Today’s News: New Zealand native birds in a desperate situation, says Environment Commissioner

The takahē was once thought to be extinct, but in 1948 it was rediscovered by Dr. Geoffrey Orbell, [who incidentally I remember meeting as a child, when he was the next-door-neighbour of my grandparents]. He found it high in the tussock grasslands of the remote Murchison Mountains, Fiordland. Currently there are just over 300 left in the world - approx. half in the wild. photo Southern Light

Today a very timely report was released by Parliamentary Commissioner for the environment. Dr Jan Wright. It follows on from a very succinct series of non political reports including the use of 1080 poison to help our birds: In a new report, the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment says New Zealand’s native birds are in a desperate situation.… Continue reading Today’s News: New Zealand native birds in a desperate situation, says Environment Commissioner

“The Boss” and Edwin – a tale of two kea in Mt Aspiring National Park

above: "The Boss" of three kea resident near Aspiring Hut in the West Matukituki valley, Mt Aspiring National Park Mar 2017 ~  photo southern light

A few weeks ago I was involved in the capture and subsequent banding of a young kea. Probably a male, but that is not a certainty with any youngster. At the time while recording the banding with a camera, I was struck on how he took being held in his stride, and when relaxed started… Continue reading “The Boss” and Edwin – a tale of two kea in Mt Aspiring National Park

New Zealand’s alpine parrot the kea, has the beak and has the brain, but that’s not enough

My favourite kea photo ~ why? I like the smug and comfortable look of confidence and happiness. Yes, kea can both recognise emotions and exhibit them ~ all photos by Southern Light

New Zealand’s alpine parrot cuts right across the aloofness of a landscape and weather that takes no prisoners, greeting us with life and curiosity that never fails to get us smiling; a feathered and garrulous court jester of our mountains. The birds decline in numbers to under 5000 has been due to an historic century-long… Continue reading New Zealand’s alpine parrot the kea, has the beak and has the brain, but that’s not enough

Bonding with a bird of the night ~ the ruru (morepork) is associated with the spirit world of the Māori…

above: an injured ruru / morepork found recently mid Feb. 2017 near Aspiring Hut, Mt Aspiring National Park

A few weeks ago while sitting with one of my friendly companion kea outside Aspiring Hut enjoying the balmy evening with a cuppa and many moths, a dark shadow appeared about a meter off the ground winging towards my face. We all three of us shared a mutual silence while I processed how come another… Continue reading Bonding with a bird of the night ~ the ruru (morepork) is associated with the spirit world of the Māori…

The goal of a predator free New Zealand may sit uneasily with global warming and ensuing climate change

This site/blog seems to have an organic destiny, and somewhere along a way lined with a steady growth of followers, I’ve not bothered much to publish my own photos, so here today I’ll use a few of my recent favourites made in the last two weeks to illustrate the need for an awakening, and action.… Continue reading The goal of a predator free New Zealand may sit uneasily with global warming and ensuing climate change