We met this Kiwi on New Year’s Day 2020 while walking the final leg of the Rakiura Great Walk from North Arm to Oban. We had also seen a kiwi at night at Port William on the first night.
2020
2020
2020
This bird came to check us out on a one-day guided nature walk on The Milford Track. They are incredibly curious and seemingly unfazed by humans.
2018
This was taken during a morning’s guided nature walk on Ulva Island - a small predator free island off Stewart Island.
2019
Ulva Island 2019
Also on Ulva Island, 2019
Fantails are everywhere but tough to photograph as they never stand still. We met this chap on the Kepler Track 2018. They are a constant presence in Fiordland, zipping past your head to pick up the bugs that you kick up off the track.
Another Fantail encounter, this time on the Hollyford Track in 2018. See how it uses its tail like an airbrake to change directions mid-flight.
Another Fantail from the Hollyford Track 2018
This bird is incredibly rare and was previously down to 36 birds before conservation teams rescued the last of the species from Big South Cape Island after rats were accidentally introduced. The birds were transferred to predator free islands like Ulva Island. It is only found in the small islands south of the South Island. 2019
Ulva Island, 2019
Ulva Island, 2019
This bird is displayed in the Te Anau DOC lakeside visitor centre in 2018. Highly endangered, there are only around 200 individuals living on the southern islands (south of Stewart Island) in conservation areas.
Day 2 of the Routeburn 2007, leaving Routeburn Falls Hut we saw these two Kea playing. They are the world’s only alpine parrot and highly intelligent.
Stewart Island, 2019
Stewart Island, 2019
Stewart Island, 2019
This Weka came out of the bush to check us out one evening in 2007, Punakaiki Te Nikau Retreat, South Island.
We met this inquisitive Weka on Mou Waho Island, a small predator free oasis in the middle of Lake Wanaka. This species of Weka would have been introduced here by DOC. 2018
Mou Waho Island, 2018
Foraging on the beach on Ulva Island, 2019
Ulva Island, 2019
Ulva Island, 2019
We photographed this Tomtit on the Kepler Track in 2018 near the banks of Lake Te Anau.
Mou Waho Island, 2018
Taken near North Arm hut, Rakiura Track, Stewart Island, 2019
Ulva Island, 2019
Ulva Island, 2019
This captive bird is part of the Te Anau bird sanctuary. 2018
Different bird sanctuary, Mt Bruce on the North Island, 2007
Stewart Island, 2019.
The Tui is everywhere on Stewart Island and if you can’t see one you can likely hear one. They have a highly elaborate tune of clicks and whistles. Photographed near Oban, 2019
Stewart Island, 2019
Seen during a nature tour around the Otago Peninsula at Dunedin, 2007.
Famous for getting drunk on fermenting berries, these large pigeons enjoy sitting around. No worries. These were photographed on Mou Waho Island 2018.
Stewart Island, 2019
Ulva Island, 2019.
We spotted this impressive bird on day 2 walking the Hollyford Track around Jerusalem Creek. We watched it for 10mins first in this perch, then another tree branch. 2018
Hollyford Track, 2018.
Hollyford Track, 2018.
Hollyford Track, 2018.
Stewart Island, 2019
In the bay off North Arm Hut, Rakiura Track, Stewart Island 2019
Stewart Island, 2019
Martin’s Bay, Hollyford Track day 2, 2018.