Tara Iti Tales – December 2024 (2)

Waipu’s 2 chicks are growing fast, while Mangawhai currently has 10 chicks from 6 nests with maybe 3 to come. Papakanui has 1 chick with another due shortly. Total eggs laid 27, a record!
The older captive reared chicks in the aviary have been taking surprisingly long flights recorded by their tracking devices. They have been joined by a second cohort of chicks from the zoo and are being kept apart until they can fly.
If you visit Waipu or Mangawhai sandspits, please do not approach the nesting colonies of other birds and there are no go areas behind fences to protect all the birds.