Birding/ Bird watching on New Zealand

Birding/ Bird watching Auckland, New Zealand

MON OCT 30th---KIWI NIGHT!!

Again I will collect you from your Auckland hotel and we will head for Northland. Along the way we will stop at a beach to look for NZ Dotterel, and ponds for NZ Scaup, NZ Wrybill Birding ToursGrebe [dabchick] and 2 or 3 cormorant species as well as other waterfowl such as Grey teal and Australasian shoveller. If we had not seen a Tomtit on the 26th we can try for that again. Also if we have not seen a Grey warbler by then we will find one of those

The main focus this day will be at night when we go out looking for North Island Brown kiwi north of Kerikeri and we may also see our native owl, the Morepork.

We will stay the night at "Birders Rest"

The Northland Region

(Māori: Te Tai Tokerau, also Te Hiku-o-te-Ika, "the Tail of the Fish" (of Maui)) is the northernmost of New Zealand's 16 local government regions. New Zealanders often call it the Far North, or, because of its mild climate, the Winterless North. The main population centre is the city of Whangarei and the largest town is Kerikeri.

The Northland Region occupies the northern 80% (265 kilometres) of the 330 kilometre-long Northland Peninsula, the southernmost part of which is in the Auckland Region.

Stretching from a line where the peninsula narrows to a width of just 15 kilometres a little north of the town of Wellsford, Northland Region extends north to the tip of the Northland Peninsula, covering an area of Northland, New Zealand13,940 km2, a little over five per cent of the country's total area. It is bounded to the west by the Tasman Sea, and to the east by the Pacific Ocean.

The land is predominantly rolling hill country. Farming and forestry occupy over half of the land, and are two of the region's main industries.

Although many of the region's kauri forests were felled during the 19th century, some areas still exist where this rare giant grows tall. New Zealand's largest tree, Tane Mahuta, stands in the Waipoua Forest south of the Hokianga Harbour.

The western coast is dominated by several long straight beaches, the most famous of which is the inaccurately named 88 kilometre-long stretch of Ninety Mile Beach in the region's far north. The slightly longer Ripiro Beach lies further south. Two large inlets are also located on this coast, the massive Kaipara Harbour in the south, which Northland shares with the Auckland Region, and the convoluted inlets of the Hokianga Harbour.

The east coast is more rugged, and is dotted with bays and peninsulas. Several large natural harbours are found on this coast, from Parengarenga close to the region's northern tip, past the famous Bay of Islands down to Whangarei Harbour, on the shores of which is situated the largest population centre. Numerous islands dot this coast, notably the Cavalli Islands, the Hen and Chickens Islands, Aorangaia Island and the Poor Knights Islands.

The northernmost points of the North Island mainland lie at the top of Northland. These include several points often confused in the public mind as being the country's northernmost points: Cape Maria van Diemen, Spirits Bay, Cape Reinga, and North Cape. The northernmost point of the North Island is actually the Surville Cliffs, close to North Cape, although the northernmost point of the country is further north in the Kermadec chain of islands. Cape Reinga and Spirits Bay do, however, have a symbolic part to play as the end of the country. In Māori mythology, it is from here that the souls of the dead depart on their journey to the afterlife.

Northland is New Zealand's least urbanised region, with 50% of the population of 171,400 living in urban areas. Whangarei is the largest urban area, with a population of 56,400 (June 2016s). The region's population is largely concentrated along the east coast. During the five-year period up to 2006, Northland recorded a population growth of 6.0 percent, slightly below the national average. Northland includes one of the fastest growing towns in New Zealand, Mangawhai, which is expanding rapidly due to residential and subsequent commercial development.

From Wikipedia

Monday 30th of October 2017 and we left my hotel at 8 o'clock. And as I had been lucky with the weather yesterday we didn't need to go to the Muriwai Gannet Colony and we could go straight to New Zealand travel posterKerikeri at Northland. We will stop at Warkworth to buy lunch and we will make stops on the way to look for birds.

