: Jan 27
Photo 2 - Overnight the chick has opened up the shell creating a hole about 5cm x 3cm
Image Credits: DOC
http://AllAboutBirds.org/Albatross
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Kia ora koutou(hello everyone)
The Royalcam nest.
The Royalcam chick has hatched!!!
Weighing in at 286g we will be tracking the chick’s weight up until fledging in September before this time the chick should weigh at least 7kg.
Currently GLG is on the nest RLK has been away for 14 days which is a long changeover.
https://www.doc.govt.nz/nature/native-animals/birds/birds-a-z/albatrosses/royal-albatross-toroa/royal-cam/rangers-work-for-royal-albatross/
The chick has been temporarily fostered to another nest where the egg has just started hatching and has had a fresh parent changeover ready to feed a new chick.
Where is RLK/A85?
The latest foraging trip of RLK/KA85 started out much closer to Pukekura than his first tagged trip when he went around Rekohū. He has subsequently headed north and has travelled a minimum of 1800 km in the last 14 days but looks like he is heading back now. RLK/A85 GPS track, a distance of at least 1800 km flown so far.
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Signal Station Trig chick being sprayed with Avian Insect Liquidator in preparation for return to a nest. The chick will be bought to the nest once there has been a changeover.
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Royal Albatross ~ RLK Is Back After Being Gone Two Weeks! 💕 1.29.25 video by Lady Hawk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c16jsGzxvn4
Jan 28, 2025
GLG has been incubating a dummy egg for the past few days as the SST chick is hatching. The rangers keep the hatching eggs in a incubator during the entire process to protect against fly strike. She has been on the egg for 14 days! RLK is seen walking up to her and they have a sweet reunion with allopreening on another.
GLG gets up at 03:37 for the changeover and she moves off the egg and begins her gardening. RLK goes right on the egg to continue incubating it. GLG does quite a bit of gardening around the nest before she leaves heading off to the left. The SST egg has hatched and is right now being kept in a foster nest. From Sharyn Broni - " A chick will be bought to the Signal Station Trig nest when we have one ready. The foster neat cannot be left on a dummy egg and their own chick is still a little way off hatching. I hope to have further news later in the day." Thank you for watching!! Video captured & edited by Lady Hawk
RLK greets mom GLG :-*
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Royal Albatross ~ RLK Meets His New Chick! 🐣 Precious Bonding Time With Dad! 💕 1.30.25
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aWhN4IPcW-s
Jan 29, 2025
The wait is over! The SSTrig chick of RLK & GLG has hatched and is now introduced to Dad RLK on the nest! What an absolutely beautiful moment to see this tiny white fluffy chick meet Dad and be placed underneath him (and note the small white bag!!) RLK is beside himself with excitement and he is enamored with his chick. He could not sit still & kept getting up to touch and look at this new life ♥
The SSTrig chick hatched on January 28th 2025. The chick was fostered to another nest to get fed from a parent that was on a dummy egg (there own chick was hatching in the incubator) From Sharyn Broni - "Yesterday the chick weighed 400g in the morning and 365g later in the day. Its tummy was very full in the morning so had not been feed by the afternoon weigh. The chicks weight is back up to 405g this morning. The dad at the foster nest has fed it well and have their own chick today now. The chick will be weighed twice a day until it is 7 days old. Then once a day for the following week. After which weighing will be weekly, typically on a Tuesday."
Happy day for GLG and RLK and SSTrig chick!💕 Mum GLG is going to get a wonderful surprise when she returns! Thank you for watching!
Video captured & edited by Lady Hawk
Dad RLK's first day with SSTrig chick :-*
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Weigh Time for SST chick as Dad RLK watches
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Weighing in at 286g on hatching day and now at 400g on day 3, we will be tracking the chick’s weight up until fledging in September. Before this time the chick should weigh at least 7kg. https://www.doc.govt.nz/nature/native-animals/birds/birds-a-z/albatrosses/royal-albatross-toroa/royal-cam/track-the-chicks-weight/
Comparisons of average male and female chick weights and all the past Royalcam chicks are on these graphs also.
We will weigh the chick twice a day for the first week and once a day, typically in the morning for the second week. After the second week weighing will be once a week, mostly on a Tuesday, weather allowing.
During the first couple of weeks, we check the chick over for any issues such as food spills in the nest that can attract flies.
Read more about the work we do with the toroa here: https://www.doc.govt.nz/nature/native-animals/birds/birds-a-z/albatrosses/royal-albatross-toroa/royal-cam/rangers-work-for-royal-albatross/
Where is Mom GLG?
