Thread: Birds

Originally Posted by XR500

You didn't have anything to do with a Pukeko control project on a certain Hauraki Gulf island a few years ago perchance???

I would not like to have been the hunter - walking over and the realization - feck - that is not a pukeko but I think I do know what it is - and I think I just fucked up big time

Good photo.

Could be juvinial Bellbird although the beak is not curved ?

Keen on the rata flowering just outside the lounge window — until the resident tui realise it is there and move it along ! 10 minutes later it will sneak back in and carry on feeding.

Not exactly a bird but this was a Falcons nest I came across the other day. The parent didn't take kindly to my interest in it and it was a bit tricky getting photos while it was attacking me. Great to see 3 eggs in it.

On the down side we came across a lot of Canada geese and between 3 of us destroyed 6 nests (37 eggs) and shot a few adults.

Pretty cool to find a falcon's nest, thats verging on 'bucket list' !

Originally Posted by Puffin

Keen on the rata flowering just outside the lounge window — until the resident tui realise it is there and move it along ! 10 minutes later it will sneak back in and carry on feeding.

Attachment 234149

Buitifull photo there.

Thanks Trout. The bellbird in particular didn't stay still for long. For every image like this there were another nineteen that turn out to be just an olive blur. The trusty SX50 used for that one.

Kaka - there seems to more about now than ever - great to see. Photo taken by my son




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Yeah. Numbers around our place do seem to be increasing.

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.



Male Stitchbird. Best it seems to wait at the bird feeders for the Hihi (aptly named: ray of sun)



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.