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[LORIDAVIS]

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 🌏

[LORIDAVIS]

New Zealand Royal Albatross peek at egg...

Here is Dad giving us a peek at the egg 12-16-22


Here is proud Mom and her egg...

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.

[Phyl]

Lori Thank you so much for this update!
Congrats to the proud parents.
Great photos, too.

[Lani]

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

[Lani]

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

[Lani]

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

[Lani]

1/17 10:08

Hatch time.   

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

[Lani]

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.

[Linda M]

Thank you for posting updates here, Lani; I really enjoy this nest and the information.

[Lani]

Hi Linda, you welcome! Look at this sweetie 

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

[Linda M]

Amazing!  This is so awesome; hope video is available when returned to nest.

[Lani]

1/21 10:55

Here it is Linda! 

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

[Linda M]

I just love that so much; what a special moment.  I hope all goes well for them. Thank you so very much!

[Lani]

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

[Lani]

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