Dunedin - Part 3

Dunedin Coast

During our visit to Dunedin, most days barely reach 70 degrees.  Last Sunday, the day was very hot, but not for long.  The high hit 95 degrees and everyone flocked to the beaches.  About 3 PM a cool breeze came ashore, and by evening the temperature was back in the 60s.

There are many walking paths nearby.  We see Purakaunui Beach from our cottage.  There is a nice walk to the pa (fortified Maori historic settlement), which is just above the beach.  We were surprised to find another more scenic beach beyond the pa that was only accessible during low tide.

View of Purakaunui Beach from Pa, our cottage is far in the background on the hill.

Notice the train tunnel in the hill above the cliff.

Royal Albatross Centre

At the very end of Otago Peninsula is the Royal Albatross Centre.  This site is the only mainland breeding area for this bird in the world. Seeing these birds was definitely a highlight.  We were lucky to see 5 occupied nests each with an adult and chick.  The adult sits on the chick until the chick’s feathers become waterproof.  We saw one chick being fed by its parent.

• Royal Albatross have a wingspan of 9 feet 6 inches.
• They can fly at speeds of 75 mph.
• Adult royal albatross live over 80% of their lives at sea.
• They can even sleep while flying.
• They are biennial breeders that only produce one egg.
• Parents share incubation, and after the chick is hatched they take turns guarding the chick and searching for food.
• The adult stores food in a special sack and regurgitates as needed.
• At seven months old, a chick weighs 22 – 26 lbs, while an adult weighs 18 – 20 lbs.
• Fledged chicks leave the colony for 4 -6 years before returning to mate.

While at the Royal Albatross Centre, we also saw flying royal spoonbills, Stewart Island shags, fur seals, and as always lots of noisy gulls.  The red-billed seagulls can be very persistent and entertaining, especially if you are eating a sandwich near them.

Royal Spoonbills

The Stewart Island shags make very interesting nests on the hillside near the royal albatross colony.  In the picture you will see both the dark shag and the shag that looks black and white.  These are the same specie; the difference in color is due to dominant and recessive genes.