Thurs 10th Feb - Wildlife on the Otago Peninsula

Northern Royal Albatross, preparing to crash land!

 Northern Royal Albatross are big! 3.4 metre wingspan and over 20kg of bird. (manybe we should consider one next Xmas?)

Amazingly they spend the first 5 years of their lives without touching land - mainly gliding in strong winds as they don’t like flapping their double jointed wings at all. We visited the only mainland colony today , who , bizarrely,  share the ground with an old gun battery (pay attention Nigel).

Saw the birds on the ground and flying, which they are very good at,  but unfortunately, not so good at landing!  They don’t so much land as CRASH  - well can’t be good at everything – especially when you consider, the first time they do it – aged 5 – they’ve never done it before!

 You wouldn’t want your mates watching, would you!

Then went on to see the Armstrong Disappearing Gun which is an unlikely piece of military hardware dating back to the late 1890’s when there was a fear of a Russian invasion.  It consists of a 6” gun on a bed which can be raised under hydraulic pressure and lowered by the recoil of the gun. So you quickly raise the weapon, fire it and the enemy then wonder who the hell is shooting at them. Particularly useful if you aren’t too good at ship identification and have accidentally just shot at your own people. (Capt George please note).

Later we went to Sandfly Bay, (fortunately it was too windy for the little sods), to see Sea-lions which were conveniently laying around snoring loudly. I am tempted  - but will not make any comparisons! Wonderful sight,  but sobering to remember that if they wake up they will chase you up the nearest dune, ..... and win!