This is the place

During a visit to the spectacular Mangawhai Walkway this spring I met a local landowner who asked if I knew why so many gannets were dying on the beach.  He said he'd found at least five in the preceding two weeks which looked as if their necks had been broken  - they were otherwise untouched. 

I referred his query to a colleague at the Department of Conservation, who said it was a sad but common phenomenon in some years at this time.   With very high and very low tides and often poor visibility in the water, the poor gannets are unable to judge water depth.  Their trademark plummeting dives result in their own demise - their necks are indeed broken.  On inspecting the walkway area he found many many more than the five reported birds.  What a tragic quirk of nature in this wonderful place!

The Mangawhai Walkway is being upgraded during September 2008 with an official "opening" by the Minister of Conservation and local landowners who have contributed to the work.