The Gannet Colony

Muriwai beach is located 42 km west of Auckland and is famous for its black sand. But what I found most interesting was the gannet colony. The colony is situated at a stunning spot atop the rugged rocks of Muriwai Beach. My sensors measured the number of birds, nests, and eggs. I learned that the Australasian gannet pair up for life, and the chicks are well taken care of by their parents. The gannets have a unique way of making their nest: they collect seaweed, feathers, and grass. They use their beaks to break off the grass and stuff it into their feathers to form a platform. The mate stands on the platform while the other bird kneels to make the nest. I compared this colony to others I visited earlier and found that the population of this colony is growing at an impressive rate. According to my analysis, Muriwai has a milder climate and cleaner water than some other habitats. Visitors can get close to the gannets, but they must be careful not to disturb them as they are easily frightened.