Time is running out to see this seasons albatross chicks before they fledge!
 
We have sixteen happy, healthy chicks growing up on the headland.
Now at 6½ -7 months old, they are becoming more and more active. Often walking away from their nest, enticed by the wind, they are inadvertently burning calories. This is a necessity however as they are still overweight at 10-11kgs!!
 
The chicks are also seen frequently stretching and flapping their wings in the breeze as a form of flight training. Eventually one windy day in mid to late September they will unfold their wings, lean into the wind and take flight for the first time. A momentous occasion – they will be gone for approximately 5 years.

The Richdale Observatory is unavailable for viewing from the 17th of September til 23rd November each year. This is to reduce disturbance at this sensitive time when the new season parents arrive, re-establish their pair bonds and lay their eggs.
 
During this period, the Albatross Centre will still be open and an alternative tour available. We offer the TAIAROA EXPERIENCE TOUR (75mins) which includes an introductory talk and short film about the albatross breeding cycle, then a guided tour through the underground tunnels of Fort Taiaroa to see the Armstrong Disappearing Gun. Adult $25 Child $12 Family $62

A new season will commence on 24th November, with the Richdale Observatory once again available for guided tours.
 
New season prices for the albatross tours are as follows:
 
2010 / 2011
 
ROYAL ALBATROSS TOUR (60mins)
Adult $45  Child $22.50  Family $112.50
 
UNIQUE TAIAROA TOUR (90mins)
Adult $50  Child $25.00  Family $125
 
FORT TOUR (30mins)
Adult $20  Child $10.00  Family $50

Great News, the Royal Albatross Centre has just been awarded Qualmark Green, Enviro-Silver Status. We are proud to be able to showcase this quality standard as we pride ourselves in assisting with the protection and enhancement of Taiaroa Head and all its wildlife. Qualmark is New Zealand's trusted guide to quality travel experiences. By achieving this Qualmark endorsement our commitment to retain high quality and environmental standards are recognised.Businesses carrying the Qualmark EnviroGreen logo are assessed on their environmental performance in the following areas: energy efficiency, waste management, water conservation, community activities and conservation initiatives.

The historic fort taiaroa is going through some exciting developments! The entrance tunnel that was built in 1989 is getting a fabulous face lift. Local artist Kate Downey is waving magic with her paintbrush, as the progress photos show!

All the albatross chicks at Taiaroa Head have hatched without problems - the first time the Royal Albatross Colony has achieved a 100 percent success rate in 16 years.

But the difficult time is not over for the 17 chicks as they cope with heat, humidity and the risk of fly strike and predators over the next month, Department of Conservation (DOC) Taiaroa Head ranger Lyndon Perriman said.

The colony has two unusual pairings this season - a female-female pair have incubated an egg which has now hatched, and a pair where one parent is from the Taiaroa colony and the other is from the Chatham Islands colony. The latter pairing is especially important for the Taiaroa colony as it provides an opportunity to widen its genetic pool.

Over the past two weeks, the toroa/northern royal albatross chicks on the nature reserve at Taiaroa head/Pukekura (Otago Harbour) have been going through the three to six-day process of hatching out of their shells. The albatross parents will take turns guarding and feeding the chicks for the next six weeks. The growing chicks will then be left unattended while both parents forage at sea for food to feed them.

DOC rangers have worked long hours over the past two weeks checking the chicks several times a day to ensure they avoid fly strike and are adequately fed during the critical first 48 hours after cracking the shell.

"We've built up our experience of helping chicks hatch and have tweaked our management techniques over the years. Cooler weather at the start of hatching also helped," Lyndon said.

Published: February 1, 2010 | Source: Department of Conservation

>> Click here to view the TVNZ news clip

Dunedin's world renowned royal albatross colony is making headlines around the world thanks to a two-mum "household".

Two female birds are incubating an egg at the world's only mainland breeding colony at Taiaroa Head sparking major interest from, among others, gay and lesbian news sites. She looks like every other mother in the colony sitting minding the nest, but this one is an unlikely star.

"It's quite unusual in the albatross population here at Taiaroa Head to have two females mating together, even more unusual than that is the eggs actually fertile this season," says Department of Conservation (DOC) ranger Lyndon Perriman. A surrogate dad has been involved but it is the female, and her partner that have sent international media into a spin.

Tourism Dunedin saw the opportunity, and working on the adage that sex sells, have promoted the happy couple.

"The gay media have absolutely loved this story and I think most of them, if not all of them in Australia have picked it up," says Heather Mollins from Tourism Dunedin. But it's not just gay media that have picked up on this tale. It featured in the Times in London at the weekend and has also appeared in other media including Canberra Times, the ABC and even on musician Lady Gaga's official site as one of her fans has suggested the new chick be called Lady Gagabratross. "Several people have mentioned the novelty factor and hey we're enjoying making the most of it," says Sam Inder the Royal Albatross Centre Manager.

But those in the know say in truth it's not really that rare. "This is actually the third time we've had a female, female pairing out at Taiaroa Head in 70 year history," says Perriman.

This year's babies are just hatching at Taiaroa Heads and the chick with two mums is due in about a week.

Published: January 18, 2010 | Source: ONE News