Chris McCormack

The very hot summer is causing concern at the Royal Albatross colony at Tairoa Head on the tip of the Otago Peninsula.

The breeding season got off to a promising start, but several weeks of searing temperatures has the potential to cause some nests to fail.

2017 marks two important anniversaries for the Royal Albatross Centre – it's 50 years since the Otago Peninsula Trust was formed and 30 years since the centre started hosting tours through the old underground fort built to save Dunedin from military attack in the second world war.

Lynn Freeman speaks to its operations manager, Chris McCormack.

Albatross socialising.

Royal Albatross Centre Operations Manager Chris McCormack.

Royal Albatross flight. Credit Chris McCormack.

Royal Albatross with egg.

Royal Albatross chick and Taiaroa Head Lighthouse. Credit Robert Brown.

First Albatross Chick 2016 with proud father OBR. Credit Dave Gooselink.

Royal Albatross and chick Credit Leon Chu.

Blue Penguins Pukekura. Credit Stephen Jaquiery.

Blue Penguins Pukekura. Credit Chris McCormack.

Red-beaked gull. Credit Lynn Freeman.

The images in this gallery are used with permission and are subject to copyright conditions.