The Gannets are gathering and space is at a premium as couples look for privacy. Adults flew non-stop from Australia to get here.
When the chicks are fully grown, they take a leap of faith literally, and launch from the safety of their cliff top home. They learn to fly before gravity takes control. They have one go at passing the flying test.
In late Summer or early Autumn, they decide to visit Australia on a whim. Mum and dad don’t accompany their offspring.
Flight time is 8 to 14 days, and the distance is 2,740 Km. They will return years later after they get bored of flying along the Australian coastline. They’ll find a mate and a bit of privacy.
You know the rest.
Cute.
Egg sitting before baby chicks arrive.
Pillow Lavas.
20 million years ago a large volcano spewed lava across the ocean floor. The Ocean floor is marked by the horizontal strata in the cliff face. Chilled margins formed round lava in contact with the cold ocean.
4 million years ago with tectonic plates moving around and colliding the ocean floor was raised well above the present level. The bubbly looking cliff face is a tumbling mass of pillow shaped lavas.
The flight time from Australia to Muriwai would have been shorter back then.
