Albatross colony marking 70 years

The Royal Albatross Colony at Taiaroa head will next month celebrate 70 years since the first albatross chick fledged from the colony.

This season 10 chicks are expected to fledge.

Royal Albatross Centre manager Sam Inder said to celebrate the anniversary, the centre was offering free entry in September to any Dunedin citizen aged 70 or older, as they would have "fledged" in the same era.

"Dunedin people have contributed greatly to the survival of the albatross at the colony and we want to thank the senior generation."

While the first albatross egg was laid at Taiaroa Head in 1919, it was not until 1938 that ornithologist Dr Lance Rich-dale observed the first successful fledging, he said.

The colony now has a population of more than 100 birds.