We're especially keeping our eyes out for the Gold and Greenfinch on our way. It was kind of light traffic leaving Auckland and we were soon in Warkworth where we stopped at Picnix Bakery and Cafe. I bought two pies today, cheese and bacon and all the cans of MAX they had.

We went down to Mahurangi River to look for some birds before we left Warkworth. No birds and we were soon back on New Zealand State Highway #1 and we drove for a while until we passed the Sheep World. We turned right and we drove in to the forest where we spotted several Sacred Kingfishers along the gravel road. But the birds was very scared and to get pictures was very hard.

Birding/ Bird watching on New Zealand
Gloom and Grey for as long we can see

Birding/ Bird watching on New Zealand
We stop to buy lunch

Sacred Kingfisher, Todiramphus sanctus

Sacred Kingfisher, Todiramphus sanctus
Sacred Kingfisher

European Goldfinch or Goldfinch, Carduelis carduelis, Steglits

European Goldfinch or Goldfinch, Carduelis carduelis, Steglits
European Goldfinch or Goldfinch

European Goldfinch or Goldfinch, Carduelis carduelis, Steglits
European Goldfinch or Goldfinch

We drove for 30 minutes or se when we took off the highway again. We stopped along the Hoteo River as we had spotted the European Goldfinch in the bushes. A little too far away for any good pictures, but close enough to see that it was a beautiful bird. We were soon back on New Zealand State Highway 1 again. Next stop would be to look for shore birds at the Waipu River Mouth Wildlife Refuge.

We stopped in Waipu so my Guide could buy some strings for his binocular. I took the opportunity to have a look around in the park. There were for sure some Silvereyes and some other small birds. But no pictures. But it was a beautiful park along the Waihoihoi River. This is the area where we will have our lunch when we come back from the Waipu River Mouth Wildlife Refuge

we see the very rare bird New Zealand Fairy Tern/ Tara-iti on the other side of the river. Too far away for me to normally be interested in trying to take any pictures. But as it is a very rare bird I gave it a try. And the picture, well, nothing I normally would have bothered with.

Birding/ Bird watching at Waipu River Mouth Wildlife Refuge

Birding/ Bird watching at Waipu River Mouth Wildlife Refuge
We see another European Goldfinch


New Zealand Fairy Tern, tara-iti, Sternula nereis davisae

Little Pied Cormorant, Little Shag or Kawaupaka, Microcarbo melanoleucos
Little Pied Cormorant, Little Shag or Kawaupaka

Variable Oystercatcher, Haematopus
Variable Oystercatcher

Variable Oystercatcher, Haematopus
Variable Oystercatcher

Variable Oystercatcher, Haematopus
Variable Oystercatcher
we can see that one of the bird is missing the foot

Variable Oystercatcher, Haematopus
Variable Oystercatcher
we can see that one of the bird is missing the foot

Variable Oystercatcher, Haematopus
Variable Oystercatcher
we can see that one of the bird is missing the foot

Birding/ Bird watching at Waipu River Mouth Wildlife Refuge
We see another European Goldfinch

Variable Oystercatcher, Haematopus
Variable Oystercatcher

Variable Oystercatcher, Haematopus
Variable Oystercatcher

Variable Oystercatcher, Haematopus
Variable Oystercatcher

We walk along the beach and we spot some Variable Oystercatchers and a Little Pied Cormorant that escaped every time I tried to get a picture. We gave the New Zealand Fairy Tern another try but the bird was further away and I gave up the idea. We left Waipu River Mouth Wildlife Refuge and we drove back to the park in Waipu.

We ended up at a table “river side” and we watched ducks, pigeons and House Sparrows while eating. Well, it was not much eating, my pies was a disappointment. It said cheese and bacon, but there was neither cheese nor bacon in the pies. Some meat filling and I threw them to the birds. BOOM! And the pies was covered by birds. BOOM! The birds left and they had not touched the pies. A quick sniff and they left the pies.

I cannot explain for you how the pies was tasting but if pigeons and House Sparrows refuse to eat (They eat everything) the pies you understand exactly how good the pies was. But I enjoyed a bottle of MAX in beautiful surroundings.

