Wellington City biodiversity

[Michael Szabo]

It was seen back at Wellington College briefly at 4.30pm today but then it flew off again.

[AlfieB77]

I got an email about a little egret seen at Wellington college this afternoon. I think it’s been misidentified and they meant a the cattle egret.

[AlfieB77]

Egret on Wellington college field today at 4:30 with a few paradise Shelducks and plenty of gulls

[Michael Szabo]

I saw it flying around near there about 11am.

[Michael Szabo]

It was seen at Wellington College sports field again this afternoon at 5.15pm.

[Michael Szabo]

I saw a male Rifleman climbing along a main branch of the big Black Beech tree in the Botanic Gardens yesterday that's near the pathway up to the 'treehouse' by the threatened plant species garden, my first sightings at that location:
https://ebird.org/atlasnz/checklist/S140948987

[Michael Szabo]

I took photos of two male Rifleman/Tititipounamu at the Botanic Gardens early this afternoon. One was in the same spot where I saw one a few days ago and the other was foraging in the camelias and magnolia trees growing below the Treehouse between the entrance gate and the duck pond. Both birds were seen close to the ground.

I found them after hearing their high pitched calls. Both birds were quite easy to get reasonably close shots of but being Rifleman they move around very fast so you need to be quick to get the shot!

[Jim_j]

Great to see them spreading from the sanctuary - cats I guess will be the main issue

Cheers
Jim

[Michael Szabo]

Rifleman were recorded breeding at Te Ahumairangi Hill in 2021 where there is some pest control so these birds may be from there. Cats and rats will be the main pests in the Botanic Garden.

[Colin Miskelly]

A pair of kārearea / falcons are perched on top of the carillon (Pukeahu War Memorial Park).

Must be a fine day in the capital (or fine afternoon at least).

Ngā mihi
Colin