Returning albatross prompts call for bells

The return of the first royal albatross to Taiaroa Head for the new breeding season has prompted a call for the city’s churches, schools and buildings to ring their bells at 1pm today.

The first bird back for the new season was ROB (leg band: red/orange/blue), which has often been the first bird of the season. ROB hatched in 1984 and in January next year will be 33.

Otago Peninsula Trust marketing manager Sophie Barker said Moana, the ‘‘Royalcam’’ albatross chick, created a worldwide following last season, attracting more than 600,000 views from more than 100 countries.

The 2015-16 breeding season was the second-most successful season on record, with 26 chicks raised, 19 of which have fledged so far.