Welcome to the archive images of Tamaki Makaurau
 
 
Week 16
11/02/06
 
 
Takapu Refuge, or Gannet Colony at Muriwai
 

The Takapu Refuge is located at the southern end of Muriwai beach and is an established breeding area for gannets. About 1,200 pairs of adult gannets nest here each summer and can be seen between August and March each year

Interesting data on Gannets - Morus serrator (Australasian Gannet, Takapu)

  • Wingspan - 180 cm
  • Overall length - 90 cm
  • A single egg is laid during September/October/November
  • Incubation time - 44 days
  • Chicks stay in the colony until February/March
  • Then the birds migrate to Australia, to return after 2-6 years
  • After weeks of furious flapping of wings on land, the first flight of the juvenile birds takes them to their destination more than 2000 km away.
 
 
 
A pathway down to the lookout point
 
 
 
 
The view towards Oaia Island with one of the many, glazed tiles
which provides interesting and informative information
(Text by Louise Mara & illustrations by Mavis Wong)
 
 
 
 
Gannets, or Takapu in Maori - too many to count - on Otakamiro Point
 
 
 
 
Two Takapu in love
 
 
 
 
Hey??!!  Do you mind, this is private!
 
 
 
 
Baby Takapu - large, cute and fluffy
 
 
 
 
Young Takapu, now a few weeks older - much larger and no longer cute
 
 
 
 
Motutara Island and part of Otakamiro Point
 
 
 
 
Otakamiro Point from a different angle
 
 
 
 
A close-up of Motutara Island
 
 
 
 
One of the look-out points
 
 
 
 
The view towards Muriwai Beach
 
 
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