Kotare - New Zealand Kingfisher update

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Actively supporting NZ’s endangered wetland birds

Kotare near dune lake over looking Wharemauku

As if to prove us wrong, less than a week after voicing our frustration about spotting kotare at the dune lake, this one came out of hiding in order to pose for us while trying to spot inanga in the wharemauku. This is around two kilometres upstream, from where we filmed our last post and we seem to be right in thinking we are dealing with two different birds. Here are photos of the two so see what you think.

Koatre near dune lake

Kotare at beach end of Wharemauku

We call them both ‘she’ but this is convention because we really don’t know their gender but more colour on their white fronts usually means a male. We think our first bird is the younger of the two. Perhaps she has just fledged which gives us hope that there is a nesting pair around here. (Someplace?).

They are very wary of humans and their dogs and take off almost immediately they spot you, though its noticeable that we are seeing a lot more risk taking from the wild birds at this time of year. Presumably this is because they are a lot hungrier than in summer. 

Kahu - Australasian harrier hawk

If you’re driving out in the country you’ll notice this with kahu (our Australasian hawk). They are not only out in the most atrocious weather this time of year (and this winter is shaping up to be pretty heinous); but swooping dangerously onto the roads while out looking for roadkill. They get so hungry that we have seen one try and pick up a pukeko at the dune lake.

On a lighter note the piwakawaka are back for the winter. This is our delightful little fantail, a pair of whom, were dithering around at the back of the airport. They are impossible to film because like all our little bush birds they have come out of the forest and so never keep still. Sometimes however, you just get lucky…

Piwakawaka at back of aairport 

Fanning!

Track we were listening to while posting this – we are plugging Hello Sailor and Blue Lady this week. Alive and still smokin’ despite losing Dave McArtney a couple of years ago. They go live at the Pumphouse in Auckland and a public bar full  of Kiwi musical legends with them. September 18 – so better get your tickets today…

Found myself a blue lady

To help me through the night

Me and my blue lady 

will make this chance alright (alright)

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