We left Waipu and we left the highway at the Uretiti Bech Campsite. We drive down towards the beach and there wasn't any birds we could take pictures off. But when we came to the end we discovered a pair of California Quails on a rock. A beautiful bird in a beautiful setting.

California Quail, Callipepla californica
California Quail

California Quail, Callipepla californica
Male California Quail

California Quail, Callipepla californica
Female California Quail

California Quail, Callipepla californica
Male California Quail

California Quail, Callipepla californica
California Quail

California Quail, Callipepla californica
California Quail

California Quail, Callipepla californica
California Quail

We were soon back on New Zealand State Highway #1 driving towards north. We stopped to fill up gas in Whangarei and next stop was in Kawakawa to buy an ice cream. My guide told me that the only famous thing in the town was the Hundertwasser Toilets. Just across the street from the ice cream place so of course, I went over to have a look.

Pepsi MAX in Kawakawa Well, now we can put one more thing on the list of “famous things” in Kawakawa. There is a place to buy Pepsi MAX and I bought a bag of Pepsi MAX. Never know when I find use for one or two “refreshments” We still have a few hours to go.

Pepsi MAX in Kawakawa

It was nice with a break to stretch our legs and the ice cream was delicious. We were in a good mood when we left the Hundertwasser Toilets and Kawakawa behind. We will stop in a forest to have a look for the Tomtit bird and that will be the last stop before arrival to Kerikeri.

Hundertwasser Toilets

The Hundertwasser Toilets is a public toilet located at 60 Gilles Street, the main street of the town Kawakawa on New Zealand's North Island. The structure was completed in 1999 and named after architect Friedensreich Hundertwasser, who conceived the project. It is one of few toilet blocks seen as an international work of art and a tourist attraction in its own right.

Description
Men's toilet with its irregular and very colourful ceramic tiles. The toilet facility was designed by the reclusive expatriate Austrian artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser, who lived in Kawakawa from 1975 until his death in 2000, aged 71. The decorative toilet block is the only project designed by Hundertwasser in the Southern Hemisphere and the artist's last project completed within his lifetime. The style is typical Hundertwasser, with wavy lines, irregular ceramic tiles, integrated small sculptures, coloured glass and a live tree incorporated into the architecture.

Recycled materials, including the community's spent glass bottles and bricks from a former Bank of New Zealand branch, were used throughout. Hundertwasser requested that any vegetation removed for construction should be replanted on the building's green roof. The toilet was opened in 1999. Functionally, it does not differ from other 'normal' public toilets. There are separate men's and women's areas, but both sides are sometimes viewed by the more curious visitor after giving suitable advance warning. Tourism
The Hundertwasser Toilets are considered the main attraction of Kawakawa and the most photographed toilet of New Zealand. The bus-loads of tourists who view the toilets far outnumber the individuals who visit simply to use the facility.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

More interesting from bay of islands - Travel Information Network HERE

Hundertwasser Toilets

Hundertwasser Toilets

Hundertwasser Toilets

Hundertwasser Toilets

Hundertwasser Toilets

Hundertwasser Toilets

Hundertwasser Toilets

Hundertwasser Toilets

Hundertwasser Toilets

Hundertwasser Toilets

Hundertwasser Toilets


Hundertwasser Toilets

We driver for an hour or so and we reach the Puketi Recreation Area. We spot a Sacred Kingfisher as soon as we get out of the car. We walk around looking for the Tomtit but we don't find any Tomtit, just Kingfishers and Eastern Rosella. We go back to the car and the show washing station. We need to clean our shoes from soil before we enter the forest.

We walk along the Puketi Nature Trail without seeing any Tomtits. Well, one Tomtit came to have a look at us but the bird was gone before we got a good look at the bird. But we spotted a Grey Warbler and a New Zealand Fantail.

