Update on Royal Albatross web cam at Dunedin

[Ondine]

Lovely - cute

[Kiwi Kruzer]

Happy World Albatross Day

 

https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/419363/world-albatross-day-how-nz-became-the-world-s-albatross-capital

Today marks the inaugural World Albatross Day, and while it is a day of celebration for the species, not all is well for the birds.

 

 

[MicCanberra]

Thanks David.

[Ondine]

Our baby is growing up.

[OzKiwiJJ]

It's already showing an impressive wing span.

[erewhon]

Testing it's wings for  departure in a few months.

[boeckli]

Checked out the webcam this afternoon and recorded her going for a wander and expressing interest in the webcam. She's grown quite a bit, the fluffy baby feathers are mostly gone and it probably won't be long now until she starts flying 🙂

Just read on the website there is a competition to name her and a shortlist will be open for voting from 19 to 26 August.

 

 

 

Edited August 17, 2020 by boeckli

[Kiwi Kruzer]

Thanks for the update.

Makes you realise how big these birds are ,and she only a chick.

 

Had a pair of big birds stop over in my garden this week for a drink from the bird bath. The NZ native pigeon ,Kereru, is a very large bird,as big as a chicken and makes a whoosh sound as it flies . 
 

Edited August 17, 2020 by Kiwi Kruzer

[boeckli]

Papa has just been in for a feed. And a big milestone for all chicks today - they are banded. The rangers are having a bit of a rough time apparently, it is VERY windy up there ... Banding video to follow 🙂

 

 

Edited August 18, 2020 by boeckli

[boeckli]

And here is the video of the chick's banding

 

 

[Ondine]

Thanks boeckli for the videos.  I usually check in on her each day.  Saw her getting weighed last week.  It is when you see her being held by the rangers that you get an idea of how large she is.

 

I love to see her testing her wings and then standing with them outstretched allowing the wind to blow under them.  Looks like she is dreaming of soaring aloft.

[boeckli]

 

Lots of wing exercises this morning with a stiff breeze

Edited August 27, 2020 by boeckli

[Ondine]

Wont be long now.  Don't think I have seen her having so much trouble keeping her balance.  Very windy.  One very powerful bird.

[By The Bay]

I was expecting her to get just a little airborne at one stage, if only a little hop into the air.

[Docker123]

Lots of wing practice this morning. Image from the website of her getting her feet off the ground. And of course, a nice baby portrait.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[By The Bay]

Fantastic to she her leave the ground.

[boeckli]

She has been given her 'official' name

 

 

 

[By The Bay]

I just looked up the meaning of the name Atawhai: “Kindess; caring”

[MMDown Under]

What a thrill to see Atawhai get off the ground.  

[boeckli]

This afternoon her dad popped in for a feed and a bit of a chat 😋

 

[Ondine]

Our little friend is almost airborne.  Will be sorry to see her go but how I would love to be sailing past on a big white ship at the moment.  Evidently first chick left yesterday.

 

 

 

[Docker123]

Someone did a screen capture this morning. Ranger Sharyn has not yet confirmed it was Atawhai. My screen shot first, shows the bird up in the air.

 

Very graceful take off and sailed around for about a minute (nerd watching, yes).

 

 

[By The Bay]

1 hour ago, Docker123 said:

Someone did a screen capture this morning. Ranger Sharyn has not yet confirmed it was Atawhai. My screen shot first, shows the bird up in the air.

 

Very graceful take off and sailed around for about a minute (nerd watching, yes).

 

 

Do I detect a bit of hesitation? She appears to be looking to where she might have to land if her first flight does not go well.🙂

[Ondine]

Lovely grabs Docker.  Think she need a bit of work retracting her undercarriage.  I find it incredible how they learn to get airborne and fly.  

[OzKiwiJJ]

44 minutes ago, By The Bay said:

Do I detect a bit of hesitation? She appears to be looking to where she might have to land if her first flight does not go well.🙂

Nah, that's definitely a "Hey! Look at me! I can fly!" look.