2022 Royal Albatross Cam Highlights | DOC | Cornell Lab
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- čas přidán 20. 12. 2022
- In November, Royal Albatross pairs begin the breeding season by
laying a single egg in their nests at the Taiaroa Head Nature Reserve.
The 2021-22 season featured parents OGK (male) and YRK (female) at the
Quarry Track nest site, where they began by switching off incubation duties. Rangers from the New Zealand Department of Conservation checked
on the nest regularly to make sure the egg was developing as expected.
In late January, the egg was transported to an incubator to remove any risk
of fly strike (infestation of fly larvae) during the multi-day hatching process. The real egg was swapped for a fake to ensure that the parents continued incubating until the hatched chick could be returned. Once hatched, the chick was reunited with its parent, and the
adult immediately assumed care for their day-old hatchling. This vital conservation measure has greatly improved nesting
success for these endangered albatross across the headland.
Once reunited, the attending parent began feeding the chick
regurgitated food that'd been saved since the last foraging trip. After celebrating the hatch, the adults continued to take turns
foraging at sea while the other protected and fed the youngster.
DNA testing determined that the fluffy chick was a female,
and she was later named Lilibet in honor of Queen Elizabeth II.
The neighborhood social club of young adults and non-breeders
stopped by for visits, but they were warned to keep their distance.
At five weeks, the chick was old enough to stay on the nest alone,
and both parents set out to sea, only returning to feed their chick.
OGK and YRK fueled the nestling's growth by returning every
few days with meals of fish, squid, and stomach oil for Lilibet.
In May, OGK stopped returning to his nest. When a parent goes missing,
rangers provide supplemental food to aid in the chick's development. YRK continued to feed her chick for months after OGK's disappearance. Thanks to her mother's diligence, and the extra nourishment supplied
by the rangers, Lilibet continued on a healthy path towards fledging.
Come July, the young albatross started building her flight muscles
by holding out her giant wings against the blustering winds.
Nestlings may even begin practicing breeding displays
with other chicks they meet on the headland.
After seven months, Lilibet was ready to hit the open ocean on September 3.
At 220 days old, she was the first chick to fledge from the colony in 2022. After fledging, Royal Albatross will spend 4-10 years at sea
before returning to the colony in New Zealand to find a mate. We're wishing all the best to Lilibet on her journey.
Thanks to everyone who watched and learned along with us this season!
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RoyalCam was set up in January 2016 by the Department of Conservation and the Cornell Lab has been collaborating with DOC since 2019 to bring the cam to life. To learn more while watching, view the cam at
www.doc.govt.nz/nature/native...
or at
www.allaboutbirds.org/albatross
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Royal Cam is a 24-hour live stream of a Northern Royal Albatross nest during the breeding season at Pukekura/Taiaroa Head on the southeast tip of New Zealand's South Island.
This season (2022-23) we are watching a male, GLY (named for his colored leg bands: Green, Lime, Yellow) and female, L (Lime). The fertile egg was laid on the November 4, 2022.
/ royalbatrosscam
to get all the updates during what’s sure to be another action-packed season on New Zealand’s South Island.
#birdcams #live #albatross #birds #wildlife #nature #nowplaying #newzealand #endangeredspecies
Thank you for the beautiful memories this season. Unfortunately also sad because OGK didn't come back. But it was nice to see Lilibet growing into a strong young albatross anyway. Thanks to everyone who made this possible. And thanks for the camera showing us life in the colony. Soon we will have a little chick again. I keep my fingers crossed that everything goes well. This time with both parents.
TYVM for this video. I am still amazed that she fledged first from the entire colony!!! I have been watching this NZ site for many years and she surprised me by flying off so early, in the rain and YET the camera caught it. Let us hope and pray the entire colony and their parents stay safe on land and soaring over the ocean! 💕
I treasure these memories of last season. The loss of OGK was heartbreaking but Lilibet fledged thanks to wonderfull Mom YRK and the help of the Rangers.
Now I am hooked on GLY and L 👍😍. Thank you for all these amazing videos.
The Albatross, the mariners companion, live long and prosper, lillibet, Queen of the ocean's.!
Wonderful video! ❤. Hope she is doing well. Miss seeing YRK and sad that Dad OGK went missing. Still hope he will return someday.
Seeing the adult albatross watch the person looking at the egg was amazing. I was expecting the adult to go after that person. So trusting! Then when the chick was returned, l thought the adult albatross was not going to accept the chick. Again I was amazed! OGK never returned. I wonder what happened? Glad the people helped the chick/fledgling out somewhat. I was glad the fledgling was able to take off. Good luck to Lilibet.
Think this is magical and in spite of loosing a parent a happy ending.
OGK was such a wonderful, loving papa. I know it’s unlikely but I hope we see him next year.
Awwww, OGK.
"Merry CHRISTmas & Happy New 2023 Year"..... To The Cornell Lab Peeps & To The Department Of Conservation Peeps & To ALL Feathered & Un-Feathered !!!
GOD BLESSES ALL.
A wonderful recap thank you. ❤
Amazing birds! and chick is SO cute!!! 😍
Brilliant to watch iam member of Bto
Thank You. Edward Eve Crawford.
Newly birth baby birds love ❤ love love baby 👶 birds parents mubarak mubarak mubarak congratulations🎉🥳👏
Such great memories thank you for the highlight reel. Do we know whatever became of OGK? If he returns to breed in the future when might we expect to him again?
It amazes me that adult Royal Albatrosses aren't as territorial at their nesting sight as most seabirds would be, esp for their size. Look at how aggressive Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers are at defending their territories from invaders, including humans.
❤️❤️
Wonderful. Edward Eve Crawford.
Thank You. Edward Eve Crawford.
💌💌💌