Frame To Frame – Bob and Jean

White-fronted Terns at Muriwai in New Zealand

white-fronted terns with chicks at muriwai regional park, north island, new zealand 2139

An image of White-fronted Terns sitting on their nest at Muriwai in New Zealand.

On our first full day in New Zealand, Bob and I headed north from Karekare to the well known Gannet colony at Muriwai.  We were very pleased to find a significant colony of White-fronted Terns also sharing the headland at Otakamiro Point.

An image of the Gannet Colony at Muriwai in New Zealand.

From afar, the landscape was white with masses of Gannets occupying almost every free inch of space for their nests.  When we made our way to the northernmost lookout, seen in the top right corner of this photograph,

An image of White-fronted Terns sitting on their nest at Muriwai in New Zealand.

Bob and I could look down on the nesting colony of White-fronted Terns.

An image of Otakamiro Point at Muriwai in New Zealand.

To get to Otakamiro Point, the Hillary Trail conveyed us from the parking lot

An image of Pohutukawa trees growing near Otakamiro Point at Muriwai in New Zealand.

through a small patch of coastal forest where Pohutukawa grow.  Later during our trip, we would see these trees in full bloom.

An image of the countryside near Otakamiro Point at Muriwai in New Zealand.

The shaded trail soon gave way to rolling sand dunes where Pingao, a coastal sedge, and Spinifex, a member of the grass family, have been planted to help stabilize the dunes.

An image of a Rauparahas Copper Butterfly at Muriwai in New Zealand.

It was there that we caught sight of a pretty orange butterfly, Rauparaha’s Copper.

An image of Australasian gannets mating at the Muriwai Gannet Colony in New Zealand.

After observing the Gannet colony at length,

An image of the White-fronted tern colony at Muriwai in New Zealand.

we turned our attentions to a multitude of Terns that were noisily occupying a large sheltered depression at a corner of the windswept cliffs.

An image of White-fronted Terns at Muriwai in New Zealand.

White-fronted Terns had claimed the spot for their nesting location.  The hollow is modestly protected from the elements by coastal vegetation that has gained a foothold on the exposed lava.

An image of White-fronted Terns and a chick at Muriwai in New Zealand.

Despite our distance from the colony of White-fronted Terns, we were able to pick out several nesting pairs with recently-hatched chicks in their nests.

An image of a White-fronted Tern in flight at Muriwai in New Zealand.

There was a constant flow of White-fronted Terns coming to and going from the rookery.

An image of a White-fronted Tern in flight with a fish at Muriwai in New Zealand.

After plunge diving for small fish just offshore, breeding males often returned with a courting gift for their mates,

An image of a White-fronted Tern returning to a chick at Muriwai in New Zealand.

whereas those with chicks to feed were kept busy providing nourishment for the babies.

An image of a White-fronted Terns with their eggs at Muriwai in New Zealand.

A female White-fronted Tern lays one or two greenish-blue eggs with dark spots.  Both the male and female help incubate the eggs over 24 days then continue to share responsibility for feeding the young until the chicks are about three months old.

An image of a White-fronted Tern with its chick at Muriwai in New Zealand.

White-fronted Terns put little effort into their nests using simply a shallow scrape in the soil without any nesting materials.

An image of the White-fronted Tern colony at Muriwai in New Zealand.

Because of the density of breeding pairs, the nests can be less than a meter apart.

An image of a White-fronted Tern with two chicks at Muriwai in New Zealand.

A pair of chicks could be seen in several different nests.  Judging by their appearance, the chicks were only a day or two old because each was covered in whitish down speckled with blackish spots on the head and upper body.

An image of a White-fronted Tern with a chick at Muriwai in New Zealand.

As recent hatchlings, they will remain in their nests for a few days before being shepherded to a crèche.  The chicks will remain in that nursery setting while the adult White-fronted Terns go hunting for fish.

An image of the White-fronted Tern Colony at Muriwai in New Zealand.

White-fronted Terns are very particular when it comes to their feathers becoming ruffled by the wind.  As a result, it is often observed that a colony of these birds will appear very symmetrical with most if not all birds aligned on the same axis against the prevailing winds.

An image of White-fronted Tern chicks at Muriwai in New Zealand.

After a lengthy observation of the White-fronted Terns,

An image of Jean sitting on a park bench at Muriwai Regional Park in New Zealand.

Bob and I made our way back to the parking lot then located a substantial park bench where we could enjoy our picnic.

An image of Bob sitting on a park bench at Muriwai Regional Park in New Zealand.

Situated on the cliffs overlooking the black sand beach, the memorial bench was the perfect place from which to watch surfers, beach goers and shorebirds alike.

Related:

Southern Black-backed Gulls at Muriwai, New Zealand

Our travels to Otorohanga Kiwi House in New Zealand

Hamurana Springs put a spring in our step in New Zealand

Geothermal Wonders at Te Puia Geothermal Preserve near Rotorua, New Zealand

Frame To Frame – Bob and Jean

feedback welcome