Royal Albatross ~ QT FLEDGES!! 🐦 💕 1st Chick To Take Off! Congratulations & Safe Travels! ✈️ 9.3.22

QT took us all by surprise this afternoon with her unexpected fledge at 12:53 PM NZT!! QT was resting as a storm came in and then she got up and was wingercising & all of a sudden the wind caught under her wings & up she went up in the air! QT then flew like a pro out over the sea, turning to the right until she went out of view! Congratulations to our sweet QT and safe travels!! ♥♥ Her fledge is at 3:15 in regular time and then in slomo!
QT is 220 days old today! QT is the first chick to fledge this season!! Wow - she was ready but we were not! I thought she might fledge early but not this early! YRK will come in and look for QT and not realize she has left. She will wait at the nest and then walk around looking for her before she takes off as well.
I think I can say QT just took a piece of all our hearts with her today and we miss her very much and pray that she stays safe out there! She is a strong and very resilient young albatross and she will figure it all out on the wing! We will always look up to the skies and hope for her safe return in 5-10 years...but until then we will hold her safely in our hearts. Earlier today, QT did give us a rainbow of promise that she would return one day! 🌈💕🧡 Godspeed QT & safe travels! ♥♥
And a big shout out to the Cornell team and to the entire DOC staff & rangers for all the work they have done this season! We were blessed to have been able to watch these amazing albatross and share in a small part of their lives! Thank you for watching!
Video captured & edited by Lady Hawk
Please join the official facebook group Royal Cam Albatross Group New Zealand for up to date information on the albatross family and to share information on albatross conservation, photos and comments! / 991026361293354
Courtesy of Dept of Conservation Royal Cam, Royal Albatross Taiaroa Head, New Zealand & Cornell