It's time to check the weight of the Northern Royal Albatross hatchling at the Top Flat nest!

Watch Ranger Sharyn from the New Zealand Department of Conservation stop by to gently inspect the hatchling, weigh it with a bag and scale, and spray the nest with a birdsafe insecticide that will help keep parasitic flies away from the chick.

At the end, Ranger Sharyn gives an update that the chick is close to recovering its hatch weight of 300 grams. It is normal for hatchings to lose some weight after returning to the nest. They should recover quickly and begin to grow as the adults begin feeding sessions.

RoyalCam was set up in January 2016 by the Department of Conservation and the Cornell Lab has been collaborating with DOC since 2019 to bring the cam to life. To learn more while watching, view the cam at

https://www.doc.govt.nz/royalcam

or at

https://www.allaboutbirds.org/albatross

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Royal Cam is a 24hour live stream of a Northern Royal Albatross nest during the breeding season at Pukekura/Taiaroa Head on the southeast tip of New Zealand's South Island.

This season (2023–24) features two nests in view. At the main site to the left of the frame, male LGK (named for his colored leg band combination: Lime/Green/Black) and female LGL (Lime/Green/Lime) return to the Top Flat nest site, where they are caring for a single egg laid on November 7.

Nearby to the right, male WYL (White/Yellow/Lime) and female BOK (Blue/Orange/Black) have been tending to their egg since it was laid on November 14 at the Top Track Flat site. This site is currently obscured by tall grass, which will die down and open up the view as the season progresses.

  / royalbatrosscam  

to get all the updates during what’s sure to be another actionpacked season on New Zealand’s South Island.

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