How much do you know about these magnificent seabirds? They are fascinating and impressive and we have many species right here in New Zealand!
As with most of our beautiful and impressive species, they are in trouble and their numbers are declining.
Take today as an opportunity to spend a few minutes learning about them, watch one video of them on youtube, and we promise you won’t be disappointed in their magnificence!
And the inaugural World Albatross Day was featured on National Radio this morning – interesting story, less than 4 minutes: https://www.rnz.co.nz/…/inaugural-world-albatross-day…
While materials were chosen that would stand up to the harsh coastal conditions, those same coastal conditions are conducive to plant growth! Occasional checks of the fences have been carried out by volunteers and rangers so that any maintenance needs can be identified and remedied. The never-ending need for maintenance is managing the vegetation that can grow through the fence, for example gorse, blackberry and hydrangea, pushing it to breaking point in places, or flop over causing damage from the weight of rank grass, rushes and weeds such as montbretia.
Volunteers recently spent a few hours tidying up the main fence along Woodpecker Bay north of Punakaiki so a big shout out to them - thank you Fiona, Jony, Reef, Katrina, Mandy, Marty, Teresa and Deb! Flax had been pressing down on the fence, but now the fence has been freed up by these wonderful volunteers - and they picked up a fair bit of rubbish too.
Volunteer Natassja Savidge has offered to check and help maintain the Hokitika penguin protection fence and joined Ranger Lucy Waller and Manager Inger Perkins in May to inspect the length of the fence. Some minor issues were found but the main finding was the extent of the vegetation growth that was damaging the fence in places. Big thanks to Natassja!
