Well the second instalment and like all good series let’s pick up where we left off.
The ones that got away.
The shot I would have loved but failed to take was one of what I’m pretty sure was a New Zealand Falcon. I do however have a pretty good reason, my ‘chance’ came while I was driving down the West Coast State Highway which twists and turns almost continually. The falcon took off and nearly flew into the car as I reached a peak and was turning left.
Oh well another time
The second returning theme is ‘The same but different’
In the UK I see swans very regularly but nearly always Mute Swans but with the occasional Bewick thrown in for good luck – these are both predominantly white. All the swans I have seen here are Black swans Kakīānau which are of course black.
So on with the story and the new(er) birds
I’ve seen and snapped more
New Zealand Pigeons
Rea (Swamp Hens)
Pied Cormorants
New birds included
Bellbird
Bellbirds are the most widespread and familiar honeyeater in the South Island (and are also common over much of the North Island.) They have a brush-like tongue which is used to reach deeply into flowers to reach nectar. They also feed on fruits and insects. In feeding on nectar they play an important ecological role in pollinating the flowers of many native trees and shrubs.
White faced Heron
The white-faced heron is New Zealand's most common heron, despite being a relatively new arrival to this country and makes an interesting variation to the grey herons I so often see at home.
(for the few of you who may have seen my tattoo this isn't far from a picture that was used as inspiration for the design)
Red-billed gull
The red-billed gull is the commonest gull on the New Zealand coast and is closely related to the black-billed gull which featured in part 1.
Albatross
I'm not sure this is actually an albatross (the one at the back calling) but Google Images thought so currently I'm claiming it
If it was it was first sighting for me of the world's largest seabirds. A bird that spends at least 85% of their lives at sea, only returning to land to breed and raise their young.
Western Gull or Glaucous-winged Gull
Again I'm not very sure which these are but they would both be new to me.
Black oystercatcher
Similar in appearance to the oystercatchers I'm familiar with, the big difference being the body colour which can be black, intermediate or ‘smudgy’ or pied.
Little Terns
The birds along the gulls are clearly terns and my best guess is that they are Little Terns Although small numbers of little terns visit New Zealand every year, supposedly it took some time before they were recognised as being New Zealand birds.
Chaffinch
Chaffinches are familiar to me from the UK. Here they are the most common and most widespread of New Zealand’s introduced finches, and are found in a wide range of habitats from sea-level to 1400 m.
Sparrows
Of which there are lots and lots
More to come ...
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