GLG has flown a distance of at least 450km in the last 3 days and is now off the coast of Christchurch/Banks Peninsula.
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Royal Albatross - 2/2 Cross Fostering. (This is new for me)
Sharyn ~ Royalcam chick is not gaining as much weight as we would like to see.
We have a nest available that will feed the chick sooner.
This is a temporary move, and the chick will be returned to its nest at some point, possibly after a changeover here.
When mom GLG returns.
https://x.com/i/status/1885967958964605345
Cross fostering is a process where a chick not gaining weight in a nest will be swapped with a larger, fuller chick from another nest to get the smaller chick fed quicker by a parent. Toroa are accepting of other chicks prior to the end of the guard stage when there is a parent on the nest full time. This means less need for supplementary feeding which is better for the chick.
The rangers are wondering if finding the needed food is the reason they are traveling such a long distance away from the nest and taking almost two weeks before returning. The parents need to store more food in their stomach to provide nourishment for chicks.
Ranger Julia holding Signal Station Trig chick and Dad RLK
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Feb 2, 2025 #RoyalCam
📌𝗜𝗻𝗳𝗼 𝗯𝘆 𝗦𝗵𝗮𝗿𝘆𝗻 𝗕𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗶, 𝗥𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗿 (𝗗𝗢𝗖):
After being temporarily swapped to a neighbouring nest where the parent had plenty of food the Royalcam chick has been placed back in its own nest and the foster returned to its nest. There was a good weight gain for the Royalcam chick this morning.
At 6 days on the nest RLK/A85 is running low on food to sustain his chick. Now the chick weighs 575g it will not need fed again for a while.
Royal Albatross~🥰SST chick is bought back to Dad~11:58 am 2025/02/03
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q85Zm_Iug6Y
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Meanwhile Mom GLG having flown over 800km on a foraging trip up the coast seems to be on her way back.
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Royal Albatross ~ GLG Returns Home & Sees Her Chick For The 1st time! Begins A Feeding! 💞 💕 2.4.25
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F3o3JcLILvw
Mom feeding chick during the night
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#RoyalCam chick is feeling perky with Mum GLG back and topped up with food. Playing with grass. Great to see GLG enjoying her new chick.
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Beautiful Mum GLG and chick, morning tea, and Ranger Scott checked chick.
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Royal Albatross update
SST chick entering world - sweet little squeaks
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/Tn9H4WRp6Iw
Royal Albatross ~ Dad RLK Returns At Night! GLG Leaves & Returns For Short Visit Before Departing 2.7.25
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQEG12TYMRc
Feb 7, 2025
RLK is seen returning to his nest late at night (21:52). GLG awakens and gives him a beautiuful skycall greeting! He sits next to her for a couple of minutes - she will get up for the changeover rather quickly this time at 03:06. She stays for a few extra minutes before walking out of view. Apparently she did not leave the island as she came back at 05:56 this morning! She greets RLK but he does not get up - he is happy to be brooding their chick. So she walks to the left and then to the right and out of view. I think GLG did not want to leave her new baby yet!
I included some footage from early morning with RLK and SSTrig chick waking up at 09:25! Cute little tiny wingers already!! Thank you for watching!
📌 Ranger's work for royal albatross: https://www.doc.govt.nz/nature/native...
📌 𝐒𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝟏𝟎 𝐨𝐟 𝐑𝐨𝐲𝐚𝐥𝐜𝐚𝐦 (2024-2025)
Nest site: Signal Station Trig. Taiaroa Head, New Zealand
Royalcam Couple: RLK (Red, Lime, black) 12-year-old male and GLG (Green, Lime Green) 14-year-old female.
Egg laid: November 11th 2024. It has been candled and is fertile. RLK and GLG will take turns to incubate the egg for 2.5 months.
Egg hatched: January 28th 2025
This pair started breeding in 2019/20, but their egg failed that season. They successfully raised two female chicks during 2021 and 2023 respectively. Their nests during these seasons were not far from the Royalcam nests of Tiaki and Manaaki and the chicks were seen on cam later in the season.
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Video captured & edited by Lady Hawk
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2/8
Who strolled into view last evening after only a few days away to forage?
RLK KA85 He had to hurry back to his #RoyalCam chick
He fed SST chick later in the night & Colin weighed chick first thing this morning.
