Page 23 - Dainfern Precinct Living 8 2021

BIRDING

a quick visit to the lighthouse for
some pelagic birding produced large
numbers of Cook’s Petrels amongst
dozens of plunge diving Australasian
Gannets that were busy catching their
daily quota of fish. Des and Kirsty’s
search for another skulking rarity,
the Fernbird, was partly successful,
with only Des securing the briefest
of views, thus ending the birding
Boiling mud component of our trip. Leaving the
Next on our growing list of endemics We later visited another pond in the island in the early afternoon, we
was the earlier-mentioned Kokako valley below the bunkhouse for a checked into the Orewa Motor Park
seen on Ridge Road. Then, on the very welcome sighting of a female for the night.
Kawarau Track, we discovered a NZ Brown Teal, which had also
Stitchbird (Honeyeater) feeder that eluded us thus far. This species had
had attracted three or four males been introduced to the island for a
accompanied by a couple of females breeding programme.
as well as numerous Bellbirds. The
Stitchbird is effectively extinct on Later that evening, we commenced
the mainland except for a tiny our quest for the Little Spotted Kiwi,
breeding population, which has been a member of the family recognised
established on Mokoia Island in Lake as the National Bird of New Zealand,
Rotorua. with a long walk along the Wattle
Track. Unfortunately, our
efforts were in vain, although
it was heard calling close by.
Ridge Road was next to
be explored but again ‘no
dice’. Then Kirsty heard
the easily-recognised call
of our target bird from the Stitchbird (AR)
lighthouse area, to which we A final two days spent in Auckland
then hastily and excitedly for shopping and a very welcome
diverted. As we approached, and enjoyable evening braai at the
a curious Kiwi (one of a pair) home of an ex-South African couple
emerged from the coastal concluded what for us was one of
bush onto the road to sniff the best and most memorable of our
Spotless Crake (AR)
at Des’s shoes (or was it his birding trips. In addition to recording
A nocturnal Morepork (owl) spotted feet?). Wow! 57 new species for my world bird list,
by Des was defying normal protocol we met wonderfully friendly people
by feeding in broad daylight on the This particular species, one of six and travelled through and explored
ground, much to the consternation look-alike Kiwi species, resembles one of the most beautiful countries
and agitation of all the other birds its cousins and follows the same on our planet.
in the immediate area. Its prey was lifestyle in virtually
a rare North Island Saddleback all respects. It is
chick, which it no doubt had lifted also endangered,
from its nest. Irritated by the nocturnal, shy,
unwanted attentions of its concerned and seldom seen.
neighbours, the Morepork finally This was a truly
sought refuge in a cavity at the base memorable birding
of a nearby tree where it finished its experience, which
meal. ended close to
midnight.
Upon our return via Hobbs Beach,
we ironically noticed a Spotless After a restful night
Crake at a small pond near the wharf. in the bunkhouse, NZ Brown Teal (AR)
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DPL