Category: Endangered Species

DOC seeks sightings of rare kakī / black stilt October 2016

One of the pair of black stilt/kakī that were recently sighted – the left bird is the more common pied stilt. Photo credit DOC

Above left: One of the pair of black stilt/kakī that were recently sighted – the left bird is the more common pied stilt. Photo credit DOC This is pretty exciting and it rather amazes me that these birds have crossed the Southern Alps at presumably their highest point across Aoraki Mt Cook National Park, flying… Continue reading DOC seeks sightings of rare kakī / black stilt October 2016

Capable of flying at speeds over 100 km/h and catching prey larger than itself, the falcon / kārearea is one of New Zealand’s most spectacular birds.

This older male is engaged in courtship ritual and is perched on an old tree stump that at ground level has been used as a nest previously. The female a few hundred meters away was very aware of my presence, and at the time of taking this photo both were engaged in a rowdy discussion, probably about myself whom they know quite well, perhaps questioning whether or not I should be "warned off" in relation to nesting soon.

The photos in the gallery below are extensively captioned, so if you’d like to read more of “their”  falcon story, click on any one of them, and please feel free to leave a comment or ask a question. All photos by Southern Light..

Takahe – back from the brink | Our Changing World | Radio New Zealand

A few days ago I came across a FaceBook post by Radio NZ about the growing numbers of takahē [one of NZ’s rare flightless birds threatened by extinction] and was so intrigued by it I’ve gathered together some information, and included a link to their article below. Takahē were rediscovered above the bush line amongst… Continue reading Takahe – back from the brink | Our Changing World | Radio New Zealand

The New Zealand whitebait season | A real and delicious Kiwiana experience

Some thoughts on the New Zealand whitebait, sea gulls and the health of our rivers – their habitat… Last week en-route to visiting family in South Canterbury I stopped off at a few east coast beaches, and in one instance walked to the mouth of the Waitaki River to look at what was present in… Continue reading The New Zealand whitebait season | A real and delicious Kiwiana experience

Skink population quadrupled | Otago Daily Times Online News

View of the Upper Clutha Valley from the Grandview Mountains

top: View of the Upper Clutha Valley from the Grandview Mountains Very happy to hear this news. A group of us volunteers trap an extensive steep rocky area in the Grandview Mountains between the Lindis, Tarras and Wanaka to protect the same species. Recently about 80 were captured and translocated to other areas in Otago. The… Continue reading Skink population quadrupled | Otago Daily Times Online News