Number 71: Zealandia for some Lifers

Tui, Hihi, Kaka, Takahe, Kakariki, Pateke, just some of the quirkily named endemic birds of New Zealand.  I booked Fred and I onto a Zealandia by Night Tour with the hope of another Kiwi for my world list, the Little Spotted Kiwi.

Number 71:

Zealandia for some Lifers.

Little Spotted Kiwi, in the open!

I have 2 of the 5 kiwis found in New Zealand on my life list and I was very keen to try for another this visit to Wellington. The only mainland option for the rare, endemic Little Spotted Kiwi is at Zealandia, an amazing conservation space right in the city. They have effectively created an island by fencing out all the predators! The map below shows the very limited distribution of this smallest of the 5 kiwis.

So, wearing every layer we have with us, we braved the icy cold wind and headed into the bush at dusk with our guide Jono, binoculars and cameras in hand. 

We had our first tantalising views of a female Little Spotted just at dusk, as well as hearing the male kiwi's call across the valley.

The tour ended on a quite surreal note, Jono had a message come through that a male kiwi was right

out in the open and we hustled to get the the visitor centre. Not only was the bird in the open, it was feeding on the grass right at the entrance to the reserve.

So exciting!

Photography is almost impossible in the dark with the red torches but I have to post Fred's photo, my 'evidence' of the sighting and kiwi number 3 is in the bag and on my list.

Lifer number two come this morning when we went back to Zealandia, this time for the North Island Robin, a split since we first birded in new Zealand. Jono had given me some pointers on where to look for the confiding little robins.

And, there it was!

North Island Robin.

Then back to what we do very well, lunching in town with Shawni and pottering around the CBD, we found the yummiest chocolate brownies at Lashings, a new spot near Cuba Street to celebrate another good day is this beautiful city that we have grown to love.