Gannet colony at Muriwai Beach
The gannet colony at Muriwai Beach is steadily growing. Now around a thousand pairs of adult birds nest on Otakamiro Point and Moturara Island each summer. With a wingspan of over two metres, gannets are graceful fliers and fearsome hunters. They hit the water at speeds of up to 150km per hour, and can reach depths of up to ten metres to attack their prey from below.
Photo credit: Adventure Films
Auckland