New Zealand Muriwai Gannet Colony

Gannets have been nesting here for decades, maybe longer. It seems they chose the spot because it is easy to launch into flight from the gentle sea-facing slope. They start arriving in September and the ones that will survive the winter are gone by March. By February, as can be seen, they already thinning out.

You can spend a lot of time photographing birds but the surf beaches behind the colony are also worth a shot or two; the water is fairly warm and the long waves attract a lot of surfers.

This is telephoto lens country and image stabilisation is useful if you’re trying to get photographs of birds, but a standard lens can also give you good shots.

You need to drive. It is about an hour of easy driving from central Auckland and Google Maps knows the way. There is ample parking nearby.

You might also want to get Google to take you back via the Waitakere ranges if you want to explore native forests or other West Coast beaches. Jane Campion shot the Piano on and around Karekare beach which is in this area.