BIRDQUEST2004

We headed out on the ferry from Picton, south Island to Wellington, North island on August 26.  The weather was not very good for viewing, foggy, rainy and windy, oh and did I mention cold….

I did see a few things from the deck…

Spotted Shag

I’m thinking White-capped Albatross

I was pouring when we reached Wellington but it was the only heavy rain we had in New Zealand.

Great view and  sunrise through our window…

Next morning under clear skies we visited Zealandia, a must for anyone who wants to see native birds.  These birds can fly in and out of the sanctuary, the fence keeps the introduced predators out.

Why The Fence

Why the fence is so high.

The sanctuary covers 225 hectares (over 550 acres)

There is a bit of climbing involved..

There are awesome birds found here that allow you to get close…

New Zealand Pigeon

Grey Warbler

Pied Cormorant

They have a pair of Takahe, who’ve been together for a long time and can no longer breed so they were moved here to make room for younger birds on Mana Island.  They are called Puffin and T2, very approachable.

Bellbird

Stitchbird

Kakariki – Red-crowned Parakeet

Kaka

Saddleback

Tui

New Zealand Parrot

A surprising European introduction – Dunnock

Beautiful paradise Duck

A very interesting selection of paintings on the wall

A bird I really wanted to see a Kakapo0, was on loan to the another sanctuary…would have like to see this bird.

Outside the coffee shop was a sign that caught Sue’s attention…

A reminder that things aren’t always safe…

There were a few endangered Lizards…

Tuatara

Wellington Green Gecko

We had a bit of time left so we visited the Cable Car Museum nearby, small but cool, with lovely views of Wellington.

That night there was a game between The All Blacks (New Zealand) and the Wallabies (Australia) so we grabbed some wine and did what everyone else in the country was doing, watched the game.  The view helped.

Next morning we explored Wellington, walked a bit downtown and visited the Museaum of New Zealand – Te Papa Tongarewa, some of the areas in the museum, photos are not allowed.  I would have loved to show you the Maori area but you’ll have to visit on your own for that one.

I would have loved to find a Morpork Owl.

New and Old

This map was particularly sad of how much forest has been destroyed

Norway Rat with poison pellet

Kakapo

A Kakako, another bird I tried hard to see…

North we go….

Ciao for now

Not much to say about this pelagic, I’ll let the photos speak for themselves.  Before we left for our pelagic I finally got to see and touch my first little Brown Kiwi.

Let the pelagic begin.

Here’s one I’m not sure about but looks good for this species….

 

Cape Petrel

Here are two I can’t make up my mind which species they are, looks good for both.

Salvin’s Albatross

More Salvin’s Albatross

Antipodean Albatross

Another that looks good for Antipodean Albatross

Spotted Cormorant

Little Pied Shag

From start to finish it was only 3 hours but with all the action it seemed like 10 minutes.  We were less than 2 miles from shore, drifting, bird were everywhere.

Kaikoura Albatross Encounters a name to remember if you are on the south island of New Zealand.  I knw I’ll be back there some day.

Zoe found an interesting side trip, just north or Kaikoura is the Ohau Stream Walkway and Waterfall in Half Moon Bay.  During the winter months fur seal pups can be seen on the rocks along the path and frolicking in the pool below the waterfall.  Another must see.

The coastline was lovely here, wished it had been sunnier.

Adult New Zealand Fur Seal doing what they do best, relaxing.

While we stopped for a snack we found numerous birds on the beach.  New Zealand crayfish (lobsters without claws) were $80 dollars per 1/2 pound.

Variable Oystercatcher

Pied Cormorant

Red-billed Gull

Black-billed Gull

Later we returned to Kaikoura and head to a spot where we’d hoped Little Blue Penguin’s would come in to roost.  No luck.  We did see plenty of Kelp Gulls though and a lovely sunset.

The view from our hotel the next morning.

Ciao for now