The count by Department of Conservation staff has concluded, resulting in a lower tally than last year’s 51-egg record.
However, that was a result of re-breeding by the parents of failed eggs the previous season when extreme weather conditions resulted in a higher-than-usual number of failed nests.
That season only 13 chicks fledged compared with 26 and 23 chicks over the previous two years.
Royal Albatross Centre manager Hoani Langsbury said the count was about normal again.
‘‘It’s about what you’d expect given the regular growth of the colony.’’
The effects of the past two extreme years would largely not be seen until about a decade on when those chicks themselves started breeding, he said.
The colony was now preparing for a ‘‘hot, dry summer’’.
‘‘We’re just making sure between ourselves and the department that the sprinklers are working well and we’re prepared.’’
It had already been very dry on the peninsula, he said.
‘‘The weather patterns in the city often completely miss here.’’
Rangers would be checking the eggs daily to ensure they were healthy.
Eggs usually would all be hatched by early February.
The department plans to install its Royalcam by a nest for live streaming on December 8.
