Saddle Gannet Colony Hawkes Bay New Zealand
Photo & Vacation Spot

The sunlight sparkles off the cliffs of the Saddle Gannet Colony at Cape Kidnappers in Hawkes Bay on the North Island of New Zealand.

Along the rugged coastline of Hawkes Bay on the North Island of New Zealand, the Saddle Gannet Colony resides on the flat surface at the top of the cliffs at Cape Kidnappers. Surrounded by the wide open waters, the Australasian Gannets soar above Cape Kidnappers diving for food and returning to their breeding grounds.

Cape Kidnappers is home to approximately 17,000 birds which have four different locations used for nesting colonies. The Plateau, Saddle and the Black Reef are three of the four areas where the Australasian Gannets return to nest every year. After the chicks are hatched, they remain at the colony until they are about 16 weeks old and then they take flight for their yearly migration. Their return journey to the Saddle Gannet Colony at Cape Kidnappers in Hawkes Bay, New Zealand is made every 3 to 5 years, where the circle of life continues.

The Saddle Gannet Colony, Australasian Gannets, Morus serrator, at Cape Kidnappers, Hawkes Bay, East Coast, North Island, New Zealand.