Music – loving Fiji petrel

Another mystery solved and proof of nesting on Gau!

Until two years ago, no-one had heard the call of Fiji petrel. One more mystery was solved in an extremely surprising way!

In November 2012, attracted by the lights, a young Fiji petrel, probably on its first flight from its burrow, crash-landed in the grounds of Nukuloa primary school, proving that Fiji petrels really are nesting on Gau.

The stories passed on to elders of the village and the Gau lullaby were right!

Bob and Tar, NZ-trained petrel detector dogs with their handlers Eli O’Conner and Poasa Qalo
Bob and Tar, NZ-trained petrel detector dogs with their handlers Eli O’Conner and Poasa Qalo

Two quick- thinking pupils rescued it and quickly took it to Eli (Eleazar) O’Connor, the petrel project manager for NatureFiji-MareqetiViti at the time.

After ensuring the fledgling was fine, Eli took scientific measurements, then gently put the petrel in a box in a quiet place to recover before releasing it.

To relax, Eli then began to strum his guitar. Imagine his surprise when the young bird called back from inside the box! Eli strummed again and the petrel answered!

Quick-thinking Eli recorded its strange call which he described as being like the sound of ‘tuning an old radio’!

Quite by chance and due to his love of music, Eli became the first person in the world to hear and record the call of the Fiji Petrel. This recording has made a huge difference to the project.

It is now broadcasted from speakers at the top of the mountain, to attract other Fiji petrels to nest in a predator-free site in specially prepared burrow nest-boxes, which are checked regularly for occupants by Bob,Tar and Qalo.

First at sea photos of the Fiji Petrel were taken as recently as 2009 in an NFMV-organised expedition. 
First at sea photos of the Fiji Petrel were taken as recently as 2009 in an NFMV-organised expedition.

Hopefully a Fiji petrel will nest in one of them very soon. We now know the call of the Fiji petrel. Please add your voice to support Fiji petrel. Vote now for our Fiji petrel as Seabird of the Year!

ttp://www.birdoftheyear.org.nz/

Fiji petrels ROCK! Some of our team will be at the ROC market this Sunday along with an old croc.

Visit us again tomorrow for more!