In search of the elusive kokako

Two weekends ago we went on our annual pilgrimage to Tiritiri Matangi, a bird sanctuary island a short ferry ride from the tip of the Whangaparaoa Peninsula (just north of Auckland). For anyone into New Zealand's native birds, this is the place to go. 

Together with our friends Paula and Vlad (formerly of s/v Tethys, now stationed just south of Christchurch) and Xen and Shelaine (s/v Inetora and fellow Aucklanders), we crept along trails, peered into the bush, consulted our bird guides, and picked out various bird calls in our best efforts to pretend we knew what we were doing. We did pretty well, spotting the whitehead, NZ robin, tui, bellbird, red-crowned parakeet, native pigeon, stitchbird, saddleback, kingfisher, and brown teal, along with the usual sighting of Greg the Takahe during our stop at the center for tea. We even got lucky and spotted a blue penguin with a couple of chicks in the penguin boxes. But the kokako stayed hidden for most of the day until we happened upon a sleepy pair hanging out in the trees right above us.

The birds were spectacular and so were the views from our walk around the island. With the sun shining, we even managed a lazy picnic. All in all, a successful day and a great way to welcome in spring.

Our transport

The gang on the island

Lazy lunch

Lighthouse with a fresh coat of paint

Native pigeon

Tui

NZ robin

Stitchbird

Kokako

Pretty views on the way back to the ferry