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If passing through Whanganui and interested in the opportunity to get some photos of birds not often seen out in the hunting grounds, it is worthwhile taking a couple of hours to detour off SH3 to Bushy Park. This sanctuary is owned by F&B, but operated by the community–led Bushy Park Trust. Free admission! There often seem to be either fallow or goats on the side of the road just past the Brunswick Rd. turn-off on the way there if that is more your thing.
Below, a North Island Robin. Couldn't get one to stay quite still enough in the low light on my last visit, but there are plenty there to get that shutter-count up. The website estimates 600 or so over the 89 hectares.
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Male Stitchbird. Best it seems to wait at the bird feeders for the Hihi (aptly named: ray of sun)
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North Island Saddleback. They spend a lot of time foraging on or close to the ground at Bushy Park. They probably did outside Bush Park as well at one time, a contributor to their current conservation status one imagines. While photographing, several other parties of visitors came through gazing up into the canopy and were overheard commenting to each other on whether they would ever see any Saddleback at all, while the birds were almost at their feet.
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Two from the weekend.
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This little guy on the back yard fence. Seen the odd one around but never in town before:cool:
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Cheeky white heron when we were down the hut whitebait season, it hung around for 20 odd minutes.
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Then a wee bush Robin decided to make itself at home.
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One day I must go see them saddlebacks. I lived in place called kaitieke...kai= food tieke= saddleback. Were never sure if was food for them or they were food lol.
Went a bike ride from Park Island around top end of Ahuriri Lagoon onto express way. What a blast. Saw a spoonie feeding. The Godwits are back apparently. Must go and see them .They travel for 9/12 days non stop and lose half their body weight on the journey. An important feeding ground for them.That is why we need to protect our wetlands. China has destroyed a huge wetland in the pacific to make a man made airport. They say it has decimated half the migrating bird population. Sad.
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Tui. Taken with mobile at Zealandia.
Attempting to photograph a Tui feeding in our Rata at home. Kept moving around the tree whenever I had a shot lined up and flew off as I took the last photo. Assuming I’d missed him I gave up in frustration but editing out the photos today, the last one was not such a miss after all!!
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That's a really good shot....good timing.
Was out looking at a new area and this appeared not far from the ute. I'm told that it is a female stitchbird (hihi). Can anyone confirm this as I'm no authority, I'm also told that they are relatively rare.Attachment 270196
Attachment 272198 right beside dog and I
yeah... they do that.Quote:
Originally Posted by Micky Duck
Curious, friendly little creatures
Rifleman. Smallest bird in NZ bush. Stitchbirds largely confined to offshore islands. S'bird has slightly curved beak, is larger, has white patch on outside of wing and a longer tail.Quote:
Originally Posted by Andygr
Fiordland? What are they? A Robin? Snapped one in the first period with my nikon p1000Attachment 272888Quote:
Originally Posted by Lucky
Sent from my SM-A256E using Tapatalk
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A wee bird from the salt marshes of South Carolina
No in Lewis Pass region , South Island Robin
A few chamois seen but this was the highlight!
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