New home for rare seagulls
‘‘The gulls are noisy and messy, and when their chicks arrive in December they are extremely aggressive.’’
The most threatened gull species in the world is making a nuisance of itself at a Lake Taupo marina development.
Described by the Department of Conservation as a ‘‘special’’ bird, the colony of black-billed gulls is also known as a ‘‘hazard’’ in the site management plan of Seay Earthmovers, the contractor working on the new Motuoapa Marina.
It isn’t the first time the birds have made their presence known in the wrong place. For the past three years the Taupo colony has been nesting near the Tokaanu Power Station.
The gulls are noisy and messy, and when their chicks arrive in December they are extremely aggressive.
DoC has been working with the Department of Corrections’ Rangipo Prison where they fabricated a colony of plaster decoy gulls, which were laid out on the Tongariro River delta to encourage the birds to nest at this more ideal habitat.
A colony of more than 150 was discovered unexpectedly by a passing ranger at Motuoapa in early December 2016.
Despite DOC’s best efforts to steer them to the delta, the fickle birds had decided to take up residence on a gravel pile at the marina construction site instead.
The Motuoapa Marina redevelopments are being carried out by the Department of Internal Affairs.
‘‘These are New Zealand’s only endemic gull and the most threatened gull species in the world. Internal Affairs and DOC are working together to ensure the safety of the birds is not compromised while they are nesting here,’ Department of Internal Affairs harbourmaster, Philip King, said.
The gulls are expected to leave the site soon after their chicks fledge in February.
Black-billed gulls are identifiable by their long, thin black beaks, easily distinguished from the shorter, bright red beak of the red-billed gull.
This is a reminder to take a closer look and not dismiss the black-billed gull as just another noisy seagull, but rather a special bird found only in New Zealand.
Black-billed gulls or tara¯ puka are an inland gull, nesting mainly on braided riverbeds in the South Island. Only around five percent of the population are found in the North Island.