THE GANNETS’ RIVALS

Shannon News, 13 April 1928, Page 1

THE GANNETS’ RIVALS

ISLAND OF TERNS,

A NAPIER ATTRACTION.

Nesting just above high tide level in the inner habour at Napier is a flat islet of about three acres in area. There are othef similar, islands (says the Napier "Daily Telegraph”), but none so interesting, because on the one referred to a colony of "sea swallows” make their summer home, a place in which to hatch and rear their young. On this almost barren island, which is at times awash at heavy spring tides, thousands of grey-backed terns (or sea swallows) have discovered a suitable haven in the midst of waters carrying a plentiful supply of :'a certain kind of silver-fish which forms this seabird ’3 sole article of diet. -

Purry Little Chicks. Here the furry little chicks break out of their shells, and soon grow to maturity, so quickly- in fact that in two months after the appearance of the first egg, tlie chicks T are all ready to take some long flight with their pretty, and fleet parents to another suitable feeding ground for the. colder months, to return next December to go through the trials and troubles of rearing further families. The nests are small hollows made by scooping out the sand or stones. One cannot find a nest except there be a spotted eg'g in it, about as big as a pigeon’s—and even when the .egg, is. present the nest takes some finding, so" cioSoly does the marking of the shell resemble its surroundings. However careful a visitor might be, he is a cautious man who does not tread on a few. The nests are only inches apart, and in other places perhaps a foot or so. Unerring Aim. The adult bird is white underneath, white-headed, and wearing a jet black cap, and greyish on the upper side of the wings and back. These birds are frequently 'called divers, because of their habit of continually diving for their food—and every dive means a mouthful, so is their aim. When nesting, the birds always face the wind, and it has been said that should a sudden change in the direc--tion of the breeze take place all the birds rise as a well-trained ballet to face about —their heads always to the wiud. Both parents are reported to do their share of the domestic duties, both hatching and feeding. Easy of Access. The terns are not alarmed at the approach of humans until one gets to within six feet, but by stealth one can get within half this distance, although any sudden movement, even the raising of an arm, will make the birds take lightly and suddenly to wing, squeaking the while in a startling fashion, only to return when they see that the apparent danger has passed. The young are fluffy and of a slatey blue colour, almost as hard to see as the eggs, but they soon grow and become more timid. They cannot run fast, but they are steady of gait and will even take to the sea and swim if pursued. This colony of terns is as interesting a Nature study as the more famed nesting of the gannets at Cape Kidnap pers, and it is far more easily reached. A launch can land the visitor right amongst the nests, and the. island is almost as flat as a table. It has been stated by a well-known student of bird life that where the seaswallow is found so is the kittiwake gull. This is so on the island in the inner harbour, but so far the swallows on a vote, could overrule the gulls by hundreds to one. The gull is said to be a scavenger, hence his appearance amongst the terns; he lives on what the smaller birds leave. Bo this so or not, the gull can show the tern a point or tvfo, for the former selects his home site in parts most sheltered from the prevailing, winds, and in addition is some kind of an architect, as his efforts at nest construction .prove. The colony is growing yearly, and is quite, a fashionable quarter, but so. 'handy is it that once it becomes known generally, the rush of visitors should be regulated in order that this novel and pretty attraction is not frightened away by callous youth and careless steps.