Toroa pairing hope for Rob the unlucky
AFTER a decade of singledom and the death of four partners, Rob may have found love in another toroa who shares his romantic fortunes.
The northern royal albatross is one of 70 individuals who have landed at Taiaroa Head in past months.
This week the first egg of the season was laid at the colony.
This marks 100 years since the first egg was laid there in 1919.
Rob, named for his red, orange and blue leg bands, has been single for more than a decade.
Department of Conservation ranger Sharyn Broni said the 35yearold had lost mates four times and only raised three chicks in his lifetime.
This is not to say he was not eager, as he was the first bird back in 2010, 2011 and 2015.
Otago Peninsula Trust ecotourism manager Hoani Langsbury said perhaps Rob was slightly peculiar looking, or the other birds did not like the colour of his ‘‘jewellery’’.
Or maybe the noises he made were not particularly attractive.
‘‘Maybe he’s the Phil Collins of the albatross world.’’
However, when things looked hopeless, last summer he started spending time with a 32yearold female who had also had her share of dating tragedies.
Ms Broni said the signs were encouraging and she hoped the pair would produce an egg this year.
Mr Langsbury said the Royal Albatross Centre was expecting a season ‘‘within the realm of normal’’ with about 30 pairs.
Last year there were more than 50 pairs because of a high level of failed breeding the previous season, partly due to extreme heat.
The department had since improved the sprinkler system to keep the birds cool on hot days, replaced its incubation systems and installed a ‘‘brooder’’, which is a controlled habitat for young chicks.
‘‘The rumour is we’re not going to have a hot February, but stranger things have happened.’’
The centre was also encouraging people to vote for the albatross in Forest & Bird’s Bird of the Year competition.