This item appeared in the Sydney Morning Herald today:
Distance proved no obstacle for an intrepid New Zealand tomtit, which
apparently dodged predators and braved open seas to fly more than 60
kilometres back to his lady love.
The tiny black and white bird, tagged with the initials RG, stunned
conservation staff when he reappeared in the North Island's Hunua Ranges,
two months after he was transferred 63 kilometres away to an island wildlife
sanctuary north of Auckland.
"They weren't able to catch his mate and so they took the male tomtit and
left his mate behind and he decided 'Bugger that, I'm going home,' so he
did," Department of Conservation staff member Warwick Murray said. "We don't
have any record of such little birds travelling such great distances,
particularly over water, like that."
Smaller than a sparrow, the protected North Island tomtit will be rewarded
for his fidelity by being allowed to stay with his beloved in his original
home. "Apparently he's quite chipper," Mr Murray said.
Regards - Ricki
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