White Tern Chick Survived TC Gabrielle

Last week, 11 & 12 February, Tropical Cyclone Gabrielle tracked across Norfolk Island as a Cat 2 Tropical Storm. On Friday night the winds increased, and heavy rain fell overnight, and on Saturday afternoon the winds were picking up and strong winds bashed through the trees and there were reports of trees down and power outages, which the Norfolk Island community were expecting.

As the wind roared through our valley, I felt concerned for the White Tern Chick, which as on a large tree next to our house. I named this chick Holly since it hatched around Boxing Day 2022. As the cyclone high winds started to settle on Sunday, I was relieved to see our White Tern Chick had survived the cyclone and Holly was still safe in the tree next to our house.

The parents returned on Monday 13 February, and I am sure they were also pleased their white tern chick was on the branch, most likely feeling very hungry. It is interesting to note that I first saw the parents returned after the weather settled. I wonder where the adults birds go during high winds of the cyclone storm, as for a few days I did not see white terns flying around Norfolk Island.

Last year a pair of White Terns successfully raised a chick on the same tree branch next to our house. I named that chick Sonic since it hatched about the same time as the Tongan eruption and sonic boom on 15 January 2022. That young chick survived TC Dovi and fledged in May 2022.

Storms can be threats to the White Terns, and other coastal seabirds. The wild winds can blow eggs and chicks off the branches. Feral cats and rats are also a threat, they prey upon the birds and especially the chicks and the unlucky chicks on the ground are especially vulnerable. Last week I was told there were chicks on the ground in 100 Acres Reserve as a result of TC Gabrielle.

Since moving to Norfolk Island almost twelve years ago I have enjoyed learning about the Norfolk Island Flora and Fauna and the migrating sea birds have always been interesting to watch and photograph. Here are a few facts I have learnt about the White Terns.

When nesting, one egg is laid on the horizontal branches of the medium to tall pine, whitewood, and white oak trees. They do not build a nest, the egg is cradled on the branch. Chicks hatch after 28-36 days, and the young birds fledge 60 -75 days later. The fluffy grey chicks carefully perch on the branches protected by a parent, or they patiently wait for their Mum or Dad to return with meals from the surrounding ocean. Late Autumn the terns will leave our shores with just a few remaining on Norfolk Island over the winter.

If you would like to learn more about Norfolk Island birds, contact Margaret Christian 50901 and book her Green Eyes Tours.

Here are a few photos I have taken of our white tern chick, and the parents when they returned when the weather settled.

Betty Matthews

February 2023