Queries about NZ

[Kailash Willis <>]

Hi John,

Not sure if the sole reason you are starting in Wellington is to catch the ferry for pelagic species? but if it is then there are better options. While you do see some species from the ferry they are often only distant views. If you want to do a pelagic in NZ check out Albatross Encounter out of Kaikoura (2.5 hours north of Christchurch) https://www.albatrossencounter.co.nz/ it is often touted as the best pelagic in the world and I would have to say even if it isn't it would have to be one of the easiest. As the Kaikoura Canyon, which reaches a depth of over a thousand meters, is only 800m offshore it only takes about 15 minutes to get out in a small boat.

King Shags are sometimes seen from the ferry as it enters the Queen Charlotte Sound (coming from Wellington) they are only seen in the outer sounds not once you get further in. Once again you will only get distant views but keep an eye out for the black head and white patch on the wing to distinguish from Pied Shags. For better viewings think about a trip with E-Ko tours https://www.e-ko.nz/ who do more specialist tours. I haven't been on them but they go to Blumine Island and Motuara Island https://www.e-ko.nz/tours/blumine-and-motuara-in-one-day which should get you Orange-fronted parakeets (on Blumine) and Yellow-crowned on (Motuara) there are also some other good birds that you will only see in predator free sanctuaries like South island saddleback as well as high numbers of more common species like Bellbirds and robin.  You wont easily see King Shags without a boat trip as they are only found in the outer sounds which means a very long windy drive for a slim chance of a sighting. I have done quite a few trips out there and I wouldn't recommend it for that purpose.  

Weka are common on the west coast from around Westport to a bit south of Hokitika. If you are going to Pancake rocks have a look around the car park as the often check out the front of vehicles for insects. Otherwise any of the DOC campsites or roadside verges that have longer grass (particularly around Hokitika) should provide some sightings. 

Rock Wren can be difficult to locate but often very confiding allowing great views once found. The ones at Arthurs Pass are not to difficult if you don't mind walking. They are normally found up the Otira Valley Walk (not actually in Otira but further up the road towards Arthurs Pass). Essentially you walk up the track to the creek cross the small bridge then continue upstream on the small track. It should take about 30-45 minutes to reach this point. I have normally found them another 20 minutes up this track but they could be anywhere upstream of the creek crossing. Make sure you are familiar with their call as it is the best way to locate them (unfortunately it is quite high pitched so some people cant hear them) once you hear them then just hang around until they pop out from where ever they are hiding. They will be nesting in October so it is worth spending a bit of time in suitable habitat as they swap incubation every 30 minutes and then do a circuit of their territory. The best habitat is generally a mix of large boulders and some tussock or shrub. I wouldn't recommend going up the Temple Basin side looking for Rock Wren as the track is a lot steeper and suitable habitat is more spread out so you would really have to know what you are looking for. You can also see them around Mt Cook but i am not so familiar with this site. you could try asking at the DOC visitor centre there. 

Arthurs Pass is also a good place to see Kea. They often hang out at the Deaths Corner car park waiting for cars to pull bits off. If they are not there try the cafe in Arthurs Pass where they are often found waiting to steal lunch from unsuspecting tourists.  

When you are at Mt Cook make sure you check out the top of Lake Pukaki, there is a small track just up from the Glentanner Airport (i think it has a gate but it is public access), this is probably the most reliable place to see Black Stilt and is often used as a release site for captive reared birds. You should also see Wrybill, Black-fronted terns and other braided river species there too.         

Let me know if you want any more info or have other species you are chasing. 

Cheers,

Kailash       

Message: 1
Date: Mon, 3 Jun 2019 19:33:57 +1000
From: calyptorhynchus <>
To: "<>" <>
Subject: queries about NZ
Message-ID:
        <CAO5cx3wN8kj0i-K9LLzAoQONrrKZohQ_hUqoNBs=>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"

Wondering if someone can help me with these queries.

I am thinking of going to NZ in October, flying in to Wellington, then
taking the ferry to the South Island, for the pelagic birds, then picking
up a car and driving round down the west coast to the Mt Cook area to see
the glaciers, then back to Christchurch via Arthur's Pass.

Queries:
1. Are King Shags ever seen from the ferry, is there a spot nr Picton you
can see them from without having to go on a boat trip or long walk?
2. I have heard that Wekas are common at Westport, where in particular
about the town? Are they common enough in the areas I am going to to see
them without going to Westport specifically?
3. Does anyone have a good spot for Yellow-crowned Parakeet in the areas I
am going to be driving through?
4. The Rock Wrens at Arthur's Pass sound difficult to find, are there any
sites in the Mt Cook NP area for this sp?
5. Anywhere I'd be silly to miss birdwise on this route?

Thanks

--
John Leonard
Canberra
Australia
www.jleonard.net

?There is kinship between people and all animals. Such is the Law.?
Kimberley lawmen (from Yorro Yorro)
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://birding-aus.org/mailman/private/birding-aus_birding-aus.org/attachments/20190603/16dd54f3/attachment.html>

------------------------------

Message: 2
Date: Mon, 3 Jun 2019 09:40:46 +0000
From: Kim Sterelny <>
To: calyptorhynchus <>,
        "<>" <>
Subject: queries about NZ
Message-ID:
        <>
       
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="windows-1252"

If you have an extra day in Wellington, try to organise a visit to Kapiti Island. Dept of Conservation run daily boats across, but you used to have to book a bit in advance (it is a decade since I lived in Wellington). The mainland island reserve in Wellington itself is also good for a fair range of species, especially if this is your first time in kiwiland


kim


Kim Sterelny, School of Philosophy, Research School of the Social Sciences, Australian National University, Acton, 0200, ACT, Australia
or

61-(0)2-6125-2886


________________________________
From: Birding-Aus <> on behalf of calyptorhynchus <>
Sent: Monday, 3 June 2019 7:33 PM
To: <>
Subject: queries about NZ

Wondering if someone can help me with these queries.

I am thinking of going to NZ in October, flying in to Wellington, then taking the ferry to the South Island, for the pelagic birds, then picking up a car and driving round down the west coast to the Mt Cook area to see the glaciers, then back to Christchurch via Arthur's Pass.

Queries:
1. Are King Shags ever seen from the ferry, is there a spot nr Picton you can see them from without having to go on a boat trip or long walk?
2. I have heard that Wekas are common at Westport, where in particular about the town? Are they common enough in the areas I am going to to see them without going to Westport specifically?
3. Does anyone have a good spot for Yellow-crowned Parakeet in the areas I am going to be driving through?
4. The Rock Wrens at Arthur's Pass sound difficult to find, are there any sites in the Mt Cook NP area for this sp?
5. Anywhere I'd be silly to miss birdwise on this route?

Thanks

--
John Leonard
Canberra
Australia
www.jleonard.net<http://www.jleonard.net>
Main Page<http://www.jleonard.net/>
www.jleonard.net
The main page



?There is kinship between people and all animals. Such is the Law.? Kimberley lawmen (from Yorro Yorro)

-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://birding-aus.org/mailman/private/birding-aus_birding-aus.org/attachments/20190603/25194c89/attachment.html>

------------------------------

Subject: Digest Footer

_______________________________________________
Birding-Aus mailing list

To change settings or unsubscribe visit:
http://birding-aus.org/mailman/listinfo/birding-aus_birding-aus.org


------------------------------

End of Birding-Aus Digest, Vol 68, Issue 2
******************************************

<HR>
<BR> Birding-Aus mailing list
<BR> 
<BR> To change settings or unsubscribe visit:
<BR> http://birding-aus.org/mailman/listinfo/birding-aus_birding-aus.org
</HR>