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Grey faced petrels – more being found, rescued and released
The grey faced petrel (or Oi) pictured above was found on the ground in early June on Huia Road in Huia. Petrels cannot take off from the ground and it would have died there if it hadn’t been rescued and taken to New Zealand Bird Rescue in Green Bay. Petrels need a cliff from which to take off or they need to be taken out to sea in a boat to be released. This bird was released the day after it arrived from a local cliff top by Renee Henderson, a trustee for the Bird Rescue charity and her 2 year old daughter Ivy. Although Bird Rescue receives many petrels it is not common for the trust to witness them fly away so Renee and Ivy were taken aback when it suddenly took off and flew into the beautiful sunset.
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The Fringe JULY 2016
Dear Editor, Concerning the article on the Hoopy Bird or grey faced petrel (The Fringe, June 2016), we have them “hooping” at night at the moment at the bottom of our cliff. We live in Arapito Road – at the end of South Titirangi Road. I noticed them hooping years ago and every year we have one or two slamming into our windows. Fortunately they don’t kill themselves and recover after a few minutes and take off. I have not observed any tags on the ones that have come visiting. Also, Harvey Waite, 85, a long-time resident down here told me there are “mutton bird” burrows along our cliff and on the point. I was delighted to read the article – they are the most beautiful birds. Jill Perrott, Titirangi. Dear Editor, Thanks for the great article about the grey faced petrels. Those who follow my facebook page (www. facebook.com/WaitakereRangesWEST) will have seen that Huia Ranger Duncan Emerson has since discovered another large population of these birds, this time at Whatipu. This is great news and probably a direct result of increased predator control at the location. Jacqui Geux, Piha.
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