Bird watching at Puketi Recreation Area Campsite
Eastern Rosella

Grey Warbler, Gerygone igata
Grey Warbler

Grey Warbler, Gerygone igata
Grey Warbler

New Zealand fantail, Rhipidura fuliginosa
New Zealand fantail

New Zealand fantail, Rhipidura fuliginosa
New Zealand fantail

Bird watching on Puketi Nature Trail
Puketi Nature Trail

Bird watching on Puketi Nature Trail
Puketi Nature Trail

Bird watching on Puketi Nature Trail
Puketi Nature Trail

Bird watching on Puketi Nature Trail
Puketi Nature Trail

Bird watching on Puketi Nature Trail
Puketi Nature Trail

We had to be in Kerikeri as my Guide had booked a table at The Pear Tree restaurant. Dinner and then we would go to The Birders Rest to leave our “overnight” bag and to meet our night Guide. Table booked for 6 and we arrived at 5 thirty. Lucky us, the service was at least to say slow. I spotted a Barbary Dove in a tree down at the wharf so I went to check it out. There were people feeding the ducks and gulls so I spend some time looking at this.

The food was still not ready when I was back. When we finally asked for the bill I got a chock, 90 Dollars!!! For sure very expensive and I would have been better off with a sandwich from a bakery. Seriously, a pot of tea, some fresh bread and a steak. Plus of course, some chocolate mousse. But 90 Dollars, New Zealand is very expensive.

OK, I had asked for an extra 10 Dollars’ worth of whipped cream, but they cannot have charged me for the Aspirin sized lump of whipped cream they had put on the plate. And on top of this there was a draft in the restaurant so it was freezing cold. They had built in the terrace and it was a terrible cold draft.

Barbary dove, ringed turtle dove, ringneck dove, ring-necked turtle dove, or ring dove, Streptopelia risoria
Also Ringed turtle dove, ringneck dove, ring-necked turtle dove, or ring dove

Barbary dove, ringed turtle dove, ringneck dove, ring-necked turtle dove, or ring dove, Streptopelia risoria
Barbary dove
Also Ringed turtle dove, ringneck dove, ring-necked turtle dove, or ring dove

We left the disappointment Pear Tree behind. Next stop, the Birders Rest It is a private house with two extra room attached to it. The rooms are OK for one night, but if you're staying longer you might want to have a desk. The owners are running a tour guide service also and the lady of the house are guiding us tonight when we're going to look for the Kiwi. BIRDERS REST, KERIKERI - ACCOMMODATION & BIRDING more info by clicking HERE. You can easily spend a few days in the area looking for birds.

I had a shower and we left Birder's Rest at 8 o'clock driving out to the area where we can expect to see the Kiwis. And it was pitch dark by the time we arrived, just as the Kiwis likes it. We parked the car at a camping site and we walked along a gravel road until we reached the end of the road. Crossing the fence and we were on a walk path through the wilderness.

The only means of light was our flash lights. We could hear many Kiwis in the dark. We walked around in the dark for a couple of hours and we came up with nothing. Only the Kiwi calls and I made a few recordings, but yet again, I was reminded about buying a quality sound recorder that I can have in my pocket.

So the sound recordings ended up in the garbage bin. Ni Kiwis, but we discovered an entrance to a Kiwi nest, so that was at least a little exciting. We waked out to Marsden Cross and we turned around. Back in the forest and we left the track back to Oihi Road. We walked north and then back down to the Marsden Cross from the hill. We gave the area around the Marsden Cross a good search before we started to walk back towards the car.

Looking for Kiwis at Rangihoua
On our way to Rangihoua

Looking for Kiwis at Rangihoua
On our way to Rangihoua

Looking for Kiwis at Rangihoua
Looking for Kiwis on Oihi Road, Rangihoua

Looking for Kiwis at Rangihoua
Looking for Kiwis on Oihi Road, Rangihoua

Looking for Kiwis at Rangihoua
Looking for Kiwis at Rangihoua

Looking for Kiwis at Rangihoua
Entrance to a Kiwi nest

Looking for Kiwis at Marsden Cross
Looking for Kiwis at Marsden Cross

Looking for Kiwis at Marsden Cross
Looking for Kiwis at Marsden Cross

Our Guide was disappointed that we had not seen any Kiwis, it was past midnight and I said that I wanted to get to the room for some sleep. We drove back very slowly looking for Kiwis along the road. We drove along when my Guide could hear a Morepork. We stopped the car and we went out to look for the Morepork owl.