Here he is with his chick this morning
http://AllAboutBirds.org/Albatross
https://x.com/i/status/1888021401417957506
Dad RLK returns in the middle of the night to be back with chick, Mom GLG can leave to forage for food.
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Royal Albatross ~ Sweet Reunion! GLG Returns Quickly From Foraging At Sea To Be w/ Her Chick 2.9.25
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JRdqoIwY-7M&t=16s
Feb 8, 2025
GLG returns to the nest after being gone for only two days at sea! RLK greets her with a beautiful skycall and GLG will join in as well. A Mother's love brings her back to be with her new chick. RLK was only gone three days when he returned as well. Both parents are very devoted to their chick especially at this early stage. RLK begins to allopreen GLG with some sweet affection. She will reciprocate to him as well. They sit very close to one another - almost leaning upon one another. RLK will then get up and GLG immediately will take over brooding their chick. RLK gardens briefly before he departs. Don't be surprised if we see him back quickly as well.
More importantly than returning quickly is that they find enough food during their trip foraging at sea to be able to feed their chick. Thank you for watching!
Such a loving pair :-*
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Royal Albatross cam
Since entering the world at 286g on the 28th of January, the Royalcam chick at Signal Station Flat has grown to 1.02kg on day 12 (Sunday 9th of February)
Day 13: Royal Albatross Nestling Receives Routine Health Check from DOC Rangers| February 10, 2025
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZB9qorwJm3E&t=1s
Peek a boo! :-*
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Royal Albatross cam ;D
Dad RLK/A85 big wing stretch.
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Then 13 seconds later :-*
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Royal Albatross ~ SSTrig Chick Graduates To A Larger Bag! 🎉 Sharyn Weighs & Gives Thumbs Up 2.16.25[/b]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uoWEQoRBLMo
Ranger Sharyn came to the nest to weigh SSTrig chick. Dad RLK is on the nest and he gives her a few clacks as she approaches. Sharyn pulls some grass and offers as a gift and then reaches in to grab the chick. She realizes that she will need to use a larger bag today! So she pulls out a brown bag and then takes the chick and weighs it. She returns the chick and records the weight and gives us a brief thumbs up before she leaves! Great news that RLK and GLG's chick is putting on enough weight! Thank you for watching! Lady Hawk
Royal Albatross ~ RoyalCam Chick Gets Blood Sample Taken To Determine Gender! 💗 🐥 2.17.25
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v8G40-YxKQM
Feb 17, 2025
Ranger Sharyn and another helper went to the nest to weigh SSTrig chick and also to draw a small blood sample to perform DNA analysis that will be used to determine gender. This helps the rangers know if the chicks weight is healthy, as males become heavier than females after a few months. The samples are sent to the University of Otago’s Zoology Department for analysis. It takes several weeks to get the results back. Thank you for watching! Lady Hawk
SSTrig and Mom GLG :-* Both parents are going on short forages and quickly returning to be with their chick :-*
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What To Expect On The Royal Albatross Cam: March–April | Post-Guard Stage
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UOjXZgNsP1I&t=4s
Mar 19, 2021 By the start of March, Northern Royal Albatross chicks have
grown large enough to spend time alone at the nest. At the start of this "post-guard" stage, both parents begin
to spend more time at sea gathering food to feed their chick.
Come April, the adults will only touch down at the nest site for
short visits, often for as little as 10 minutes, to feed their chick. By this point, it's normal for chicks to spend several
days at the nest alone before their next meal arrives.
As temperatures rise, sprinklers are turned on
near nests to help keep chicks from overheating.
As the chicks grow stronger and gain some mobility,
they may begin to explore areas around their nest site. The young birds often make "play nests" near their
natal nest where they may stay for long periods.
Curious juvenile albatross may also visit chicks at their nests.
They don't typically cause harm but may make the chick anxious. Keep watching to learn how the chick will develop into one of the
largest nestlings in the world as it prepares for its first flight.
The guard stage, end of guard stageRLK/A85 standing over his chick.
We can expect to see more of this behaviour as the end of the guard stage approaches.
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Dad and chick
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Chick too big to brood now
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Post Guard time has begun... chick will be left on its own while parents forage for food.
