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The discovery of a gannets' nesting colony on a rocky island off Moutara Point, south of Tolaga Bay, was one of the most important ornithological finds in N.Z. in recent years. It was the first real evidence that such a colony existed between Cape Kidnappers and White Island.
Mr Archie Blackburn, Gisborne bird-watcher, began looking for a colony on the East Coast after he saw birds heading north from Wainui at dusk. Gannets flying south-east from Te Araroa suggest there may be another colony on the Coast.
Mr Blackburn paid his first visit to the island last November, when he took these pictures. The birds arrive to nest from September until the beginning of November, then take off for Australia when the young are strong enough to fly. Last season 230 adult birds nested there, and produced 81 young.

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Mr & Mrs Gannet build nest from scraps of seaweed
Gannets are protected by law, and could establish quite a large colony on the island, if they are not disturbed by vandals. But already at least one bird has been shot with a .303 bullet.