We could soon see the owl in a tree and I tried to take some pictures. When we left I cursed myself that I had forgotten to use the flash. Well, I can see that it is an owl in the light from the flash lights. So, yes, I got one new bird out of our “middle of the night” adventure.

We got in to the car and we drove back to Birders Rest and I was almost falling asleep in the car and I told my Guide that I will not be available until at least 9 o'clock in the morning.

Morepork, Ninox novaeseelandiae

To see the map in a full window click HERE

It was very late when we were back at Birders Rest and I never sat my alarm. I will sleep until I wake up, and if it will be too late I'm sure that they will wake me up. My Guide want to leave early so we can look for birds on the way back to Auckland. I must say that my Guide is eager to show me the birds. But as I told him.
- I'm already VERY HAPPY with our tours. If we miss a bird or two, so let it be, I can see it next time. We need to have a little rest and enjoyment as well. And we need to think about the rest hours. We cannot work 24/7!

We will stop at Puketi Nature Trail on the way to Auckland to have a go at the Tomtit again. Click HERE to find out if we manage to find the Tomtit or any other birds on the way to Auckland.

Review of Wrybill Birding Tours

This was good, some good 'ol NO NONSENSE good service. A very dedicated Guide who Review of Wrybill Birding Toursnever gave up finding the birds. In my age so it was the old generation and it means quality minded. No playing on the phone wanting to go home.

He just went on and on and I had to tell him that I wanted to go back to my hotel as I have a little holiday as well. And after 10 to 12 hours of bird watching it is time to sleep.

He knew some very good bakeries where we bought our lunch and we ate the lunch in some very beautiful outdoor location.

My Guide showed me all the endemics and many more birds in the north of New Zealand. A highly recommended company and I give them 5 stars out of 5.

Review of Wrybill Birding Tours

Review of Wrybill Birding Tours


Visit their web page for more information http://wrybill-tours.com

Wrybill Birding Tours




Sverigedemokraterna

Birding/ Bird watching Auckland, New Zealand

       
                  
OK, it has come to my knowledge that we have senior citizens visiting my web page. How hard can it be? So it's not very easy for them to see the blue coloured links to the next page.
Jiffy (also jiff)

noun [in SING.] informal a moment: we'll be back in a jiffy.

ORIGIN late 18th cent.: of unknown origin.

So as you understand, in a jiff pretty much depends on your internet.
So I put a “Next” button here and I hope that there isn't any problem to understand how to use that one. So just CLICK the “Next” button on your left hand side and you will be on the next page in a jiff!

Marunong ka mag-tagalog? Walang problema! Magpunta sa kabilang pahina pindutin ang “NEXT” button sa itaas

Faites vous parlez le français? Pas de problème! Pour arriver à la page suivante faites s'il vous plaît un déclic le bouton “Next” ci-dessus!

Haga usted dice el español? No hay problema! Ver la siguiente página sólo hacer clic el botón “Next” encima!

Farla parla l'italiano? Non problemi! Per vedere la prossima pagina lo scatto per favore giusto Il bottone “Next” sopra

Sprechen sie Deutsch! Kein problem! Wenn Sie die folgende Seite sehen wollen gerade klicken der Knopf “Next” oben!

คุณพูดภาษาไทยได้ไหม ไม่มีปัญหา ถ้าคุณต้องการไปหน้าถัดไป ให้กดปุ่ม “Next” ข้างบนนี้

Вы говорите по-русски? Просто нажмите синюю кнопку "Next" с левой стороны и Вы моментально переместитесь на следующую страницу!

E ni Svenskar och inte förstår Engelska så ska ni skämmas. J och Björn, med det menar jag inte att alla mina stavfel ska ältas varje gång vi träffas.

Flag of Skåne / Skånska flaggan Well, the flag of Skåne, just a BONUS flag.


                                       

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