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Royal Albatross Ranger Sharyn Broni
"Kia ora koutou" (hello everyone)
Royal Albatross ~ DOC Ranger Weighs SSTrig In A Larger Pink Bag! 2.25.25
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w3JL2IvBVAw
Feb 24, 2025
It is weight day for all the chicks in the colony and SSTrig gets its weight taken this morning in a new larger pink bag! SSTrig is feisty and ready to clack and defend itself! The DOC ranger is extra gentle and moves slowly to not upset the chick, picking it up and putting it in the bag. SSTrig's head is sticking out as he raises the bag to take the weight! Then it slips down into the bag lol . The ranger carefully takes SSTrig out and puts on the nest and untangles its paddle from the bag. Enjoy some nice closeups of the chick wet from a rain shower this morning. RLK did return to brood SSTrig from the rain.
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Since hatching at 286g on the 28th of January, the Royalcam chick at Signal Station Flat has grown to 2 kg on day 28, (Tuesday 25th of February). This is a 600g increase on the weight from last week. :-*
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Past Royalcam parent news
The parents of Manaaki have one of the older chicks this season and YRK (parent of Atawhai and Lilibet) and her new mate also have a chick. At 31 years of age YRK is a very experienced breeder having raised 8 chicks (including 2 foster chicks) previously. GLY and L, the parents of Manaaki are raising their 4th chick. These chicks are both older than the Royalcam chick and are also in the post-guard stage.
The Royalcam chick was left alone by RLK/A85 on day 26 for the first time on day 26. He returned 1 hour 40 minutes later after a short trip out to sea.
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Royal Albatross ~ SSTrig Does Its First Skycall At 34 Days Old 🎺 Cute Trilling ♫ RLK Feeding 3.3.25
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ii2xLUGnBD0
Mar 2, 2025
This was an exciting day for SSTrig! The chick successfully handled spending the past two nights alone. This morning RLK does a flyby and then lands and walks up to the nest with skycalls to his chick! RLK will feed SSTrig and afterwards, SSTrig is talkative to Dad in its little baby voice. RLK will walk a few steps from the nest and sit down & rest before he departs and SSTrig will do its very first skycall for Dad beginning at 13:09! What an adorable little trilling skycall SSTrig belted out!! I am sure RLK is very proud of his chick! SSTrig is 34 days old today! Thank you for watching! video by Lady Hawk
Timestamps:
00:00 Opening RLK flying in
05:27 RLK begins a feeding
10:56 SSTrig chick chatter at Dad
13:09 SSTrig 1st skycall to Dad!
Mom GLG sitting next to chick. It's a cold morning compared to yesterday's warm temps.
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Kia ora koutou (hello everyone) The Royalcam nest.
Since hatching at 286g on the 28th of January, the Royalcam chick at Signal Station Flat has grown to 3.1 kg on day 35 (Tuesday 4th of March). This is a big 1.1 kg increase on the weight from last week.
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Mum, Dad and female chick! :-*
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The results are in. Signal Station Trig chick is a female & she weighed a whopping 3.1 kg! What are her parents feeding her-chick was fed 5/6x over the last couple of days.
Good thing Rangers Colin & Scott used the green basket!
https://x.com/i/status/1896879234263773655
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Royal Albatross cam
Chick SSTrig, a nighttime visitor 🐁/. and busy moments watching Ranger Sharyn, Mom visits, etc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3FuAfC4UDc0
Mar 8, 2025
00:00 Chick SSTrig and and little buddy🐁/Pisklę SSTrig i mały kompanion🐁
00:18 Ranger Sharyn clipping grass/Ranger Sharyn przycina trawę
01:08 Mom GLG arrives/przybywa Mom GLG
01:55 feeding, close-up/ karmienie, zbliżenia
03:26 Mom leaves/Mom odchodzi
03:55 I'm tidying up my “bed”🤗/ porządkuję “łóżeczko”
04:18 Chick: how to cut this grass😁/Pisklę: jak urwać to trawsko😁
04:52 “MSC Cruises” ship is passing by/ przepływa statek wycieczkowy
05:36 snoozing😴/drzemka😴
Courtesy of Cornell Lab Bird Cams and
New Zealand Dept. of Conservation
MCS Magnifica and our magnificent chick.
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In this photo you can see 4 nests with chicks. SSTrig Chick is the one in the middle, you can see the cam stand just a few feet away from her. Now you can see where other chicks are located.
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Royal Albatross cam update
“Here with breakfast dad? Great!
Just give me a second, okay?”
Ah, that’s better. Let’s eat!🫣😂😂
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WzKiZGs9siM
Mar 11, 2025
Yesterday Chick SSTrig turned 42 days old, her weight was 3 kg
That's a weight loss of only 100 g since last week.
Plus she was fed by Mom GLG a couple of hours after being weighed.
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