Debbie,
That's all good info, but I think I ought to point out a couple of other
things to any Birding-aus readers hoping for these particular species.
Little Spotted Kiwi are easy enough on Kapiti, but access to the island is
highly weather dependant. It is probably just as good to go to Tiritiri
Matangi Island which is served by a large ferry. The kiwis there are pretty
reliable.
Blue Duck. The very best (almost foolproof) site is Ruatiti near Ohakune in
the central North Island. Around 15 pairs are present on about 10km of
river. I can honestly say I have never failed to see the birds there.
Wrybill. Miranda is a key site, and high tide is essential to get decent
views. There are a few other sites worth checking, and my local patch - the
Manawatu Estuary - is as good as any for excellent views, normally down to
less than 20m.
Cheers
Sav Saville
Wrybill Birding Tours,NZ
"Great birds, real birders"
www.wrybill-tours.com
+64 27 680 3740
24 Puketiro Drive
Feilding 4702
New Zealand
-----Original Message-----
From:
On Behalf Of Deb Colbourne
Sent: Thursday, 3 June 2010 5:52 p.m.
To:
Subject: Quick successful trip to NZ for 'wild' Kiwi, Blue
Duck and Wrybill
Hi All,
Just a quick one if anyone is planning to head to the NZ. We had unfinished
business from a previous trip when we tried to get over to Kapiti Island to
look for Little Spotted Kiwi. We were luckier this time and had two glorious
days there staying at the Kapiti Lodge. Beautiful spot, well run. We had
excellent views of Kiwi whilst spotlighting. Other highlights on the island
were Takahe, Weka, Stitchbird, Saddleback, Kokako heard but not seen.
Second highlight was a pair of Blue Duck up near the Blue Duck
Lodge, Whakahoro. The owners run a tourism operation but are passionate
conservationists and are doing considerable works to control predators on
the river. They kindly gave us directions to the best places to look after
having hung off a few bridges on the way up. Excellent views at the top of a
small waterfall.
Third highlight were the Wrybills at Miranda. We had luck with the tides and
a scope is recommended. The obs. hires them out. We got there at dusk
opposite the obs. and had poor views of a couple on a small lagoon. The
following morning we headed out at dawn to the roost but they were just that
little too far out to get good views. However, on driving along the beach
road we spotted some close in feeding on the falling tide and had excellent
views, along with NZ Dotterel and several other waders (as well as excellent
fish and chips!)
Cheers
Debbie
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