ARRIVAL OF GANNETS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 15 July 1939, Page 10

ARRIVAL OF GANNETS

AT CAPE KIDNAPPERS. DO THE BIRDS MIGRATE? (By Telegraph—Pre«?s AssocraTTonJ HASTINGS, July 14. The gannets have been arriving at Cape Kidnappers since the middle of June, and this unusual procedure drew interesting comment from the honorary ranger, Mr D. G. Williams. The usual time for arrival of the first flock is the middle of July, but. two fishermen noticed early arrivals, and when the ranger visited the sanctuary this week, several hundreds of birds were there. Mr Williams questioned whether’ the birds migrated as was commonly suggested, since they did not leave Cape Kidnappers till the end of May, being absent on this occasion only three weeks. He believed that investigation was necessary. In his opinion the birds migrated merely to find better feeding grounds and perhaps never left New Zealand waters at all. It was possible that they flew north to the Bay of Islands region for warmer climate. It was possible that the same birds did not return each year always. Some might remain away. - Since the Kidnappers sanctuary is believed to be the only gannet nesting place on the mainland in the world the problem is worthy of special investigation.