Chatham Islands, New Zealand

The pair of Antipodean wandering albatross breeding on Hakepa, Pitt Island have fledged their second chick.  The nest was spotted in April 2008 and this resulted in a chick that has been patiently waiting since then to be old enough to fly out to sea - and on the 6th January it successfully did just that!

Pitt Island ranger, Kenny Dix, diligently visited the summit of Hakepa each week to check that all was well, as pigs and cattle pose some threat to the ground nesting chick. Kenny said that thankfully cattle did not seem to bother the chick at all.

In December, visiting DOC rangers were able to band the chick and the Pitt Island School children and parents took the opportunity to get up close on the action.

It is hoped that the parents will return to the same area to breed, which is likely to be in two years time, however the young chick that has just left is unlikely to return to breed for at least seven years.