During September 2008 the Ecoworks NZ team installed an outdoor sound system at the Peninsula on behalf of John and Amy Griffin.  We now play continuous daytime recordings of a raucous Australasian gannet colony powered by a solar  power system.

We started with rank grassland which we cut and sprayed with glyphosate and then installed 18 gannet decoys, both free standing and on seaweed nest mounds. The decoys were made by Mad River Decoys in the USA.  We also splashed white acrylic paint on the ground in an effort to replicate guano.  Within 10 minutes of starting the sound system the first gannet swooped overhead to investigate the site. We doubt that the paint did much but it all added to the effect!

By mid October we had on average 30-45 gannets on the ground at any one time.  Every decoy had a ‘partner’ and several individuals were seen attempting to copulate with the fibreglass decoys!  Others have been seen carrying seaweed onto the site and building nest platforms.  During early December the Ecoworks NZ team recorded over 200 gannet’s onsite extending 100 metres either side of the decoys.

We have not recorded any nesting yet (Feb 09) as it is still early days and the courting birds are likely to be immature.  It will be fascinating to see what occurs during the winter months and with the activity we have seen this summer we believe we will see nesting attempts next season as we have seen many pairs courting and preening.

Power system, injection molded decoys, James Isaac clearing rank grass off the site and the colony on day 1.