Kotare – a New Zealand kingfisher in the Wharemauku

Welcome to the Midnight Collective Broadsheet 79

Actively supporting NZ’s endangered wetland birds

Kotare - NZ kingfisher

One of our most rarely sighted local native birds is the kotare or kingfisher. And this seems odd given the fact that this is former swamp forest country and remains honeycombed with drainage creeks. These are rich with marine life, despite the extensive urbanisation of the surrounding land.

We only seem to come across these feisty birds in late autumn and winter. We had high hopes for a breeding pair last year, when one seemed to take up residence at the back of the airport, but were left disappointed. The bird seems to have returned to the back of the airport again this year, though we have only caught rare glimpses of her. We were lucky to catch another however, further  down the Wharemauku, close to the coast. 

Kotare - NZ Kingfisher

The sighting of a kingfisher is supposed in itself, to be a lucky portent, but we’ll settle for the footage we managed to get of this one – diving into the creek and then grooming herself dry in the branches of a tree before settling into the sun to dry.

The New Zealand kotare is not only good-looking but a hardy soul who, like the North American  woodpecker, can drill holes into forest trees. There is one example  worth looking out for when visiting Otari-Wilton Bush in Wellington. The trunk is peppered with holes well above head height and curiously, the next generation of kotare come back to continue their parents excavation. It’s off the beaten track but their staff will be able to direct you there.  

 

 On the run - Royal Spoonbill on Wharewauku

This is the third native bird we have seen feeding in the Wharemauku since the big flood. The first was the black shag and then last Sunday we caught a royal spoonbill down in the Wharemauku opposite the dune lake. It was a dangerous place for such a large animal especially at a time when people are out with their dogs. And we had to move fast just managing to fire off this shot and a jerky film (filming on the run is not a good idea but needs must when the devil drives). Sadly this one was lame and possibly sick as well. It may have been lured down by hunger this time of the year.      

Track we were listening to while posting this   -I can’t feel my face-  The Weekend… It’s a really summery upbeat Michael Jacksonee song made for the Northern Hemisphere this time of year. Down here you need to make up for the chill by playing  it very loud.

 Jill Studd’s Blog

Contact Us